Seoul Subway, A Universal Transportation Method That Works for Foreigners Too
Seoul’s subway is the best way to easily and quickly experience Seoul’s diverse charms, beyond being a simple means of transportation. Especially for foreign tourists, it becomes a reliable guide that allows them to explore all parts of Seoul without the burden of complicated road conditions or language barriers. As of 2023, Seoul’s subway operates 23 lines and 618 stations, serving as the feet of metropolitan citizens. Thanks to this extensive network, you can reach not only Seoul’s famous tourist attractions but also hidden hotspaces with just one subway ride.
In this article, we would like to carefully select and introduce 10 trendy and attractive places that foreigners can visit by subway in Seoul. Beyond simply listing famous places, we will guide you through each place’s attraction points, subway usage tips, and special experiences you can enjoy in each area. With this guide, you too can skillfully use Seoul’s subway and discover Seoul’s hidden gem-like places.
1. Hongdae: Streets Overflowing with Youth and Art
Hongdae, Why Is It a Hotspot?
Hongdae is a place where Seoul’s youth, art, and free energy are concentrated. Young people showcasing unique fashion styles, street artists with overflowing individuality, and diverse restaurants and cafes constantly create new sights and things to enjoy. Especially on weekends, the entire street takes on a lively atmosphere like a huge festival site, presenting an unforgettable experience to all who visit. Hongdae is like a living museum where you can directly experience Seoul’s young culture, beyond simple shopping or dining.
Subway Usage Tips: Where Should You Get Off?
- Line 2, Airport Railroad, Gyeongui-Jungang Line Hongik University Station: The most common method. Exit 1 leads you right to the starting point of Hongdae Street. From here, there’s fun in freely exploring the streets and finding places that suit your taste.
- Line 2 Hapjeong Station: Located at the eastern end of Hongdae Street, and if you’re looking for cafes or select shops with a calmer and more sophisticated atmosphere, we recommend getting off at Hapjeong Station. The street extending to Sangsu Station is also attractive.
Things to Enjoy in Hongdae
- Street Performances and Busking: Performances by talented artists unfolding throughout Hongdae streets are like a symbol of Hongdae.
- Fashion and Accessory Shops Full of Personality: From trendy clothing to uniquely designed accessories and stationery, Hongdae has numerous shops that add to the fun of shopping.
- Cafes and Restaurants with Various Themes: From cute dessert cafes to restaurants where you can taste food from around the world, Hongdae is a paradise for culinary exploration.
- Art Spaces: Around Hongik University, there are many spaces such as galleries and small performance halls that can satisfy artistic sensibilities.
2. Itaewon: Melting Pot of Global Culture
Itaewon, Why Is It a Hotspot?
Itaewon is a place with unique charm where various cultures coexist, worthy of being called a small global village within Seoul. Restaurants where you can taste food from around the world, bars with exotic atmospheres, and shops selling fashion items with strong personality are abundant. Recently, it’s showing even more diverse charms as young-sensibility select shops and rooftop bars gain popularity. Itaewon, where people of various nationalities live together, is where you can feel Seoul’s most open and vibrant atmosphere.
Subway Usage Tips: Where Should You Get Off?
- Line 6 Itaewon Station: The most convenient station directly connected to Itaewon’s main street. Whichever exit you take – 1, 2, or 3 – you can enjoy Itaewon’s lively atmosphere.
- Line 6 Hangangjin Station: If you want a slightly quieter and more luxurious atmosphere than Itaewon Station, we recommend getting off at Hangangjin Station. Famous designer brand stores, galleries, and sophisticated cafes are gathered here.
Things to Enjoy in Itaewon
- World Food Exploration: Restaurants where you can taste diverse foods from around the world such as Mexican, Indian, Turkish, and Thai are abundant.
- Unique Bars and Rooftops: Enjoying cocktails at bars with unique interior designs or rooftop bars where you can view Seoul’s night view make Itaewon nights even more special.
- Unique Fashion and General Goods Stores: You can purchase clothes, accessories, and items with unique designs that you don’t commonly see.
