
A Guide to Deoksugung Palace: The Smallest of Seoul’s Palaces
Deoksugung Palace is one of
You can avoid a stressful visit to Deoksugung Palace in
Here is what you really need to know about visiting Deoksugung Palace!
Also be sure to check out these 25 awesome and FREE things to do in Seoul and if you’re only in
WHEN TO GO
While Deoksugung Palace is the smallest palace in
Deoksugung Palace is also one of the top destinations during autumn season as it boasts some of the most beautiful fall foliage in
However, you can still avoid the crowds if you stick to the following tips when visiting Deoksugung Palace in
TIP #1 FOR VISITING DEOKSUGUNG PALACE IN SEOUL :
Show up before 9AM when the palace opens
If you want to escape groups of visitors at Deoksugung Palace, be sure to visit first thing in the morning. The palace ticket booth opens at 9AM but you want to get there by around 8:45 to make sure you’re among the first in line to snatch your ticket.
TIP #2 FOR VISITING DEOKSUGUNG PALACE IN SEOUL :
Visit in the early morning or in the late afternoon
I highly recommend heading to Deoksugung Palace as soon as it opens at 9:00 in the morning. The second best time to visit the palace is the late afternoon, or at 8PM (1 hour before closing time) to avoid people.
Opening Hours
9:00AM – 9:00PM (Last Admission 8:00PM)
Deoksugung Palace is closed every Monday. The palace opening hours are subject to change depending on special conditions or circumstances.
Admission Fees
Adults (ages 19-64): 1,000 won / Groups (10 people or more): 800 won
Children (ages 7-18): 500 won / Groups (10 people or more): 400 won
* Free admission: Preschoolers (age 6 and younger), seniors (ages 65 and older), people wearing hanbok, the last Wednesday of every month (Culture day)
* Refer to the Deoksugung website for details
Changing of the Royal Guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace
The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony provides an excellent opportunity to witness a rare traditional scene. The magnificent costumes of the guards, with their brilliant primary colors, are a sight to behold. After the ceremony, visitors can take photos with the gatekeepers.
The ceremony takes place in front of Deoksugung Palace’s Daehanmun Gate, the entrance gate of the palace. The royal gate is opened and closed at regular intervals, and the gatekeepers in charge of guard duty and patrols hold a shift ceremony three times per day.
The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is a must-see event for tourists.
Performance Times
11:00-11:40 / 14:00-14:40 / 15:30-16:30
* No performance on Mondays
* Event may be canceled in the case of rain.


How to Get to Deoksugung Palace
Deoksugung Palace is located in the heart of
Address: 99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu,
By Subway: Seoul City Hall Subway Station, exit 2 or 3
How to Get Tickets / Skip the Line at Deoksugung Palace
You can purchase your Deoksugung Palace ticket at the entrance ticket booth. A regular ticket costs 1,000 won. Groups of 10 or more get a discount and pay 800 won each. Children ages 7 to 18 pay 500 won, while groups of 10 or more pay only 400 won each.
However, if you wear hanbok, the Korean traditional clothing, you can enter for free. This also means, you won’t have to line up to purchase tickets, but can simply skip the line and enter.
I highly recommend booking a guided Deoksugung Palace tour. This allows you to learn more about the palace and the individual rooms and halls inside the complex. There aren’t too may signs and explanations so a guide can fill those gaps. Free 1-hour tours are available at different times during the day in English, Japanese and Chinese. You can check the guided tour schedule here.
Recommended tours at Deoksugung Palace in
- 2-hour Deoksugung Palace tour
- 2-hour Deoksugung Palace Night Tour
- Hanbok rental with Korean Hairstyling
How Much Time Should You Spend at Deoksugung Palace?
There are 13 buildings at Deoksugung Palace in
I would say anywhere between 2 and 3 hours seems like a good amount of time to really experience Deoksugung Palace in
What to Wear When Visiting Deoksugung Palace?
There are no official guidelines or restrictions on what you can and cannot wear to Deoksugung Palace, but I definitely recommend wearing comfortable shoes.
Also, don’t forget to bring a lot of water, especially during the hot summer months. You might also want to wear sunscreen and a hat in summer. In winter,
Renting a Korean hanbok dress is very popular among tourists and locals alike. Not only will you take some seriously beautiful photos at the palace grounds, but you also get free admission to Deoksugung when wearing a traditional dress.
What to See at Deoksugung Palace
The palace has 13 main buildings you can check out. You begin your visit at Daehanmun Gate, the main entrance of the palace. The Changing of the Guard Ceremony occurs directly in front of the gate everyday at 11:00, 14:00, and 15:30.
Gwangmyeongmun Gate
Once you’re inside, you’ll see another impressive gate to the right. This is Gwangmyeongmun Gate.

