Hongdae or Itaewon: Which Area is Better?

Are you planning a trip to Seoul, South Korea, for the first time and can’t decide which area to stay in, between Hongdae or Itaewon?

Both are two of the trendiest areas in Seoul, with many things to do, excellent restaurants, and lively nightlife atmospheres. Here’s a quick summary of each neighborhood!

Hongdae is known for its youthful crowd and extensive Hongdae Shopping Street, full of restaurants, bars, galleries, and cafes. The area is also a hub for live music venues, karaoke, and arcades, plus a growing reputation for street art and indie cultural festivals.

While slightly further out on the western side of Seoul, Hongdae has direct access to the AREX train line, making travel convenient from the airport and other parts of the city.

Itaewon is famous for its atmosphere during the day, with many places to shop and dine, countless cafes, and international flavors. Another pull to Itaewon is the area’s museums, such as the famous War Memorial of Korea museum, Leeum Museum, and more.

Last but not least, Itaewon is centrally located with easy subway access to popular areas like Myeongdong. It’s also renowned for its nightlife, featuring many trendy bars and clubs.

Hongdae vs Itaewon: Main Differences

Let’s first consider the main differences between Hongdae and Itaewon. While both areas are similar in some senses, they’re also quite different.

Location-wise, Hongdae is located on the western side of Seoul, slightly further out, but has direct connection to the AREX line, making travel to and from the airport easy. It’s known for its lively, youthful energy, indie music festivals, and creative street culture.

Itaewon, on the other hand, is more centrally located with quick subway access to popular districts like Myeongdong. It’s famous for upscale shopping, multicultural dining options, and a sophisticated yet vibrant nightlife scene.

Hongdae

• Lively always
• Numerous cafes/restaurants
• Karaoke & arcade bars
• Known area for creatives & indie events
• Cheaper than Itaewon
• Direct AREX connection to airport

Itaewon

• Excellent shopping
• Many Museums/Galleries
• Wide variety of international cuisine
• Nearby Namsan Mountain Park
• Centrally located with great subway access

TIP: Walking around, Google Maps doesn’t work; you’ll need to download Kakao Maps.

Hongdae or Itaewon: Things To Do

Both Hongdae and Itaewon offer plenty of things to experience during the day and in the evening, including lively nightlife activities.

Whether you’re looking for local street performances, creative festivals, museums, or multicultural dining, each area has its own unique vibe that may appeal to different types of travelers.

Remember, no matter which one you choose, you can always take the subway to visit the other area — Seoul’s public transportation is excellent!

Things to Do in Hongdae

Explore Hongdae Shopping Street: A bustling, long walking street lined with countless restaurants, boutiques, karaoke bars, arcades, and lively street performances, including buskers, indie bands, and artists. At night, the energy ramps up with food carts and more.

Gyeongui Line Forest Park: A picturesque park running through Hongdae with streams, trees, and walking paths. The area is surrounded by charming cafes, and often hosts small cultural events, pop-up art exhibits, and seasonal festivals.

Hongdae Saturday Market: Every Saturday in the main square, local designers and artists come to sell their unique goods, including jewelry, paintings, crafts, and fashion items.

Bar Happy Hour: Walk the neighborhood and you’ll find rooftop bars, boutique bars on side streets, and microbreweries specializing in craft beer. Many offer happy hour promotions, especially on weekends.

Photo Booths: Photo culture is big in Hongdae, and you’ll find many small shops with private booths to snap photos with friends, decorated with various props and backgrounds.

Check out Arcades: Along Hongdae Shopping Street are arcades full of claw machines, racing games, shooters, and carnival games — a fun way to spend part of an evening.

Things to Do in Itaewon

Visit Museums: Itaewon is home to the War Memorial of Korea, the Leeum Museum of Art, and several smaller galleries — perfect for exploring the area’s culture and history.

Go Shopping: Walking down the main road in Itaewon, you’ll spot high-end brands like Nike, North Face, and Comme Des Garçons, as well as vintage shops offering unique fashion finds.

Try International Cuisine: Itaewon is Seoul’s multicultural dining hub. Here you’ll find restaurants serving Arabic, Turkish, Mexican, American BBQ, and much more. The food scene is a highlight of the area, drawing both locals and travelers alike.

Itaewon-ro 27 at Night: Just off the main street, Itaewon-ro 27 is lined with bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. The area stays lively late into the night and even features a local jazz bar known for hosting live performances.

Namsan Mountain Park: Located a 15–20 minute walk north from Itaewon, this large park has walking trails leading up to the famous N Seoul Tower, offering panoramic views of the city.

