Deoksugung Palace

I liked the Deoksugung Palace, probably because it was our first sunny day after 2 or 3 days of rain in Seoul. Also, we watched the Changing of the Guards up close. And we also visited the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art on the Palace grounds, which which turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable. All free admission during the Chuseok holiday.

Impressive and architecturally stunning! A great showcase of culture and history, such beautiful grounds which were significantly more extensive than I originally had anticipated. A wonderful palace to spend a few hours strolling about. And entrance fee is only 3000 won, which can either be paid for by cash or card. On a hot day, definitely bring drinks to hydrate and an umbrella/parasol for shade! These made exploring the palace all the more enjoyable and manageable in the heat.

This palace is a really lovely oasis right in the middle of the city near City Hall. It cost almost nothing to enter the park so you’ll see a nice mix of Taurus and locals just looking to relax and enjoy the beautiful historical buildings and nature within the walls. When I was here, they were exhibitions in two of the buildings. One was a really beautiful exploration of Korean art and its evolution after securing freedom from colonial Japan. The other was actually specifically a celebration of independence had a look at some of the events leading up to and some of the documents related directly to the Korean independence movement and the establishment of Korea as an independent country. All in all, a really beautiful and educational set of spaces that cost almost nothing to experience.

One of the smaller of the places, but not less beautiful. Admission free during the Great Korean Festival.

I highly recommend going early for the best photo op. The guards change at 1030 and it's a really cool thing watch

Deoksugung Palace has a beautiful mixture of western and Korean architecture. We went here in the evening so we missed out on the museum. It is smaller compared to the other palaces but I liked how this palace isn't too crowded.

A peaceful and scenic palace with a unique city contrast Deoksugung Palace wasn’t originally on my list, but I’m glad I stopped by. It’s less crowded than the more famous palaces, which makes the visit much more relaxed and enjoyable. What really stood out to me was the contrast between the traditional palace buildings and the modern skyscrapers in the background — it creates a really striking and memorable view. The palace grounds are not too large, so it’s an easy and pleasant walk, perfect if you’re just starting a traditional heritage tour in Seoul. While it may not be a must-see compared to Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung, it’s definitely worth a visit if you're nearby or looking for a quieter experience. Recommended if you enjoy architecture, photography, or want a peaceful stop with a unique blend of old and new. More pics at my IG: @ogolphotos

While not the largest palace in Seoul, I was quite pleased with the abundant beauty and history within. Most of the landmark can be observed in an hour or two. Visit mid-morning to see the changing of the guards, but double check because it is dependent on weather being below 31C. A must visit!