Best Neighbourhood to Stay in Seoul in 2025

Finding the best neighbourhood to stay in Seoul can make all the difference in how you experience the city. It’ll determine whether or not you’ll have enough time to see all the top sites and it will have a big impact on how you plan your day trips.

Choose a neighbourhood that offers easy access to public transport and top attractions right at your doorstep, and you’ve found the perfect base for a great trip.

Your Perfect First-Time Base In Seoul: Yeouido District

Enter Yeouido District. This is a modern hub that has it all, convenience, culture, and stunning river views.

Dubbed the ‘Manhattan of Korea’, it’s considered the financial centre of Seoul. Therefore, it’s a well connected to the rest of the city.

And in our opinion, this is hands down the best neighbourhood to stay in Seoul.

Let’s dive into why this area should top your list.

Why Yeouido Is Seoul’s Best Neighbourhood For First Timers

Located on the banks of the Han River, Yeouido is one of our favorite neighbourhoods to stay when visiting Seoul.

It might not make everyone else’s top ten list, but trust us, this spot has everything the other popular districts offer and then some.

For us, it was a busy neighbourhood full of energy, and close enough to top sites, but still far enough out of the rat race that you had room to breathe.

Why Yeouido Is The Best Neighbourhood To Stay In Seoul

Central and Connected: Yeouido Station links you to subway Line 5 and Line 9, making it ridiculously easy to get anywhere.
Scenic Spots: Yeouido Park and Han River trails are right on your doorstep, making for stunning views from your hotel and a nice spot to wander.
Shopping and Dining: Home to The Hyundai Seoul, you can shop till you drop, spoilt for choice with 8 floors of stores. Then recharge at the city’s best rooftop bars and restaurants. The shopping centre is right next door!
Close to Seoul’s Icons: Major attractions like Gyeongbokgung Palace and Myeongdong are only 15–20 minutes away by subway.

Other Top Neighbourhoods To Stay In Seoul

Just in case you’d like to stay in a few different spots around the city (something we always love to do), there are plenty of other neighbourhoods to choose from.

Each is unique and vastly different, making Seoul such a fun city to stay and explore.

Myeongdong: A lively district known for its endless shopping, street food market and beauty shops, you can explore the Gothic cathedral, sip tea in traditional tea houses, and climb Seoul Tower for the best views of the city.
Gangnam: Home of the famous Gangnam Hands statue, this is a perfect location for families. An upscale area with massive underground malls, it has lots of museums and plenty of great cultural landmarks. It also has great public transport and lots of dining options.
Jamsil: A classy neighbourhood that is perfectly central, staying here places you right near a lot of Seoul’s major landmarks including Lotte World Tower, Lotte World and the iconic Han River. Discover our favourite stay in Jamsil here.
Seongbuk-dong: This is a great location if you want to escape the crowds. A nice leafy neighbourhood filled with temples, there are more museums and some scenic hiking trails that lead to breathtaking views of the city.
Bukchon Hanok Village: This is where you will experience an authentic Korean stay. Known for its delightful traditional Korean houses, if you can snag a stay here, it’s something truly special. Surrounded by authentic teahouses and restaurants it’s also close to Seoul’s grand palaces.
Jung-gu: Another great nreighourbood popular with first time visitors to Seoul, staying here puts you close to N Seoul Tower, Myeongdong and Gwangjang Market. We share our favorite stay and why we love this location so much here.
Hongdae: Great for nightlife, it makes sense that it’s near the university. It’s also an area brimming with street art, live performances, craft beer bars, and a weekend art market that’s worth a look.
Yeongdeungpo: If you’re looking for a budget-friendly area with cozy cafes, riverside parks, flea markets, and traditional markets, check out Yeongdeungpo. There are plenty of affordable accommodation options to choose from.
Insadong: Art lovers unite! This is an artsy neighbourhood packed with galleries, craft shops, and traditional tea houses. Whether you want to explore temples or you’re into contemporary art, this is a great spot for first time visitors to Seoul.
Itaewon: A melting pot of international flavours, you’ll find cuisines from all over the world here. This is the spot to try your first Korean BBQ, dine on delicious global fusion, sample a craft beer, duck into a cocktail bar, or browse through a quirky antique shop.

