Where to stay in Seoul: best areas compared (2026)

Short on time? Our picks for Seoul

The full comparison is below. These are the areas we would choose.

Best for first-timersMyeongdongA central, walkable shopping district with department stores and street food.

Best for familiesGangnam and COEXGangnam has excellent public transport and COEX Mall nearby.

Best for Muslim travellersItaewonSeoul Central Mosque, opened in 1976, is a short walk up Usadan-ro, which has halal restaurants, a Turkish bakery and kebab shops.

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Myeongdong

A central, walkable shopping district with department stores and street food. It is close to Namsan and N Seoul Tower, and has good subway access.

Best for: First-timers, shoppers, airport arrivals
Getting around: Line 4 (Myeongdong Station) and Line 2 (Euljiro 1-ga). Seoul Station, where the airport train ends, is two stops away.
Keep in mind: Crowded and busy, with bright neon signs and commercial streets.

Hotels in Myeongdong ↗

Jongno (Insadong, Bukchon and Anguk)

You can walk or take one subway stop to Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung and Bukchon Hanok Village. Insadong has craft shops and art galleries.

Best for: Culture lovers, first-timers, couples
Getting around: Anguk Station (Line 3) is the gateway to Bukchon and Changdeokgung. Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3) is the next stop to the west.
Keep in mind: Many galleries close on Mondays and the area gets crowded on weekends. Bukchon's residential lanes are closed to tourists after 5 p.m.

Hotels in Jongno ↗

Itaewon

Itaewon is home to Seoul Central Mosque and a cluster of halal restaurants and bakeries on Usadan-ro. It is also close to the National Museum of Korea.

Best for: Muslim travellers, food lovers
Getting around: Line 6 to Itaewon Station (Exit 3 for the mosque). Ichon Station on Line 4, for the National Museum, is nearby.
Muslim-friendly: Seoul Central Mosque, opened in 1976, is a short walk up Usadan-ro, which has halal restaurants, a Turkish bakery and kebab shops.
Keep in mind: Itaewon is also known for its nightlife, so some streets get loud late. Rough Guides says it can feel touristy.

Hotels in Itaewon ↗

Gangnam and COEX

Gangnam has excellent public transport and COEX Mall nearby. Rough Guides recommends it for families with children.

Best for: Families, shoppers, business travellers
Getting around: Subway lines through Gangnam; Lotte World in Jamsil is on Lines 2 and 8.
Muslim-friendly: One guide lists a prayer room at COEX (3rd floor, Conference Room 300, with separate men's and women's sections, 3:00–22:00). Confirm before you rely on it.
Keep in mind: More commercial and less traditional than the old city, and further from the palaces.

Hotels in Gangnam and COEX ↗

Hongdae

A lively university area with street art and cafés. The all-stop airport train stops at Hongik University Station.

Best for: Younger travellers, airport access
Getting around: The AREX all-stop train from Incheon Airport stops at Hongik University; the area is also on the subway.
Keep in mind: Rough Guides calls Hongdae loud and bustling, with clubs and bars, so it's not ideal for light sleepers or families.

Hotels in Hongdae ↗

Price levels ($ to $$$) appear only where an official tourism source rates them. Hotel links search Booking.com, and some earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

Before you book in Seoul

Buy a T-money card at a convenience store (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) or a subway station and top it up there. The card costs about ₩2,500–4,000 and works on subways, buses and many taxis. The subway fare is ₩1,400 with T-money, and transfers within 30 minutes are free.
The AREX airport train runs from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station. The express takes about 43–51 minutes and costs ₩13,000; the all-stop train takes about 53–66 minutes, costs ₩4,450–5,050 and stops at Hongik University. The express ends about 10:40 p.m. from Terminal 2.
Bukchon's residential "red zones" are open to tourists from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. only, so a stay in Jongno works best if you plan your Bukchon walk for the daytime.

Still deciding? Search all of Seoul and filter by area on the map.

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Plan the rest

More for your trip to Seoul

Things to do in Seoul9 sights with hours and pricesRead →4 days in SeoulA day-by-day planRead →Halal travel in SeoulHalal food, mosques and where to stayRead →Seoul travel hubFlights, when to go, entry rules and every guideRead →

Getting there

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Questions

Common questions

How do I get from Incheon Airport to central Seoul?

Take the AREX train to Seoul Station. The express (₩13,000, about 43–51 minutes) is non-stop; the all-stop (₩4,450–5,050, about 53–66 minutes) is cheaper and stops at Hongik University. From Seoul Station you can change to Lines 1 and 4.

Do Canadians need a visa or K-ETA to visit Seoul?

No. Canadians are exempt from the K-ETA until December 31, 2026, and can visit visa-free for up to 180 days for tourism.

What is the safest way to get around Seoul?

Use the subway and a T-money card. The Government of Canada advises normal security precautions, notes that petty crime occurs in big cities, and suggests avoiding walking alone after dark. Emergency numbers are 112 (police) and 119 (medical/fire).

Sources

Checked October 1, 2026. Prices, rules and fees change, so confirm before you travel.