17 Fun Day Tours in Seoul and Nearby

While I generally recommend trying to see things yourself and most of my adventures in Korea have been self-planned, I do know some people prefer or just need a good guided experience instead. That’s why I thought I’d go find some fun day tours in Seoul and nearby in case that’s something you’d prefer instead!

I, for one, am always excited to visit my favorite city and see even more of it! I can’t wait to visit old favorites, finally see some things I’ve had on my list for forever, and check out anything new that has managed to pop up in my absence.

While I’m there, I might need to try one or two of these tours too because even with all my experience, sometimes a tour is just easier than doing it alone.

11 Fun Day Tours in Seoul

1. History of Joseon Dynasty Day Tour

This is the tour for you if you’ve only got a day in Seoul and what to see as much as you can. There are two different itineraries to choose from. The first will go by the Blue House, to Gyeongbokgung, the National Folk Museum, Jogyesa, a Ginseng Center, and then the Korea Folk Village in the afternoon.

The second itinerary, which I would choose, has the same morning itinerary but after lunch will go to Insadong, Namsan Tower, Namsangol Hanok Village, and a Duty Free shop.

Check prices + availability here

If you do take this tour and need to stay somewhere overnight, I’d look to stay in a hanok in Bukchon Hanok Village or a nearby hotel in Insadong, so you can see that area as well.

2. Seoul Palace Tours

If you want a guided experiences of the palaces, try booking a tour ahead of time. There are different options for this. This tour lets you choose between Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, and Deoksugung. Just keep in mind that if you choose Changdeokgung, it doesn’t include the Secret Garden, which is kind of what sets it apart.

This tour will get you into the garden and is combined with a tour of Bukchon Hanok Village as well, and this one goes to Deoksugung and the observatory to see it from above.

The only tour I saw that does more than one in a day, is this tour that’ll go to either Gyeongbokgung or Deoksugung and Changdeokgung along with a number of other spots.

If it was up to me, the main tour I made sure I had ahead of time is Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden because you’ll need a tour to visit regardless and it sells out in more popular seasons.

3. Seoul K-Drama Shooting Spots

This one is for my K-drama readers! As you might guess, most Korean dramas film in and around Seoul, so you often start to see some similar places pop up. This tour will go to sets of seven different dramas, including one of my favorites, “My Love from Another Star.” If you haven’t seen it yet, watch for Hyun Bin’s truly amazing tracksuit fashion.

Check prices + availability here

4. Seoul Hiking Tour – Mt. Inwangsan and Bugaksan

Want to try hiking one of Seoul’s mountains but don’t necessarily want to go alone? This tour should help! You can choose between Inwangsan and Bugaksan and last around 3 1/2 hours. They both take you to different spots on Seoul’s City Wall, which is actually something I haven’t explored much of! Check prices + availability here

5. Seoul City Wall + Ihwa Mural Village Walk

If you want to see the Wall and not necessarily hike, then you may like this option better. Granted, you’re still going to be on your feet quite a bit, but it’s not specifically hiking. Plus, you’ll get to see Ihwa Mural Village, which is one of my favorite little spots in the city.

Check prices + availability here

6. Seoul Night Tour

I’m actually super curious about this one because I hardly ever am out at night in Seoul for sightseeing (or anywhere haha). The tour starts at 5:00 pm and ends at 10 pm. It goes to Gwangjang Market, Cheonggyecheon, Changgyeonggung, Jogyesa, and Namsan Tower.

Check here for rates + availability

Another night tour you could try is this one, which goes to Namsangol Hanok Village, Namsan Tower, Seoullo, and Dongdaemun Design Plaza.

7. Seoul Ghost Walking Tour

Seoul does have some grisly history, so if you want to see more of it, try a ghost walking tour. I have no desire to subject myself to things that’ll probably haunt my dreams for the next lifetime, so I’m very much not interested. But this sounds like something my friends who made me watch “The Haunting on Hill House” would love, so you know.

Check prices + availability here

8. A Muslim-Friendly Tour

This one is for my lovely Muslim readers! I was so excited to see this as an option on Trazy because I know how difficult it can be planning a trip here if you’re Muslim, especially in terms of where to eat.

Check prices + availability here

9. A Cooking Experience

I did the one in Bukchon Hanok Village, so I can personally recommend it if you want to learn to make some of my favorite Korean foods! The course instructor was so nice, and, of course, we got to eat everything afterward. I was so full, I went to a sauna and fell asleep!

