Where to Actually Stay in Seoul

Myeongdong: The Tourist Default

A dense shopping district centered on skincare stores, chain restaurants, and street food stalls. Myeongdong is where most first-time visitors end up because it shows up first on every booking site.

Myeongdong is not Seoul. It is a tourist zone that could be in any major Asian city. The food is mediocre compared to what you can find two subway stops away. The street food stalls are overpriced. If you want to feel like you are actually in Korea, stay somewhere else and visit Myeongdong for an afternoon of shopping.

Hongdae: Best for Nightlife and Budget Travelers

The area around Hongik University, Seoul's top art school. Hongdae is the center of youth culture, indie music, nightlife, and street performances. It runs late and it runs loud.

Hongdae is the neighborhood I recommend most often for first-time visitors under 40. It is well-connected by subway, has food at every price point, and gives you the best sense of what young Seoul feels like. The downside is noise. Book a room on a side street or bring earplugs.

Walk west into Yeonnam-dong for better restaurants and a quieter vibe. Check Woongie for restaurant picks in the area.

Insadong & Jongno: Best for Culture and Palaces

The historic heart of Seoul. Jongno is the old downtown, home to Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces, Bukchon Hanok Village, traditional tea houses, and Insadong's art street.

If palaces and traditional culture are your priority, staying in Jongno puts everything within walking distance. The downside is that the area quiets down early. By 9 PM, options thin out. The restaurant scene is more traditional but some of the best old-school Korean restaurants are tucked into the Jongno back streets.

Gangnam: Overrated for Tourists

South of the river. Corporate offices, upscale shopping, plastic surgery clinics, and expensive restaurants. The COEX Mall and Starfield Library are here. Garosugil is the tree-lined boutique shopping street.

I would not recommend Gangnam for a first-time tourist stay. It is expensive, spread out, and most of the attractions are shopping-related. If you do visit, go to Garosugil for lunch and then leave.

Itaewon: Best Food Diversity

Historically Seoul's international district. Itaewon has the highest concentration of international restaurants, bars, and English-speaking establishments in the city.

Itaewon is where I send people who want the best single meal of their trip. The neighborhood has Mexican, Indian, Turkish, Thai, Japanese, and Italian restaurants that are genuinely good. Walk up to HBC (Haebangchon) for hidden gems. Use Woongie to find them.

Bukchon: Great for One Night in a Hanok

A preserved traditional village between two palaces. The narrow alleys are lined with hanok (traditional wooden houses), some converted into guesthouses.

One night in a hanok guesthouse is worth it. Two nights is pushing it. The rooms are small, the walls are thin, but that one morning waking up with palace walls visible through your window is something you remember. Book it for your first night, then move to Hongdae or Itaewon.

Yongsan: The Hidden Gem

A neighborhood in transition, centered around Seoul Station. The National Museum of Korea (free, one of the best in Asia) and the War Memorial are here. Yongsan Station connects to the KTX to Busan.

Yongsan is underrated. The area has good restaurants at local prices, excellent subway connections, and hotels are 20-30% cheaper than comparable rooms in Myeongdong or Hongdae. The practical choice for a central base at a fair price.