Where to Stay in Seoul: Find Your Best Neighborhood

Let’s admit it, next to money, the second biggest factor that could make or break a trip is where you’re staying.

Seoul is not any different. Choosing to stay in the wrong neighborhood for your interests can actually mean a 50-minute commute every morning and night. Yikes…

After 17 visits to Seoul, and actually living there once, I know the most convenient areas for visitors like the back of my hand. Each of those areas has its own distinct vibe and works for a specific interest. I’m here to help you break them down.

So, where to stay in Seoul, exactly?

If it’s your first time, Myeongdong or Chungmuro are your best bets. My all-time favorite Samcheongdong always serves us cultural nerds. Hongdae is where all the kids go, and Gangnam is where luxury is!

Let’s take a look at everything in more detail. Get ready to take those planning notes!

Quick Overview of the Best Places to Stay in Seoul

Just to clarify, we’re not gonna look into every neighborhood that exists in the Seoul Metropolitan Area. Seoul is very spread out, and listing every part of it would certainly give you choice paralysis.

I’m only gonna show you exactly five neighborhoods that I’ve stayed in and loved, among the many times I’ve gone back to Seoul.

I’ll also let you know which hotel exactly I was staying in for each area. Apologies in advance for the lack of hotel photos, though. I don’t really take pictures of my hotel… especially back in my pre-blogging days.

Top Seoul Neighborhoods on a Map

Before we dive into details, here are my favorite neighborhoods on a map. Aren’t they all super spread out? This reinforces my point about researching each of them well!

• 💛 Myeongdong & Chungmuro: Best for shopping and first-visits
• 💙 Hongdae: Best for nightlife and young energy
• 🩷 Itaewon: Best for international restaurants and resources
• 🧡 Gangnam & Jamsil: Equal parts luxury and family travel
• 💜 Samcheongdong: Best for history & culture

1. Myeongdong & Chungmuro: Best for First Visits

The long-standing shopping district of Seoul, Myeongdong is still relevant after decades due to its convenient location for first-time visitors. I, too, stayed right here for my first visit (and the several ones after).

Located in the center surrounded by neighborhoods like Insadong, Namdaemun, and Namsan, and walkable to Cheonggyecheon, Deoksugung, or Gyeongbokgung, this makes it a popular choice for first-time visitors.

The next metro station over, Chungmuro, is equally central to everything. Plus, because it serves two metro lines, it’s much more convenient to get anywhere, including a short walk to Myeongdong.

Sights + Things to Do in Myeongdong

• Shop. Literally shop until you drop on the streets of Myeongdong, whether on the 8-Gil, 8-Gagil, 10-Gil, or 4-Gil… your options are endless.
• Walk one metro station over to find the famous Namdaemun market, or hike up Namsan to the Seoul Tower.
• Walk 5-10 minutes north and stroll along the Cheonggyecheon stream with the locals.
• Or continue north past Cheonggyecheon and find yourself in the traditional shopping street of Insadong.

Recommended Stays in Myeongdong

2. Hongdae: Best for Nightlife and Young Energy

Surrounding the most famous school of liberal arts in the country (Hongik University), this neighborhood has the perfect blend of city vibe and artsy alleyways.

The night scene is pretty awesome, but it quiets down at reasonable hours.

It is a bit further from the middle of Seoul, but conveniently reachable via the metro. And as someone who stayed here for 2 months, I guarantee it is worth the commute.

Sights + Things to Do in Hongdae

• Visit the neighborhood’s abundance of animal cafés
• Or visit one of the art cafés and create your own work of art while sipping coffee. Keep in mind that these art “workshops” will look exactly like cafés from the outside.
• Join the crowd and watch daily street performances on the main strip of Hongdae. Get off the subway at Hongik University Station, take exit 9, and turn left, and you’re right there!
• 943 King’s Cross, one of the biggest and neatest Harry Potter-themed cafés I’ve ever visited, is also here. Fun fact: It’s “943” and not “934” because fractions are read from the bottom up in Korean!

3. Itaewon: Best for International Restaurants

Before Hongdae got its hype, Itaewon was the first international neighborhood of Seoul, known for its abundance of foreigners and selection of foreign cuisine.

After the hit Netflix show “Itaewon Class,” rest assured, you cannot walk around this neighborhood without running into fans taking photos of familiar-looking buildings today.

Also famous for its nightlife and Halloween scene, this neighborhood is for you if you’re a night owl who prefers noise and activity in your life. Think “apartment on the Lower East Side” if you’ve been to New York!

