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

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 Centre, where friendly staff will provide you with a map and information about what’s happening in the area. The centre 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 centre 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

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 AU$278 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
AU$278
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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 ...
L7 HONGDAE by LOTTE
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong

LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong

4 out of 5
362, Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
The price is AU$218 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
AU$218
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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 ...
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 AU$246 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
AU$246
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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! (2,864 reviews)
Seoul stay
"Stayed at this hotel on our return to Seoul from Japan for 2 nights before flying home and all I can see is I wish we’d stayed here the first time round in Seoul. The room was huge compared to other hotels we’ve stayed at in either Japan or South Korea. Was very clean and had a nice bathroom. Decent ..."

Reviewed on 26 Aug. 2025

ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
Fairfield by Marriott Seoul

Fairfield by Marriott Seoul

4 out of 5
870, GYEONGIN-RO YEONGDEUNGPO-GU, Seoul
The price is AU$134 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
AU$134
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
Fairfield by Marriott Seoul
ibis Ambassador Seoul Insadong (Newly renovated in 2025)

ibis Ambassador Seoul Insadong (Newly renovated in 2025)

4 out of 5
31, Samil-daero 30-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
The price is AU$162 per night from 28 Sept to 29 Sept
AU$162
28 Sept - 29 Sept
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 in our reviews. ...
ibis Ambassador Seoul Insadong (Newly renovated in 2025)
Grand Hyatt Seoul

Grand Hyatt Seoul

5 out of 5
322, Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is AU$465 per night from 30 Sept to 1 Oct
AU$465
30 Sept - 1 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"The service (check-in, dining, guest services) was excellent!! The views overlooking Gangnam was awesome."

Reviewed on 16 Aug. 2025

Grand Hyatt Seoul
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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