- Gyeongnidan-gil, Haebangchon: Walking a bit further from Itaewon Station, you can meet Gyeongnidan-gil and Haebangchon where unique cafes, restaurants, and vintage shops are gathered.
3. Gangnam: Center of Trendiness, Mecca of Shopping and Entertainment
Gangnam, Why Is It a Hotspot?
Gangnam is a symbolic place representing Korea’s modern culture and trends. With its dazzling forest of buildings, shopping malls and brand shops leading the latest trends, and various entertainment facilities densely packed, you can feel dynamic energy. In particular, K-POP related attractions, high-end restaurants, and clubs are elements that make Gangnam even more special. If you want to properly feel Seoul’s splendor and sophistication, Gangnam is a must-visit course.
Subway Usage Tips: Where Should You Get Off?
- Line 2 Gangnam Station: The heart of Gangnam, the best place to enjoy shopping and food including underground shopping centers.
- Line 3 Sinsa Station: The station connecting to Garosu-gil, good for browsing sophisticated cafes, select shops, and beauty shops.
- Line 7 Cheongdam Station: Convenient for visiting Cheongdam-dong where luxury brand stores, galleries, and high-end restaurants are concentrated.
Things to Enjoy in Gangnam
- Shopping Paradise: You can have various shopping experiences from flagship stores of famous domestic and international brands to trendy select shops.
- Garosu-gil: A beautiful street lined with sensible cafes, restaurants, and fashion and lifestyle shops with personality.
- K-POP Related Attractions: There are various experience spaces for K-POP fans such as SMTOWN@coexartium (currently operating some spaces within COEX Artium).
- High-end Restaurants and Clubs: Visit Gangnam’s diverse restaurants and clubs if you want to commemorate a special day or enjoy nightlife culture.
4. Myeongdong: Holy Land of Shopping and Street Food
Myeongdong, Why Is It a Hotspot?
Myeongdong is Korea’s largest shopping street and a paradise for various street foods. Famous domestic and international cosmetics brands, clothing stores, and accessory shops are densely packed, making it incomparably good for enjoying shopping. When the sun sets, the delicious food smells wafting from streets everywhere make you stop in your tracks. Various street foods like tteokbokki, chicken skewers, and egg bread are elements that make Myeongdong even more attractive. For foreign tourists, it’s the best place to experience Korean shopping culture and taste delicious street food.
Subway Usage Tips: Where Should You Get Off?
- Line 4, Line 2 Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station: The station directly connected to the center of Myeongdong. Taking exits 5 or 6, you can enjoy Myeongdong’s lively streets.
- Line 4 Myeong-dong Station: Located on the southern side of Myeongdong Street, convenient for accessing shopping streets.
Things to Enjoy in Myeongdong
- Cosmetics and Fashion Shopping: You can purchase not only Korea’s famous cosmetics brands but also the latest trending fashion items at reasonable prices.
- Various Street Foods: The fun of tasting diverse street foods like tteokbokki, sundae, chicken skewers, fish cake, tornado potatoes, egg bread, and waffles is excellent.
- K-POP Goods Shops: There are various fancy shops where you can purchase goods of your favorite idols.
- Traditional Markets: Near Myeongdong, there are traditional Korean markets like Namdaemun Market where you can feel Korea’s old atmosphere.
5. Insadong: Harmony of Tradition and Modernity
Insadong, Why Is It a Hotspot?
Insadong is a special space where you can experience Korean traditional culture and art. Galleries situated between serene hanok buildings, traditional tea houses, craft shops, and even workshops where you can experience calligraphy or pottery – you can fully feel Korean elegance. Especially on weekends, it operates as a car-free street where various street performances and artistic activities unfold, creating even more vitality. Insadong, where tradition and modernity are exquisitely blended, is perfect for those who want to properly experience Korean beauty.
Subway Usage Tips: Where Should You Get Off?
- Line 3 Anguk Station: The most convenient station directly connecting to Insadong’s main street. Taking exit 6, you can meet the beginning of Insadong Culture Street.
