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Essence of Seoul - Private Walking Tour

Gyeongbok Palace, Hanbok traditional dress

Bukchon village, view point

Korean meal with many side dishes (Banchan)

Jogyesa Buddhist Temple

Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changing of the guard

Royal palace

Gyeongbok Palace

Gwangjang traditional market, Kimchi

Fruits and Vegetables at traditional market

@ royal palace in Seoul

Seoul city hall, outdoor library

Fish cake skewers @ traditional market

Hanok Korean traditional house

Royal palace on a sunny day

Changing of the guards ceremony

Rose festival in Seoul

Royal palace under snow in winter

Beautiful ginko trees in Seoul, Autumn

Gwangjang traditional market

Buddha's hall, Jogyesa temple

Bukchon village

Hanok house

Buddhist temple, Pagoda

Korean local dish

Main royal palace in Seoul

Roasted seaweed, traditional market in Seoul

wearing Hanbok costume in the Royal Palalce, Seoul

Essence of Seoul - Private Walking Tour

Highlights

Joined 2025

Pam K.

5.00 / 5

(2 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Seoul

English (Native), Korean (Native)

6 hours

Private tour (only you and Pam K.)

Up to 6 people

"For first-time visitors to Seoul"

Seoul is a real mix of history, culture, and tasty food! As a Seoulite and a licensed tour guide with over 10 years of experience and native-level English skills, I'm excited to show you the best of my city.

My private Seoul walking tour is all about giving you a personalized experience. Whether you're into palaces, markets, temples, or just wandering through charming neighborhoods, I'll be your guide, sharing fun facts and stories along the way.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

In the lobby of your hotel/accommodation in Seoul

- Please meet me by the main entrance of your hotel/accommodation in Seoul. *Please specify the name & the address of the hotel/accommodation you will be staying in Seoul when you book the tour.

09:30 AM

Gwanghwamun Square

We may also shortly explore Cheonggyecheon downtown stream if your hotel is located close to Myeongdong / City hall area.

10:00 AM

Royal Palace (Gyeongbokggung OR Changdeokgung Palace)

* Mon, Wed-Sun: Gyeongbokgung Royal Palace (We'll also watch the changing of the guards ceremony at 10AM)

* Tue: Cheongdeokgung Royal Palace (UNESCO)

11:00 AM

Bukchon Traditional Village (Mon-Sat only)

Bukchon village is closed on Sundays.

We will visit Ikseondong village area if the tour is booked for Sun.

12:00 PM

Insadong Street

I will recommend a tasty local restaurant for an authentic local food experience based on what you like / diet restriction.

We can also visit a Korean style traditional tea house in Insadong.

01:00 PM

Jogyesa Buddhist Temple

Jogyesa Temple is the heart of Korean Buddhism here in Seoul. We'll take a moment to soak in the peaceful atmosphere, admire the beautiful buildings, and watch locals as they pray in the main hall.

02:00 PM

Gwangjang Market

It's a great chance for you to try some local dishes such as mung-bean pancakes, Ddeokbokki rice cake, red bean paste desserts, dried persimmons, walnut cakes, and the list goes on.

Please bring some local cash (KRW) if you want to try the local food in the market!

03:00 PM

Back to the hotel

I will drop you off at the hotel by 3:00 PM.

Ending Point

In the lobby of your hotel/accommodation in Seoul

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Private guiding service for up to 6 hours in Seoul

What‘s not included

* Transportation cost, Admission fees, and Lunch for the Travelers+Guide are not included in the tour price and will be covered by the traveler(s) during the tour.

* Base Taxi fare is about $3 USD and we can explore many places under $10 USD per ride within Seoul. Subway/Bus fare is around $1 USD per ride.

* Please bring some cash (Korean Won) for the subway/bus rides and market/street food. Credit cards are accepted for taxi fares, admissions and restaurants.

Tour Important Information

This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

I recommend to bring the following itmes for the tour:

Bottled water

Hats / Sunglasses

Comfortable shoes

Winter season: very warm winter jacket, winter hat, gloves, scarf, etc.

* The itinerary may change depending on the weather / traffic / pacing / and the location of your hotel in Seoul. If your hotel is located in far from the palace (e.g. Gangnam / Jamsil area), we will need to adjust the itinerary or change the meeting point to somewhere close to the royal palace.

Important message from the supplier

I am a full-time professional tour guide with a license.

I can accommodate various group sizes from a solo-traveler to a big group tour that requires mini / 45-seater bus.

For smaller groups, I offer engaging walking tours that allow for a more exploration of the sights.

I can also organize private transportation with local drivers, ranging from mini vans, mini buses to a 45-seater tour bus.

Please feel free to reach out if you’re interested in discussing a private tour. All tours are completely customizable to fit your preferences!

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2025

Pam K.

5.00 / 5

(2 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Pam K.

I’m a Korean-Canadian professional tour guide, fully certified and passionate about sharing the culture, history, and food of Korea with you.

Having spent my early years in Korea before moving to Canada for 17 years, I have a unique perspective that blends both cultures. My love for Korean food, history, culture, and the warmth of its people inspired me to pursue a career as a tour guide after traveling the world.

Over the past decade, I have had the privilege of leading more than 1,000 professional tours for over 3,000 travelers from 70 different countries. With native-level proficiency in both Korean and English, I strive to create engaging experiences that connect Eastern and Western cultures as we explore this beautiful country together.

I look forward to guiding you through the rich tapestry of Korea, where you will have the opportunity to explore many highlights and hidden gems of the city, including the majestic royal palaces, the charming traditional Hanok village, vibrant traditional markets, and exciting street food areas!

Reviews

Verena G.

5 / 5

Nov 25, 2025

Gamaksan suspension bridge + Eunpyeong Hanok village

Nov 25, 2025

Seoul

7 hours

Customized

“Pam Made Our Day Unforgettable Again”

We had our second tour with Pam, and once again we were absolutely enchanted. The visit to the Gamaksan Suspension Bridge and Eunpyeong Hanok Village was wonderful — we loved discovering the countryside and truly appreciated all of Pam’s thoughtful recommendations. She paid close attention to our wishes and adapted the tour perfectly and comfortably for us. The restaurant experience she chose was also amazing and became one of the highlights of our day. A big thank-you to Pam and the driver for making this experience so special. Highly recommended!

Verena G.

5 / 5

Nov 16, 2025

DMZ Private tour with a Guide + Van + Driver

Nov 16, 2025

Seoul

7 hours 30 mins

“Fantastic DMZ day-trip with Pam”

We had an excellent trip to the DMZ with our English-speaking guide, Pam. She picked us up from the hotel right on time and was incredibly friendly and warm throughout the tour. Pam’s explanations were clear, engaging, and easy to understand, making the entire experience even more meaningful. We also enjoyed a delicious meal together at an authentic local restaurant, which added a special touch to the day. We truly appreciated her professionalism and kindness. Highly recommended!