Best Neighbourhoods In Seoul To Stay In When Visiting The Capital
Read on for the best neighbourhoods in Seoul to stay when visiting!
The capital city of South Korea, Seoul, is such an exciting place to visit but knowing which are the best neighbourhoods to stay in can be difficult as there are so many different options (25 districts!) to choose from.
When I visited Seoul a few years back I was fortunate enough to have a friend who was a local show me around the city. So I gained a lot of knowledge in terms of where to go and what to do in each neighbourhood.
From the vibrant energy of Hongdae to the more touristy areas of Itaewon and Gangnam, knowing what each area has to offer is vital to ensuring you make the most of your time in this fabulous city.
That’s why I’ve put together this blog post, detailing what are the best neighbourhoods in Seoul to stay in, what to expect in each area and my hotel recommendations as well.
⌚ In a rush? My Top Hotel Recommendations for Seoul:
Holiday Inn Express Hongdae
Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel Itaewon
Seoul Riviera Hotel (Gangnam)
OYO Rooftop Hostel (Myeongdong)
Travelodge Myeongdong Euljiro
Hanok Hotel DAAM Seoul (Insadong)
Delight Hotel Jamsil
Hotel POCO Seongsu
Aiden by Best Western Cheongdam
Best Neighbourhoods To Stay In Seoul
So without further ado, let’s take a look at each top neighbourhood in Seoul to stay in, in no particular order:
📍 Hongdae
Hongdae was the neighbourhood where I stayed throughout my visit to Seoul and I absolutely loved it! On my first night in Hongdae (and South Korea for that matter) I fell in love with the atmosphere and youthful vibrancy of the place.
I was surprised by just how many different types of restaurants there were in Hongdae and I enjoyed several different bars that specialise in craft beers amongst others.
Hongdae is known as a University neighbourhood so expect to see plenty of youngsters, especially in the evening when the area comes alive with street performers, singers, dancers, bands and more performing on the streets.
I would totally recommend staying in Hongdae when visiting Seoul; it’s a trendy, cool place with so many options when it comes to food and socialising in general.
🏨 My Hotel Recommendation for Hongdae: Holiday Inn Express
I can personally recommend the Holiday Inn Express Hongdae as it is where I stayed during my visit to Seoul and I had fantastic experience there!
It’s a really exceptional 4 star hotel that is very central to Hongdae. My room was lovely and the views of Hongdae are nothing short of spectacular. The facilities and staff were excellent too and I fully recommend a stay here.
📍 Itaewon
Itaewon is the neighbourhood in Seoul where most tourists visit and it has a more international vibe compared to the rest of the city.
It is completely full with international cuisine restaurants of all types. If you’re craving a change from Korean food after a few days then definitely visit Itaewon.
Itaewon is also known as quite a party district for locals and tourists alike. There are a lot of internationally themed bars here where people party until the early hours.
Although I enjoyed visiting Itaewon, there are a lot of tourists and for me it wasn’t as authentically Korean as other neighbourhoods in the capital. But it’s still worth visiting for an evening to check out what all the fuss is about.
🏨 My Hotel Recommendation for Itaewon: Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel Itaewon
This 3 star hotel in Itaewon is reasonably priced and located very centrally to the area, just a 3 minute walk from Itaewon Station.
The hotel features very modern rooms, a breakfast is available and it also has a fitness centre.
📍 Gangnam
Probably the most famous neighbourhood in Seoul, Gangnam is a rich area full of luxury clothing stores as well as top hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and more.
It is one of the most affluent neighbourhood in Seoul, but the area also has plenty of fascinating history and interesting things to do. Here are my recommendations for what to see and do in Gangnam:
- COEX Shopping Mall – one of the best and biggest shopping malls in Seoul, this is a must visit place even if you don’t like shopping! Here you can find the huge Starfield Library, which is one of the most impressive libraries in the world.
- Samneung Park – this is a lovely serene park which is a great escape from the modern life of Gangnam. The park has a lot of history, with numerous tombs dating back to the Joseon dynasty.
- Bongeunsa – this is a really beautiful Buddhist temple site that I was fortunate to visit during my stay in Seoul. There are great views of Gangnam from here and it’s even possible to do a temple stay as well.