Planning a trip to Seoul? Check out our Ultimate Seoul 4 Day Itinerary Tips and Hotel Review for the best places to visit, stay, and explore!

A Stay at Fairmont Ambassador Seoul

Now let’s talk about accommodation!

At the heart of Yeouido, you’ll find the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, a 5-star gem that makes staying in Seoul an absolute joy.

It honestly has it all! Luxury, location, impeccable service and did we mention, the comfiest beds you’ll find in Seoul?

Location Is Everything In Seoul

Proximity to public transport is the number one thing we look for when choosing our accommodation in any city.

And this hotel is just a short walk from Yeouido Station, so hopping on the subway to explore Seoul is as simple as it gets.

Plus, with The Hyundai Seoul next door and Yeouido Park across the road, you’re already in one of the most vibrant parts of the city.

Rooms and Amenities

Think spacious, chic, and oh-so-comfortable. The rooms are beautifully designed with plush bedding and gorgeous views of the skyline and Han River.

Fairmont Ambassador Seoul Facilities

Spa Bliss: Treat yourself to a relaxing session at their tranquil spa.
Fully Equipped Gym: A well-equipped gym where you can work out in your own time.
Rooftop Dining: Cocktails with skyline views? Absolutely. Make sure you pick your spot by sunset. The views are magical!
Indoor Pool: Perfect for a quick dip or unwinding in style. On busy days and weekends, you’ll need to book a spot. We especially loved this as it meant you had your own quiet time and space.
Dining: Several different restaurants and dining options to choose from. The breakfast buffet is especially delicious. Think Peking duck, mountains of salmon, and even snails for breakfast. This was quite possibly the best breakfast buffet we’ve experienced in Seoul.

Places To Visit Nearby

Yeouido Park: A great spot for for morning walks or riverside picnics, it’s a short 2 minute walk away.
The Hyundai Seoul: With its stunning indoor waterfalls and amazing food options, not to mention 100’s of shops, you can pop next door and pick up pretty much anything you need.
Han River Park: Bike, stroll, or soak up the scenery, famed Han Rive Park is a quick 5 minute walk from the hotel.

Other Top Attractions Within 10–20 Minutes

Yeouido’s central location means you’re never far from Seoul’s iconic spots:

Gyeongbokgung Palace: Wear a hanbok and receive free entry into the Palace. Time your visit to coincide with the changing of the guards at 10am and 2pm each day. The Palace is 15 mins by subway
Myeongdong: Go here for scrumptious street food, skincare, and tonnes of shopping. Another 15 min subway ride from the hotel.
Hongdae: Head here to experience quirky shops and a great nightlife. 20 mins by subway from the hotel.
Insadong: Another 20 min subway ride from the hotel, this is the area where tourists flock for the nightlife.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP):This is a futuristic landmark that looks especially remarkable lit up at night. It’s a short 20 minute subway ride from the hotel.

Why Yeouido Is The Best Neighbourhood To Stay in Seoul

Yeouido is hands down our first choice for first time visitors heading to Seoul.

We found it had an unbeatable mix of culture, and convenience, shooting it straight to the top as the best neighbourhood to stay in Seoul.

Add the luxury and comfort of the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, and you have a perfect base to explore the city.

Easy subway access, iconic attractions at your fingertips, and a rooftop bar calling your name at the end of each day, what more could you ask for on your first visit to Seoul?

Book your stay at Fairmont Ambassador Seoul here.

If you’re heading to South Korea soon and you’re looking for a complete guide, we’ve put together all the information you need ahead of your trip in our Ultimate Travel Guide For South Korea.