Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Seoul With Kids
Choosing where to stay in Seoul shapes your entire family trip. This guide breaks down all 13 major family-friendly neighborhoods — what they feel like, who they serve best, and the most reliable hotels in every budget range. This is the post you bookmark, share, and plan around.
Quick Links
• Ultimate Seoul Family Travel Guide
• Full Seoul Neighborhood Guides
• Logistics + Planning Guide
• Transport in Seoul With Kids
• Stroller-Friendly Routes
• Weather + Packing Guide
How to Choose the Right Neighborhood
Seoul is huge. There is no single “best place” — just neighborhoods that fit different travel personalities. The right area helps your kids sleep better, move easier, and enjoy more.
Use this simple filter:
• For convenience: Myeongdong, Yongsan, Dongdaemun
• For culture: Insadong, Bukchon Hanok Village, Eunpyeong Hanok Village
• For space + quiet: Yeouido, Mapo, Seongsu
• For theme parks: Jamsil (Lotte World)
• For teens: Hongdae, Itaewon, Gangnam
Below are **all 13 neighborhoods**, each with **Budget**, **Mid-Range**, and **Family Suite** options using Booking.com AWIN links.
1. Myeongdong — Best for First-Time Families
Myeongdong is central, lively, and insanely convenient. The easiest base for your first Seoul trip.
Where to Stay:
• Budget: Philstay Myeongdong
• Midrange: Royal Hotel Seoul
• Family Suites: L7 Myeongdong by Lotte
2. Hongdae — Best for Teens + Creative Kids
Street music, food stalls, nightlife that isn’t rowdy, and killer subway access.
Where to Stay:
• Budget: Hiya Hongdae
• Midrange: RYSE, Autograph Collection
• Family Suites: Mercure Ambassador Hongdae
3. Itaewon — Best for Global Food
English-friendly, fun, diverse — and close to major museums.
Where to Stay:
• Budget: Imperial Palace Boutique
• Midrange: Grand Mercure Yongsan
• Family Suites: Novotel Ambassador Yongsan
4. Gangnam — Best for Modern, Upscale Travel
Bright, stylish, clean — with endless food and malls.
Where to Stay:
• Budget: Hotel Gangnam Family
• Midrange: Shilla Stay Yeoksam
• Family Suites: Oakwood Premier Coex Center
5. Insadong — Best for Culture
Calm streets, cafés, galleries, craft shops — great with kids.
Where to Stay:
• Budget: CenterMark Hotel
• Midrange: Orakai Insadong Suites
• Family Suites: Four Points by Sheraton Jongno
6. Bukchon Hanok Village — Most Beautiful
Traditional alleys, hanok houses, quiet mornings — peaceful with kids.
Where to Stay:
• Budget: Hanok Saba
• Midrange: Maroon Hanok
• Family Suites: Chiwoonjung Luxury Hanok
7. Dongdaemun — Convenience + Shopping
Huge malls, night markets, open walkways, great subway access.
• Budget: ibis Ambassador Dongdaemun
• Midrange: Orakai Dongdaemun
• Family Suites: Uljiro Co-op Residence
8. Jamsil / Lotte World — Best for Kids
Theme parks, aquariums, mega malls — the easiest “kids first” base.
• Budget: Pharos Hotel
• Midrange: SIGNIEL Lite
• Family Suites: SIGNIEL Seoul
9. Yeouido — Calm + River Parks
Beautiful riverfront, stroller-friendly paths, and clean air.
• Budget: Hotel Stanford
• Midrange: Novotel Ambassador Yeouido
• Family Suites: Conrad Seoul
10. Seoul Forest / Seongsu — Trendy + Walkable
Tree-lined paths, playgrounds, third-wave cafés, and great calm.
• Budget: Hotel Kyungsung
• Midrange: Seoul Forest Stay
• Family Suites: Under Stand Avenue Lofts
11. Mapo — Food + River Access
Mapo’s famous BBQ, river walks, and quick subway lines.
• Budget: Mapo House
• Midrange: Groove Inn Seoul
• Family Suites: GLAD Mapo
12. Yongsan — Best for Museums + Transport
War Memorial, parks, malls, and amazing subway access.
• Budget: Raon Residence
• Midrange: Seoul Dragon City
• Family Suites: Grand Mercure Yongsan
13. Eunpyeong Hanok Village — Best for Nature + Calm
Mountains, temples, hanok architecture — slow, peaceful, gorgeous.
• Budget: Eunpyeong Stay
• Midrange: Hanok Boutique Eunpyeong
• Family Suites: Nature Village Hanok
Quiet affiliate note:
Some of the links in this guide are affiliate links. Your price stays exactly the same. When you book flights, hotels, cars, or tours through them, a tiny commission quietly fuels more family guides — and occasionally funds the snack that saves a meltdown in a museum lobby.