🏨 My Hotel Recommendation for Gangnam: Seoul Riviera Hotel
The Seoul Riviera Hotel is a fantastic choice if you decide to stay in the Gangnam region during your stay in Seoul. This is a superb 4 star hotel that has rooms featuring views of the majestic Han River close by.
It is very well priced for Gangnam and has exceptional facilities, with up to 4 restaurants, an indoor swimming pool and a business centre too.
📍 Myeongdong
The Myeongdong neighbourhood is another famous shopping area in Seoul and one I recommend too. It’s very centrally based making it the ideal neighbourhood if your visiting Seoul for the first time.
The centre of Myeongdong features a high street full of shopping malls with clothing stores, restaurants, cinemas and more. But the best thing about Myeongdong in my opinion however is its street food.
From the afternoon into the night time the high street is packed with countless food stalls, selling every kind of delicious Korean snacks that you can imagine.
👉 Pro tip: If you want to check out the street food stalls on Myeongdong high street then I definitely recommend visiting during the evening/night time hours, when the area really comes to life, and buying a few snacks here is a cheap alternative to a restaurant.
🏨 My Hotel Recommendation for Myeongdong: OYO Rooftop Hostel
Based just 400 metres from Myeongdong Station, OYO Rooftop Hostel is a 3 star hotel that is a great option if you’re looking to stay in the centre of Seoul.
With very reasonably priced rooms available considering it’s location, the hotel’s main attraction is it’s spacious rooftop garden terrace that has fantastic views of central Seoul.
📍 Euljiro
With a good number of cheap hotels, Euljiro is a good neighbourhood to consider if you’re visiting Seoul on a budget.
Although more of an avenue than a real neighbourhood, Euljiro was once a former industrial area but is one of the most hipster places in the capital, to the point where it’s now referred to as: ‘Hipjiro’.
Within walking distance of Myeongdong, it’s very centrally based and here you can find some of the trendiest bars and restaurants in the whole city.
My local friend took me to one local pub in Euljiro and I had a great time there. Mixing with the locals and trying some food snacks was a cool experience and I really liked the energy of this neighbourhood.
👉 Pro Tip: Make sure you visit Nogari Alley if you visit Euljiro. This alley is famous for some of the best food spots you’ll find in Seoul (especially chicken and beer restaurants), popular with locals after a hard day at work as well as with tourists.
🏨 My Hotel Recommendation for Euljiro: Travelodge Myeongdong Euljiro
This 3 star Travelodge is an excellent choice if you want to stay close to the nightlife action in Euljiro.
With rooms featuring a beautifully contemporary design, Travelodge Myeongdong Euljiro has excellent facilities and is right on the doorstep of one of the best neighbourhoods in the whole city of Seoul.
📍 Insadong
Insadong is another cool neighbourhood in Seoul to consider staying in when visiting the city.
Situated in the Jongno District, Insadong has plenty of shopping streets and alleys where you can find more authentic Korean souvenir shops, as well as museums, street food, street art, historical sites and more.
There are also a number of Hanoks here, which are traditional Korean homes and it is possible to stay at one of these historical houses, but expect to pay more money.
🏨 My Hotel Recommendation for Insadong: Hanok Hotel DAAM Seoul
If you fancy staying somewhere a little different from your typical hotel while in Seoul, then Hanok Hotel DAAM Seoul is a top choice.
Featuring traditional Hanok style rooms, this hotel also has an amazing location – just 200 metres from the spectacular Changdeokgung Palace.
📍 Jamsil
The Jamsil neighbourhood of Seoul is an interesting place to visit or stay in and is located very close by to Gangnam.
Its similar to Gangnam in terms of skyscrapers and luxury shops, but it is also a considerably more green area, with lots of lovely parks such as Jamsil Hangang Park, which is next to the Han River.
Jamsil is most famous for being the home of the 1988 summer Olympics, and the Olympic Park in Jamsil is still a hugely popular attraction in Seoul that is definitely worth visiting.
🏨 My Hotel Recommendation for Jamsil: Delight Hotel Jamsil
Compared to other hotels in the pricey Jamsil area, Delight Hotel Jamsil is a really good choice if you want to stay somewhere that’s convenient and good value for money.
