Hongdae Travel Guide

Seoul

A city skyline at dusk with illuminated buildings, a river, and multiple bridges.
A street with shops and a mural of a person on a wall.
A street with various shops, including a clothing store and a hookah bar.
A brightly lit building with multiple floors and a glass facade, adjacent to a white building with signage in a foreign language.
A busy urban street with various shops, including a restaurant with a prominent sign.

This is Seoul at its most youthful and liveliest. Come here for cafés, bars, clubs, cinemas and boutiques.

The Hongdae district isclose to Hongik University, and is a favourite with young revellers. HongdaeYoung Street constitutes the main artery of life in the area. Soak up the urbanculture found in the shops and galleries by day. After dark, this is the placeto experience Seoul’s nightlife.

Start at the HongdaeTourism Information Centre, where friendly staff will provide you with a mapand information about what’s happening in the area. The centre is openlate.

If you’re looking forgifts or items for yourself, explore the various boutiques and vintage storesthat line Hongdae Young Street. Don’t miss Sangsangmadang this 11-storybuilding houses an independent cinema, performance hall and various stallsselling arty souvenirs. If you appreciate street art, bring your camera. Thearea around Hongik University is covered in accomplished work created bystudents and other artists.

You won’t have any troublefinding cafés and restaurants in Hongdae Young Street. There are manyindependent outlets selling homemade food for affordable prices. There’s also amassive variety of cuisine, including everything from Korean to Irish toVietnamese.

Hongdae Young Street isthe centre of Seoul’s nightlife. During the day, you’ll likely see buskers andbreak dancers in the street. At night the clubs and bars along the street blastall types of music: indie, electronic, hip-hop and acid jazz. Many bars areopen late and some are open 24 hours a day, especially at the weekend.

There is often a specialevent happening in Hongdae Young Street. Club Day, on the last Friday of eachmonth, gives you entry to a number of clubs in the area for the price of onenormal entrance fee. Every Sunday, Hongdae hosts a bazaar, where you can pickup secondhand goods and handmade crafts.

To reach Hongdae YoungStreet, catch the subway to Hongik University Station.


Stay near popular Hongdae attractions

Things to do


Top hotels in Hongdae

Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae by IHG

3 out of 5
188 Yanghwa-ro Seoul Seoul
The price is ฿4,385 per night from 10 Dec to 11 Dec
฿4,385
฿4,824 total
10 Dec - 11 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"Located right in the heart of things. Only a few steps from coffee shops, cafes, retail stores and street entertainment. If you like being around college kids, you’ll love it! Hotel is nice and modern. Room a bit tight with 2 twin beds, but you’ll survive! Beds comfortable. Showers hot! And 2 bottles ..."

Reviewed on 10 Nov 2026

Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae by IHG
K-Grand Hostel Sinchon

K-Grand Hostel Sinchon

2 out of 5
3F-7F, 34 Sinchon-ro 16-gil, Mapo-gu Seoul
The price is ฿2,291 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
฿2,291
฿2,520 total
23 Nov - 24 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and housekeeping. Popular attractions Namdaemun Market and Myeongdong Street are located nearby.
8.8/10 Excellent! (98 reviews)
"Good place to stay in a neighbourhood with metro access. Room is big and has TV and fridge. Ensuite is a bit cramped and could do with some maintenance"

Reviewed on 10 Nov 2026

K-Grand Hostel Sinchon
L7 HONGDAE by LOTTE HOTELS

L7 HONGDAE by LOTTE HOTELS

4 out of 5
141, Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu Seoul
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿5,467 per night from 29 Nov to 30 Nov
฿5,467
฿6,014 total
29 Nov - 30 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
L7 HONGDAE by LOTTE HOTELS
HOTEL THE BOTANIK SEWOON MYEONGDONG

HOTEL THE BOTANIK SEWOON MYEONGDONG

4 out of 5
23-1 Eulji-ro 19-gil, Jung-gu Seoul
The price is ฿5,067 per night from 18 Nov to 19 Nov
฿5,067
฿5,574 total
18 Nov - 19 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Myeongdong Street and Dongdaemun ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,317 reviews)
"The hotel is well located with easy access to trains and busses. Our room on the 19th floor has an excellent view of the Seoul N Tower. Washing machine and dryer also came in handy. Our room was almost like a small apartment with balcony, fully equipped kitchen. living room and two bedrooms."

Reviewed on 10 Nov 2026

HOTEL THE BOTANIK SEWOON MYEONGDONG
LOTTE CITY HOTEL MYEONGDONG

LOTTE CITY HOTEL MYEONGDONG

4 out of 5
362, Samil-daero, Jung-gu Seoul
The price is ฿5,716 per night from 30 Nov to 1 Dec
฿5,716
฿6,288 total
30 Nov - 1 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,950 reviews)
"The room was fairly large, and the breakfast was good. The key about this location was its proximity to the Myeongdong area with all the shopping and restaurants. Just a couple of block walk and you were right there. This was our first stay in Seoul and we will likely stay here again if we come ..."

Reviewed on 10 Nov 2026

LOTTE CITY HOTEL MYEONGDONG
Roynet Hotel Seoul Mapo

Roynet Hotel Seoul Mapo

3 out of 5
67, Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu Seoul
The price is ฿3,640 per night from 30 Nov to 1 Dec
฿3,640
฿4,004 total
30 Nov - 1 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
Roynet Hotel Seoul Mapo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Where to stay in Hongdae

Find the best Hongdae areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Hongdae
Learn more about Hongdae

Myeong-dong

Enjoy the popular shops in Myeong-dong. Myeongdong Street is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Myeong-dong Station or Euljiro 1-ga Station to see more of Seoul.

Gangnam-gu

Gangnam-gu is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like COEX Convention and Exhibition Center and Starfield COEX Mall. See more of Seoul by jumping on the metro at Cheongdam Station or Gangnam-gu Office Station.

Dongdaemun-gu

You might enjoy the shopping while in Dongdaemun-gu. Gyeongdong Market is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Yongdu Station or Jegi-dong Station to see more of the city.

Jongno-gu

Jongno-gu is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Bukchon Hanok Village and Sejong Cultural Center. See more of Seoul by jumping on the metro at Gwanghwamun Station or Jonggak Station.

Insa-dong

Insa-dong is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Insa-dong and Alive Museum Insadong while in the area.



Hongdae Travel Guide