Events

A Seoul Day Plan: Gyeongbokgung, Namsangol Hanok Village and the National Museum of Korea

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AI-generated hanok courtyard with tiled roofs, a stone path and a white handwritten note reading a little holiday walk.

AT A GLANCE

Gyeongbokgung
9 am–6 pm in September, last entry 5 pm; Line 3, Exit 5; guard-changing 10 am and 2 pm
Namsangol Hanok Village
Chungmuro Station, Exit 3 or 4; 28 Toegye-ro 34-gil
National Museum of Korea
General admission free; Ichon Station (Line 4, Gyeongui–Jungang)
Chuseok 2026 events
Ended (Namsan Dalbit Madang, Seoul Dal, holiday free palace entry)

Seoul works well for a day on foot: a royal palace in the morning, a traditional village in the afternoon and a free museum as a rainy-day backup. The details below come from official pages. The Chuseok 2026 events, such as free palace entry on September 24–27, the Namsan Dalbit Madang festival and the Seoul Dal balloon, have ended. Checked on 2026-10-12.

The hero image is AI-generated and is not a photo of Namsangol.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Seoul’s old royal palaces were used by the Joseon dynasty, which ruled Korea for centuries. Gyeongbokgung is the largest. In 2026, the Chuseok holiday offer made general admission free at Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung for September 24–27 (Korea Heritage Service announcement). That offer has ended, so check current fares.

  • Hours: 9 am–6 pm in September, last entry 5 pm (palace visiting hours). Hours change by season.
  • Ceremonies: Guard-changing ceremonies at 10 am and 2 pm, guard-duty ceremonies at 11 am and 1 pm, and a patrol at 3 pm were listed in the 2026 announcement. No reservation is needed. Outdoor events can change with the weather.
  • Getting there: Gyeongbokgung Station, Line 3, Exit 5. The palace is at 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu (directions).

Namsangol Hanok Village

A hanok is a traditional Korean house. Namsangol Hanok Village gathers hanok and courtyards in central Seoul. The Namsan Dalbit Madang festival there ran September 25–27, 2026 and has ended.

  • Getting there: Chungmuro Station, Exit 3 or 4, to 28 Toegye-ro 34-gil. There is no dedicated parking (program and directions).
  • Check the current schedule for performances, craft sessions and fees. Seoul’s holiday guide listed pansori (storytelling through song), tightrope walking, a food market and craft sessions with advance booking during the festival (Seoul 2026 holiday guide).

National Museum of Korea

The museum in Yongsan has indoor galleries on Korean history and art. General admission is free. Some special exhibitions cost extra, and the Children’s Museum requires a timed reservation. In September, listed hours were 9:30 am–5:30 pm, extended to 9 pm on Saturdays, with entry closing 30 minutes earlier. It is closed on Chuseok day (museum visitor guide).

  • Getting there: Ichon Station, served by Line 4 and the Gyeongui–Jungang Line. Follow signs for the museum passage near the Exit 2 ticket gates (museum directions).
  • Free reading: The Arts Council Korea publishes Munjang Webzine, a free online Korean literary magazine with poetry, short fiction and criticism, in Korean.

Yeouido: Seoul Dal (ended)

Seoul Dal, “Seoul Moon,” is a tethered helium balloon in Yeouido Park. The 2026 Chuseok event ran September 24–October 5 and has ended. A balloon ride was listed as a separate paid activity at ₩25,000 for adults, and weather can stop flights (Seoul Dal visitor information). Check the city’s page for current operation.

A simple day plan

  1. Gyeongbokgung in the morning, including the 10 am guard-changing ceremony.
  2. Lunch near the palace.
  3. Line 3 to Chungmuro for Namsangol.
  4. If it rains, go to the National Museum of Korea instead.

Good for / not for

Good for

  • First-time visitors who want an easy, walkable day
  • Families, since the museum is free and the palace grounds are open

Not for

  • Anyone who wants festival events. The Chuseok 2026 programs have ended.

Sources

Checked on 2026-10-12. Hours, fares and event dates change. Chuseok 2026 holiday items are ended.