index
Free shipping with every order & No extra charge
/ Register
—
Seoul – The World’s No. 1 City for Solo Travelers in 2025: Why It’s So Popular and What to Expect

Seoul – The World’s No. 1 City for Solo Travelers in 2025: Why It’s So Popular and What to Expect

In 2025, Tripadvisor named Seoul the world’s No. 1 city for solo travelers in its new “Best Cities for Solo Travel” ranking.

That means out of all the cities on earth, Seoul came out on top as the place solo travelers love most – above destinations like Bangkok, Osaka, Dubai, Melbourne and Reykjavik.

At the same time, data from travel platforms like Agoda and others shows that solo travel across Asia is booming in 2025, with double-digit increases in solo accommodation searches and bookings compared to previous years.

So why is Seoul suddenly the it-city for solo travel – and what can you expect if you go there alone?

This guide breaks it down in a simple, honest way:

  • why Seoul ranks No. 1 for solo travelers

  • what makes it feel safe and easy

  • where to stay as a solo traveler

  • what to actually do in Seoul when you’re on your own

1. How Seoul Became the World’s Top Solo Travel City

Tripadvisor’s 2025 ranking is based on where solo travelers are actually booking and reviewing their trips. Seoul took the No. 1 spot thanks to a mix of:

  • strong review scores

  • popularity among solo travelers

  • and a growing global obsession with K-culture (K-pop, K-drama, K-beauty, K-food).

The Seoul Metropolitan Government highlighted that the city was praised for:

  • its harmonious blend of past and present – palaces and hanok villages next to glass towers

  • a 24-hour, safe and efficient public transport system

  • easy digital payments and a wide range of accommodations

On top of that, Seoul has also been:

  • named a favorite city among Gen Z and millennials worldwide, especially for K-culture and lifestyle

  • ranked among the top 10 global city destinations overall in Euromonitor’s City Destinations Index 2025

Put simply:

Seoul isn’t just trendy – it’s now officially one of the world’s most loved cities, especially if you’re travelling alone.

2. Why Solo Travelers Love Seoul

2.1 Safety and Comfort

Safety is usually the first concern for solo travelers, especially solo women. Seoul scores very well here:

  • Low violent crime rates compared to many big cities

  • Busy streets late into the night, especially in areas like Hongdae, Myeongdong and Jongno

  • Convenience stores, cafés and restaurants open until late or 24/7

Global reports on solo travel show that most solo travelers value freedom, spontaneity and the ability to meet new people – but they also want to feel safe.

Seoul offers a rare mix:

You can walk around at night, use public transport, eat alone and explore, without feeling out of place.

Of course, basic precautions always apply (like anywhere in the world), but overall Seoul feels more comfortable for solo travel than many other megacities.

2.2 World-Class Public Transport

Tripadvisor and Seoul’s own tourism reports highlight the city’s world-class subway system as a big reason for its solo-travel success.

As a solo traveler, this matters because:

  • you can get almost anywhere in the city with subway + bus

  • signs are usually in Korean + English, often also Chinese/Japanese

  • T-money cards and new “Climate Cards” make it easy to tap on/off public transport

You don’t need a car, you rarely need taxis, and you don’t have to worry about getting stuck somewhere late at night.

2.3 Hyper-Connected & Digital-Friendly

Seoul is one of the most digitally connected cities in the world:

  • fast and widely available Wi-Fi

  • e-payment options everywhere (cards, mobile pay, QR)

  • navigation apps (Naver Map, KakaoMap) that work well, plus Google Maps improving slowly

For solo travelers, this means:

  • easy access to translation apps and directions in real time

  • you can handle most things via your phone – order food, charge a transport card, call a taxi, book tickets

Solo travel in 2025 is heavily driven by younger, digitally savvy travelers who expect frictionless tech – and Seoul delivers exactly that.

2.4 You Don’t Feel Weird Eating Alone

In some countries, eating alone in a restaurant can feel awkward. In Seoul, it’s completely normal:

  • Many restaurants, cafés and bars are full of people on their own – students, office workers, gamers, late-night eaters.

  • More and more places offer “honbap” (eating alone) seating and menu options aimed at solo diners.

You can jump into a kimbap shop, a small ramen or tteokbokki place, or a coffee shop and nobody will look at you twice for sitting alone with a book or your phone.

For solo travelers, that removes a huge social barrier.

