A smaller, underrated palace downtown by City Hall, mixing traditional halls with early-1900s Western-style buildings. Only 1,000 won, open late until 9pm, and far calmer than Gyeongbokgung. Closed Mondays. The stone-wall walk outside and the changing-of-the-guard are highlights.
Key facts
| Hours | 09:00-21:00 daily Closed Mondays Last admission 20:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | City Hall Station (Lines 1/2), Exit 2 |
| Time needed | 1-1.5 hours |
| Best time to go | Late afternoon into the illuminated evening |
| Last verified | July 15, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.7/10- Value8.0
- iconic7.0
- Freshness9.3
- excellence8.0
- Crowd level7.5
- Authenticity7.5
- Accessibility8.5
Frequently asked questions
- Is the changing of the guard worth seeing?
- Yes, it's one of the better free spectacles downtown, with costumed royal guards, drums and ceremony at the main Daehanmun gate. It typically runs a few times daily except Mondays. Check the day's schedule at the gate so you don't miss it.
- Which day is Deoksugung closed?
- Mondays, like Changdeokgung. Gyeongbokgung and Changgyeonggung close Tuesdays instead, so on a Monday in Seoul, head to Gyeongbokgung rather than here. Plan your palace days around these staggered closures.
- Is Deoksugung worth visiting if I've seen Gyeongbokgung?
- Yes, because it's different: smaller, quieter, later hours and that East-meets-West architecture you won't find at the other palaces. It's a relaxed 60-90 minutes and dirt cheap. Good as an evening add-on rather than a headline sight.
- What's special about the architecture here?
- Deoksugung uniquely blends Korean wooden palace halls with neoclassical stone buildings from the early 1900s, when Korea was opening to the West. Seokjojeon, a columned European-style hall, is the standout and reflects the turbulent end of the Joseon dynasty.
- Why is Deoksugung open so late?
- It runs 09:00-21:00, much later than the other palaces which close by evening. That makes it Seoul's best palace for an after-dinner visit, especially when the grounds and the Western-style Seokjojeon hall are lit up. Last entry is 8pm.
- Can I combine it with other downtown sights?
- Easily. It's steps from City Hall, Cheonggyecheon stream, Seoul Plaza and the Jeongdong area of old legations and cafes. You can walk the whole cluster in an afternoon and finish with the illuminated palace after dark.
- How much is admission to Deoksugung?
- Just 1,000 won for adults, 500 won for children 7-18. Under 7, over 64, and anyone wearing hanbok enter free, and it's free on Culture Day (last Wednesday of the month). It's the cheapest of the major palaces.
- What is the Deoksugung stone-wall road?
- Doldam-gil is the tree-lined stone-wall walkway curving around the palace, one of Seoul's most romantic strolls, especially in autumn. It's free and outside the palace, so you can enjoy it even without going in. Lovely at dusk.
Nearby in Ask Seoul
- Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA)Museum0.22 km · 3 min walk
- CongduRestaurant0.23 km · 3 min walk
- Felt CoffeeCafé0.46 km · 6 min walk
- Jeonju Jungang HoegwanRestaurant0.47 km · 6 min walk
- CheonggyecheonPark0.48 km · 6 min walk
Where to stay near Deoksugung Palace
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