Our Favorite DMZ tour from Seoul – Our Honest Review!

How often do you get the chance to visit the most heavily guarded border in the world?

Visiting the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is one of the most fascinating things you can do from Seoul, and honestly, in the entire world. It’s not exactly a lighthearted day trip, but it’s an incredibly worthwhile one, especially if you want to understand more about the division between North and South Korea.

We took this DMZ tour from Seoul and thought it was such a well-organized way to experience a unique part of the world. The whole day was eye-opening, so I’ve written this honest review to share exactly what the tour was like, what we loved, and a couple of things that you should know before you book.

Our Itinerary on the Tour

Meeting point – City Hall Station, Myeongdong

The tour offers three main meeting points in Seoul, so you can choose the one that works best for where you’re staying. Ours was City Hall Station in Myeongdong, which happened to be about a 20-minute walk from our hotel, so it was really easy to get to. This made the early start feel a lot more manageable!

Once we arrived, it was all very straightforward. We checked in with our guide, got on the bus, and then headed out of Seoul towards the DMZ.

It’s about a one-hour drive to reach the Demilitarized Zone. The drive went by quickly because our guide, Hana, spent most of the time sharing important history, context, and personal background about the DMZ and the Korean Peninsula as a whole.

First stop – Peace Park

Our first stop of the day was Peace Park, a memorial site dedicated to the families who were separated by the division of North and South Korea. It was built in the hope of reunification someday, which I found quite touching.

The park is also home to the Bridge of Freedom, where over 12,000 prisoners of war crossed the river to return to South Korea after the Korean War. So although it was a fairly quick stop, lasting around 20 to 30 minutes, it gave us important context for the rest of the day. Our guide shared a lot of information here, which helped us better understand the significance of the places we would visit later on.

Something we also really appreciated was the chance to meet a North Korean defector. Even though we spoke very little Korean, we were met with smiles when we attempted to say hello, with our guide translating for us. We also had the opportunity to purchase some old North Korean money, which makes for a fantastic souvenir. However, many people wanted to say hello to him as well, so if you want to check out other parts of the Peace Park before you leave, you’ll either have to try to get to the front of the line or choose one or the other.

Second stop – Dora Observatory, Demilitarized Zone

Next, we visited Dora Observatory, which is where you can actually look across the border into North Korea! No photos are allowed here, but there are binoculars that you can use to see key sights on the other side.

Hana explained what we were looking at using a diagram, which was really helpful. From the observatory, you can spot the second-largest city in North Korea, a collective rice field, and the propaganda village, which is home to one of the world’s tallest flagpoles. It’s a bit of a surreal experience!

We had just under an hour to spend here, which felt like the right amount of time. However, if it’s busy, you might not get as long on the binoculars as you’d like. It’s also worth keeping an eye on the weather before you book, because if it’s very cloudy or rainy, you probably won’t be able to see as much from the observatory.

Third stop – The Third Infiltration Tunnel

The Third Infiltration Tunnel was my favorite stop of the day! Here, we went 73 meters underground into one of the tunnels that North Korea built in the 1970s, reportedly as part of an invasion plan into South Korea.

It was eerie, to say the least. We had to wear hard hats, and it took about 15 minutes of steep downhill walking to reach the end of the tunnel. From there, you can look towards the North Korean side, which has now been barricaded and is constantly surveilled.

When the tunnel was discovered, North Korea claimed it was for mining and smeared charcoal across the walls to support the story. However, coal can’t be mined there, so it wasn’t exactly a convincing cover-up! You can still see the charcoal today and holes where explosives were used to dig the tunnel.

Just be aware that the walk back up is steep, so anyone with mobility issues may want to sit this part out. It’s definitely worth doing if you can, though, as this was such an interesting little adventure. It should also be noted that if you’re claustrophobic, this might not be something you want to do, but if you try it and don’t like it, you can easily turn around at any point in the tunnel.

Fourth stop – JSA Museum and lunch

After the tunnel, we broke for lunch in Freedom Village, which is the closest village to North Korea. It’s a really unique place, and our guide explained that it’s actually considered an honor to live here! The residents here are farmers by day and soldiers by night. It’s no joke, and it was pretty wild to get the details of what day-to-day life looked like for these people, children included!

Lunch here was a buffet. I’ll be honest, it was nothing too special, but it did the job! Just note that it’s at your own expense, so be sure to bring cash or card with you. We got some drinks and a few extras, and it all came to about 26,000 KRW for the two of us (roughly $17 USD).

The JSA Museum is in the same area, and this was the more interesting part of the stop for me. The JSA is the Joint Security Area, which is part of the Demilitarized Zone. However, after recent security updates, tourists can no longer visit the JSA, so the museum was created to cover a lot of the same history and give visitors a better understanding of why this area is so significant. 

