Hongdae Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Hongdae featuring street scenes, a city and signage
Hongdae
Hongdae which includes night scenes, street scenes and a city
Hongdae
Hongdae featuring nightlife, a city and night scenes

Seoul's lively and youthful heart and soul. Hang out for a while in the many cafés, bars and clubs and cinemas.

The heart of Seoul’s urban culture and spilling over with shops, galleries, bars, restaurants and clubs, the Hongdae district is the Korean capital at its youthful best. Hongdae Young Street is the main thoroughfare that runs through the neighbourhood, and is the place to head for when the sun goes down.

The friendly staff at the Hongdae Tourism Information Centre will provide you with a map and some great tips about what is going on in the area during your visit. The nearby Hongik University is responsible for a lot of the neighbourhood’s art and culture, and students display their work throughout the district.

Hongdae is a great place for shopping, especially if you’re looking for something a little different. Hongdae Young Street is lined with independent boutiques and quirky vintage stores where you’re bound to find that perfect gift or memento of your trip. The fantastic Sangsangmadang should be your first port of call. With an independent cinema, shops, stalls and a large performance hall, this 11 storey building captures the dynamic atmosphere of the Hongdae district perfectly.

Foodies will love exploring the many different restaurants and cafés in the area. With everything from street-side stalls to places serving up homemade food from Korea, Vietnam, Japan and everything in between, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

It’s almost impossible to walk down Hongdae Young Street during the day and not see some kind of performance art, from break-dancers to buskers and mime artists. When the sun goes down, the street transforms into the heart and soul of the city’s club scene, with bars playing music to suit all tastes and appealing to revellers of all budgets. Come prepared – bars and clubs stay open late in Seoul, and some even stay open 24 hours.

Ask at the information centre about any events on in the area during your stay. On Sundays, Hongdae plays host to a vintage and handicraft market, while the last Friday of each month is Club Day, where you get a hugely discounted entry into a number of different clubs.

Hongdae Young Street is easily reached via the subway – get off at Hongik University station.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Hongdae Hotel Deals

L7 HONGDAE by LOTTE

L7 HONGDAE by LOTTE

4 out of 5
141, Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
The price is NZ$227 per night from 14 Oct to 15 Oct
NZ$227
14 Oct - 15 Oct
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! (1,211 reviews)
"We were told we had a superior king room and it was a small room with a twin bed, but it was the correct room. They had a beautiful pool, but it was closed when we were there."

Reviewed on 2 Oct 2025

L7 HONGDAE by LOTTE
Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae by IHG

3.5 out of 5
188 Yanghwa-ro, Seoul, Seoul
The price is NZ$275 per night from 14 Oct to 15 Oct
NZ$275
14 Oct - 15 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Was looking for a room with 3 beds and they had it! Close to the subway, walking distance always a good option! Room are clean and simple. Breakfast was great with western and eastern food options."

Reviewed on 4 Oct 2025

Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae by IHG
Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae

Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae

4 out of 5
144, Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$281 per night from 14 Oct to 15 Oct
NZ$281
14 Oct - 15 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (970 reviews)
"Fantastic stay at an amazing hotel. I've always liked the Mercure brand hotels whenever I travel. The room is always clean, comfortable with functional spaces. Unlike other hotels with similar size, this one is not loud and it doesn't feel like you are suffocating in the room. I will come back! Also ..."

Reviewed on 6 Oct 2025

Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae
The Shilla Seoul

The Shilla Seoul

5 out of 5
249, Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
The price is NZ$624 per night from 28 Oct to 29 Oct
NZ$624
28 Oct - 29 Oct
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! (1,004 reviews)
"The executive lounge was great!"

Reviewed on 29 Sept 2025

The Shilla Seoul
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong

LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong

4 out of 5
362, Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
The price is NZ$256 per night from 14 Oct to 15 Oct
NZ$256
14 Oct - 15 Oct
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! (2,747 reviews)
"Room carpets were stained and dirty"

Reviewed on 10 Oct 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 NZ$311 per night from 14 Oct to 15 Oct
NZ$311
14 Oct - 15 Oct
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! (2,962 reviews)
"Clwewan room and great staff"

Reviewed on 6 Oct 2025

ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
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

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Mapo-gu

4.5/5(23 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
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Yeongdeungpo-gu

4.5/5(4 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 featuring signage and modern architecture as well as a large group of people

Yongsan-gu

4/5(26 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 featuring a garden 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 featuring markets, street scenes and a city

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 which includes signage

Jongno-gu

4.5/5(45 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 Travel Guide

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