Last updated on October 5th, 2025
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Ready to visit one of Seoul’s most beautiful and culturally significant areas? This complete Bukchon Hanok Village guide has all the information you need to plan your visit to this unmissable neighborhood!
Seoul’s tall, shiny buildings, business people chain-smoking at street corners, and busy pedestrian crossings can make you feel like you are in any other big city in the world.
It’s not until you step foot in the stunning Bukchon Hanok Village that you can fully grasp that you have, in fact, made it to South Korea—at least it felt that way for me.
During the three months that I got to live in Seoul with our circus job, the Bukchon Hanok Village became my little escape from the city.
Even though it’s right there, close to the action, stepping into the Bukchon Hanok Village feels like taking a day trip into a smaller Korean town.
With its winding, little, pedestrian-only streets full of shops, some of the best coffee shops in Seoul, and hidden gems at every turn.
The Bukchon Hanok Village is undoubtedly at the top of the list of places to visit during your first time in Seoul, and in this thorough guide, I will provide you with all the information you need to plan your visit to this charming area.
From what it is, how to get there, what to do, best places to eat, the best cafes in the area, and a map that compiles everything in this post—this Bukchon Hanok Village guide covers everything you need to know for a smooth visit!
⭐️ Plan your first visit with ease: To help you better prepare for your trip, check out our Seoul travel guide—packed with practical tips on everything from getting around the city, how to get data while in Korea, cultural etiquette, and more.
A Complete Bukchon Hanok Village Guide: All You Need To Know
What is the Bukchon Hanok Village?
Nestled between the city’s main palaces, Gyeonbokgung to the west and Changdeokgung to the right, the Bukchon Hanok Village is an area in Seoul that is home to hundreds of picturesque traditional Korean houses, or hanoks, that display how life in the city used to be around 600 years ago, during the Joseon dynasty.
The most popular attraction of the Bukchon Hanok village is this one particular street of gorgeously preserved hanoks that line up perfectly with the famous Seoul N Tower as a backdrop.
What fascinates me even more than the view from this street is the view of the street itself—walking around here feels like stepping into a museum, yet normal Korean citizens still live here.
They live their everyday lives inside these historical and insanely picturesque traditional houses in the middle of this massive, buzzing city. How cool is that?!
As popular as this street might be, do not be fooled into thinking that this one street is all the Bukchon Hanok Village is.
The village itself is actually the whole neighborhood around it as well, where you will still find hanoks sprinkled throughout, housing cafes, modern-day brand stores, and cute boutique shops.
Visiting this area is a must in any Seoul itinerary! So make sure to take your time to wander and get lost in the small Bukchon Hanok Village alleys.
Is there a fee for visiting the Bukchon Hanok Village?
Visiting the Bukchon Hanok Village is free of charge since it’s just another neighborhood in the city.
There is no gated entrance to it or anything like that, so enjoy!
However, one thing that is worth noting it’s that one of the most popular areas of the Bukchon Hanok Village goes through a residential area, so it’s important to be mindful of noise levels and respect people’s private property.
But besides that, the area is free for visitors to wander through.
How to get to the Bukchon Hanok Village?
The closest metro station to the Bukchon Hanok Village is the Anguk Station on Line 3, from there is a very enjoyable walk up Bukchon Street, which is lined with cozy cafes and cute shops.
What to do in the Bukchon Hanok Village?
Dress in Hanbok
Besides walking around the area and marveling at the beautiful traditional houses, one of the most popular activities for visitors to the Bukchon Hanok Village is to dress up in Hanbok, traditional Korean clothes, and take photos using the gorgeous village as a backdrop.
You will easily find a variety of shops in the neighborhood that rent beautiful traditional clothes for a few hours.
We found this little shop, Studio KJD, where the lovely woman took the time to individually help us pick the pieces and colors that went well together, as well as styling the hair of five of us girls.
Visit a museum
If you are anything like me, walking through the historical Bukchon Hanok Village will not fail to leave you with a burning curiosity to learn and understand more about the culture and history of South Korea, which is why visiting a museum is the perfect activity during your trip there.
The Bukchon Hanok Village offers a variety of museums and cultural centers that aim to educate their visitors on the rich culture and history of their country.
My favorite museum close by is the National Folk Museum. First of all, it’s free, and second of all, it’s a great place to learn more about Korean culture and values, from birth to death.
