Seoul Private Custom Tour: Highlights or Hidden Gems Your Pace-tea included
Experience Seoul exactly the way you want it—fully private, flexible, and customized just for you.
The pace is entirely up to you: walk more or less, pause for tea, or spend extra time at places you love. Whether you know nothing about Seoul or already have specific interests, just tell me, I’ll design the schedule for you.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Outside the Starbucks at this address (109, Jae-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea)
- Select a pickup point when booking. If your hotel is in central Seoul, pickup can be arranged at your hotel lobby. Or your guide will be waiting outside the Starbucks at this address. This is a convenient and central meeting spot if your hotel is not listed.
Gwanghwamun Square (Pass By)
Stand between history and the present at this grand plaza, home to the statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin, framed by Gyeongbokgung Palace and the skyline.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Admire the largest and most iconic royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. Learn its history while viewing traditional hanbok-dressed visitors and stunning architecture.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Step into Seoul's noble past in this charming neighborhood of preserved hanok houses, winding alleys, and photo-worthy views of tiled rooftops.
Insadong
Explore Seoul's cultural district filled with traditional tea houses, antique shops, art galleries, and street food like *hotteok* (sweet pancakes).
Jogyesa Temple
Visit the headquarters of Korean Buddhism's Jogye Order, featuring vibrant lanterns, ancient trees, and a peaceful atmosphere in the heart of the city.
Ending Point
This activity ends at the final location visited on your customized tour route. Your guide can help direct you to your next destination from there.
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- Coffee or tea
- Licensed English-speaking guide
- Entry fees to attractions
- Food
- Transportation costs (subway, taxi, etc.)
Tour Important Information
* This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
* This tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
* This tour is not wheelchair accessible.
* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
Important message from the supplier
Trip Consultation Policy
Trip consultation is included in the tour.
However, it will only be provided after the free cancellation period ends (7 days before the tour).
No consultation is available during the free cancellation period.
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
About Tour Guide Jeeseon C.
Hi! I’m Jeeseon.
Over the past several years, I’ve been working as a licensed guide, leading travelers from around the world through palaces, temples, hanok villages, traditional markets, and Seoul’s hidden local neighborhoods. I especially enjoy introducing guests to off-the-beaten-path gems and sharing the city’s authentic local atmosphere. Many of my guests say it feels like exploring the city with a thoughtful local friend.
I design every tour with care, balancing history, culture, and everyday life, so each guest can experience Seoul in a personal and memorable way. Guiding is more than a job to me, it’s a way to connect people with the heart of Korea.
My tours are ideal for curious travelers who want more than just sightseeing. I specialize in:
Korean history and culture storytelling
Practical Hangul learning experiences
Hidden gem exploration for repeat travelers
An orientation tour for first-time travelers to Korea with a Hangul learning session
Reviews
Karina D.
“Unfortunately tour didn’t match our expectations ”
We booked a private tour because we wanted to discover some hidden gems in Seoul and know about non-touristy spots. During the tour, we walked through DDP, along the fortress wall, and visited a small temple with a romantic story behind it, but overall there were not many memorable highlights. Our guide was a pleasant lady, but throughout the four hours it often felt like we had to come up with questions ourselves in order to learn more about Korean culture and daily life. There was not enough information provided, and a third of the tour was spent walking in silence in rain. Since rain was expected that day, we hoped the route would be adjusted in advance, but it seemed like the guide was improvising most of the itinerary on the spot. Because of this, the tour did not feel well planned, and we spent a lot of time without a clear structure. We were really hoping to see more unique and interesting places, but unfortunately the tour did not meet our expectations, how ever tour guide was very nice as a person and it’s a pity that tour went in the wrong direction.
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Jeeseon C.
