Shopping tips Seoul 서울

Myeongdong was the fashion district in the 1980s, before the emergence of Apgujeongdong, which is now competing with it in the field of haute couture. Although a little less trendy than in the past, the number of clothing boutiques has not diminished. Don't miss a visit to this half-pedestrianized district, where you'll find a wide range of brands and a lively shopping scene. From time to time, a festival adds to the liveliness.

It's the cheapest market in Seoul: everything you need is sold there. It's small enough to be able to wander around, but it can be so crowded, both with people and shops (there are no less than 10,000 of them!) that it's not easy to find what you're looking for quickly. The market is divided into eight parts, each marked by an entry/exit door. There's a map and a description of the shops in front of each entrance. Even if you don't plan to buy anything, just go for the atmosphere: you are here in the heart of Seoul.

This street is famous for being the district of antique dealers and the arts. While there are some fine stores, they are not flea markets, and the area is very touristy: prices are very high, sometimes justified by the quality and age of the items, but beware of the tourist traps (which are fairly few in number). Calligraphy and other traditional paintings are also on sale in Insadong. Although not very extensive, this is the place where Korean folk art is concentrated in all its splendor.