Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁) is worth considering if you want a Seoul itinerary that balances local atmosphere with practical visitor information.
Why this experience is worth your time
* Special closure on March 21, 2026 Registered as a Historic Site, Deoksugung Palace was initially not a royal palace, but the residential home of Grand Prince Wolsan (1454-1488), the older brother of King Seongjong (1469-1494) of the Joseon dynasty. It wasn't until 1593 that the palace was used as a temporary palace of the royal family after their home was burned down during the Imjin War.
King Seonjo also stayed at Deoksugung Palace after returning to the city. It became a proper palace when Gwanghaegun (1575-1641) ascended to the throne and gave this royal residence the name Gyeongungung Palace in 1611.
Over the following decades, the palace alternated between being an official palace and a temporary residence. The name did not change officially to Deoksugung Palace, meaning the “palace of virtuous longevity,” until 1907.
While the palace once encompassed a vast area with many buildings, the current palace grounds are just a small shadow of the prior splendor, with very few structures remaining. Useful details: Homepage: royal.khs.go.kr Address: 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul Map: 126.97657463444833, 37.565054919430565 heritage1: 0 infocenter: +82-2-771-9951 parking: Not available restdate: Mondays (Closed the following business day in the case of Monday being a national holiday) usetime: [General admission] 09:00-21:00 (Last admission 20:00)[Exhibition] Seokjojeon Hall 09:30-17:30 (Last docent 16:30)Dondeokjeon Hall 09:00-17:30 (Last admission 17:00)Jungmyeongjeon Hall 09:30-17:30 (Last admission 17:00)
What to know before you go
Save the address before leaving: 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul. Check current opening hours, holiday notices, and weather or crowd conditions before you go.
A simple way to plan your visit
Plan Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁) with one or two nearby stops, and leave enough time for walking, photos, and small changes in weather or crowd levels.
Watch before you go
Local tip
Arrive earlier in the day if you want a quieter visit and better flexibility for nearby cafes, shops, or transit.