This 2 star hotel has exceptional facilities available, including free bikes you can use as well as free parking, an airport shuttle, a bar and a restaurant that serves American cuisine.
📍 Seongsu-dong
If you fancy staying away from the typical touristy areas in Seoul then I recommend the hidden gem that is Seongsu-dong.
Based in the northern district of Seongdong-gu, Seongsu-dong has been dubbed as: ‘the Brooklyn of Seoul‘ because of its uniquely different vibe from the rest of the city.
Its a former shoe factory neighbourhood that contrasts old and new, with a lot of industrial buildings and warehouses that have been converted into hipster art places, coffee shops, galleries etc.
Seongdong-gu offers a more chilled out vibe compared to the rest of modern Seoul. It’s a place that’s full of street art everywhere you look and is an ideal place for creative types looking for something a bit different.
🏨 My Hotel Recommendation for Seongdong-gu: Hotel POCO Seongsu
Hotel POCO Seongsu is a good choice if you’re looking to stay in the less touristy Seongsu district of Seoul.
This 3 star hotel is considered the best in the whole district, offering a concierge service, free parking, a bar and a terrace area. Certain rooms also feature balconies with great city views.
📍 Apgujeong-dong
Apgujeong-dong is an area in the Gangnam-gu district and is known as: ‘the Beverly Hills of Seoul‘.
It is one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in the whole city, and certainly an interesting place to stay if you want to mix with the upper class of South Korea, with some of the richest people in the whole country living here.
Apgujeong Rodeo Street is the most popular part of the neighbourhood and is full of luxury fashion stores, fine dining restaurants and famous cafes, which will certainly make it a memorable place to explore during your trip to Seoul.
🏨 My Hotel Recommendation for Apgujeong-dong: Aiden by Best Western
Based in Gangnam and close to the luxurious neighbourhood Apgujeong-dong, Aiden by Best Western is a top choice that is very reasonably priced for the area.
This 3 star hotel has a very good reputation and its facilities include a fitness centre, a restaurant with a breakfast buffet and there are family rooms available too.
Map of Seoul
Check out this interactive map of Seoul that has pins for all the different areas and neighbourhoods of the city mentioned in this blog post:
Best Neighbourhoods In Seoul To Stay In FAQs
Still not sure about which neighbourhood to stay in when visiting Seoul? Allow me to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about this topic:
Which is the most lively neighbourhood in Seoul?
It’s quite hard to say that there’s just one liveliest neighbourhood in Seoul, as the whole city is an incredibly lively place!
But I would definitely say that Hongdae, Itaewon and Euljiro are some of the best places to visit in the city in terms of atmosphere, especially in the evenings.
Which neighbourhood is best for tourists?
I would recommend Myeongdong as the best neighbourhood for tourists in Seoul, as it is as central as it gets within the city.
From here it’s easy to reach some of the best tourist attractions in the city, from trying some local food at the famous Gwangjang market to the historical Gyeongbokgung Palace – everything is very reachable from Myeongdong.
Which neighbourhood is the cheapest to stay in?
As mentioned, Euljiro is a good option in terms of cheap accommodation. But to be honest there are a lot of good, cheap accommodation options in almost every neighbourhood mentioned in this post.
Personally, my stay in Hongdae was very good value for money and you can find many decent hostels and homestays that perhaps surprisingly don’t cost the earth.
Conclusion: Best Neighbourhoods In Seoul To Stay
So that concludes everything you need to know about what are the best neighbourhoods in Seoul to stay in during your visit. There are so many interesting and contrasting neighbourhoods that you really are spoilt for choice.
From the well known areas of Itaewon, Hongdae and Gangnam, to more hidden gem neighbourhoods such as Seongsu-dong, it really comes down to personal preference where you decide to stay.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading through my thoughts on the best neighbourhoods in Seoul to stay in and have now decided which awesome areas you want to explore on your trip to the Korean capital.
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➡️ Planning your trip? Here are my favourite resources:
🏨 Accommodation: I recommend using Booking.com
🚙 Rental Car: Use Discover Cars for the best car rental prices
❤️ Travel Insurance: I recommend using Visitors Coverage
✈️ Flights: Use Kiwi.com for the best prices on flights
