REVIEW · SEOUL
Nami Island and Petite France – Filming location
Book on Viator →Operated by SEOUL CITY TOUR CO. LTD. · Bookable on Viator
K-drama fans, this day trip hits hard. You’ll link Nami Island and Petite France in a single day, then finish with a stop for ginseng. I like that you get admission included for both sites, so you can spend less time in lines and more time walking those famous sets.
I also really like the meal plan: a traditional Korean spicy chicken lunch is built into the day. One possible drawback: your time at each main attraction is about 1 hour, so you’ll need to move at a friendly but purposeful pace.
Hotel pickup and drop-off keeps the logistics simple, and the guides can seriously change the feel of the day. You may cross paths with guides named Lily, Lizzy, or Jessie, and drivers are described as careful and safety-focused, which matters a lot on longer road trips.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Why Nami Island and Petite France work so well in one day
- Getting picked up at 8:00 and staying comfortable on the road
- Gapyeong ferry basics: the mini ride to Nami
- Nami Island: that tree-lined walk and your photo time
- Petite France: French-styled streets and Secret Garden connections
- Lunch plan: spicy Korean chicken without the guesswork
- Ginseng Center plus one shopping stop: what to expect
- Price and what you’re really paying for ($125 per person)
- Guides like Lily and Lizzy make the day feel easier
- Who this tour is best for
- Should you book this Nami Island and Petite France tour?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start?
- How long is the tour?
- Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- Are admission fees included for Nami Island and Petite France?
- Is lunch included?
- How many people can be on the tour?
Key things to know before you go

- Skip-the-line entry included for both attractions, so your sightseeing time starts sooner
- Ferry time is short: a mini ferry ride is about 5 minutes, then you’re on island mode
- A real K-drama setting: Petite France ties to Secret Garden filming
- Spicy chicken lunch is included, so you’re not hunting food after travel
- A guide stays with you to answer questions throughout the day
- Max group size is 40, so expect a lively shared experience, not total solitude
Why Nami Island and Petite France work so well in one day

This tour is built for people who want a break from Seoul without losing a whole day to travel. Nami Island gives you that classic, camera-friendly tree-lined walk, while Petite France is the opposite vibe: small, colorful “French village” streets with lots of corners to explore.
The big win here is how the day is packaged. You’re not left juggling tickets, transport, and timing on your own. You get round-trip hotel pickup, admission fees handled, and lunch included. That combo matters because Gapyeong-area days can turn annoying fast when you’re late for your next bus or stuck in ticket lines.
You also get a professional guide whose job is to keep you oriented. The difference is practical: you get help making sense of what you’re seeing, and you’re not stuck guessing what’s worth your limited time.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Seoul.
Getting picked up at 8:00 and staying comfortable on the road

The start time is 8:00 am, and the whole day runs about 8 hours. That’s long enough to feel like you had an outing, but not so long that you’re completely wrecked by dinner.
The tour uses an air-conditioned vehicle, which is a quiet but real comfort upgrade when Seoul weather is doing its thing. Hotel pickup and drop-off also removes one of the biggest headaches of day trips: figuring out where to meet and how to return after you’re done with photos and snacks.
One more detail I like: you’re given a mobile ticket. That cuts down on last-minute paperwork stress. When you’re doing two timed sightseeing stops, it’s nice when the handoff is simple.
Gapyeong ferry basics: the mini ride to Nami

At Nami Island, you’ll take a mini ferry from Gapyeong Wharf to Nami wharf. The ferry ride is about 5 minutes, which is short enough that it doesn’t eat up your day, but long enough to make the transition feel real.
Once you arrive at Nami wharf, you get that immediate sense of stepping into a film set environment. Nami Island is famous because movie and drama directors chose it for their projects, and you can feel that when you walk through the tree-lined areas. Even if you’re not memorizing plot points, the setting is visually strong and easy to enjoy.
Practical tip: treat the ferry as the start of your “photo rhythm.” As soon as you disembark, get your bearings, then slow down where the scenery looks best.
Nami Island: that tree-lined walk and your photo time

Nami Island gets about 1 hour in this plan. That’s not a “spend the whole afternoon” amount of time. But for a first visit, it’s a sweet spot if your goal is to see the most recognizable sections and get a good set of photos.
What you’ll experience is a walking route along trees where the vibe is very much tied to K-dramas. The island’s appeal is partly visual, partly atmospheric: it feels like you’re walking along a scene from a show, even when you’re just enjoying nature and calm.
Here’s how I’d approach your hour:
- Walk the main pedestrian paths first, so you don’t regret skipping the iconic sections later.
- Use your photos early, then switch to slower strolling once you’ve picked your favorite angles.
- Keep an eye on time. When you only have an hour, you don’t want to “accidentally” wander your way into a rushed ending.
The balanced truth: if you love hiking, this won’t feel long enough. But if you want the Nami Island highlights without burning a whole day, it’s a good match.
Petite France: French-styled streets and Secret Garden connections