Not everyone gets to visit the museum, though! One of the coolest things about this specific tour is that the company behind it is actually the only one with access to this museum. So by booking this tour, we got exclusive access!

We spent about 30 minutes here in total, which felt like enough time to me. The museum isn’t huge, but it gave us a good overview of the JSA and helped us understand the area’s significance before we moved on to the final stop.

Fifth stop – Gamaksan Red Suspension Bridge

Our final stop was Gamaksan Mountain, which had a very different feel from the rest of the tour. This area was a historic site during the Korean War, but today, it’s a beautiful hiking and memorial area with mountain views and a much more peaceful atmosphere. Stopping here was a nice change of tone after exploring some of Korea’s heavier history and political issues.

The main highlight here is the Gamaksan Red Suspension Bridge, which stretches across the canyon. You can walk across it for some amazing views, and it’s a great spot for photos, too.

We had around 1.5 hours here, which gave us enough time to cross the bridge, explore the park, and see the gorgeous temple at the top of the mountain. After such an intense and informative day, this was the perfect note to end on! 

Related Read: Want to see how this tour fits into your schedule? Check out our ideal Seoul itinerary, including this DMZ trip and other can’t-miss sights!

What we loved about this tour

Great tour guides and an organized tour

Our guide, Hana, was excellent. She was very informative, but what stood out most was her passion for the reunification of the Korean Peninsula. You could tell this wasn’t just another tour script for her.

She answered every question we had and did a great job explaining the history in a way that felt clear and easy to follow. The tour itself was also really well organized, and she kept our group of about 30 people moving along easily. It was a long day, but everything ran smoothly and on time, and we never felt rushed or like we were missing out on anything.

Simple way to experience a unique part of the world 

We were really fascinated by the DMZ and knew it was something we wanted to experience while we were in Seoul. There are very few places in the world like this, and we were so curious to learn more about North Korea, the division of the Korean peninsula, and what life is like so close to the border.

However, this isn’t somewhere you can just turn up and explore on your own. You have to go through military checkpoints, and only certified guides have access to certain areas. In short, you need a tour, and this one made it so simple to visit such a complicated place! Everything was organized for us, from transport to access, so we could focus on taking it all in rather than worrying about the logistics.

Very informative and insightful 

There is so much history and politics surrounding the DMZ, so having a knowledgeable guide made a big difference. This tour gave us a much better understanding of how North and South Korea became separated, and how much that division still impacts people today.

It wasn’t just about learning dates and facts, either. We heard personal stories about families who were separated, as well as North Koreans who defected, which made everything feel much more real. It was incredibly insightful, and I came away with a far deeper understanding of the significance of the DMZ.

Highly rated and positive reviews 

There are a lot of DMZ tours from Seoul, but this one really stood out to us because of how many positive reviews it has. At the time of writing, it has over 45,000 reviews (check them out!), which is almost unheard of! We felt very confident when booking this one.

And after taking the tour ourselves, we completely understand why it’s so highly rated. It was well organized, informative, and gave us access to places we wouldn’t have been able to visit alone. For us, it absolutely felt like a five-star experience, and we would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone visiting Seoul.

Free cancellation options

Another thing we liked about this tour is that it offers free cancellation, which gives you a bit more flexibility when booking. Booking this tour through Viator lets you cancel or change your booking up to 24 hours before departure, which is always reassuring when you’re planning a trip.

I’d recommend checking the forecast a few days before your tour. If it’s very rainy or cloudy, you might not be able to see much from Dora Observatory, and that’s one of the best parts of the day. So as long as your plans are flexible, it’s worth taking advantage of the free cancellation policy and rescheduling for a clearer day if you need to.

What I didn’t like about this tour 

More physical than we were expecting

This wasn’t a problem for us, but we were a little surprised by how much uphill walking was involved in the tour. The Third Infiltration Tunnel is especially steep, and Gamaksan Mountain also involves some walking if you want to explore properly.

If you have mobility issues or struggle with hills, you may need to sit out a couple of activities. That said, the guide was very clear about what to expect at each stop, so you can decide what feels right for you on the day.

Quite a large group 

This is a coach tour, so the group sizes are quite large. Our guide was great at keeping everyone organized and on time, but with a bigger group, there’s always a chance that a few late people could slow things down.

Thankfully, this wasn’t an issue for us, and the tour still ran really smoothly. But if you prefer very small, intimate tours, this is worth keeping in mind before you book.

It’s a long day

This is definitely a long day trip, but to be fair, most DMZ tours are – you can’t really get around it! There’s a lot to see, and you’re covering several different stops, so it would be hard to do it properly in just a few hours.

