Two palaces and the southern market

From the first station to the final station; travel to and from your hotel is excluded.

Start at Gyeongbokgung, cross Gwanghwamun Square to Deoksugung and finish at Namdaemun Market; confirm both palaces are open.

This route connects Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gwanghwamun Square, Deoksugung Palace, Namdaemun Market.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Explore the palace courtyards and central axis; check closing days and admission.

Station code: L3S0317

Use the main courtyards and the Gyeonghoeru area as the framework of your palace visit. Notice the sequence of gates and open spaces before looking closely at roof details and stone steps. The allowance excludes the neighbouring museums, which deserve their own visit if history is your priority.

Check official closing days, last admission and ticket arrangements before setting out. Guard ceremonies follow a separate timetable and are not guaranteed by this route. If a ceremony matters to you, adjust the sequence around it; take breaks before extending the walk into further palace grounds.

Suggested visit allowance: 90–120 minutes

Official visitor and transport information — Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gwanghwamun Square

Explore the civic square and views toward the palace; underground exhibitions are excluded.

Station code: L5S2534

Use the statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin as two viewpoints along the square. Compare the palace-facing skyline with the surrounding modern buildings. Allow time to understand this civic space instead of treating it only as a passage between attractions.

This stop covers the ground-level square, excluding underground exhibitions and events. Follow any temporary barriers and use marked crossings toward Cheonggyecheon. Shade can be limited, so take a water break before continuing rather than extending every photo stop.

Suggested visit allowance: 25–30 minutes

Official visitor and transport information — Gwanghwamun Square

Deoksugung Palace

Compare Korean palace buildings and Western-style exteriors; separately booked exhibitions are excluded.

Station code: L1S0151

Compare the Korean halls with the Western-style stone buildings, then look at how the courtyards sit against the modern skyline. Focusing on two or three groups of buildings gives the visit a clear theme without adding every indoor exhibition to the palace walk.

Palace entry and special exhibitions can have separate tickets or reservation systems. The allowance focuses on grounds and exteriors and does not guarantee a guard ceremony. On a closure day, the stone-wall street is an alternative walk, not a replacement for an actual palace visit.

Suggested visit allowance: 65–90 minutes

Official visitor and transport information — Deoksugung Palace

Namdaemun Market

Explore clothing, everyday goods and food alleys; individual shop hours vary.

Station code: L4S0425

Enter from the Hoehyeon side and use a main lane to establish your bearings before focusing on clothing, household goods or food alleys. Deliveries and ordinary shopping are part of this working market, so leave room for people carrying goods when you stop.

Wholesale shops, retail areas and restaurants keep different schedules. Check the type of shopping you want and keep meals separate from browsing time. Trim side lanes if purchases take longer. Nearby Sungnyemun requires street crossings; it is not a gateway inside the market.

Suggested visit allowance: 45–60 minutes

Official visitor and transport information — Namdaemun Market

Duration

Estimated total: 349–477 min

Official station-to-station rail times exclude waiting and may follow a different route. Other times are editorial estimates. Access conditions may vary.

Rail travel: 0 min

Walking: 59–87 min

Visits: 225–300 min

Buffer: 0–0 min

Meal break: 65–90 min

Transport connection: 0–0 min

Arrival walk: 8–12 min

Return walk: 3–5 min

Leg 1: L3S0317 → L5S2534

Rail travel: 0 min

Walking: 10–15 min

Buffer: 0–0 min

Transport connection: 0–0 min

Leg 2: L5S2534 → L1S0151

Rail travel: 0 min

Walking: 20–30 min

Buffer: 0–0 min

Transport connection: 0–0 min

Leg 3: L1S0151 → L4S0425

Rail travel: 0 min

Walking: 18–25 min

Buffer: 0–0 min

Transport connection: 0–0 min