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Euljiro or Hongdae?
I've been to euljiro and love the old Korean vibes such as ikseondong and small cosy streets with small winebars and good food. But I found euljiro to be a little empty during the weekdays and as I traveled during early spring, and still a little cold outside, not a lot of people were eating outside which is what I was hoping for. Or at least I could find anywhere where people did. I visited in march April on my last trip.
I'm going back next fall and debating where I should stay on my next trip. Since I'm traveling alone, I like to be in a place that have a great nightlife with people my age, cute bars/speakeasy's, local vibe and as little turist as possible and good food. I've thought about staying in euljiro but in my experience, it was sort of a ghost town Monday to Thursday, and a lot of places was closed on the weekend.
I'm traveling to Seoul September to early November in 2025. Does anyone have any imput about this? Am I wrong in saying that euljiro is not at popping as people say? Was I just unlucky? Was it the cold weathers fault maybe? But how's that during September October? Is there anywhere else that would be more fitting?
Any opinions? I'm all ears <3
honestly if you liked euljiro's vibe but found it dead in spring, fall will be way better. september and october are peak season for those outdoor drinking spots, the whole area around ikseondong and the alleys near jongno 3-ga get packed with people sitting on those little plastic stools outside wine bars until late. the cold weather was def the issue, not the neighborhood itself
have u considered mangwon? it's like a more relaxed version of hongdae, same 24/7 convenience stores and good solo dining but the crowd is more mid-20s to early 30s. way less clubby, more wine bars and small izakaya type places. plus it's close to the han river for walks when the weather's nice
for what it's worth i think euljiro will work for you in fall if you pick the right pocket. the area around dongdaemun history park is dead on weekdays but the streets near seungdong church and the euljiro 1-ga side stay lively. just expect monday and tuesday to be quieter than wednesday onwards
Depends what you're into. Euljiro's got that industrial-chic vibe, Hongdae's more artsy and youthful. Tough call!
tbh euljiro in september/october is a totally different vibe from march/april. once the weather gets that perfect cool-but-not-cold everyone's out on the streets drinking till late, especially around the alleys near seungdong church and that whole area by bangosan-gil. the industrial rooftops and small wine bars really come alive when it's not freezing
for your age and what you're looking for, have you considered haebangchon or gyeongnidan? it's got that local feels without being overrun, way more speakeasy type spots than euljiro, and the crowd leans mid-20s to early 30s. the nightlife there is more chill bar hopping than clubbing. only downside is it's not as 24/7 as hongdae but most spots stay open till 2-3am on weekdays and later on weekends
september to november is honestly the best time for euljiro though. the empty streets you saw in early spring turn into packed patios once the weather's right. just be more targeted about which part you stay in, the area around dongdaemun history park station feels dead but the euljiro 1-ga side near jongno is where it's at
Things to Do in Seoul (2026)
Begin your Seoul journey at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of the Five Grand Palaces. Arrive by 10 AM to catch the changing of the guard ceremony at the main gate (Gwa… 🏛️ Start at Gyeongbokgung
Begin your Seoul journey at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of the Five Grand Palaces. Arrive by 10 AM to catch the changing of the guard ceremony at the main gate (Gwanghwamun). Admission is 3,000 won, and you can rent a hanbok nearby for a small fee to enter for free.
🏘️ Explore Bukchon Hanok Village
Just east of Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon Hanok Village offers a glimpse into traditional Korean architecture with its narrow alleyways and restored hanok houses. Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and respect residents by keeping noise down. The Bukchon Observatory provides a great rooftop view for free.
🍜 Eat Like a Local in Gwangjang Market
For authentic street food, head to Gwangjang Market (Jongno 5-ga Station, Exit 8). Try the bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) at the famous stall near the main entrance, or sample mayak gimbap (mini seaweed rice rolls). Most dishes cost between 2,000 and 5,000 won, and the market is open daily from 9 AM to 10 PM.