Other museums in the Bukchon Hanok Village area:
- National Palace Museum of Korea
- Seoul Education Museum
- Bukchon Museum
- Seoul Museum of History
- Seoul Museum of Craft Art
Have tea at a tea house
Another activity that you can add to your visit to the Buckhon Hanok Village, especially if it’s cold outside, is to enjoy a warm cup of tea in a traditional tea house, like Cha-teul, which looks stunning!
Or, if like me, you need a kick of caffeine throughout the day, there are plenty of adorable cafes in the Bukchon Hanok Village housed inside traditional hanoks as well!
Keep reading for my list of the best cafes in Bukchon Hanok Village.
Do some shopping
Whether you’re looking for high-quality souvenirs or a pair of comfy New Balance shoes, you can find it all in the Bukchon Hanok Village.
Some of my favorite shops in the area:
- New Balance: Very popular in Korea, and this shop is housed in a beautiful Hanok
- Pleats Mamma: Korean brand of bags and accessories created with recycled plastic (close to the Blue Bottle Samcheong)
- Sulwhasoo: Popular high-end Korean skincare brand
- Olive Young: Korean skincare heaven (Like Korean Sephora but way cheaper)
- De art: Local artist selling postcards and prints inspired by Seoul
What to eat around the Bukchon Hanok Village?
The whole area surrounding the Bukchon Hanok Village is very lively, with endless options for things to do and see. Such as visiting the palaces, exploring the neighborhood alleys, stopping by museums, etc.
So to be able to peacefully spend a day here, you will need some fuel to keep you going.
Here are our favorite places to eat around the Bukchon Hanok Village:
Breakfast in Bukchon Hanok Village
- Thanks, Oat: Delicious Greek yogurt bowls with fruit to start your day.
- Salt 24: The best croissant and pain au chocolat in the city.
Cafes in Bukchon Hanok Village
- Cafe Soodal: Cute coffee shop in a renovated Hanok.
- Blue Bottle Cafe Samcheon: Three-story tall chain coffee shop that takes its coffee seriously. One of my favorites!
- Komfortabel Cafe: Moody coffee shop with a Scandinavian vibe.
- Cafe Lowroof: Clean-aesthetic coffee shop conveniently located one street before the start of the Bukchon Hanok Village main street.
For more cafes in Seoul, read our guide on the best coffee shops in Seoul for good coffee.
Sweet treats in Bukchon Hanok Village
- Cafe Knotted Anguk: The most popular donuts in Seoul, a must-try!
- Layered Bukchon: A British-inspired spot for cakes and scones.
- Little Butler: European-styled cafe focused on Viennese coffee, which Korea is obsessed with.
- Waffle Shop: Adorable tiny shop with tasty crunchy waffles, in a variety of flavors.
Lunch and Dinner
- Noodle Shop: An interaction-free restaurant offering simple, yet comforting dishes; a few options of noodle soups and meat rice bowls. If you can handle spicy, definitely try their Kimchi pork rice bowl.
- Oreno Ramen Insa: This is not Korean but is delicious and in the area, and it has even been recognized by the Michelin guide as a Bib Gourmand, meaning a small restaurant offering great quality food consistently.
- KKangtong Mandu: A highly popular dumpling place with a line of locals always eagerly waiting outside.
- Salt House Deli: If you can’t even look at a dumpling anymore, Salt House Deli is your safe haven, offering a variety of sandwiches with high-quality cold cuts.
- Kiwa taproom: A cozy and relaxed bar serving Korean craft beer inside a beautiful Hanok.
Bukchon Hanok Village Map
And here is a Bukchon Hanok Village map featuring all the pins of the places mentioned in this post for easier navigation:
Final thoughts on the Bukchon Hanok Village guide
Seoul can be a complicated city to navigate, with Google maps not being the most reliable at times, and the local maps apps taking some time to get used to.
So I hope that this Bukchon Hanok Village guide helps you navigate this unmissable Seoul neighborhood with ease, providing you with all the information you might need to plan your visit.
From basic information about the area, as well as filling in the gaps in your itinerary with the best cafes in the Bukchon Hanok village, the best restaurants in the area, and even some of my favorite shops to stop at.
Hope you enjoy your trip to Seoul, and hope you love exploring this charming area of the city as much as I do!
What are you most looking forward to about visiting the Bukchon Hanok Village? Let us know in the comments.
Save this Bukchon Hanok Village guide for later!
Your future self will thank you.