Explore Side Streets: Itaewon’s side streets are full of quiet cafes, boutique shops, hidden cocktail bars, and beautiful residential homes — well worth wandering for an afternoon.

Hongdae or Itaewon: Hotels

Both neighborhoods offer a variety of accommodations, from modern luxury hotels to boutique stays and guesthouses.

Hongdae is known for its mid-range and budget-friendly hotels, guesthouses, and many options geared toward younger travelers looking to stay near the action.

Itaewon, on the other hand, tends to feature more luxury and mid-range hotels with upscale amenities, city views, and stylish interiors.

While there are a few affordable options in Itaewon, they’re less common than in Hongdae.

Below, you’ll find my picks for the best hotels in each area by budget, including luxury, mid-range, and budget-friendly choices!

Where to Stay in Hongdae

Mercure Ambassador – 4 Star / A modern upscale hotel with excellent amenities located right in the heart of Hongdae area.

9 Brick Boutique Hotel – 3 Star / Well-decorated brick-loft themed hotel featuring spacious rooms, located near Hongdae Street.

Holiday Inn Hongdae Seoul – 3 Star / Large modern hotel with many amenities, including a breakfast buffet located next to Gyeongui Line Forest Park.

Hostel CLEO Guesthouse / Top-ranked hostel offering well-lit, clean guestrooms in a great location.

Where to Stay in Itaewon

Grand Hyatt Seoul – 5 Star / A luxurious, prestigious hotel offering exceptional city views along with remarkable amenities; in the Summer, there’s a pool, and in the winter, there’s a skating rink!

Imperial Palace – 4 Star / Located right along the main Itaewon-ro, this boutique hotel has a fun contemporary-art type of decor, rooms are spacious, and location-wise, it can’t be beat.

Hamilton Hotel – 3 Star / A well-priced mid-range hotel for Itaewon. The location is fantastic, and amenities include a gym/pool.

G Guesthouse Itaewon / A fun dorm-style hostel located right in the heart of Itaewon, close to all the bars/restaurants and lively side street Itaewon-ro 27.

Hongdae or Itaewon: Restaurants

Whether you stay in Hongdae or Itaewon, both areas offer a wide variety of delicious cuisine.

Hongdae is known for its vibrant restaurant culture, matching the youthful and energetic atmosphere of the area. Here, you’ll find all types of cuisine from around the world, including plenty of Korean food options.

Itaewon is better known for its chic, fancier restaurants and cocktail bars, but it also has plenty of casual grab-and-go spots.

Which area has the better food? Honestly, it’s tied. Itaewon and Hongdae are two of the best neighborhoods for foodies in Seoul.

No matter which area you stay in, try Isaac Toast at least one morning. It’s an iconic Korean toast sandwich franchise you’ll spot all over the city.

Where to Eat in Hongdae

Doma: Famous amongst locals as one of the top Korean BBQ spots in Hongdae, known for its wide variety of ban chan (Korean side dishes).

Gusto Taco: Tacos, nachos, burritos, and much more can be found here; there’s a set menu of meals to choose from.

Kyochon Chicken: Known as one of the best Korean Fried Chicken franchises, a must-try in Korea.

Saemaul Restaurant Hongdae: Popular Korean BBQ franchise known for its bulgogi and stews.

Rosso1924: Craving pizza? This is your spot, serving authentic Neapolitan-style pies with plenty of options.

Shin Mi Kyung Hongdae Dakgalbi: A well-loved local spot famous for Dakgalbi — spicy stir-fried chicken served with vegetables, rice cakes, and optional cheese topping.

Where to Eat in Itaewon

Maple Tree House: Popular Korean BBQ among locals in Itaewon, offering many meat cuts and delicious traditional stews; the restaurant’s walls open up on sunny days and evenings.

Mosu Seoul: Known for its varied tasting menu with complex flavors, three-time Michelin Star winner.

Petra Restaurant: Serving a wide variety of Arabic food, including falafels, kebabs on rice, lamb makloba, and manakeesh.

Manimal Smokehouse: American-style BBQ house serving classics like smoked brisket and pulled pork, with pickled veggies, mac & cheese, and bread.

Buddha’s Belly: Thai food including Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, Khao Soi, pineapple fried rice, and their famous stir-fried crab with curry.

Jonny Dumpling: A well-known spot for handmade dumplings and noodles, loved by locals and travelers alike.

Hongdae or Itaewon: Nightlife

When it comes to nightlife, both Hongdae and Itaewon offer lively scenes with plenty of options. 

