Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is one of Asia’s most emblematic cities. Famous for its gastronomy, lively alleyways and K-pop, it’s usually the focus of an entire trip. But given its size, the things you can do to visit it, the different neighborhoods it’s home to, and above all the price of accommodation, choosing where to stay in Seoul is crucial to a good stay.
Given the numerous possibilities for accommodation in Seoul, whether in Hongdae, Myeongdong or elsewhere, in this guide we share the areas in which to choose your accommodation. With their advantages and disadvantages, particularly in terms of distance from the center, but also in terms of variety of supply. We also give a few recommendations for the accommodation we have selected, classified by budget.
Things you need to know
Before going into detail on each area to help you decide where to stay in Seoul, here are some key things you need to know about the city.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our top places to stay in Seoul:
- $ this hotel in the Itaewon district, close to the subway
- $$ this one in Mapo-gu
- $$$ this upscale establishment in the heart of Seoul
Map of different areas to stay in Seoul
Here’s a map which includes our picks of hotels. You can also use this map to pinpoint the different areas we’ll cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following colour code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Essentials to stay in Seoul
Areas where to stay in Seoul
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Seoul.
Lodging in Mapo-gu, close to Seoul's youth!
Mapo-gu is located in the north-western part of Seoul and is renowned for its cultural, artistic and festive scene. A very popular area, it is home to two distinct zones: Hongdae and Sinchon. The latter is surrounded by universities, giving it a lively, youthful atmosphere.
Hongdae is the best-known district of all, mainly for its streets filled with graffiti and artworks that you can admire as you stroll along. It's also a mecca for street artists and musicians, who offer numerous live performances.
The Hongdae flea market, known as the Free Market, is a place where many artists sell their handmade works. It's a great place to pick up unique souvenirs and support local artists. You can also visit the Trickeye Museum, a museum of optical illusions.
In Hongdae, you'll find a wide range of restaurants, both local and international. In the evening, many street food stalls take over the streets. The area is also renowned for its unique and original themed cafés.
If you like to party, Hongdae is one of Seoul's liveliest spots at night. You'll find a multitude of bars, clubs, arcades, karaoke bars and restaurants open until the early hours of the morning. If you want to enjoy the capital's nightlife, this is the place to be.
Sinchon is a smaller area, but quite charming and well worth a visit. It's one of the best places to shop in Seoul and discover the trendy streets of one of South Korea's largest university campuses.
Mapo-gu is well served by public transport, notably metro line 2. This makes it easy to get to other neighborhoods and the airport.
Accommodation here is a little more expensive, as it's a very popular area and ideal for a first stay in Seoul. However, you'll enjoy being in the heart of Seoul's atmosphere and close to all amenities and tourist attractions.
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Conveniently located in Hongdae and close to the subway, you'll love staying at this beautifully decorated hotel, which boasts a superb view over Seoul. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and the staff particularly helpful and welcoming.
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This superb 4-star hotel, located in the heart of Hongdae just 300 meters from the subway, is ideal for a first stay in Seoul! Clean, quiet and stylish, you'll enjoy staying here after exploring the streets of Seoul and partying the night away.
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The L7 Hongdae offers a wide range of facilities, including private parking, a restaurant, a gym, a bar and even a swimming pool. It's the ideal place to stay and create a real daily routine in the lively Hongdae district.
Jung-gu: to stay in the heart of Seoul
Jung-gu is a central district of Seoul. It's a very touristy area. It is the economic heart of the city, home to the Deoksugung Palace and Seoul City Hall, among other buildings.
The best-known area is called Myeongdong. It's a popular area for shopping and fashion. You'll find international brand boutiques, Korean cosmetics stores, street restaurants and much more. Indeed, Jung-gu is brimming with street-food stalls and restaurants of all kinds, where you can enjoy Seoul's culinary specialties.
And if you're interested in the world of K-pop, Myeongdong is packed with references to various groups. You'll find plenty of specialized stores where you can buy souvenirs and fill your collection.
It's also a mecca for entertainment, where you can attend a show at the Myeongdong NANTA Theatre, for example, and enjoy an energetic and humorous performance of Korean percussion that blends music, dance and cuisine.
