Hongdae is a fashion-forward neighbourhood with a bright and youthful ambience, underground cultures, and freedom of self-expression. Located in central Seoul, it’s often packed with local youths and students of the neighbouring Hongik Art University.

The pedestrian streets are lined with cosmetics shops and fashion boutiques with different price points. Many of these stores stay open until midnight. There are several streets dedicated to Seoul’s modern arts, clubbing and dining scene. You’ll find quaint cafes, art galleries, jazz cafes, dabang (vintage coffeehouses), as well as cocktail lounges, wine bars, and dance clubs.

Hongdae District - one of the highlights of 10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Seoul and 10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Seoul (Read all about Seoul here)

photo by Ken Eckert (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

KT&G Sangsang Madang is a prominent shopping mall in Hongdae – it has 7 floors with shops selling clothing, crafts and accessories by local designers, an exhibition space, art gallery, and restaurants overlooking the neighbourhood. The basement levels has a cinema and a live performance hall that regularly hosts music, dance and theatre.

One of Hongdae’s main draw is its weekend ‘Free Market’ at Hongik Children's Park, where local artists and crafters showcase their handmade crafts, accessories, stationary, paintings, and music CDs from 1pm till 6pm. 

Like most places in Seoul, the fastest way to get to Hongdae is by subway – take the Seoul Subway Line 2 and alight at Hongik University Station (Exit 9).

Hongdae District

Location: Hongdae, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Open: Daily from 9am to midnight (hours vary by shop)

Penny Wong | Compulsive Traveler

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.

Start planning your trip

Where to stay in Seoul

Lobby
Hanok Hotel DAAM
9.0 out of 10, (176)
The price is CA $99
per night
CA $109 total
includes taxes & fees
Hanok Hotel DAAM
Exterior
Hotel Skypark Myeongdong Iii
8.8 out of 10, (1003)
The price is CA $116
per night
CA $129 total
includes taxes & fees
Hotel Skypark Myeongdong Iii
Down comforters, in-room safe, desk, laptop workspace
Lotte Hotel World
9.4 out of 10, (1099)
The price is CA $260
per night
CA $315 total
includes taxes & fees
Lotte Hotel World
Property entrance
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
9.0 out of 10, (2207)
The price is CA $126
per night
CA $139 total
includes taxes & fees
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
View from room
Grand Hyatt Seoul
8.8 out of 10, (1009)
The price is CA $265
per night
CA $320 total
includes taxes & fees
Grand Hyatt Seoul
Premium bedding, minibar, in-room safe, desk
Signiel Seoul
9.6 out of 10, (1005)
The price is CA $470
per night
CA $569 total
includes taxes & fees
Signiel Seoul
Exterior
GLAD Yeouido
9.0 out of 10, (1009)
The price is CA $132
per night
CA $148 total
includes taxes & fees
GLAD Yeouido
View from room
NINE TREE BY PARNAS SEOUL INSADONG
9.0 out of 10, (2057)
The price is CA $117
per night
CA $131 total
includes taxes & fees
NINE TREE BY PARNAS SEOUL INSADONG
4 restaurants, breakfast, lunch, dinner served; Korean cuisine
Mayfield Hotel Seoul
9.0 out of 10, (1004)
The price is CA $175
per night
CA $194 total
includes taxes & fees
Mayfield Hotel Seoul
Front of property - evening/night
ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
9.2 out of 10, (2638)
The price is CA $145
per night
CA $159 total
includes taxes & fees
ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun

Related stories