Hongdae

Seoul

Hongdae featuring street scenes, signage and outdoor art
Hongdae
Hongdae featuring a city, night scenes and street scenes
Hongdae
Hongdae showing markets, night scenes and a city

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

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

Start at the Hongdae Tourism Information Center, where friendly staff will provide you with a map and information about what’s happening in the area. The center is open late.

If you’re looking for gifts or items for yourself, explore the various boutiques and vintage stores that line Hongdae Young Street. Don’t miss Sangsangmadang this 11-story building houses an independent cinema, performance hall and various stalls selling arty souvenirs. If you appreciate street art, bring your camera. The area around Hongik University is covered in accomplished work created by students and other artists.

You won’t have any trouble finding cafés and restaurants in Hongdae Young Street. There are many independent outlets selling homemade food for affordable prices. There’s also a massive variety of cuisine, including everything from Korean to Irish to Vietnamese.

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

There is often a special event happening in Hongdae Young Street. Club Day, on the last Friday of each month, gives you entry to a number of clubs in the area for the price of one normal entrance fee. Every Sunday, Hongdae hosts a bazaar, where you can pick up secondhand goods and handmade crafts.

To reach Hongdae Young Street, 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 P7,837 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P7,837
P8,620 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,190 reviews)
"Excellent service, self service luggage keeping is available (locker), walkable distance to major shopping places, close to convenience store."

Reviewed on Jul 25, 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 P4,340 per night from Aug 25 to Aug 26
P4,340
P4,774 total
Aug 25 - Aug 26
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (411 reviews)
"Very nice, would recommend staying again."

Reviewed on Aug 1, 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 P7,407 per night from Aug 27 to Aug 28
P7,407
P8,148 total
Aug 27 - Aug 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,620 reviews)
"Everything was"

Reviewed on Aug 13, 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 P8,787 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P8,787
P9,665 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,842 reviews)
"Loved our stay here. Very helpful staff, the pool was nice though the hot-tub was tepid at best. Gym was nice to have, laundry was great, room was huge and super clean, all the staff was super helpful."

Reviewed on Aug 11, 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 P4,012 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P4,012
P4,413 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Easy accces to/from Seoul train station. Clean rooms and comfy bed. Only slight issue was noise of trains (being close to the station)"

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025

Fairfield by Marriott Seoul
The Shilla Seoul

The Shilla Seoul

5 out of 5
249, Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
The price is P18,478 per night from Aug 28 to Aug 29
P18,478
P20,326 total
Aug 28 - Aug 29
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,003 reviews)
"This is a beautiful property with exceptionally friendly staff and excellent food. The location is perfect, very convenient and easy to get around. We truly enjoyed our stay and would love to come back again!"

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

The Shilla Seoul
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

Default Image

Mapo-gu

5/5(5 area reviews)

Travelers choose Mapo-gu for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Mapo-gu Office Station or Mangwon Station and check out top sights like Mangwon Market.

Mapo-gu
Default Image

Yeongdeungpo-gu

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 which includes modern architecture and signage as well as a large group of people

Yongsan-gu

4/5(2 area reviews)

Consider exploring the abundant dining options in Yongsan-gu. If sightseeing is on the list, Yongsan Electronics Market is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Hyochang Park Station or Namyeong Station to see more of the area.

Yongsan-gu
Deoksugung Palace featuring a garden as well as a small group of people

Sogong-dong

Visitors to Sogong-dong love its popular shops, and you can check out Namdaemun Market and Seoul Museum of Art. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at City Hall Station.

Sogong-dong
Namdaemun Market which includes markets, a city and street scenes

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 showing signage

Jongno-gu

4.5/5(13 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