Last updated September 5, 2026

A quiet stone-walled lane lined with traditional hanok houses in Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul

Basile Morin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Seoul

Where to Stay in Jongno, Seoul

Jongno is Seoul's historic core, the district that's been the city's political and cultural center since the Joseon dynasty made the area its capital in the 1390s, completing Gyeongbokgung Palace here in 1395. It holds four of Seoul's five royal palaces, the hanok lanes of Bukchon, the gallery-lined streets of Insadong, and the plaza around Gwanghwamun Gate, all within a compact, walkable area on the north side of the Han River.

What it's actually like to stay here

Jongno shifts character block by block. Around Gwanghwamun and Gyeongbokgung it's grand and open, with wide plazas and palace walls. Insadong is slower and more browsable, built around tea shops, antique dealers, and art galleries. Bukchon, tucked into the hillside between two palaces, is the quietest of the three — narrow lanes of tiled-roof hanok houses, some now cafes or guesthouses, with far fewer cars and crowds than the rest of central Seoul.

Stay here if

Stay here if you want to be near the palaces and hanok streets without relying on transit for your first stop each morning, and you're drawn to Seoul's older, quieter side over its shopping and nightlife districts.

Stay elsewhere if

If nightlife, late-night street food, or being close to Gangnam's business district matter more to your trip, Jongno's pace and palace-hours schedule (most sights close by early evening) won't suit — Myeongdong or Gangnam fit that better.

Walkability
Very walkable. Gyeongbokgung, Insadong, and the edge of Bukchon are all within about a 15-minute walk of each other, though Bukchon's upper lanes climb a noticeable hill.
Noise at night
Generally quiet, especially in Bukchon and on Insadong's side lanes once shops close for the evening. The area around Gwanghwamun Plaza and major roads can be busier during the day.

Best Hotels in Jongno, Seoul

Bukchon Binkwan by Rakkojae

★★★★★
  • ✨ Best luxury

Our take A restored 90-year-old hanok in Bukchon with a private garden courtyard — the stay itself is the point, not just a bed near Gyeongbokgung.

Highlights

  • Complimentary hanbok for guests to wear in the garden.
  • An 8-minute walk from Anguk subway station.
  • Gyeongbokgung Palace is about 15 minutes on foot.

What to know

  • Rooms follow traditional hanok layouts (futon-style bedding in some room types), a different experience from a standard Western hotel room
  • Check-in hours are limited (until 8pm), so late arrivals should coordinate with the property in advance
Check availability on Booking.com

Hotel Sunbee Insadong

★★★
  • 💰 Best value
  • 📍 Best location

Our take Sunbee's location down a quiet lane just off Insadong-gil is genuinely hard to match at this price, and its long-running, family-run character gives it a warmth that larger chain hotels in the area don't have.

Highlights

  • A short walk from Insadong-gil, Jogyesa Temple, and the edge of Bukchon Hanok Village.
  • A long-running, family-operated hotel with a more personal feel than the area's chain options.
  • Rates stay below the area's chain hotels, for a location just off Insadong-gil.

What to know

  • Rooms are simple and compact, in keeping with the hotel's budget-friendly positioning.
  • The nearest subway stations (Anguk or Jonggak) are a 5-10 minute walk, not immediately at the door.
Check availability on Booking.com

Transportation & practical information

Anguk and Gyeongbokgung stations (Line 3) and Jonggak station (Line 1) cover the district well, putting most of Jongno's sights and hotels within a short walk of a subway stop.

Seoul's subway network is dense, cheap, and reaches every central neighborhood directly, while driving means dealing with heavy traffic, expensive parking, and a one-way street layout that's easy to get lost in. A car adds cost and stress without saving real time inside the city.

Frequently asked questions

Is Jongno better than Myeongdong for a first trip to Seoul?
They suit different priorities. Jongno puts you closer to the palaces and hanok streets and is generally quieter; Myeongdong is more convenient for shopping, street food, and the airport bus. Many first-time visitors split a longer trip between the two.
Can I walk to Bukchon Hanok Village from central Jongno?
Yes — the entrance to Bukchon Hanok Village is roughly a 10-minute walk from Anguk Station, and Insadong and Gwanghwamun are both within about 15 minutes on foot.

Related areas

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S h y numis / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

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