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
Seoul showing interior views and art
Insadong featuring 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

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! (1,001 reviews)
Excellent Stay
"Hotel was very clean and the staff was very nice and accommodating. I would definitely return back to this hotel."

Reviewed on 21 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 HK$653 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
HK$653
HK$718 total
30 Jul - 31 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! (78 reviews)
"For 3 of us with 5 luggage, the room was very small. It was a fun experience and the hotel has a lot of good services, but I would stay in the different district next time."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Dormyinn EXPRESS SEOUL Insadong
ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun

ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun

4 out of 5
36, Sejong-daero 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is HK$1,314 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
HK$1,314
HK$1,446 total
27 Jul - 28 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! (2,831 reviews)
"Excellent location. Wonderful hotel. Friendly staff. Excellent room."

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong

LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong

4 out of 5
362, Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
The price is HK$1,083 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
HK$1,083
HK$1,192 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
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! (2,597 reviews)
"Near 24 hour food eateries"

Reviewed on 24 Jul 2025

LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
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 HK$729 per night from 6 Aug to 7 Aug
HK$729
HK$817 total
6 Aug - 7 Aug
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! (1,622 reviews)
"I was very impressed with the property and the hotel as a whole! Our flight got delayed and we missed a day and the hotel was kind enough to hold onto our reservation even though it was clearly a popular time for tourists. They also checked us in extremely late and treated us with kindness all the ..."

Reviewed on 19 Jul 2025

Sotetsu Hotels The Splaisir Seoul Myeongdong
Toyoko Inn Seoul Gangnam

Toyoko Inn Seoul Gangnam

3 out of 5
323 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
The price is HK$530 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
HK$530
HK$592 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,674 reviews)
"good location, easy access for checkin-out. I would like to stay there again overall"

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2025

Toyoko Inn Seoul Gangnam
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

Seoul showing interior views and art

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 which includes street scenes, a city and night scenes

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 which includes 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 featuring 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