Thank you for sharing this, Karina. I'm sorry the experience did not feel like what you were hoping for, and I hope you had a wonderful rest of your time in Seoul. I do want to gently clarify a few things for context. Before the tour, you specifically asked to avoid palaces and well-known tourist sites, and to experience Seoul as locals do. Every stop was chosen with that in mind and agreed upon in advance. I should also note that this is a walking tour, as clearly stated in the listing, so exploring neighborhoods and streets on foot is the nature of the experience itself. At the DDP, I walked you through the history and architecture of the building. Along the Seoul City Wall, we covered the Joseon dynasty, the North Korean refugee settlement in the area, and the evolution of housing in Seoul. At Gilsangsa Temple, I shared the story of the temple along with context on Buddhism in Korean society. You had many questions throughout the day and I was glad to answer every one. At the hanok tea house in Seongbuk-dong, I was happy to add a little extra given the weather, and we talked about daily life in Seoul and I gave you recommendations for the rest of your trip. Regarding the final stop, the water had pooled enough on the streets that crossing them meant soaked shoes, and the route to Sungkyunkwan did not align with your next plans in Seongsu. On the way to the subway I suggested stopping at a local bookshop as an alternative, though that did not work out either. I understand that was disappointing, but I would make the same decisions again under the same conditions. I always do my best to create a meaningful experience for each guest, and I appreciate you taking the time to write.
Karen E.
“Fabulous Day in Seoul with Jeeseon”
Jeeseon was exactly what we were hoping for in a tour guide. She tailored our sightseeing and experiences to our family. Jeeseon was knowledgeable about everything from history of Korea to K-Beauty products!
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Jeeseon C.
Thank you so much for your kind review. I truly enjoyed spending time with your family. It was such a pleasure guiding the 1K 3J team. I sincerely hope this trip created many great memories for the young ones in Korea. Next time you visit, we can go to a baseball game, have a picnic, and explore more local experiences together. Until we meet again, take care, and thank you again for your lovely review.
Dino A.
“Amazing city tour!!”
Jeeseon was really accommodating in creating a customized tour for my first visit to Seoul and she showed me some nice areas away from the usual tourist spots. I highly recommend booking her.
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Jeeseon C.
Thank you for starting your business trip in Korea with my tour. It was a bit chilly, but I hope you enjoyed it. I’m glad you liked the route I chose with fewer tourists. I also really enjoyed our tea and conversation at the scenic teahouse. Thank you again, and if you come back to Korea in the future, please feel free to contact me!
$198/ per group
More tours by Jeeseon C.
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Evening Walk: Street Food, Hidden Alleys & a Glowing Palace(Food Included)
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Evening Walk: Street Food, Hidden Alleys & a Glowing Palace(Food Included)
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Silent City Walk: Hidden Alleys & Traditional Tea Included
This 4-hour walking tour is about experiencing the real Seoul by walking through quiet, timeworn alleyways largely undeveloped. You'll explore Gilsangsa Temple, pass by old hanoks and stone walls, and end the tour at Sungkyunkwan, Korea’s oldest Confucian academy. Along the way, you'll take a relaxing break at a traditional teahouse to enjoy Korean tea and rice cakes , included in the tour price. It’s a slow walk with real Seoul stories and scenery.
Silent City Walk: Hidden Alleys & Traditional Tea Included
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Local Chaos: Seoul Market Adventure Tour-Tea Included
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Local Chaos: Seoul Market Adventure Tour-Tea Included
Other Popular Highlights Tours in Seoul
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Fully Customizable Private Full-Day Seoul Tour
Discover Seoul like a local with a fully customizable private walking tour using public transportation. Instead of taxis, you’ll explore the city by bus and subway—just like locals do—giving you a more authentic and immersive experience. From iconic landmarks to hidden neighborhoods and local food spots, your itinerary is fully tailored to your interests. Travel at your own pace while your guide helps you navigate the city with ease, making your journey both seamless and meaningful.
Fully Customizable Private Full-Day Seoul Tour
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Seoul Full-day Highlights: Featured in K-POP Demon Hunters
If you’re looking for a full-day Seoul highlights tour, I’ll guide you with a timely and up-to-date itinerary. The Netflix animation movie, K-Pop Demon Hunters has been creating a worldwide sensation, and many tourists are visiting the locations in Seoul shown in the film. I’ll be guiding you to the places along with traditional food spots.
Seoul Full-day Highlights: Featured in K-POP Demon Hunters
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Flavors of Seoul: A Walking Tour of Culture, Crafts & Street Food
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Flavors of Seoul: A Walking Tour of Culture, Crafts & Street Food
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the newest hot spots in Seoul
If you are looking for the most trendy and newest hot spots, this is right for you. you can experience walking through the crowds in the bustling streets, browsing through the chic cafes in affluent neighborhood, and getting along with the warm hearted people with drinking.
the newest hot spots in Seoul
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