Seoul is a dream destination city for K-pop and Korean drama fans. If you are travelling to Seoul for the first time, this review will help you find where to stay in Seoul so you can book hotel based on your preference.

Seoul has become increasingly famous in the world since the Hallyu or Korean wave in the 2000s. In this city, you will find various unique cultures and technologies. Various tourist attractions offer excitement with typical and delicious Korean cuisine.

In the field of education, Seoul is a dream for students who want to study in this ginseng country. There are many prestigious universities, such as Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University.

Vacationing in Seoul may sound challenging, but if you do some research about where to stay in Seoul before visiting, you won't have many obstacles on your vacation.

Choosing a location that fits your travel goals will be crucial. For example, if you are a shopaholic, you should look for a place to stay in Myeongdong.

Here, we will explain the best areas to stay in Seoul for the first time. You can choose which place to stay in Seoul suits you best!

Whether you are a K-pop fan or not, you must be very familiar with the song Gangnam Style. Gangnam itself is a glamorous area and is famous for its style and music culture. You can visit the K-Star Road Apgujeong Rodeo area, where you can meet bear statues representing EXO, BTS, and others. You can also find the most elite shopping places to hunt for branded goods in this area.

Other destinations are Lotte World and Seonjeongneung amusement parks or Bongeunsa Buddhist Temple. If you like culinary and nightlife tours, you can find restaurants, cafes, or clubs here. A glamorous vacation in Gangnam will match accommodation that offers luxury, such as Park Hyatt Seoul, the InterContinental Seoul COEX or a good vacation with the best view at The Riverside Hotel.

As explained above, Myeongdong is a shopping paradise for those of you who like shopping while traveling. You can get various branded goods and various skincare brands. Visit Myeongdong Shopping Street and Lotte Department Store to find your wishlist items.

Myeongdong is also a favourite destination for foreign tourists because it has many interesting places to visit. Namsan Tower and its Teddy Bear Museum are nearby. Likewise, the Itaewon area is where you can visit the artistic Yonsei University.

In Myeongdong, you can also go on a historical tour by visiting Myeongdong Cathedral or Bukchon Hanok Village. To visit many of these places, the method is also very easy because you can use the Myeongdong Subway Station. Meanwhile, for accommodation, you can choose LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong or Stanford Hotel Myeongdong.

Itaewon may seem like a hustle and bustle metropolitan area with a nightlife that seems to describe Itaewon as never sleeping. This area is home to Seoul's expatriates and the former United States military base, Yongsan Garrison.

With a history of immigrant life and the military in the past, Itaewon feels international, even though the military base has moved since 2018. In Itaewon, you can see many antique shops, nightclubs, museums, and various delicious international cuisines.

Don't miss visiting the Namsan Tower, which is the icon of Seoul City, or enjoying the Samsung Art Museum. You can also find a place to stay according to your budget in this area because it is indeed a holiday destination. The Grand Hyatt Seoul is a luxury hotel with an indoor pool; there is also the sophisticated Mondrian Seoul Itaewon, or budget hotels such as the Hamilton Hotel.

Hongdae is a youthful area. The name Hongdae itself comes from the abbreviation of Hongik Daehangno, where you can find Hongik University, which is famous for producing many artists in Korea. Art and youth make Hongdae an eccentric hipster area.

You will find many young people in Hongdae. Here there are contemporary cafes with unique designs and menus typical of young people, and many young people hang out here. This area is also famous for its urban art galleries and striking graffiti art areas. Don't forget to visit the Trickeye Museum for an experience of seeing art from a different perspective.

The Han River is also a must-visit, where you can take a leisurely walk, have a picnic, or cycle around. Accommodation options vary, including the Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae, which is within walking distance of Hongik University.

Gwanghwamun may not be as popular as other international areas for foreign tourists, but unless you are into saeguk dramas or Korean royal dramas, Gwanghwamun will be an amazing tourist destination. However, Gwanghwamun is actually considered the central area of Seoul. This area is indeed a little more expensive, but you don't need to worry because mobility here is quite easy.

Travellers can even still find some tourist destinations that can be visited for free. For example, the Gwanghwamun Square area, which is home to King Sejong the Great, the inventor of the Hangul alphabet.

Not far from Gwanghwamun Square, you can visit Cheonggyecheon Stream, a modern river in the middle of Seoul. During winter, you can participate in the lively lantern festival at night. Stay at Shilla Stay Gwanghwamun or Hanok Residence if you want a traditional Korean atmosphere.

In addition to being a splendid modern city, Seoul also has an authentic traditional side that shows the unique and sympathetic South Korean culture. You can find it in the Insadong area, where you will see the authentic cultural atmosphere.

Visiting Jogyesa Temple can be an impressive historical tourist destination. You can also visit a tea house that provides various types of tea. Or learn about Korean art in an art gallery such as the interesting Gana Art Space Kyung-in Fine Arts Museum.

Don't miss visiting the photo studio that you can find in Insadong to take pictures wearing Hanbok, South Korea's traditional clothing. For accommodation, choose a luxury hotel such as Nine Tree Premier Hotel Insadong or a budget hostel such as K-Guesthouse Insadong.

The Jamsil area is an energetic area that plays an important role in world sporting events in South Korea. This area is located in Songpa-gu and provides a different colour from Seoul city tourism in general.Here you can find the popular Jamsil Olympic Stadium, where various prestigious matches are held. You can also find other tourist destinations that are no less popular, namely Lotte World. The largest indoor playground in South Korea also houses the Lotte World Tower, which is the tallest skyscraper in South Korea. As the closest accommodation, you can choose Lotte Hotel World or Signiel Seoul, which offers beautiful views.

That's our review of where to stay in Seoul. Of course, the first time you want a perfect vacation experience. You can choose accommodation in Seoul that fits your budget and travel destination. For more detailed information, you can explore Traveloka to travel activities in Seoul, get plane tickets and the best hotels options at the best prices!