Sights + Things to Do in Itaewon

• Eat all the foreign cuisines available, from Thai to American to Moroccan.
• Noksapyeong Bridge: in my opinion, the best view of Namsan and Seoul Tower
• Leeum Museum of Art
• For Itaewon Class fans: The original Danbam restaurant is here and still in business 🙂 You can have dinner there from 6 PM!

4. Gangnam and Jamsil: Best for Luxury and Families

Its name directly translates to “South of the river.” Gangnam is famous for its luxury. Malls, shopping streets, a MORE expensive shopping street that’s known as the “Korean Rodeo Drive,” and of course… Gangnam Style.

If your main goal in Seoul is to shop and shop… and then shop some more, then Gangnam is your place to be. But if not, then I recommend staying in one of the other four areas.

You can commute to Gangnam for a day trip. My absolute favorite Korean Spa (Jjimjilbang) is in this area, and I made day trips there as well.

Just east of Gangnam is Jamsil, another neighborhood packed full of family-friendly hotels. Probably there to support parents bringing their kids to Lotte World.

Sights + Things to Do in Gangnam

• COEX Mall & Starfield Library
• Close to Lotte World Mall, theme park, and tower
• Abgujeong, the shopping district
• Abgujeong Rodeo, the Korean Rodeo Drive
• Garosu-gil shopping street
• Seolleung and Jongneung: The UNESCO World Heritage Joseon Dynasty tombs

5. Samcheongdong: Best for History and Culture

If convenience isn’t your top priority on your first visit, Samcheongdong is my favorite place to recommend. Why? It is PACKED with culture and traditions, an absolute heaven for cultural travelers.

Is staying in a traditional Korean house (Hanok) in your plans? Here is where you will get it.

Enveloped by Gyeongbokgung on one side, Insadong (art and antique shopping street) on the other, and easily reachable by Subway as well, I don’t see why you wouldn’t! I used to spend 10 nights here in a Hanok as well.

Sights + Things to Do in Samcheongdong

• Bukchon Hanok and Ikseondong Hanok Village
• Gyeongbokgung Palace
• National Folk Museum of Korea
• Changdeokgung Palace
• Changgyeonggung Palace
• UNESCO Jongmyo Shrine
• Insadong
• Walkable to Deoksugung Palace

The Basics of Visiting Seoul

First visit? Before you go, here are all the things you should know to have a good experience.

Required Documents to Enter South Korea

As of March 2026, the only thing foreigners need to enter South Korea is either an Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) or a visa.

If you’re traveling from a visa-free country, you now have to apply for a K-ETA. Everything is online, so very convenient. Just be sure to apply two weeks or so before departure.

Through the link, you’ll see that the approval process takes 24-72 hours. This depends largely on the season. Mine took 2 weeks once, and I was thankful I did everything so far in advance.

Check here to see if you need a visa to enter South Korea. All the information you’ll need to apply for a Korean visa is on that page as well.

Electric Plug Type

Like most of Europe, South Korea uses plug type F, with two round-ended pins.

The wall sockets are very deep, and most square-shaped universal adapters you buy will not fit. Make sure whichever adapter you have is round-shaped so it can go in.

Worst-case scenario, hotels, and guest houses will always have some ready for guests. I recommend this one. I use it myself, so it definitely works!

Helpful Apps You’ll Need

Kakao Map OR Naver Map: Some people prefer the Naver Map, but I personally use the Kakao Map. Both give you very accurate information on places.

Kakao Metro: This app will save your life when you use the subway. It works in any of these major cities: Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Daejeon. Select the city you’re in, and that city’s metro map will pop up.

Kakao T: If you prefer taxis, Kakao T is the Korean Uber, so this one would be handy to have. With the amazing bus and metro system in Seoul, I don’t see the need for a taxi, though.

Papago: This is the best translation app for English to Korean and vice versa. Google Translate jumbles up that grammar and doesn’t really understand the nuance in the Korean language.

So… What Do You Want to Do In Seoul?

I’ve made the best effort to narrow down highly-reviewed hotel options for you. If you’re still getting choice paralysis, it might be because you have no idea yet what you wanna do.

Here are some guides to get you started:

• My recommended things to do in Seoul
• Ikseondong or Bukchon Hanok Village?
• My favorite museums in Seoul (They’re all free!)
• Ultimate Seoul food guide
• Cafe-hopping guide

Find more ideas and resources waiting for you in my South Korea Travel Planning hub!

Get Yourself Ready for the Trip

For an even easier time interacting with the locals, don’t forget to learn some basic Korean phrases just in case, as well as some important dos and don’ts while in South Korea before you arrive.

Grab My South Korea E-Checklist

To make sure you don’t leave anything important out of your preparations, I’ve made a digital checklist to help you get ready. I leave 2 pages blank for you to customize your own checklist, too!

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