Hamnyeongjeon Hall
Continuing your way through the gate, you’ll see a large rectangle hall right in front of you. This is Hamnyeongjeon Hall. To the left of this hall is Deokhongjeon Hall. Both of these are among the newer buildings of the palace complex as they were built in 1911. These buildings were used by kings to conduct daily business of national government and to receive domestic and foreign dignitaries.
Japsang, small animal figurines on the ridges of the hipped-and-gabled roof are believed to expel misfortune and prevent fire.


Junghwamun (석조전)
This is the Junghwamun Gate, the main entrance to the main hall. Typically, all gates have walls that lead all around the building in a palace like this. However, you’ll notice that Junghwamun is open without walls. This is a clear indication that the surrounding courtyard walls were destroyed.
Junghwajeon Main Hall
The main hall of Deoksugung Palace is Junghwajeon Hall. It was the hall where state business was conducted, official meetings were held, and foreign envoys were received. It was originally a two-story structure that was rebuilt as a one-story structure in 1906.
Inside Junghwajeon Hall is the king’s throne. Behind you can see a colorful folding screen with the sun, moon, and five mountains known as Irwoloakdo. This represents the desire for the emperor’s ruled nation to be prosperous forever. It even accompanied the Emperor wherever he went.




Seogeodang (석조전)
Seogeodang is Deoksugung’s only building with a two-tiered roof. It also stands out because it is not painted. Queen Inmok, wife of King Seonjo, was imprisoned in Seogeodang for ten years during the Japanese invasion at the end of the 16th century.

Seokjojeon (석조전) / MMCA Deoksugung
Another building that stands for its Western-style architecture is Seokjojeon, designed by British architect Harding. In traditional Korean architecture, each building served a specific purpose and was occupied by a specific person. However, in Western architecture, multiple uses were housed in a single structure and Seokjojeon is no exception.
The first floor served as a waiting room for servants, the second as a reception area, and the third as Emperor Gojong’s residence.
Following Korea’s independence, a joint commission of the United States and the Soviet Union met here to discuss the formation of the Korean government. It was renamed the National Museum after the Korean War, and then the Royal Museum later on.
The West Wing of Seokjojeon today houses the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA). Head here to marvel at the best of Korean modern and contemporary art.


What’s Nearby Deoksugung Palace?
The central location of Deoksugung Palace in
Seoul City Hall
Seoul City Hall is an eco-friendly building with a distinctive exterior inspired by the eaves of traditional Korean houses. Interestingly, around 28% of the energy used in the city hall building comes from eco-friendly energy sources, including photovoltaic, solar thermal and geothermal. The vertical garden inside the building is its most famous attraction. Spanning an area of the size of a soccer field, this vertical garden climbs up all the way from the first to the seventh floor containing over 70,000 plants of 14 different species.
The vast space right in front of the city hall is called
Address: 110, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu,
Seoul Metropolitan Library (서울도서관)
Seoul Metropolitan Library has a large collection of documents and materials about
Address: 110, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu,
Jeongdong Observatory Café (정동전망대)
Jeongdong Observatory is located on the 13th floor of the Seosomun building of
Limited operations until further notice to prevent the spread of COVID-19
Address: 15, Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu,

The Other Four Main Palaces
There are five royal palaces located in
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace is undoubtedly one of the most visited historic sites in
Changdeokgung Palace & Changgyeonggung Palace
Both of these palaces are situated right next to each other and are often combined together as “East Palace”. Visit these two palaces for genuinely old buildings (rather than modern reconstructions of old buildings), and for the beautiful surrounding gardens.
Gyeonghuigung Palace & Deoksugung Palace
Connected by an attractive tree- & sculpture-lined walled road, these two palaces are the smallest palaces in
Recommended Travel Guides for Korea
If you want to learn more about South Korea and have a handy travel guide in your pocket, check out these three options below:
DK Eyewitness Top 10 Seoul
This Top 10
Lonely Planet Korea
You really can’t go wrong with a lonely planet guide in your hand luggage! I’m a huge fan of Lonely Planet and own this guide myself. What I love is the brand-new pull-out, passport-size ‘Just Landed’ card with wi-fi, ATM and transport info – all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel! Buy this book.
South Korea: The Solo Girl’s Travel Guide
Calling all my solo female travel ladies out there – this guide is amazing! Part of the #1 Travel Guidebook Series for Women (and couples), this take on South Korea will help you avoid the scams, creeps, and tourist traps and skip ahead to the cities and adventures that are worth your time (and money)! Buy this book.
You might also like these articles:
Get your Free Seoul City Check List
This downloadable check list for


Thanks for stopping by my blog. I hope you find what you are looking for and return for more.

Linda Goes East Shop
Shop Korea-inspired home decor prints. Unique. Affordable. Korea.