Discovering the perfect spot in Seoul that has it all can be a daunting task. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We have curated a list of the top tourist districts suitable for everyone, from solo travellers to families with children.
Seoul is the capital and also the cultural, economical, and political centre of South Korea. Seoul has 25 districts in total. It is divided into 2 main sections called Gangbuk and Gangnam. The 2 sections are divided by the Han River.
Gangnam is located on the South of Han river and is more modern as compared to Gangbuk. Gangbuk on the other hand is located in the North of Han river and it portrays a more historical and traditional side of Seoul.
1. Myeongdong – Top choice for first timers
Popular due to its central location, being easily accessible by public transport and having lots of shopping venues in the vicinity. In terms of night life, it is less vibrant than Hongdae and Itaewon. However, there are many budget friendly hotels and a lot of shopping.
It is located within walking distance and have easy access to majority of tourist sights like Namsan Tower and Seoul Palaces. It is also located close to Seoul Station, which is easily reachable from Incheon International Airport.
Tourists flock to Myeongdong Shopping Street for its abundance of merchants and department stores. There are all kinds of different goods, from street food and shoes to beauty products. Shinsegae Department Store, Noon Square, and Lotte Department Store are a few of the prominent ones.
You can go to Namdaemun Market if you wish to get a taste of local life. It is a wholesale and retail market where you may experience the local daily life. Before going to Namsan Tower, tourists have the option of purchasing their love lock here.
Myeongdong is also a true foodie destination. There are bunggeo-pang, tteokbokki, bibimbap, mandu, hotteok, traditional Korean BBQ, and Korean friend chicken.
One thing not to miss is taking a cable car to the top of N. Seoul Tower formerly Namsan Tower. Head to its top in the evening to see its best views.
Myeongdong has a wide range of accommodations, lots of luxury branch hotels, and plenty of budget friendly 3 star hotels and guesthouses.
Ready to visit Myeongdong in Seoul? Check-in to Nine Tree Premier Hotel, prices start at SGD$206!
2. Gangnam – Luxury area to stay in Seoul
Known as Beverly Hills of South Korea. It is packed with luxury shops, fine dining and lively nightlife. Gangnam district is home to lots of high-end clubs, extravagant lounges and cocktail bars.
Located at Gangnam is one of South Korea’s largest shopping complexes: COEX Shopping Center. It is located beneath the Korea World Trade Center and it features a food court, Megabox theater, the biggest aquarium in the nation, and a movie theater.
Travellers can also shop at Hallyu K Star Road at Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 2. The street is where you can find the Galleria Department Store and famous shopping and nightlife area of Apgujeong Rodeo.
Gangnam Station is also the busiest subway station in Seoul. Along with the enormous Kakao Friends Flagship Store, it features underground shopping, cafes, and restaurants.
Gangnam is the modern part of Seoul with lots of skyscrapers including the Korea World Trade Center and Lotte World Tower. Lotte World Tower is the tallest building in South Korea. The Seoul Sky Observatory offers 360-degree panoramic view of the city beautiful skyline.
However, price for accommodations in Gangnam tend to be higher than other districts because it is the most expensive area in Seoul.
Ready to visit Gangnam in Seoul? Check-in to L7 Gangnam by Lotte, prices start at SGD$259!
3. Itaewon – Multicultural District
Itaewon is home to a diverse community of international soldiers, foreign diplomats, English teachers, and migrant workers from Southeast and South Asia. It is packed with rooftop bars, foreigner-friendly clubs, pubs, wine bars, hip-hop clubs, salsa clubs and cafes.
There are several museums here such as Leeum Samsung Museum of Art and War Memorial Museum. Due to the diverse nationalities and cultures, Itaewon has a diverse number of restaurants, shopping and nightlife. All cuisine can be found ranging from Indian, Thai, American, Middle Eastern and African.
Itaewon hosts various events and festivals. The famous festival, Itaewon Global Village Festival is held every October.
Ready to visit Itaewon in Seoul? Check-in to Mondrian, prices start at SGD$252!
4. Dongdaemun – Best place for shopping
Dongdaemun is home to lots of traditional markets as well as high-rise shopping malls. It is not only a paradise for shoppers but also it has lots of interesting historical and cultural attractions.
Dongdaemun Market is easily reachable because it is located close to both Dongdaemun Station and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station. Dongdaemun History & Culture Park is formerly a baseball stadium, but it has been converted into a cultural area that is surrounded by big shopping malls like the Design Plaza, Doota, Migliore and APM Plaza.
The Dongdaemun Gate, also known as Heungingjimun Gate, is how the neighborhood got its name. It is a lovely location for photo opportunities. You can trek up to Naksan Park from the gate to view the Seoul Fortress Walls. Its peak offers stunning cityscapes.
Travellers can also visit Ihwa Mural Village to see some beautiful artwork done by local Korean artists and college students. It is a good place for Instagrammers.
Ready to visit Dongdaemun in Seoul? Check-in to The Summit Hotel, prices start at SGD$153!
5. Jamsil – Popular neighbourhood for families
Jamsil-dong is a neighbourhood of Songpa-gu district on the South of Han river. It is a popular neighbourhood for families because it is home to Lotte World with lots of attraction and activities for kids.
Lotte World has both an indoor area, Lotte World Adventure, and an outdoor area, Magic Island. Magic Island is home to the Atlantis Adventure roller coaster and Gyro rides. Lotte World Adventure on the other hand is one of the world’s biggest indoor theme parks that has a roller coaster and Viking ship ride. In addition to Lotte World amenities, there is a shopping mall and an ice rink.
Seokchon Lake Park is another popular place in Jamsil. During Spring, the park is lined with cherry blossom trees and you’ll find many locals here for the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival held in April. This park is also a scenic place to admire the autumn foliage during October.
Ready to visit Jamsil in Seoul? Check-in to Lotte Hotel World, prices start at SGD$367!
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