- Line 1 Jonggak Station: Located at the southern end of Insadong, it’s also good to slowly walk up from Jonggak Station while feeling Insadong’s atmosphere.
Things to Enjoy in Insadong
- Traditional Tea Houses: You can spend leisurely time enjoying Korean traditional tea and refreshments in a serene atmosphere.
- Traditional Craft Shopping: You can purchase souvenirs containing Korean beauty such as pottery, embroidery, woodcraft, and accessories with traditional patterns.
- Galleries and Art Museums: You can get a glimpse of the flow of Korean art by viewing various exhibitions.
- Experience Programs: You can participate in programs where you can directly experience Korean culture such as calligraphy, pottery making, and traditional knot crafts.
- Ssamziegil: A shopping mall with a unique spiral structure where cute accessory shops, workshops, and cafes are gathered, making it fun to look around.
6. Seongsu-dong: Hipster’s Holy Land, Transformation of Cafes and Factory District
Seongsu-dong, Why Is It a Hotspot?
Seongsu-dong is a place that has emerged as ‘hipster’s holy land’ as the factory district that was once the center of manufacturing has recently transformed into trendy cafes, select shops, galleries, etc. Spaces with unique interiors converted from old factory buildings add Seongsu-dong’s own personality and capture visitors’ footsteps. As young-sensibility designer brand shops and unique restaurants continue to enter, it’s establishing itself as Seoul’s new cultural center.
Subway Usage Tips: Where Should You Get Off?
- Line 2 Seongsu Station: The best station for accessing Seongsu-dong’s main street. Taking exit 2, you can meet streets lined with hip cafes and shops.
- Line 2 Konkuk University Station: Walking from Konkuk University Station to Seongsu-dong or using the bus is also a method.
Things to Enjoy in Seongsu-dong
- Cafes Full of Personality: You can enjoy the leisure of a cup of coffee in uniquely atmospheric cafes converted from old factories.
- Select Shops and Designer Brands: There’s fun in looking around select shops selling uniquely designed clothing, accessories, and lifestyle products.
- Galleries and Complex Cultural Spaces: You can encounter various cultural events in galleries or exhibition spaces utilizing past factory buildings.
- Seongsu-dong Handmade Shoe Street: It’s also interesting to look around the handmade shoe street with a long history and see shoes imbued with craftsman spirit.
7. Yeonnam-dong: Charm of Cute Alleys
Yeonnam-dong, Why Is It a Hotspot?
Yeonnam-dong is located near Hongdae but has different charms from Hongdae. Hidden restaurants, unique cafes, and distinctive accessory shops are situated between cute and friendly alleys, providing joy as if treasure hunting. Especially Gyeongui Line Forest Path is good for walking, and in the evening creates a romantic atmosphere under emotional lighting. For those seeking quiet yet trendy sensibility, Yeonnam-dong is an incomparably good choice.
Subway Usage Tips: Where Should You Get Off?
- Gyeongui-Jungang Line Gyeongui Line Forest Path Station (former Hongik University Station Exit 3): Directly connected to Gyeongui Line Forest Path, good for enjoying a walk.
- Line 2 Hongik University Station: It’s also a good method to walk from Hongik University Station to Yeonnam-dong along Gyeongui Line Forest Path.
- Line 2 Sinchon Station: You can easily move to Yeonnam-dong using a village bus from Sinchon Station.
Things to Enjoy in Yeonnam-dong
- Alley Restaurant Exploration: There’s fun in discovering various types of restaurants such as hidden pasta restaurants, fusion Korean restaurants, and Thai food restaurants.
- Unique Cafes: You can choose cafes that suit your taste such as cafes with cute interiors, pet-friendly cafes, and dessert specialty cafes.
- Unique Accessory Shops: You can look around cute shops selling handmade accessories, stationery, and interior items.
- Gyeongui Line Forest Path Walk: It’s also good to enjoy a leisurely walk or ride a bicycle along Gyeongui Line Forest Path, like a green oasis in the city center.
