Insa-dong Travel Guide

Seoul

Insadong showing shopping as well as a small group of people
Insadong featuring a city and shopping as well as a small group of people
Insadong featuring heritage elements as well as a family
Insadong showing art and interior views
Insadong showing outdoor art
This central Seoul district offers shopping and culture with traditional Korean art, antiques, and crafts.

Insadong is a relatively peaceful 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 (neighbourhood) 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 700 metres (2295 feet) of shops selling crafts and pottery. 

Insadong is also the best place in Seoul to get your hands on the traditional attire called hanbok and handmade hanji writing paper. Items on sale around Insadong vary greatly in value. You can pick up anything from cheap souvenirs to antique ceramics costing thousands of dollars. Visit the oldest book store in Seoul.

There are approximately 100 art galleries in and around Insadong. Hakgojae Gallery is a modern space exhibiting both traditional and contemporary art. The Gana Art Gallery has the one of the largest floor spaces in South Korea. Both attract local and international art aficionados.

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

Spend some time admiring the area’s architecture. You’ll find old buildings with structures dating back to the 14th century, as well as temples, churches and contemporary glass galleries.

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


Popular places to visit


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 Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and a business centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"This was a clean, convenient and quiet property with friendly staff who spoke excellent English. I felt safe and welcome at all times. I appreciated how easy and convenient it was to get to shops, tourist sites, and transport (buses and subway). I will return to Seoul and will definitely stay here ..."

Reviewed on 14 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 ₹6,637 per night from 24 Jul to 25 Jul
₹6,637
₹7,300 total
24 Jul - 25 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (77 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
ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun

ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun

4 out of 5
36, Sejong-daero 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is ₹14,015 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹14,015
₹15,417 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,833 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 ₹10,615 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹10,615
₹11,677 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,588 reviews)
"The property is clean and convenient but the room is starting to show the age so a refresh is needed."

Reviewed on 21 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 ₹7,539 per night from 24 Jul to 25 Jul
₹7,539
₹8,448 total
24 Jul - 25 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,623 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 ₹5,801 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹5,801
₹6,475 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,670 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

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 Travel Guide