Deoksugung Palace
덕수궁
Palace in Jung-gu. Open 09:00–21:00, closed Mondays. Plan about 1.5 hours. 6 min walk from City Hall Station.
Good to know
About
Information: Korea Tourism Organization (TourAPI)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.
Our guide
Deoksugung Palace closes at 21:00, later than most places around it, making it an evening option. Only Changgyeonggung among Seoul's palaces keeps the same close; the others shut at 17:00 or 18:00.
Closed on Mondays, like every palace except Gyeongbokgung, which closes on Tuesdays. Near Deoksugung that day, Lotte Duty Free Myeongdong is a 7-minute walk and open until 20:00, and Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun 12 minutes, open until 22:00.
Getting to Deoksugung: about 1 h 15 from Incheon Airport (AREX to Seoul Station, then Line 1 to City Hall) and 40 min from Gimpo. From Seoul Station 16 min, Myeongdong 21 min, Hongik Univ. 24 min, Gangnam 50 min.
Staying close: by our estimate City Hall Station is the nearest area we suggest for a base near Deoksugung, with 107 hotels within walking distance of the station.
Travel times are estimates from our transit model, Oct 2026.
Pairs well with
Within a 20-minute walk.
Where to stay near Deoksugung Palace
Areas with the shortest trip here, on foot or by public transit.
From each area’s main station, on foot or by public transit. Our estimates (Nov 2026).
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