Seoul is a city that stays up late! Here, we will look at some of the best places for insomniacs to go after dark that will keep you busy all night long!
At night Seoul really does come to life, it has a beautiful night-time landscape, noise restaurants packed with crowds of people all year round, and if you are more of a night person, then Seoul is the place to head!
Myeongdong Night Market
Address: Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 중구 명동길 (명동1가)
Myeongdong is one market in Seoul that should not be missed, here you will find stall upon stalls of Korean street food along with small market vendors and heaps of shops. This market is a popular place for tourists and locals alike.
This market runs up and down the streets of Myeongdong, so it is best to wander up and down the alleyways until you see something that strikes your fancy. I will warn you, however that the prices here at the night market are higher than what you might find around the rest of Seoul.
Sometimes walking through can be a sensory overload as there are rows of street food everywhere with vendors selling similar types of food and people eating and browsing, and all you need to do is follow your nose and decide where to stop and eat and sit down at the counter, or take a skewer with you and walk and eat.
Seoul at Night: Korean Palaces
In Seoul there are five Josen Dynasty palaces, which are Gyeongbokgung and Changeokgung are the most popular places to visit. There is no defying that they are stunningly gorgeous by daylight, but if you see them in Seoul at night then it is something that you will never forget as it is a step back in time. If you are wearing hanbok, then you can gain free entry into the palace which is worth noting. Tickets for the night viewing do often sell out fast!
Hongdae
Hongdae is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Seoul and a serious contender for the largest nightlife area in Asia. It is a sprawling area surrounded by one of Seoul's largest universities, Hongik University, and it even has its own subway station.
From live performances, street vendors, tattoo shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs there is literally everything you could ever want in this area no matter what your budget or tastes are.
Itaewon
Itaewon is the more international area of Seoul, and it is a favorite hang-out spot for ex-pats. If you are interested in live sports then you are highly likely to find an Irish pub or American-style sports bar! In this area, it is also the best place in Seoul to sample international cuisine if you fancy a taste of home, with many restaurants serving up authentic and high quality food from most nations!
There are also a few places that serve fusion Korean-international food. Vatos, a fusion Korean-Mexican restaurant, is one of the most popular - but be prepared to wait a while to get served!
There are also a large number of clubs in this area, with most serving up more eclectic and international music styles than the EDM which is typical of most Korean clubs.
Our thoughts
Seoul is a 24-hour city that has something for everyone. Remember, that if you are planning a trip to the Korean capital, then you might want to think about ditching the early morning wake-up calls, and instead get with the late-night Korean schedule and mindset! For the most part, you will find that many coffee shops and restaurants are closed until 10 pm or later, unlike most of the cities in the US or Europe.
Let us know your favorite after-dark activities to do in Seoul in the comments below.
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