Seoul, South Korea
Best places to shop in Seoul
5 markets, malls and shopping districts in Seoul — what to buy, when to go, and the tourist traps to avoid at each one.
Last updated 2026-08-08
1. Myeongdong
Photo: Dwxn · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
The cosmetics and street-fashion district — hundreds of K-beauty shops, flagship stores and an evening street-food market filling the lanes.
Where: Street ShoppingMap: Open in Maps Best time: Daily 10:00–22:00; food stalls from 17:00Cost: Budget–MidTip: Cosmetics shops give away large sample bundles with any purchase and will price-match each other. Tax refund counters are on the main street.Watch out Staff pulling you inside promise a 'special discount' that is the standard price. Nothing here needs to be bought under pressure — the same brands are in every second shop.
2. Dongdaemun Design Plaza and markets
Photo: Nelson Pérez · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
The 24-hour wholesale fashion district — Doota, Migliore and the vast wholesale halls that supply the country's clothing retailers.
Where: MarketMap: Open in Maps Best time: Retail malls 10:30–24:00; wholesale halls 20:00–06:00Cost: BudgetTip: The wholesale floors open when the retail ones close. They will sell single items after about 04:00 when the buyers have gone.
3. Namdaemun Market
Photo: Ahmed · CC BY 4.0 · source
Korea's largest traditional market, running since 1414 — clothing, kitchenware, ginseng, glasses, camera gear and an excellent food alley.
Where: MarketMap: Open in Maps Best time: Daily 08:30–18:00; many stalls open through the nightCost: BudgetTip: The eyeglasses section makes prescription lenses in about an hour at a fraction of European prices.
4. Insadong
Photo: S h y numis · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
The traditional craft street — hanji paper, celadon and buncheong ceramics, calligraphy brushes, tea and antiques, in galleries and the Ssamziegil spiral mall.
Where: Street ShoppingMap: Open in Maps Best time: Daily 10:00–20:00; the street is pedestrianised at weekendsCost: Mid-range
5. Gangnam: COEX Mall and Apgujeong
Photo: Kat Carabio · Pexels License · source
COEX is Asia's largest underground mall with the Starfield library at its centre; Apgujeong's Rodeo Street is the city's luxury address.
Where: LuxuryMap: Open in Maps Best time: Daily 10:30–22:00Cost: Mid–Luxury
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