8. Ikseon-dong: Hanok Street Like Time Travel
Ikseon-dong, Why Is It a Hotspot?
Ikseon-dong is where old hanoks established in the 1920s have been reborn with modern sensibility. Hanoks lined along narrow alleys create an exotic atmosphere as if time traveling. Unique restaurants, vintage cafes, and distinctive accessory shops blend with hanok charm to present special experiences. If you want to escape the complicated city center for a while and feel a serene yet sophisticated atmosphere, we recommend Ikseon-dong.
Subway Usage Tips: Where Should You Get Off?
Line 1, Line 3, Line 5 Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station: The station closest to Ikseon-dong. Taking exits 4, 5, or 6, you can easily enter Ikseon-dong alleys.
Things to Enjoy in Ikseon-dong
- Hanok Restaurants and Cafes: You can enjoy special meals or tea time at restaurants and cafes with modern interiors that preserve Korean atmosphere.
- Vintage Accessory Shops: You can look at and purchase vintage clothing, accessories, and items where you can feel old sensibilities.
- Craft Beer Pubs: You can taste various craft beers at pubs with unique atmospheres.
- Lifetime Shot Spots: There are many photo zones where you can leave wonderful photos against the backdrop of beautiful hanok scenery.
9. Jamsil: Shopping, Culture, and Nature All at Once
Jamsil, Why Is It a Hotspot?
Jamsil is the best place to enjoy shopping and entertainment with large shopping malls and theme parks like Lotte World, Lotte Department Store, and Lotte World Tower densely packed. Also, urban green spaces like Seokchon Lake and Olympic Park are abundant, making it good for enjoying rest and walks. In particular, you can appreciate Seoul’s beautiful panoramic view from Lotte World Tower, and various cultural events are held to provide diverse experiences. It’s a place that will satisfy whether you visit with family, friends, or a lover.
Subway Usage Tips: Where Should You Get Off?
- Line 2, Line 8 Jamsil Station: Most convenient as it connects to major facilities like Lotte World, Lotte Department Store, and Lotte World Tower.
- Line 8 Seokchon Station: Close to Seokchon Lake, so if you want to enjoy a lake walk, it’s also good to get off at Seokchon Station.
- Line 5 Olympic Park Station: If you’re planning to visit Olympic Park, Olympic Park Station is convenient.
Things to Enjoy in Jamsil
- Lotte World: A theme park where you can enjoy exciting rides and various parades.
- Lotte World Tower and Seoul Sky: You can appreciate a 360-degree panoramic view of Seoul from the ultra-high-rise observatory.
- Shopping: You can enjoy various shopping at Lotte Department Store, Lotte Mart, and Lotte World Mall.
- Seokchon Lake Walk: You can spend leisurely time walking around the beautiful lake.
- Olympic Park: You can have healing time by using various sports facilities in the spacious park or walking in the sculpture park.
10. Seongbuk-dong: Serene Walk and Scent of Art
Seongbuk-dong, Why Is It a Hotspot?
Seongbuk-dong is an attractive neighborhood where you can feel a quiet and serene atmosphere in Seoul’s city center. Old buildings preserving traces of Korea’s modern and contemporary history, beautiful gardens, and artists’ studios and galleries are harmoniously blended. It’s especially good for enjoying a leisurely walk while touring historically significant places like Seongbuk-dong Dove Poet’s House and Choi Soon-woo’s Old House. If you want to escape the complicated city center and enjoy a quiet and artistic atmosphere, Seongbuk-dong is perfect.
Subway Usage Tips: Where Should You Get Off?
- Line 4 Hansung University Station: As the starting point of Seongbuk-dong, you can move to various places in Seongbuk-dong using village buses. It’s convenient to use village buses 2, 3, 5, etc., from exit 1.
- Line 6 Wolgok Station: Can be used when moving to the eastern area of Seongbuk-dong.
Things to Enjoy in Seongbuk-dong
- Napoleon Bakery: A bakery with a long history, good for taking a break with delicious bread.
- Choi Soon-woo’s Old House: A place where you can feel the beauty of traditional Korean houses, open for free.
