3 Best Seoul City Tours – Which One to Choose

Heading to Seoul and looking for the best way to see the city? You’ve come to the experts!

We were excited to dive into Seoul’s sights on our first trip, but a little overwhelmed at all the options. From centuries-old history to iconic K-Pop culture and surprisingly hilly terrain, there are many factors to consider when choosing a tour of Seoul. 

That’s why we’ve narrowed down the top three Seoul city tours. All are a little different, so you can see the city at your preferred pace and travel style, without missing a beat. Let’s get into it!

Best City Tours in Seoul

1. Private walking tour of Seoul

If you’re looking to make the most of your time in Seoul, this private walking tour is the way to go! We loved that this tour was totally customizable, but that our guide, GJ, planned the must-see sights that every first-time visitor should see.

Our tour started with Seoul’s most popular site: Gyeongbokgung Palace. GJ led us around, giving us the history of the Joseon Dynasty, and timed it perfectly so that we could see the Royal Changing of the Guard, which was a cultural treat. 

Next, we visited the Jogyesa Temple, dating back to the 14th century. We got a special look at the temple because we were in town to celebrate Buddha’s birthday in May, and it was lively!

Other “big-ticket” stops included Bukchon Hanok Village, home to 900 traditional houses, Insadong and Ikseon-dong, with lots of shopping and food options, and finally Cheonggyecheon Stream, where the first settlement that became Seoul was.

I must say, our guide moved fast, and we did a TON of walking, so if you move a little slower or have mobility issues, I’d highly recommend booking a shorter tour or requesting just two or three major sites instead of four as we did.

Related Read: Need help planning your trip? See our 3 to 5 day Seoul itinerary for our favorite activities, restaurants, and hidden gems!

2. E-bike tour of Seoul

Now, I normally wouldn’t say a bike tour is easier than a walking tour, but given Seoul’s hilly terrain and the ease of electric bikes, this e-bike tour was a much easier way to see the city! We were able to hit some of Seoul’s most iconic sights and find local hidden gems in one relaxed morning ride. 

After testing out our e-bikes, we started exploring, passing by the Cheonggyecheon Stream, heading to Gyeongbokgung Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard, and stopping at Tongin Market for snacks (my personal favorite part of the tour). After a short rest, we were back in the saddle, cruising around Bukchon Village, passing by the Blue House (where the president lives), and finishing off at the Jogyesa Temple. 

We loved how relaxed and intimate our tour was. We were even “lucky” enough to catch it on a rainy day, which made it all the more laughable and a great travel memory! Even in the rain, our guide was really good about taking breaks so we could dry off for a few minutes before continuing on. 

The e-bikes were simple to maneuver and a comfortable ride – it’s a blast for anyone, and such a fun way to explore Seoul! 

3. Experience Seoul after dark on a nighttime city tour

Seoul is one of those cities that come alive at night. Sure, you can enjoy a lot of sights during the day, but once the sun sets and locals are done with work, there is a new energy that is so fun to experience! 

This evening tour of Seoul will show you a completely different side of the city. We love that it visits some of the off-the-beaten-path sights, so you can pair it with all of our other daytime activities. 

This experience is all about blending the old with the new. You’ll start off by visiting the Deoksu Palace, a lesser-known palace in the city, but rich with history. Then take a relaxed stroll along the Cheonggyecheon Stream, where you’ll see many locals taking in the evening. 

The real highlight of this tour is exploring Namsam Park and N Seoul Tower. This is the best spot to get sweeping, 360-degree views of Seoul, and it’s even more impressive at night. At the bottom of the mountain, you’ll have the chance to tour a traditional hanok village as well.

You’ll finish off the evening driving around Seoul, seeing modern sights lit up, and learning about centuries-old history that endures.

Where to Stay in Seoul

Seoul is a sprawling city, and where you stay really matters! We’d highly recommend staying in Myeong-dong, as it’s 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 Myeong-dong.

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!

Seoul is a massive city, blending modern sights with centuries of history. We found our city tours to be very insightful and a great way to navigate Seoul – from its top sights to hidden gems. Whether you explore by bicycle, on foot, or at night, you’ll see the best of the city with these tours!

Before you go, check out the rest of our Asia blogs. We love Asia and even live here! So we have a lot of resources to share with you. Here are a few related blogs to inspire your next destination – cheers!

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