Hongdae Travel Guide

Seoul

Hongdae which includes outdoor art, street scenes and a city
Hongdae
Hongdae which includes night scenes, a city and street scenes
Hongdae
Hongdae featuring night scenes, markets and nightlife

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

L7 HONGDAE by LOTTE

L7 HONGDAE by LOTTE

4 out of 5
141, Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp2.010.838 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
Rp2.010.838
Rp2.211.922 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,184 reviews)
"Excellent service, self service luggage keeping is available (locker), walkable distance to major shopping places, close to convenience store."

Reviewed on 25 Jul 2025

L7 HONGDAE by LOTTE
Localstitch Creator Town Seogyo

Localstitch Creator Town Seogyo

2.5 out of 5
460-25 Seogyo-dong Mapo-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is Rp1.253.422 per night from 5 Aug to 6 Aug
Rp1.253.422
Rp1.378.764 total
5 Aug - 6 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (407 reviews)
"Very nice, would recommend staying again."

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

Localstitch Creator Town Seogyo
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong

LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong

4 out of 5
362, Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
The price is Rp2.139.190 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
Rp2.139.190
Rp2.353.109 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,605 reviews)
Great hotel
"Perfect location, accessible to myeongdong night market and other attractions. Clean hotel, Very comfortable bed. Friendly and very accommodating staff. Excellent customer service. Highly recommended!"

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun

ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun

4 out of 5
36, Sejong-daero 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is Rp2.537.600 per night from 7 Aug to 8 Aug
Rp2.537.600
Rp2.791.360 total
7 Aug - 8 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,841 reviews)
"Lots of nearby restaurants, extremely convenient location. Staff was extremely helpful, 10/10 recommend."

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
Fairfield by Marriott Seoul

Fairfield by Marriott Seoul

4 out of 5
870, GYEONGIN-RO YEONGDEUNGPO-GU, Seoul
The price is Rp1.210.068 per night from 5 Aug to 6 Aug
Rp1.210.068
Rp1.331.074 total
5 Aug - 6 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Good service by the staff to assign room away from construction noise. Good location for food and transport to malls and airport."

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

Fairfield by Marriott Seoul
Sotetsu Hotels The Splaisir Seoul Myeongdong

Sotetsu Hotels The Splaisir Seoul Myeongdong

4 out of 5
15, Namdaemun-ro 5-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is Rp1.469.342 per night from 6 Aug to 7 Aug
Rp1.469.342
Rp1.616.276 total
6 Aug - 7 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,659 reviews)
"Property centrally located and accessible by metro. It was quiet and pleasant but breakfast options are limited."

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

Sotetsu Hotels The Splaisir Seoul Myeongdong
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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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
Deoksugung Palace showing a garden as well as a small group of people

Sogong-dong

Sogong-dong is popular for its popular shops. Explore top sights like Namdaemun Market and Seoul Museum of Art, and you can get around town on the metro at City Hall Station.

Sogong-dong
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 Sejong Cultural Center and National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. See more of Seoul by jumping on the metro at Gwanghwamun Station or Jonggak Station.

Jongno-gu


Hongdae Travel Guide