Namdaemun Market is South Korea's largest traditional market. You'll find a wide variety of products, from clothing to home decor and electronics. It's the ideal place to buy some unique, traditional souvenirs. You can also visit Myeongdong Cathedral, a must-see architectural gem.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza, to the east, is a futuristic building not to be missed, housing exhibition spaces, design boutiques and interesting art installations.
West of Myeongdong, you'll also find Seoul's main railway station. This makes Jung-gu very central and easily accessible from everywhere else. You can take the subway to the other districts. If you're arriving by train, this is probably where you'll end up.
Although it's a lively, touristy area, Jung-gu is still a very pleasant place to stay, as it's quite quiet at night. So you'll appreciate staying here if you want to enjoy a quiet, well-located neighborhood. On the other hand, this pleasant location is also reflected in the price of accommodation, which is a little higher than in other areas of the city.
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The Four Points offers modern, comfortable rooms in which to stay, with a superb view over the whole of Seoul. You'll love the simplicity of the premises and the friendliness of the staff, just a stone's throw from the metro.
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The Four Seasons is a 5-star hotel with several restaurants, a gym and a traditional sauna. Rooms also offer panoramic views of Seoul's Old Town.
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In this ideally located boutique hotel, you'll enjoy staying and staying in beautifully decorated rooms with superb views over Seoul. You'll also have access to a gigantic swimming pool, restaurants and a gym.
Jongno-gu: Seoul's historic district
Jongno-gu is Seoul's most important historical district. Located in the very north, it offers a variety of activities to do and cultural sites to visit. Here's a list of the main attractions you'll find in Jongno-gu:
- Gyeongbokgung Palace: This is one of South Korea's most emblematic palaces. You can watch the changing of the royal guard in front of the palace's main entrance. The show takes place several times a day and is very popular.
- Changdeokgung Palace : Another important historic palace in Jongno. It is famous for its magnificent secret garden called “Huwon”, which offers a beautiful getaway in the middle of the city.
- Bukchon Hanok Village: Close to the palaces, you'll find this charming village of traditional Korean hanok houses. Take a stroll through the cobbled streets to discover the traditional architecture and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
- Insadong: This is a lively, picturesque street filled with craft stores, art galleries, souvenir stores and traditional cafés. Here you can buy unique souvenirs, as well as sample Korean specialties.
- Gwangjang Market: This is one of Seoul's oldest traditional markets, where you can sample a variety of authentic Korean dishes, including bindaetteok and tteokbokki.
- Cheonggyecheon : This is a stream that has been converted into an urban park and runs through the heart of the megalopolis. You can stroll along the creek and enjoy the greenery in the heart of the city.
- Jogyesa Temple: This is one of Seoul's major Buddhist temples, set amid the skyscrapers. It is particularly beautiful during Buddhist festivals, with colorful lanterns illuminating the temple.
Because of its location, it's quite well served, and you'll be close to Jung-gu. So you won't necessarily need to use public transport much, which is a real plus. If you're looking for a quiet, inexpensive place to stay and stay in the center of town, Jongno-gu is ideal.
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Enjoy a unique experience and stay in this traditional hanok. From breakfast to decor, everything is done to immerse you in the heart of Korean culture.
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You'll love staying at this charming hotel, which is both simple and modern. Conveniently located in the historic center, you'll love the value-for-money accommodation.
Itaewon: Seoul's quiet district
Itaewon is a quiet neighborhood in Seoul. Known for its international atmosphere, this former military zone now offers a relaxed, authentic atmosphere.
Here you'll find restaurants, cafés and street food stalls. You'll find traditional Korean restaurants, as well as international cuisine. It's the ideal place to try Seoul's gastronomy and discover the country's flavors.
Itaewon is also famous for its shopping. You'll find a variety of clothes, accessories and souvenirs. The main street, Itaewon-ro, is an excellent place to start shopping in Seoul. If you're a lover of antiques, head to Itaewon Antique Furniture Street, where you'll find unique and traditional items.
In Itaewon, you can enjoy Seoul's nightlife. Although quieter than Hongdae, there are plenty of bars, pubs and clubs where you can party the night away.