🎨 Visit the Dongdaemun Design Plaza
The futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is a landmark for art and design lovers. Designed by Zaha Hadid, the building hosts rotating exhibitions and a LED rose garden at night. Entry to the plaza is free, but some exhibitions charge around 10,000 won. It's open until 10 PM, and the nearby Dongdaemun Market is perfect for late-night shopping.
🏞️ Hike Namsan for City Views
Namsan Mountain offers a scenic hike with panoramic views of Seoul. You can take the Namsan Cable Car from Myeongdong (round trip 12,000 won) or walk up the stairs for free. At the top, visit N Seoul Tower to attach a padlock at the love lock fence. The tower observation deck costs 12,000 won and is open until 11 PM.
🛍️ Shop in Myeongdong and Hongdae
Myeongdong is the go-to for K-beauty and skincare, with dozens of shops offering free samples. Hongdae, near Hongik University, is better for indie boutiques and vintage stores. Both areas are crowded on weekends, so visit on weekdays for a more relaxed experience. Myeongdong's street food stalls are a bonus, especially the grilled cheese lobster tails.
🚇 Getting Around Seoul
Seoul's subway system is efficient and affordable, with single rides starting at 1,400 won using a T-money card. Buy a rechargeable card at any convenience store for 2,500 won. Buses and taxis are also plentiful, but avoid rush hour (8-9 AM and 6-7 PM) if possible. Download the KakaoMap app for real-time navigation in English.
🌃 Nightlife in Hongdae and Itaewon
For a vibrant night out, Hongdae is packed with indie music venues and affordable bars like Thursday Party. Itaewon offers a more international scene with clubs and pubs along the main street. Both areas are safe and lively until late, with last subway trains around midnight. Always carry your ID as clubs may check it.
this is a solid list, covers all the essentials. one thing i'd add is to check out the secret garden at changdeokgung if you have time after gyeongbokgung. you gotta book a guided tour slot online in advance though, they sell out fast especially on weekends. it's only 8,000 won and feels completely different from the main palace grounds, way more peaceful.
also for hongdae nightlife, skip the main club street and wander into the side alleys near the playground. there's this tiny bar called vinyl underground that plays old korean rock records and nobody really knows about it. way better vibe than the tourist traps on the main drag.
tbh the namsan cable car line can be brutal on weekends, sometimes an hour wait. if you're fit just walk up the stairs behind the cable car station, it takes like 20 minutes and you get better views along the way. the view from the tower is nice but honestly the free spots on the mountain are just as good for photos.
ngl the gwangjang market tip is solid but go to the mayak gimbap stand near the back alley, not the front one. the front one is fine but the ajumma in the back adds perilla oil and it makes a huge difference. also try the yukhoe (raw beef) at the stall two rows behind the main bindaetteok place, it's like 8,000 won and they give you a pear slice with it
one thing missing from this list is the seoul city wall walk. you can start at naksan park near dongdaemun and walk along the old fortress wall to hyehwa. takes about an hour and you get these crazy views of the city with the wall in the foreground. way less crowded than bukchon and honestly more interesting to me
for the ddp area, the led rose garden is pretty but the real move is going up to the rooftop garden at sunset. nobody seems to know about it and you can see the whole dongdaemun area lit up. also the design museum inside has a rotating exhibit that's usually better than whatever's in the main hall
the bukchon advice about going early is key. i live near anguk station and the neighborhood gets completely overrun by tour groups after 11am. if you go around 8am you'll see residents sweeping their doorsteps and the light hits the hanok roofs perfectly for photos. the observatory is nice but there's a quieter spot on the hill near the bukchon cultural center that has a bench and no line.
for myeongdong, skip the main street shops and go one block over to the side streets near the catholic cathedral. the beauty stores there are less pushy and sometimes have better stock of limited edition stuff. the cathedral itself is worth a quick look too, it's one of the few gothic buildings in seoul and the garden out front is a nice break from the crowds.