Check prices + availability here

10. Seoul Street Food Tour

If you just want to eat and not cook, then wear your stretchy pants for this street food tour that literally goes all day. I can’t even fathom eating that much, but also I kind of can when I think of all the Korean street food I love and miss….

Check prices + availability here

For a slightly less food intense tour, this Korean Food Walking Tour with a BBQ Lunch, is 2 hours long. It starts at O’ngo Culinary School and will take you through a market, Insadong, and ends in Ikseondong.

And of course, don’t miss my Korean food guide for a full list of things to eat and drink!

11. Seoul Biking Tour

You can choose between a half day or full day biking tour. Both start at 8:30 am from Hongdae Station, Exit 1. The half-day tour goes to Ehwa, Sinchon, Chungdong Church, Deoksugung, Gyeongbokgung, and Insadong.

The full tour will continue to a lunch spot, and then go to Dongdaemun, Nansan, the US Army Garrison, Itaewon, Hannamdong, the Han River, and Hapjeong before going back to Hongdae.

Check here for rates + availability

6 Day Tours Near Seoul

12. The Nami Island – Garden of the Morning Calm – Petite France Loop

About an hour from Seoul

This the most classic of day tours from Seoul. There may be other options that include other things like strawberry picking of bike rails, but I think keeping it to these three in one day is the best balance. I’ve been to Petite France on my own before, and trust me, it’s much easier to just go with a tour!

Check prices + availability here

13. Pocheon Art Valley + Herb Island Tour

About an hour from Seoul

Pocheon is like top on my list of things to do in Seoul! It’s such a weird, fun place and all the photos I’ve seen of it are amazing. If you go in the right season, you can also add on a strawberry picking portion.

Check prices + availability here

14. DMZ Tours

About an hour from Seoul

There are so many ways of visiting the DMZ! When I went, we only visited the areas near JSA, but when my friends went they explored a whole tunnel. There’s also now a whole DMZ Peace train that didn’t exist  when I first visited Seoul.

While I think the DMZ tours can be really, really cheesy, I highly recommend going on at least one. You’ll learn more about north and south relations, and, frankly, this is the only way I support visiting North Korea as a tourist.

Some tours to the DMZ:

• Cheorwon DMZ Day Tour
• DMZ Tour & Seoul City Tour Bus Tickets
• DMZ Shuttle Bus & Ticket Package
• JSA and DMZ Day Tour

15. Korean Folk Village & Everland Day Tour

About an hour from Seoul

Everland is Korea’s main theme park, and if you want to experience what a Korean theme park is like in all its glory, then go here! I like this tour as it goes to the Korea Folk Village all morning and then gives you a good 7 hours in the afternoon to enjoy Everland.

Check here for rates + availability

16. Suwon Hwaseong + Folk Village Tour

About an hour from Seoul

You can really easily visit Suwon on your own, but if you want a private tour, try this one, which will also go to the Folk Village. I wrote a whole post about what to expect at Suwon’s famous fortress, so read that one if you want to DIY a visit. However, for the tour itself

Check prices + availability here

17. Incheon Day Trip

about an hour from Seoul

This Incheon tour goes to quite a few locations! It’ll visit Yeongjongdo with its 4.4km bike trail, Wolmido, Songwol-dong Fairytale Village, and Jayu Park, which you may recognize from “Goblin.” You’ll also be able to try some seafood and visit Incheon’s Chinatown. It starts at 9 am and ends at 5 pm.

Check here for rates + availability

Farther from Seoul

Now there are a lot of tours listed that are technically day tours from Seoul, but really I think anything over an hour away in a day is a lot to take in.

Places like the Boseong green tea fields or even Jeonju Hanok Village are best to do over at least a weekend and not rush around because you’re on a bus for 3+ hours to get there.

for more on korea

If this is your first time visiting, start with my Korea travel tips post and my trip planner guide.

For Seoul, check out my quick travel guide as well as my tips on where to stay, including top picks for hotels in Insadong, Hongdae, Myeongdong, and Gangnam. Plus, don’t miss my tips on trendiest cafes in Seoul!

You’re also going to want to download these apps for Korean travel. If you’re planning to get a SIM card, reserve one ahead as it’s cheaper and you can make sure you get one.

For some travel inspiration, check out my list of beautiful places in Korea. I also have seasonal guides for spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

If you need help figuring out your itinerary, I have a post on four ways to spend two weeks in Korea as well as the ultimate one month itinerary and a super efficient one week guide.

And if you still have questions and you’re a woman, join my Facebook group!

What day tours in Seoul or nearby would you want to do the most?

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