North of Itaewon is Namsan Botanical Park, home to the Seoul Tower. At the top, you'll enjoy a panoramic view of Seoul and the surrounding area. Just south of the park, you'll find the Grand Hotel Hyatt. This accommodation is famous for its ice rink, which has featured in many Korean films and dramas.
To the west of Itaewon is the Korean War Museum. If you're interested in military history, this is an interesting museum to visit. It displays artifacts, documents and exhibits related to the Korean War and other conflicts.
Not far from Itaewon, you can also stroll along the Han River and enjoy the view over the city. It's a pleasant area to relax and take a stroll. You can also visit one of the main mosques, the Seoul Central Mosque. It's an important place of worship for the local Muslim community.
In short, Itaewon is a quiet, pleasant place to visit. It's also a good place to stay if you want to stay in an inexpensive, fairly quiet area with a festive atmosphere. Although a little remote, Itaewon is also very well served by public transport, particularly the subway.
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This modern hostel offers both private and shared rooms in which to stay. The value for money, the cleanliness of the premises and the proximity to the metro, you can't help but appreciate staying here.
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Undoubtedly one of the finest hotels in central Seoul, the Grand Hyatt offers its guests top-of-the-range services. On-site, you'll have access to several swimming pools, a traditional spa, an ice rink and even tennis courts! In short, if you can afford it, you absolutely must stay there.
To stay in Gangnam, south of Seoul
Gangnam is one of the city's most dynamic districts, renowned for its modern atmosphere, shopping malls, restaurants, trendy cafés and lively nightlife.
If you go there, you can't miss Apgujeong Rodeo Street. This iconic street is famous for its luxury boutiques, shopping malls and designer stores. It's an ideal place for shopping enthusiasts to discover the latest trends in Korean fashion. Garosu-gil is another shopping street. Lined with trees, it is also renowned for its boutiques, trendy cafés, art galleries and restaurants. It's a great place to stroll and discover Seoul's culture and creativity.
It's also here that you'll find one of Asia's largest underground shopping malls, the COEX Mall. It features stores, restaurants, an aquarium and even a convention center. If you're a fan of K-pop, don't miss the SMTOWN COEX Artium. You'll find exhibitions, stores and the chance to meet celebrities. Also located in the COEX shopping center, the Starfield Library is an impressive and beautiful library, housing a huge collection of books and offering a tranquil environment, ideal for book lovers.
You can also visit Seoul Olympic Park. This vast park offers beautiful green spaces for strolling, cycling or simply relaxing. It also boasts sports facilities and an Olympic stadium, which sometimes hosts events and concerts.
The Lotte World Tower is Seoul's most emblematic skyscraper. From its observatory, it offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. It's one of the best vantage points from which to appreciate the capital's skyline. You can also visit Bongeunsa Temple, a Buddhist temple in the heart of Gangnam. It offers a striking contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city.
In short, Gangnam is dynamic and pleasant, and a very good place to stay, even if prices are rather high. On the other hand, it's not a good place to stay if you're a first-time visitor. Although it has good transport links, Gangnam is located on the other side of the Han River, and you risk spending a lot of time on public transport to visit the city.
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The AC Hotel offers charming, modern and elegant rooms, which you'll enjoy staying in. The bedding is comfortable and you'll even have access to a balcony.
Summary
Seoul is vast and represents a trip in itself. Depending on your interests and budget, you’ll generally spend at least 4 days in Seoul. Even if you’re moving around a lot, the most efficient way is to take a single accommodation and criss-cross the city from there. Your choice should be based first and foremost on location, and secondly on the atmosphere of the area. And, of course, your budget.
As we’ve seen, the best place to stay is in the north-west of the capital, in Hongdae or Sinchon, if you want to party. These areas do, however, require you to have the budget to match, but also to anticipate your booking as far as possible.
As a second choice, target the center and head for the Myeongdong side of Jung-gu. With its more touristy, family-friendly atmosphere, this area is ideal for exploring Seoul on foot or by subway.
If price is your main concern, you’ll need to think about moving further away. In this case, the key to a successful stay is to stay close to a subway station, such as Itaewon or Jongno-gu. If you choose your hotel wisely, you’ll have quick and easy access to the various tourist areas.
In any case, Seoul is very touristy. If you find accommodation that suits you, book it now!