Hongdae Travel Guide

Seoul
Hongdae
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.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Hongdae

Localstitch Creator Town Seogyo
Localstitch Creator Town Seogyo
3 out of 5
460-25 Seogyo-dong Mapo-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is Rp1.321.373 per night from 26 May to 27 May
Rp1.321.373
per night
26 May - 27 May
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge).
8.6/10 Excellent! (173 reviews)
"A"

Reviewed on 24 Apr 2024

Localstitch Creator Town Seogyo
L7 Hongdae
L7 Hongdae
4 out of 5
141, Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
The price is Rp2.287.385 per night from 12 Jun to 13 Jun
Rp2.287.385
per night
12 Jun - 13 Jun
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews.
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,010 reviews)
Great location!
"Good value for price, and excellent location in Hongdae. Also very convenient money exchange machine available in the common area. Could see some wear in the room (eg, scratches on walls). Elevators could be slow during peak times, and there was a line up to use the laundry room!"

Reviewed on 11 May 2024

L7 Hongdae
Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae, an IHG Hotel
3.5 out of 5
188 Yanghwa-ro, Seoul, Seoul
The price is Rp1.995.303 per night from 11 Jun to 12 Jun
Rp1.995.303
per night
11 Jun - 12 Jun
Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews.
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"First 3 days I was in a room with a bathroom that was way too small for me to use the toilet since I'm so tall. Please make sure next time I get a bigger bathroom with no wall in front of the toilet. Thanks"

Reviewed on 8 May 2024

Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae, an IHG Hotel
RYSE, Autograph Collection Seoul by Marriott
RYSE, Autograph Collection Seoul by Marriott
4.5 out of 5
130, Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp3.002.925 per night from 22 May to 23 May
Rp3.002.925
per night
22 May - 23 May
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"Loved how convenient this location was for accessing public transportation. It was just a short walk to the line 2 subway. Also, the service was great and the staff was always friendly. The only thing I would’ve changed is getting a room on a higher floor as it could get a bit noisy."

Reviewed on 11 May 2024

RYSE, Autograph Collection Seoul by Marriott
Grand Hyatt Seoul
Grand Hyatt Seoul
5 out of 5
322, Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is Rp4.926.674 per night from 16 May to 17 May
Rp4.926.674
per night
16 May - 17 May
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews.
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
"The staff were truly fantastic in helping us with every query and ensuring that our stay was enjoyable. The rooms were lovely, spacious and comfortable with phenomenal views"

Reviewed on 27 Apr 2024

Grand Hyatt Seoul
ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
4 out of 5
36, Sejong-daero 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is Rp1.802.713 per night from 16 May to 17 May
Rp1.802.713
per night
16 May - 17 May
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,022 reviews)
"Well maintained and clean hotel c.a. 10 mins walk away from Seoul station. We're allowed to check-in early and staff was generally quite attentive during our stay. The area where the hotel is located a bit bland in terms of restaurants and entertainment options, but given the proximity to public ..."

Reviewed on 11 May 2024

ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
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.

Other neighbourhoods around Hongdae

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Mapo-gu

4.5/5(94 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Mangwon Market while getting to know Mapo-gu, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Mapo-gu Office Station or Mangwon Station to see more of the area.

Mapo-gu
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Sinchon-dong

Consider a visit to Yonsei University Museum and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Sinchon-dong. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Sinchon Station or Ewha Woman's University Station.

Sinchon-dong
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Yeongdeungpo-gu

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

Noted for its shopping and river views, there's plenty to explore in Yeongdeungpo-gu. Top attractions like KBS Exhibition Hall and Times Square Mall are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Yeongdeungpo Market Station or Singil Station to see more of the city.

Yeongdeungpo-gu
War Memorial of Korea featuring signage and modern architecture as well as a large group of people

Yongsan-gu

4/5(31 area reviews)

Travellers choose Yongsan-gu for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Hyochang Park Station or Namyeong Station and check out top sights like Yongsan Electronics Market.

Yongsan-gu
Namdaemun Market which includes a city, street scenes and markets

Hoehyeon-dong

While you're in Hoehyeon-dong, take in top sights like Namdaemun Market and jump on the metro at Hoehyeon Station to see more of the city.

Hoehyeon-dong
Gwangjang Traditional Market which includes signage

Jongno-gu

4.5/5(86 area reviews)

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

Jongno-gu


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