A hanok lane in Bukchon Hanok VillagePhoto: Saksham Vikram / Pexels
Hanok Villages & Old Seoul
Traditional wooden hanok houses survive in pockets all over central Seoul — the postcard lanes of Bukchon, the café alleys of Ikseon-dong, quiet Seochon — and in whole towns like Jeonju.
- Bukchon's core lanes are a residential 'red zone': tourists are allowed 10:00–17:00 only. Keep your voice down.
- Ikseon-dong and Seochon are calmer alternatives with cafés and restaurants inside hanok.
- For a night in a hanok, Jeonju and Bukchon/Seochon guesthouses are the classic choices.
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1
Bukchon Hanok Village
북촌한옥마을Photo: Saksham Vikram / Pexels Hundreds of traditional hanok houses on the hills between two palaces, with tiled roofs stepping down towards the city. The postcard view of old Seoul.
Good to know: Residential: visitors are allowed in the core lanes 10:00–17:00 only. Keep your voice down. Anguk Station (Line 3), exit 2 or 3.
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2
Ikseon-dong Hanok Street
익선동 한옥거리
Photo: 정규진 / Korea Tourism Organization (KOGL Type 1) A tiny grid of 1920s hanok turned into cafés, bakeries and bars — busy, photogenic and best in the evening.
Good to know: Jongno 3-ga Station, exit 4 or 6.
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3
Samcheong-dong-gil
삼청동길
Photo: 한건우 / Korea Tourism Organization (KOGL Type 1) A tree-lined street along the palace wall with galleries, cafés and small shops, climbing up towards Samcheong Park.
Good to know: A lovely walk between Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon. Anguk Station (Line 3), exit 1.
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4
Namsangol Hanok Village
남산골한옥마을
Photo: 최린 / Korea Tourism Organization (KOGL Type 1) Five restored noble-family houses, a pond and gardens at the foot of Namsan — the calm alternative to Bukchon, where you can walk into every house.
Good to know: Free. Closed Mondays. Chungmuro Station (Lines 3, 4), exit 3 or 4.
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5
Insadong-gil & Ssamziegil
쌈지길
Photo: 한국관광공사 이범수 / Korea Tourism Organization (KOGL Type 1) Seoul's street of tea houses, galleries and craft shops. Ssamziegil, a spiral building of small studios, is the highlight.
Good to know: Anguk Station (Line 3), exit 6.
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6
Jeonju Hanok Village
전주한옥마을
Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (edited) A whole town of more than 700 hanok, with the Gyeonggijeon shrine, a cathedral and the best bibimbap in Korea. Stay the night in a hanok.
Good to know: About 1.5 hours by KTX — see our Jeonju guide.
Read more:
Hanok Village
Bukchon Hanok Village: The Rules and the Best Views
Neighborhood
Insadong and Ikseon-dong: Old Seoul, Two Ways
Neighborhood
Seochon: The Quiet Village West of the Palace
Weekend Trip
Jeonju Hanok Village: Bibimbap, Hanok Stays and Korea's Food Capital
Where To Stay