Insa-dong

Seoul

Insadong featuring shopping as well as a small group of people
Insadong showing shopping and a city as well as a small group of people
Insadong featuring heritage elements as well as a family
Insadong featuring interior views and art
Insadong showing outdoor art

This central Seoul district offers shopping and culture with traditional Korean art, antiques, and crafts.

Insadong is a relativelypeaceful area of Seoul where there are many teahouses and art galleries.

The main street,Insadong-gil, was once a stream that divided two towns. These ended in “In” and“Sa”, and were added to the word dong (neighborhood) when they finally joined.During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), artists flocked to Insadong to study.The artistic community has remained and today the main thoroughfare offers 2295 feet (700 meters) of shops selling crafts and pottery.

Insadong is also the bestplace in Seoul to get your hands on the traditional attire called hanbok andhandmade hanji writing paper. Items on sale around Insadong vary greatly invalue. You can pick up anything from cheap souvenirs to antique ceramicscosting thousands of dollars. Visit the oldest book store in Seoul.

There are approximately100 art galleries in and around Insadong. Hakgojae Gallery is a modern spaceexhibiting both traditional and contemporary art. The Gana Art Gallery has theone of the largest floor spaces in South Korea. Both attract local andinternational art aficionados.

Most of Insadong’steahouses are found simply by exploring the winding alleyways that branch offInsadong-gil. Here, you’ll be offered all number of tea blends, as well asspecialty dishes such as green tea flavored tiramisu.

Spend some time admiringthe area’s architecture. You’ll find old buildings with structures dating backto the 14th century, as well as temples, churches and contemporary glassgalleries.

Insadong is accessible bysubway. Get off at Anguk. Shops and galleries are open daily. Opening timesvary, but are generally from mid-morning to evening. On weekends, vehicles arebanned from driving down Insadong-gil, when stalls offering everything fromcandy to fortune telling are set up. Visit on a Saturday or Sunday to soak upthe lively atmosphere and browse street stalls.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Insa-dong

Orakai Insadong Suites
Orakai Insadong Suites
4 out of 5
18 Insadong 4-Gil Jongno-Gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is €227 per night from 18 Jul to 19 Jul
€227
18 Jul - 19 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,366 reviews)
"Big room with kitchen and laundry."

Reviewed on 7 Jul 2025

Orakai Insadong Suites
Hotel Sunbee Insadong
Hotel Sunbee Insadong
3 out of 5
26, Insadong 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Seoul
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and a business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"Rooms were spacious, wifi was good and location was sosco."

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

Hotel Sunbee Insadong
Dormyinn EXPRESS SEOUL Insadong
Dormyinn EXPRESS SEOUL Insadong
3 out of 5
20-9, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Jongno
The price is €79 per night from 22 Jul to 23 Jul
€79
22 Jul - 23 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (73 reviews)
Good location with complimentary supper
"Good location and love the onsen experience at Dormy Inn Express Insadong. Free hot and cold drinks from 2pm onwards. Complimentary Ramen from 9pm to 10.30pm and also free laundry services, Will definitely book this hotel again."

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Dormyinn EXPRESS SEOUL Insadong
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
4 out of 5
362, Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
The price is €123 per night from 22 Jul to 23 Jul
€123
22 Jul - 23 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,565 reviews)
"close to lots of shops and food, trains and buses. good location, nice staff. room was fairly standard as was bathroom. clean"

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2025

LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
4 out of 5
36, Sejong-daero 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is €146 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
€146
14 Jul - 15 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,797 reviews)
"The staff at this hotel is remarkable! Everyone from the manager, to the concierge, to the housekeeping staff was so friendly and kind. The location is awesome for its proximity to a subway station and bus stops."

Reviewed on 8 Jul 2025

ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
Sotetsu Hotels The Splaisir Seoul Myeongdong
Sotetsu Hotels The Splaisir Seoul Myeongdong
4 out of 5
15, Namdaemun-ro 5-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is €79 per night from 16 Jul to 17 Jul
€79
16 Jul - 17 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,590 reviews)
"Everything great with the hotel and the breakfast !! But service in Melo wasn’t very good and I felt the food tastely"

Reviewed on 8 Jul 2025

Sotetsu Hotels The Splaisir Seoul Myeongdong
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Insa-dong

Insadong showing art and interior views

Jongno-1.2.3.4 ga-dong

While you're in Jongno-1.2.3.4 ga-dong, take in top sights like Insa-dong or Jogyesa Temple, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Anguk Station or Jongno 3-ga Station.

Jongno-1.2.3.4 ga-dong
Gwangjang Traditional Market which includes signage

Jongno-gu

4.5/5(86 area reviews)

Jongno-gu is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Sejong Cultural Center and National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. See more of Seoul by jumping on the metro at Gwanghwamun Station or Jonggak Station.

Jongno-gu
Myeongdong featuring shopping, street scenes and a city

Myeong-dong

Enjoy the popular shops in Myeong-dong. Myeongdong Street is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Myeong-dong Station or Euljiro 1-ga Station to see more of Seoul.

Myeong-dong
Dongdaemun Design Plaza which includes modern architecture as well as a couple

Jung-gu

4.5/5(263 area reviews)

Myeongdong Street and Namdaemun Market are top sights in Jung-gu, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Euljiro 4-ga Station or Chungmuro Station to see more sights in the area.

Jung-gu
Deoksugung Palace showing a garden as well as a small group of people

Sogong-dong

Sogong-dong is popular for its popular shops. Explore top sights like Namdaemun Market and Seoul Museum of Art, and you can get around town on the metro at City Hall Station.

Sogong-dong
Dongdaemun History & Culture Park which includes a city as well as a small group of people

Gwanghui-dong

While you're in Gwanghui-dong, take in top sights like Migliore Mall and jump on the metro at Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station to see more of the city.

Gwanghui-dong

Insa-dong

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