This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Seoul.
In Seoul, South Korea, skyscrapers and ancient palaces coexist. With more than twenty-five million people, it is one of the largest metropolitan cities and of the biggest cultural and financial centres in Asia. The city is divided by the Han River. Seoul has many areas, and each of them may feel like a different city. Each of these "cities" has a different vibe, so it is recommended to check what kind of neighbourhood appeals the most to you, before booking your Seoul, South Korea hostel. Sinchon, Hongdae, Itaewon, Bukchon, Myeongdong, and Insadong are some of the most popular districts to book a hostel in Seoul, South Korea, but there are many more interesting districts in Seoul.
Sinchon and Hongdae districts are home to many university students. This district is very much alive at night with a great clubbing scene and plenty of restaurants and cafes. Sinchon or Hongdae are good choices for a Seoul, South Korea hostel if you are planning on partying. Itaewon is interesting for the same reasons, but has a bigger expat community. The Bukchon area is away from the skyscrapers and modern architecture. Bukchon is a district full of cultural landmarks and the buildings consist of traditional Korean houses. Booking a Seoul, South Korea hostel in this district is ideal if you plan to see a lot of cultural sites while here.
If shopping and street food are your priorities on your visit, then booking your Seoul, South Korea hostel in Myeongdong may be your best choice. Myeongdong is one of Seoul’s best districts for fashion lovers and there are plenty of street food stalls to get a bite. Insadong is not as crowed as most other districts, but is still great for exploring Seoul’s cultural sites -- Insadong is a great choice for families to book a Seoul, South Korea hostel.
Seoul is a massive city with lots of interesting landmarks. You can easily spend more than a week and still have a list of interesting landmarks that you have not seen. If you are staying for more than a few days in Seoul, you might as well change hostels within Seoul to get a better idea of the different districts.
Written by local enthusiast for Seoul hostels
Martin Straatman