Where to stay in Seoul: Best areas and locations for Malaysians

Seoul in South Korea is an excellent destination for lovers of Korean culture old and new. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the history of the city - or tour the home of K-pop and shop the latest trends in beauty, depending on what you enjoy doing. There’s not one single best place to stay in Seoul as every trip is unique.

This guide walks through popular choices, including where to stay in Seoul for first time visitors looking to do it all, where to stay in Seoul with family to entertain, and where to stay in Seoul for shopping. Join us as we explore the best area to stay in Seoul for your specific itinerary. We’ll also share more about the Wise card, a handy way for you to save while spending abroad.

What types of accommodation are there in Seoul?

You’ll find a broad range of accommodation types in Seoul, including those which are available world wide, like hotels and hostels, serviced apartments, villas and B&Bs. If you’re looking for something more uniquely Korean, you might want to look out for accommodation options within a Hanok - a traditional Korean house.

There are some areas of Seoul which have many traditional buildings to choose from, including Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong which we’ll look at later. Accommodation can vary quite a bit depending on the specific location and price point, but you’ll usually find a wooden building with a courtyard and tiled roof, with unique and distinctive local architectural features.

Once you’ve worked out which area to stay in Seoul using our guide, you’ll be able to head over to an umbrella accommodation site like Booking.com¹ to get ideas, inspiration and cost details to guide your budget.

Is Airbnb legal in South Korea?

Yes. AirBnB is legal in South Korea². Hosts have to comply with local and national regulations around property registration and safety. These rules help to keep you safe when you stay in an AirBnB property.

AirBnB³ can be a pretty good place to look for accommodation in Seoul, with over 28,000 locations listed, including 8,000+ places which are listed as kid friendly and which could make a good choice if you’re wondering where to stay in Seoul with family.

Where to stay in Seoul for first time visitors?

There’s a lot to do in Seoul, so if you’re here for the first time, the best choices are likely to be either to stay somewhere with great connections to get around the city, or to pick a uniquely Korean area to really immerse yourself in the atmosphere.

Seoul is a safe city, and public transport networks are extensive. There’s a large subway network which runs from early in the morning until midnight, as well as buses and taxis. That means that there’s not really a bad place to select when you plan your trip - but here are a couple of great choices to consider.

Myeongdong

On the surface, Myeongdong can feel like a quite modern part of the city, but you don’t need to look far to find traditional tea houses and smaller alleys which offer that olde worlde vibe.

Myeongdong is often cited as the place to stay on your first visit in Seoul, as it’s home to many of the attractions tourists usually head for, including Myeongdong cathedral, and the Seoul Museum of Art. In the evenings you’re spoiled for choice for food and drink, and you can also get another dose of culture at a show at the Nanta Theatre if you’d like to.

Bukchon Hanok Village

Quite a different experience awaits you in Bukchon Hanok Village - a traditional area packed with hundreds of old buildings from the Joseon Dynasty. You’ll be ideally placed to visit the Changdeokgung Palace - and because you’re staying locally you can get in early to avoid the crowds.

The popularity of this area is probably its main drawback as it can feel congested with tourists at times - but by staying here you’ll know you can explore to your heart's content in the early morning and after the crowds leave in the evening.

Where to stay in Seoul with family?

Family travellers will discover lots to do in Seoul, including attractions and street entertainment which keeps kids of all ages happy. There are some specific museums which have a focus on enticing family visitors, but there are also everyday activities, such as experiencing new foods and watching the world go by in a cafe, which can be great fun for an adventurous family.

When finding accommodation in Seoul, you may pick one of the options we’ve suggested above depending on whether you’re thinking of a super traditional stay or something more modern - or take a look at these ideas.

Gangnam

Gangnam - made famous by the Psy song - is the key place favoured by family visitors to Seoul. It’s got great public transport links, and has local attractions, eating and drinking options, and lots of accommodation at different price points. Kids love the Trick Eye Museum, and there’s also plenty of Korean culture to get involved in at sites like the Bongeunsa Temple, or if you visit one of the local markets for shopping and street food.

Hongdae

Hongdae is one of Seoul's university areas, and has a relaxed atmosphere which may appeal particularly to slightly older families. There’s lots of places in the area for eating and drinking, with craft beer and other more hipster choices to suit the young, local audience.

You can shop the wares from local artists at a Saturday morning craft market - and in the evening night markets pop up offering food and street performances. Accommodation can be found at a lower cost here than in many of the more popular tourist areas.

Where to stay in Seoul for shopping?

If you’re off to Seoul for shopping, you’ll want to stay in an area with - or well connected to - plenty of malls and boutiques. There are many global brands available in Seoul, but visitors are also able to get hold of unique Korean products from skincare and clothing, to souvenirs, foods, and market buys.

We’ve picked out a couple of options for where to stay in Seoul for shopping, which may suit you depending on whether you’re looking for a mall with all the brands under one roof, or a more hipster market experience.

Dongdaemun

If you’re looking for mall shopping there are plenty of options around the city, but where Dongdaemun stands out is in the mix of malls and markets, retail and wholesale shopping options.

Many malls and other stores stay open well into the night, and there’s also the Dongdaemun Design Plaza - a futuristic building which houses art galleries, design stores, and exhibits showcasing local design. The building in itself is worth a visit, but the changing exhibits also draw in local and international visitors alike.

Insadong

Insadong is a good Seoul shopping choice if you’re looking more for antiques, art and unique buys from boutique or market-type stores. It's home to a huge number of art galleries where you can learn traditional painting techniques as well as buying artworks, and is a beautiful neighbourhood to wander in.

You’ll be able to see streets lined with traditional buildings, some of which are tea shops where you can sit and watch the world go by when you take a break from browsing the stores.

Save even more on your travels when paying in foreign currency with the Wise card

Check out Wise and the Wise card for a great - low cost - way to spend while you’re away from home. Top up in MYR from your bank or with a card, and manage your money in KRW with the mid-market rate and low, transparent fees.

You can use your Wise card to spend in 150+ countries around the world, in over 40+ currencies. Start spending with your free virtual card, or order a physical Wise card for a one time fee. This grants you some free ATM withdrawals of up to 1,000 MYR each month as you travel, to save time waiting at a money changer.

Choose to convert your MYR to KRW in advance at your desired rate, or leave it to Wise’s auto conversion and spend in MYR directly. All Wise currency exchanges use the rate you see on Google, so you’ll know you’re getting a great deal without the hassle.

Whether you’re checking out traditional street food markets, delving into the fashion scene, or admiring historical landmarks, there’s something for everyone in Seouli. Use this guide for inspiration, and while you’re planning your trip, take a look at Wise and the Wise card for a great - low cost - way to spend while you’re away from home.

🚀 Get started with Wise

1. Booking.com
2. AirBnB Help
3. AirBnB Seoul