Insa-dong

Seoul

Insadong which includes shopping as well as a small group of people
Insadong showing a city and shopping as well as a small group of people
Insadong featuring heritage elements as well as a family
Seoul which includes interior views and art
Insadong featuring outdoor art

This central Seoul district offers shopping and culture with traditional Korean art, antiques, and crafts.

Insadong is a relatively peaceful area of Seoul where there are many teahouses and art galleries. 

The main street, Insadong-gil, was once a stream that divided two towns. These ended in “In” and “Sa”, and were added to the word dong (neighborhood) when they finally joined. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), artists flocked to Insadong to study. The artistic community has remained and today the main thoroughfare offers 700 metres (2295 feet) of shops selling crafts and pottery. 

Insadong is also the best place in Seoul to get your hands on the traditional attire called hanbok and handmade hanji writing paper. Items on sale around Insadong vary greatly in value. You can pick up anything from cheap souvenirs to antique ceramics costing thousands of dollars. Visit the oldest book store in Seoul.

There are approximately 100 art galleries in and around Insadong. Hakgojae Gallery is a modern space exhibiting both traditional and contemporary art. The Gana Art Gallery has the one of the largest floor spaces in South Korea. Both attract local and international art aficionados.

Most of Insadong’s teahouses are found simply by exploring the winding alleyways that branch off Insadong-gil. Here, you’ll be offered all number of tea blends, as well as specialty dishes such as green tea flavored tiramisu. 

Spend some time admiring the area’s architecture. You’ll find old buildings with structures dating back to the 14th century, as well as temples, churches and contemporary glass galleries.

Insadong is accessible by subway. Get off at Anguk. Shops and galleries are open daily. Opening times vary, but are generally from mid-morning to evening. On weekends, vehicles are banned from driving down Insadong-gil, when stalls offering everything from candy to fortune telling are set up. Visit on a Saturday or Sunday to soak up the lively atmosphere and browse street stalls.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Insa-dong

Hotel Sunbee Insadong

Hotel Sunbee Insadong

3 out of 5
26, Insadong 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is P6,847 per night from Aug 4 to Aug 5
P6,847
P7,532 total
Aug 4 - Aug 5
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and a business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
Excellent Stay
"Hotel was very clean and the staff was very nice and accommodating. I would definitely return back to this hotel."

Reviewed on Jul 21, 2025

Hotel Sunbee Insadong
Dormyinn EXPRESS SEOUL Insadong

Dormyinn EXPRESS SEOUL Insadong

3 out of 5
20-9, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Jongno
Fully refundable
The price is P4,730 per night from Jul 30 to Jul 31
P4,730
P5,202 total
Jul 30 - Jul 31
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (78 reviews)
"For 3 of us with 5 luggage, the room was very small. It was a fun experience and the hotel has a lot of good services, but I would stay in the different district next time."

Reviewed on Jul 21, 2025

Dormyinn EXPRESS SEOUL Insadong
ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun

ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun

4 out of 5
36, Sejong-daero 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is P8,822 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
P8,822
P9,704 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
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! (2,834 reviews)
"Reasonable price; centrally located; and big, clean and comfortable room."

Reviewed on Jul 23, 2025

ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong

LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong

4 out of 5
362, Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
The price is P7,850 per night from Aug 5 to Aug 6
P7,850
P8,635 total
Aug 5 - Aug 6
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,597 reviews)
"Near 24 hour food eateries"

Reviewed on Jul 24, 2025

LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
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 P5,109 per night from Aug 6 to Aug 7
P5,109
P5,619 total
Aug 6 - Aug 7
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,626 reviews)
"We stayed in one of the theme room with the Line friends. So cute! The room was spacious. The hotel is close to Myeongdong."

Reviewed on Jul 22, 2025

Sotetsu Hotels The Splaisir Seoul Myeongdong
Toyoko Inn Seoul Gangnam

Toyoko Inn Seoul Gangnam

3 out of 5
323 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
The price is P4,462 per night from Jul 28 to Jul 29
P4,462
P4,908 total
Jul 28 - Jul 29
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,674 reviews)
"good location, easy access for checkin-out. I would like to stay there again overall"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Toyoko Inn Seoul Gangnam
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 Insa-dong

Seoul which includes interior views and art

Jongno-1.2.3.4 ga-dong

If you're spending time in Jongno-1.2.3.4 ga-dong, check out sights like Insa-dong or Jogyesa Temple and hop on the metro to see more the city at Anguk Station or Jongno 3-ga Station.

Jongno-1.2.3.4 ga-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
Myeongdong which includes shopping, a city and street scenes

Myeong-dong

Travelers love Myeong-dong for its popular shops, and you can see more of Seoul by jumping on the metro at Myeong-dong Station or Euljiro 1-ga Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Myeongdong Street and Myeongdong Cathedral.

Myeong-dong
Dongdaemun Design Plaza which includes modern architecture as well as a couple

Jung-gu

4.5/5(50 area reviews)

Travelers love Jung-gu for its popular shops, and you can see more of Seoul by jumping on the metro at Euljiro 4-ga Station or Chungmuro Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Myeongdong Street and Namdaemun Market.

Jung-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
Dongdaemun History & Culture Park showing a city as well as a small group of people

Gwanghui-dong

While you're in Gwanghui-dong, take in top sights like Migliore Mall and jump on the metro at Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station to see more of the city.

Gwanghui-dong


Insa-dong