6 History Tours in Seoul Worth Booking

1.Evening Dark History, Folklore & Ghost Story Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 593 reviews · from $42Our pick

Join a professional guide such as Shawn or Joe at 8 pm for a 2 to 3 hour walk through Seoul’s darker corners. Hear Korean folklore, palace ghost stories, tales of torture, and urban legends while visiting Gyeonghuigung Palace, Pimatgol Alley, Tapgol Park, and lesser-known sites. Choose the extended edition for the fullest route.

“This was so fun!!! I'm very happy I decided to join. If you don't know anything about Korean history, but want to learn something in a fun and interactive way, then look no further- this is the perfect experience for you. Definitely buy the extended tour. Thank you for the great evening :)”

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2.Hanbok Photoshoot and History Tour at Gyeongbokgung Palace

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 276 reviews · from $60

Dress in hanbok, have your hair styled, then tour Gyeongbokgung Palace with guide James and photographer Jacob. Expect palace history, K-drama-style posing, more than 100 edited photos, and quieter photo spots. On Tuesdays, the route switches to Changdeokgung Palace and Ikseondong Hanok Street.

“Absolutely amazing experience. Photos are fantastic, both guys are very friendly and there to make sure that all goes top tier.”

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3.City Highlights and Historical Experience No Shopping

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · from $49

Spend four hours exploring Seoul’s palace district with an English-speaking guide, optional hanbok rental, and a maximum of 15 people. Walk through Gyeongbokgung Palace, see Bukchon Hanok Village and Baek In-je’s House, enjoy a Korean snack, and finish in Insadong. Guides such as Gina, Pearl, Jade, and Sheen are praised for history, photos, and practical help.

“We LOVED dressing in Hanbok and touring the palace!! We were able to take such amazing pictures!! The tour was very informative and worth the money.”

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4.Street photoshoot and Seoul Hidden gem History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · from $45

Join historian guides James and Jacob at 5:30 pm for a 2 to 3 hour Seoul walk with a professional photoshoot. Visit Jongmyo Shrine, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Seun Arcade, and Ikseon-dong while learning about Joseon Korea and modern Seoul. You receive 50-plus edited individual photos and group images through OneDrive.

“They truly took us to hidden gems! It was the right mix of information and having fun with the photos. I’m glad I did it.”

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5.Seoul Cultural Tour – Kimchi Making, Gyeongbok palace with Hanbok

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · from $99

Spend about six and a half hours exploring Korean traditions with a professional English or Chinese-speaking guide. Wear hanbok for palace photos, join a tea ceremony, play yut-nori, and make kimchi in a 30-minute class. Hotel pickup, transport, taxes, and a small group of up to 10 are included.

“Alice was fantastic. We had a tour that was catered to what we wanted to see and do. We ended up with so many beautiful photos and had such a fantastic experience.”

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6.Ganghwa Island UNESCO World Heritage Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 10 hours · from $180

Spend 10 hours exploring Ganghwa Island from Seoul in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide. Choose from historic palaces, fortresses, temples, UNESCO-listed dolmens, beaches, and the Joyang textile cafe. Guides such as Peter and Charlie have led past departures, and the flexible format lets you set the pace.

“Amazing trip - we learned how South Koreans honor ancestors from the North whose graves they cannot visit, saw saw a historic Capitol site, the home in exile of a future king, a megalithic monument, a magical forested monastery at sunset, all in one day! The island itself is beautiful and a nice escape from the bustle of Seoul. Highly recommended day trip.”

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