We were definitely tired by the end, but we also felt like it was completely worth it. The tour was fascinating, and we came away feeling like we had learned a huge amount.

Would we recommend this tour?

Absolutely, yes. Visiting the DMZ is one of the most unique and eye-opening things you can do from Seoul, and I’m so glad we chose this tour. It’s top-rated for a reason! 

The tour was so well organized, and our guide was absolutely excellent. We learned so much throughout the day, and I would truly recommend it to anyone interested in visiting the DMZ. In fact, I think it’s an absolute must-do in Seoul.

Other activities to do in Seoul

With your Seoul stay sorted, it’s time to experience the city beyond the usual sightseeing, and trust us, this place has so much more going on than just palaces and shopping. From night markets to countryside escapes, these tours helped us see a different side of Seoul.

• Explore hidden corners with a local – Wandering Seoul’s neighborhoods with someone who actually lives here changed everything. This private tour felt more like hanging out with a friend than sightseeing, and it brought us to tucked-away cafés, quirky photo spots, and local eats we’d never have discovered on our own.

• Snack your way through Seoul’s night markets – We hit several food stalls and markets in one flavorful swoop on this food tour, trying crispy pancakes, spicy rice cakes, and chewy sweets under buzzing neon signs. The stories, smells, and nonstop bites made this a highlight of our trip.

• Ride through Seoul on an e-bike – Looking for a unique way to see Seoul? This e-bike tour is the best way! We covered more ground than we could have on foot, and easily tackled Seoul’s hilly terrain and narrow alleyways.

• Cook up Korean comfort food – After a market stroll packed with color and chaos, we learned to prepare three homestyle dishes in this cooking class. It wasn’t just about food—it gave us real insight into Korean life, culture, and the comfort of a home-cooked meal.

• Escape the city on a day trip – Relax and take in the scenery of Nami Island, the Garden of Morning Calm, and the Gangchon Railbike on this countryside day trip. This tour gave us space to slow down, breathe fresh air, and see a softer side of Korea that most tourists miss!

Where to Stay in Seoul

Seoul is a sprawling city, and where you stay really matters! This itinerary is based in Myeongdong, where we stayed. We’d highly recommend staying in this neighborhood, as it’s about as central as you can be, and everything was about a 15-minute metro ride away. Here are our top recommendations for a luxury, mid-range, or budget stay in Myeongdong.

Luxury – $$$

Le Méridien Seoul Myeongdong is everything you want from a high-end city stay. This five-star gem puts you steps from Myeongdong’s buzzing streets and just a quick stroll to the closest metro station.

Inside, it’s all polished marble, floor-to-ceiling windows, and plush city-view rooms that feel equal parts cozy and refined. The hotel’s standout perks include a serene indoor pool, a fully equipped gym, and multiple restaurants with seriously impressive breakfast spreads. 

Expect rates to range from around $300 to $600+ USD per night, depending on the room type and season. Check availability and book your stay on Booking.com.

Mid-range – $$

Tucked right off the main street, Solaria Nishitetsu is an excellent bang-for-your-buck stay in Myeong-dong. Recently renovated, the room was surprisingly spacious for the area and had all the extras for a comfortable stay. We also really appreciated the self-serve laundry and filtered water stations, which made a longer stay way more convenient.

We stayed on one of the higher floors and loved waking up to city views. Rates typically range from $150 to $350 USD per night. Book your stay here on Booking.com!

Budget – $

If you’re looking for a comfortable stay with a fantastic location, we highly recommend Hotel Firststay Myeongdong! We stayed here, and it was convenient to access the train, great restaurants, and the staff was super helpful and friendly.

Rooms here are pretty basic, but spottlessly clean. The beds were extra comfortable, ideal to fall into after a full day out exploring! We loved the rooftop terrace, surrounded by skyscrapers but still a breath of fresh air. You are just about a 5-minute walk to the closest metro station, which is a real win in my book.

Prices sit between $100 and $140 USD per night and can be reserved on Booking.com.

For even more options, check out all the hotels in Seoul here!

Related Read: For an in-depth look at all of Seoul’s best areas and hotels, have a look at our Where to Stay in Seoul guide here!

Thanks for reading!

This was easily my favorite thing we did in Seoul! It was a great way to dive deeper into Korea’s history and modern political scene. If you want your trip to be more meaningful and insightful, don’t hesitate to book this exact tour – we loved it.

Before you go, check out our other Asia blogs! We have traveled all over Asia, and even live here, so we have quite the expertise on the region. Here are a few related blogs to inspire your next destination. Cheers!

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