Hongdae has a slight edge thanks to its energetic night street atmosphere, filled with food vendors, street performances, and a youthful crowd. The area also offers karaoke bars, arcades, and nightclubs.

Itaewon is more known for its trendy bars and cocktail lounges. Its main nightlife hub, Itaewon-ro 27, is lined with bars, restaurants, and nightclubs, popular for bar-hopping and a more diverse, international crowd.

Nightlife in Hongdae

Mike’s Cabin: A popular lively bar with a large dance floor, often packed with students and travelers. It features themed nights, affordable drinks, and a casual vibe that makes it easy to meet new people.

Playground Rooftop: A rooftop bar famous for its laid-back atmosphere, offering a wide range of cocktails. It also has plenty of games, including beer pong, darts, and board games, making it great for groups.

Club Gabbia: One of the main nightclubs in Hongdae, known for its vibrant dance floor, guest DJs, and occasional live bands. The music ranges from EDM to hip hop, and the club stays busy into the early morning.

Zen Bar: A local favorite offering a little bit of everything — bar games like darts, live music performances, and sometimes screenings of boxing or MMA fights. Great spot to hang with friends and mingle with locals.

Nightlife in Itaewon

Glam Bar: A classy cocktail bar with dim lighting and sleek decor, known for its unique cocktails and elegant atmosphere. Great for those looking for a more sophisticated night out.

Ugly Society: A rooftop cocktail bar popular among locals and tourists alike, especially during sunset. Offers creative drinks and a lively atmosphere that picks up as the night goes on.

Off the Record Vinyl Music Bar: A cozy bar with eclectic decor, famous for playing music strictly on vinyl. Features a wide drink menu and occasional live DJ sets spinning classic records.

Fountain: A multi-level bar and lounge featuring a colorful interior, unique cocktails, a food menu, and arcade games. Known for its energetic atmosphere and crowd that mixes locals and expats.

Best Time to Visit Seoul

Seoul has four distinct seasons, each offering a different atmosphere and unique activities. No matter when you visit, there’s always something happening in the city.

Spring: April to June

Spring is an excellent time to visit Seoul, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 20 Celsius (50 to 68 Fahrenheit). It’s an ideal time to explore Seoul’s many outdoor attractions, like its parks, palaces, and hiking trails.

These ideal midrange temperatures in the city allow for comfortable walks and outdoor activities. Also, Spring in Seoul offers a picturesque and enjoyable experience due to the yearly cherry blossom bloom.

Summer: July to August

In the Summer, Seoul becomes warm with some humidity, with average temperatures ranging from 23 to 30 Celsius (73 to 86 Fahrenheit). It’s a vibrant season with cultural/music festivals, outdoor markets, and lively street performances.

From exploring the historic sites to enjoying the bustling nightlife, there’s always something happening in the city, and Summer is a great time to experience all that Seoul has to offer!

Autumn: September to October

Autumn in Seoul is another favorable season to visit, especially for those who prefer mild and comfortable temperatures ranging from 17 to 22 Celsius (63 to 72 Fahrenheit).

The city transforms into a picturesque landscape adorned with vibrant red, orange, and yellow hues as the leaves change color. It’s a perfect time to explore parks, gardens, and mountains like Namsan and Bukhansan.

Autumn in Seoul offers a serene and romantic ambiance, making it an ideal season for nature lovers, hikers, photographers, and those looking for a romantic gateway!

Winter: December to March

Winter in Seoul can get a tad chilly, with average temperatures ranging from -1 to -7 Celsius (30 to 19 Fahrenheit).

Seoul transforms into a winter wonderland as snow blankets the streets and parks. It’s the season for ice skating, skiing, and enjoying hot drinks at cozy cafes around the city.

Popular attractions in the city, such as Namsan Tower and Gyeongbokgung Palace, offer stunning views amidst a snowy backdrop.

Hongdae vs Itaewon: Final Thoughts

Both Hongdae and Itaewon are excellent areas to stay in during your trip to Seoul, which is exactly why this debate is so common among travelers.

If you prefer a slightly more lively atmosphere, a younger crowd, plenty of cafes, budget-friendly accommodations, and easy access to creative events and nightlife, Hongdae might be the best fit for you.

If you’re more interested in museums, upscale shopping, sophisticated dining, and a more international crowd with a mature vibe, Itaewon could be the better choice.

Remember, Seoul’s public transportation system is fantastic, so even if you choose one area to stay in, visiting the other is easy and convenient.