Petite France is another 1 hour stop, and it’s built on a simple idea: a small village inspired by France. Expect multi-colored buildings, plus boutiques and galleries that make it feel like you’re strolling through a themed streetscape rather than a single museum.
This stop is extra appealing if you’re into K-dramas. Petite France is also known as a filming location for Secret Garden, so when you walk past the main areas, you’re not just looking at pretty buildings—you’re in a recognizable set.
You can also find French-style snacks, which is helpful because you won’t be dependent on your own food planning mid-day. There are also performances scheduled at the main hall, so if your timing lines up, you can add a live, local-feeling moment to your photos.
Time advice: when you only have an hour, focus on the most central areas first. Petite France has lots of small storefront-style distractions, and it’s easy to lose 20 minutes chasing every little side street.
Lunch plan: spicy Korean chicken without the guesswork

Lunch is included, and it’s described as a traditional Korean spicy chicken meal. For me, this is one of the smartest parts of the tour because it removes a big variable: where to eat, what to order, and whether you’ll find something that works with your day schedule.
The “value” here isn’t just convenience. It’s also energy management. When you’re driving out of Seoul and spending time walking two attractions, you want a meal you can rely on. An included lunch helps you avoid the common day-trip problem of arriving hungry, then spending your sightseeing time waiting for food.
If you’re picky about spice levels, you can still manage your comfort, but the tour data only promises a spicy chicken lunch—so plan to adjust your expectations accordingly.
Ginseng Center plus one shopping stop: what to expect
After the two main attractions, the day rounds out at a Ginseng Center, and there’s one shopping center included. The tour summary doesn’t spell out the exact timing or what you’ll see inside the ginseng facility, so I’d treat this portion as the “wrap-up” of the itinerary rather than the main experience.
If you like learning about Korean wellness ingredients, this can be an interesting cultural add-on. If you prefer to spend every minute outside, keep in mind this part is more structured and less flexible.
The good news: you’re not paying extra for admission during the attraction stops, and lunch is covered. That means the most time-sensitive parts of your day—Nami and Petite France—are where the day’s main value is focused.
Price and what you’re really paying for ($125 per person)

At $125 per person for about 8 hours, this isn’t a “budget-only” day trip. But it can still feel fair because you’re paying for several things that are hard to assemble on your own:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- An air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional guide
- Admission fees included
- Lunch included
- Mobile ticket support
Also, the average booking window is about 37 days in advance, which hints this itinerary sells through fairly well in high-demand weeks. If you know your travel dates, locking in early can help avoid the awkward situation of missing the tour you actually want.
My practical take: this price makes the most sense when you want structure. If you enjoy DIY travel and you’re comfortable arranging transport and tickets quickly, the cost may feel steep. But if you want a smooth day with fewer decisions, it’s the kind of package that prevents small problems from stacking into big frustration.
Guides like Lily and Lizzy make the day feel easier
The energy of a guide can turn a scenic stop into a story you remember. In this operation, guides are named in real feedback, including Lily, Lizzy, Jessie, and others. The consistent theme is that the guide keeps things lively, explains what you’re seeing, and helps with practical suggestions.
There’s also a named mention of a driver, Danny, described as careful and safety-focused. On longer outside-of-Seoul days, that kind of steadiness matters more than you’d think. You’re not just riding; you’re relying on timing and safe driving to protect your schedule.
So here’s my advice: if you want more than just photos, pick a guided day like this. A good guide saves you from the common mistake of treating themed destinations like random backdrops.
Who this tour is best for
This is a strong fit if:
- You’re a K-drama fan who wants Nami Island and Petite France in one day.
- You want a simpler schedule with pickup, admissions, and lunch handled.
- You prefer guided direction over figuring out everything alone.
- You don’t mind a moderately paced day, because each main stop is about 1 hour.
It may feel less ideal if:
- You want lots of quiet time at each location. The schedule is tight by design.
- You dislike tours that include a structured facility like a ginseng center and a shopping stop.
- You’re expecting truly empty streets and solitude. The group can be up to 40, and the day is built for shared sightseeing.
Should you book this Nami Island and Petite France tour?
I’d book it if you want an efficient, drama-adjacent day that feels organized from start to finish. The combination of skip-the-line admission, included spicy chicken lunch, and hotel pickup makes it lower-stress than a DIY plan, especially when you only have one day to spare.
Skip the booking only if your perfect day trip looks like slow wandering, long stays, and zero structured wrap-up stops. With about an hour at Nami and an hour at Petite France, you’ll be happier if you treat this as a highlights-and-photos day, not a deep exploration day.
FAQ
What time does the tour start?
The tour starts at 8:00 am.
How long is the tour?
It runs for about 8 hours (approx.).
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and you travel by air-conditioned vehicle.
Are admission fees included for Nami Island and Petite France?
Yes. Admission fees are included, and your ticket is handled for entry at both stops.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch is included, and it’s described as a traditional Korean spicy chicken lunch.
How many people can be on the tour?
The group has a maximum size of 40 travelers, and there’s a minimum of 3 people per booking.







