Koreatimes iconKoreatimesSep 17, 2026 ~1 min source read

Seoul's Jongno 3-ga rises to world's coolest neighborhood

1 spot on Time Out's list of the world's coolest neighborhoods in 2026 after ranking third five years ago. Today, younger crowds are flocking to the area, drawn by its affordable food and relaxed, open-air atmosphere.

Seoul's Jongno 3-ga rises to world's coolest neighborhood

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1 spot on Time Out's list of the world's coolest neighborhoods in 2026 after ranking third five years ago.

Today, younger crowds are flocking to the area, drawn by its affordable food and relaxed, open-air atmosphere.

"Jongno 3-ga thrives as a social intersection," Time Out wrote, describing a neighborhood where different generations and communities have long crossed paths.

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1 spot on Time Out's list of the world's coolest neighborhoods in 2026 after ranking third five years ago. Today, younger crowds are flocking to the area, drawn by its affordable food and relaxed, open-air atmosphere. "Jongno 3-ga thrives as a social intersection," Time Out wrote, describing a neighborhood where different generations and communities have long crossed paths.

How it works

  • Nearby Ikseon-dong has become a magnet for cafes and boutiques tucked into century-old hanok, while Seosulla-gil offers another side of the neighborhood, with craft workshops, jewelry studios and bars.

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The neighborhood's appeal increasingly stretches across generations.

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