3. Where to Stay in Seoul as a Solo Traveler

Choosing the right neighborhood can make your solo trip feel much easier and safer. Here are some areas that work well:

Hongdae (Mapo-gu)

Best for: young vibe, nightlife, street performances, cafés

  • close to several universities

  • lots of budget-friendly hostels, guesthouses and hotels

  • busy until late at night → you won’t feel lonely

Myeongdong

Best for: shopping, street food, central location

  • super central, easy to access most major sights

  • beauty shops, fashion, food stalls everywhere

  • good choice for first-time visitors who want convenience

Jongno / Insadong

Best for: culture, temples, palaces

  • close to Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Jogyesa Temple

  • more traditional atmosphere

  • great base if you’re into history, tea houses and quieter evenings

Seongsu & Yeonnam-dong

Best for: trendy cafés, creative neighborhoods

  • Seongsu is often called the “Brooklyn of Seoul” – warehouses turned into cafés, galleries, boutiques

  • Yeonnam-dong (next to Hongdae) has pretty backstreets, small cafés and brunch spots

All these areas have a good mix of hostels, guesthouses and mid-range hotels where it’s easy to meet other travelers or at least feel surrounded by life.

4. What to Actually Do in Seoul as a Solo Traveler

You won’t run out of things to do, even alone. Here are some ideas that work particularly well for solo trips:

4.1 Classic Sights (Perfect for First-Time Visitors)

  • Gyeongbokgung Palace – rent a hanbok, explore the courtyards and watch the changing of the guard

  • Bukchon Hanok Village – traditional houses with narrow lanes (go early morning to avoid crowds)

  • Insadong – tea houses, galleries, souvenir shops

  • N Seoul Tower (Namsan) – city views, especially nice at sunset

4.2 Food & Nightlife

  • Myeongdong Street Food – try tteokbokki, hotteok, corndogs and more

  • Gwangjang Market – bindaetteok (mung bean pancake), mayak gimbap, soju

  • Hongdae & Itaewon – bars, live music, clubs, late-night snacks

All of these are easy to enjoy on your own – markets and street food are especially good for solo travelers because you can try many small things without sitting in a formal restaurant for hours.

4.3 Slow Solo Days

Solo travel isn’t just about sightseeing; it’s also about having slow days:

  • spend a few hours in a café with a view, journaling, reading or working

  • walk along the Cheonggyecheon Stream through downtown Seoul

  • relax in a jjimjilbang (Korean sauna) if you feel comfortable with the culture (gender-separated nude bathing areas + mixed-clothed sauna zones)

5. A Simple 3-Day Solo Seoul Itinerary (First-Timer)

Here’s a very simple structure you can use or adapt for your blog:

Day 1 – Old + New Seoul

  • Morning: Gyeongbokgung Palace & Bukchon Hanok Village

  • Afternoon: Insadong (tea house, snacks, souvenirs)

  • Evening: Cheonggyecheon Stream walk + city views

Day 2 – Shopping, Food, City Lights

  • Morning: Myeongdong shopping, street food snacks

  • Afternoon: Namsan / N Seoul Tower

  • Evening: Gwangjang Market or a local BBQ spot

Day 3 – Hongdae & Café Culture

  • Morning: Hongdae backstreets & shops

  • Afternoon: Yeonnam-dong, Gyeongui Line Forest Park, cafés

  • Evening: live music / bars in Hongdae or Itaewon

You can easily extend this to 5 or 7 days by adding:

  • a day trip to Suwon or Incheon

  • a K-pop-related tour (studios, museums, concert halls)

  • a han river picnic or bike ride

6. What to Expect Culturally (and a Few Tips)

6.1 English & Language

  • In tourist areas, younger Koreans and staff in shops/cafés often know basic English

  • Menus are often available in English

  • Translation apps help a lot – especially for signs, menus and transport

6.2 Social Expectations

  • People might glance at you because you’re foreign, but usually out of curiosity, not hostility.

  • Koreans are generally polite but reserved – don’t expect strangers to start long conversations, but if you ask for help, many will try.

6.3 Practical Tips for Solo Travelers

  • Get a T-money or similar transport card as soon as you arrive

  • Use a local eSIM or portable Wi-Fi for constant internet

  • Save your accommodation address in Korean on your phone (for taxis)

  • Keep a small emergency card with your hotel phone number and a contact person

Final Thoughts: Is Seoul Worth It for Solo Travelers?

Seoul isn’t just a cool background for K-dramas – it’s now officially the world’s top city for solo travel in 2025.

What you can expect as a solo traveler:

  • a city that’s safe, well-organised and easy to navigate

  • endless cafés, food, culture, and nightlife, even if you’re on your own

  • the feeling that solo travelers are normal, not strange

If you’re thinking about your first solo trip in Asia, Seoul is probably one of the easiest and most rewarding places to start.