Hongdae

Seoul

Hongdae which includes street scenes, signage and outdoor art
Hongdae
Hongdae which includes a city, night scenes and modern architecture
Hongdae
Hongdae showing night scenes, a city and markets

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
The price is RM574 per night from 6 Aug to 7 Aug
RM574
RM631 total
6 Aug - 7 Aug
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! (1,170 reviews)
"great location. very clean. great service. but they charge for their pool. The pool should be free when you pay $300 USD a night to stay"

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

L7 HONGDAE by LOTTE
Localstitch Creator Town Seogyo

Localstitch Creator Town Seogyo

3 out of 5
460-25 Seogyo-dong Mapo-gu, Seoul, Seoul
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (396 reviews)
"Good location and amenities"

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Localstitch Creator Town Seogyo
ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun

ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun

4 out of 5
36, Sejong-daero 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is RM687 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
RM687
RM756 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
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! (2,827 reviews)
"Actually quite impressed with our stay."

Reviewed on 19 Jul 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 RM521 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
RM521
RM573 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
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! (2,586 reviews)
"Awesome location, close to subway stations. Hotel offered awesome amenities, close to many places. I would stay there again. Staff was very helpfull."

Reviewed on 20 Jul 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 RM446 per night from 23 Jul to 24 Jul
RM446
RM490 total
23 Jul - 24 Jul
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! (1,622 reviews)
"I was very impressed with the property and the hotel as a whole! Our flight got delayed and we missed a day and the hotel was kind enough to hold onto our reservation even though it was clearly a popular time for tourists. They also checked us in extremely late and treated us with kindness all the ..."

Reviewed on 19 Jul 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 RM331 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
RM331
RM364 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
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 12 Jul 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 Hongdae

Default Image

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
Default Image

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 which includes modern architecture and signage 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 which includes a park 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 showing 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 featuring 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