The ultimate guide of neighborhoods you must visit in Seoul
Seoul is a dynamic metropolis with a lot to discover. Fancy shopping malls, friendly local markets, vibrant nightlife — you can find them all in this sleepless city. In fact the list can go on and on endlessly that one might easily feel lost where to start. So here I have curated a list of must visit districts, each representing one of the many personalities of Seoul you must experience.
Hongdae
Hongdae has been the playground of young crowds for over 20 years now and is still maintaining its youthful spirit. Started off as a hub for underground music, now the neighborhood has become famous for street performances. Right next to the neon signs of Korean barbeque restaurants, clothes shops, food stalls, bars, and clubs, you will find groups of dancers and singers surrounded by hundreds of crowds performing to K-pop music. It is no doubt a unique scene only to be seen in Seoul.
Where to stay?
As the Hongdae type of nightlife mainly attracts the younger generation, many guesthouses are concentrated around this area. If you decide to stay in Hongdae, there will be a lot of good quality budget guesthouses you can choose from. Bunk Guesthouse is one of them.
Seochon
Seochon literally means the village in the west in Korean. It is located west of Gyeongbok Palace. What is special about Seochon is that there are a lot of traditional Korean villages, called Hanok. It is rare to find in other parts of the city nowadays, but those in Seochon have their architecture well preserved. You can hop from one coffee shop or restaurant from another, enjoy the special vibe renovated Hanok villages offer. There is also a local market called Tongyin Market that is worth visiting right next block.
Where to stay?
How about trying out a night at Hanok? It is not hard to find accommodation in Hanok. Check out Hanok guesthouses or airbnbs like this one.
Itaewon/HBC
Itaewon/HBC has long been a popular district even before it became the background of the popular K-Drama Itaewon Class back in 2020. It has a mix of local and expat culture, making it one of the trendiest neighborhoods loved by both Koreans and foreigners. Nightlife here is definitely one of the most vibrant ones you can find in Seoul.
Where to stay?
There is no definite answer to what the typical accommodation of Itaewon/HBC is, but as dynamic as the neighborhood is, you will find some unique airbnbs here. Seoul Nooks, located next to Seoul N Tower and HBC, is a spacious house open to both locals and long-term travelers.
This article was written by Yejin, a digital nomad programmer who is keen to innovate education through technology. She’s staying at Seoul Nooks since November until her next destination: Bali, Indonesia.
