SEOUL — Seoul’s Jongno 3-ga has officially taken the top spot on Time Out’s 2026 list of the world’s coolest neighborhoods, putting one of the South Korean capital’s most historic districts at the center of global travel attention.
The neighborhood rose from third place in 2021 to No. 1 in 2026, with Time Out highlighting its unusual combination of historic streets, traditional Korean architecture, late-night food culture, independent businesses and a growing younger crowd.
The recognition comes as Seoul continues to attract international visitors looking beyond the city’s best-known tourist landmarks and into neighborhoods where traditional culture and contemporary urban life overlap.
From Historic Seoul to a New Generation
Jongno 3-ga has long been associated with an older, traditional side of Seoul, but its streets have increasingly become popular with younger residents and visitors.
Time Out described the area as a social meeting point where different generations and communities come together. Its pocha, or late-night food-stall culture, has become particularly important to the neighborhood’s renewed popularity, with affordable food and outdoor seating creating a relaxed evening atmosphere.
The transformation has not erased the area’s older identity. Instead, traditional restaurants, small businesses and historic architecture now sit alongside newer cafes, boutiques, craft businesses and bars.
That combination of old and new was central to Time Out’s assessment.
Ikseon-dong Adds to the Neighborhood’s Appeal
One of the area’s biggest draws is Ikseon-dong, a cluster of traditional hanok houses that has developed into a destination for cafes, boutiques and small lifestyle businesses.
Visitors can walk through narrow lanes lined with renovated traditional homes while encountering contemporary food, fashion, beauty and design businesses.
Time Out noted that Ikseon-dong has become particularly popular among younger visitors, while tourists have also been drawn to its distinctive architecture and highly visual streetscapes.
The result is a neighborhood where Seoul’s architectural past has become part of its contemporary cultural identity.
Seosulla-gil Is Adding Another Layer
Another part of Jongno 3-ga’s evolution is Seosulla-gil, located alongside the walls of historic Jongmyo Shrine.
Once a quieter stretch, the area has developed into a cluster of independent businesses, including craft workshops, jewelry studios, cafes and bars.
Time Out described the street as increasingly lively, particularly as businesses have expanded outdoor seating and contributed to a more active pedestrian environment.
Together, Ikseon-dong, Seosulla-gil and the evening pocha streets give Jongno 3-ga several distinct identities within a relatively compact area.
Why Jongno 3-ga Beat 39 Other Neighborhoods
Time Out’s 2026 list includes 40 neighborhoods across 26 countries and territories.
Its global network of local editors and experts nominated neighborhoods, after which Time Out editors assessed them using factors including:
- Food and drink
- Nightlife
- Culture
- Independent businesses
- Livability
- Sense of community
Jongno 3-ga ultimately took first place, followed by L’Ocean District in Rabat, Morocco, and Neos Kosmos in Athens, Greece. Chinatown in Los Angeles ranked fourth, while Govanhill in Glasgow placed fifth.
Time Out’s methodology means the ranking is best understood as an editorial assessment of neighborhoods that are particularly vibrant and interesting at the moment, rather than a measurement of objective quality across every aspect of urban life.
CNN and Korean Media Spotlight the Rise
The recognition quickly attracted attention outside South Korea.
CNN highlighted Jongno 3-ga’s street-food culture and independent businesses, while Korean media outlets including Korea JoongAng Daily and SBS also reported on the neighborhood’s No. 1 position.
Time Out travel editor Grace Beard told CNN that Jongno 3-ga’s move from third place in 2021 to first in 2026 reflected the growth of late-evening outdoor dining, independent businesses and shops.
That five-year rise is notable because Seoul has seen several neighborhoods gain international attention during the same period, including areas such as Seongsu, Mullae and Haebangchon.
Jongno 3-ga’s latest recognition suggests that international interest is increasingly extending toward districts that combine established local communities with newer creative and dining scenes.
Seoul’s Traditional Heart Gets a Global Spotlight
Jongno is one of Seoul’s most historically significant areas, and the Jongno 3-ga district sits close to major cultural landmarks including Jongmyo Shrine and other historic sites.
What makes the neighborhood particularly distinctive, however, is the way everyday life continues alongside those historic surroundings.
A visitor can encounter traditional architecture, local food stalls, small family-run businesses and modern independent shops within the same walk.
That coexistence is precisely what has helped Jongno 3-ga stand out in Time Out’s latest list.
The Global List Also Includes Bangkok and Singapore
The 2026 ranking also reflects the growing visibility of Asian urban neighborhoods.
Talat Noi in Bangkok ranked 14th, while Jalan Besar in Singapore ranked 20th. Other Asian entries included Kitakagaya in Osaka, Koenji in Tokyo, Tân Định in Ho Chi Minh City, Humayunpur in Delhi, Bandra West in Mumbai and Changning in Shanghai.
For Seoul, however, Jongno 3-ga’s rise to No. 1 gives the city another internationally recognized neighborhood at a time when travelers are increasingly exploring beyond conventional tourist itineraries.
From Third Place to No. 1
Jongno 3-ga previously appeared on Time Out’s list in 2021, when it ranked third.
Five years later, the neighborhood has moved to the top — driven not by a complete reinvention, but by the way new businesses, younger visitors and changing nightlife patterns have layered themselves onto its established community and history.
For travelers looking for a different side of Seoul, the latest recognition puts Jongno 3-ga firmly on the international map.
The neighborhood’s biggest attraction may ultimately be the contrast itself: old Seoul and new Seoul sharing the same streets, day and night.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
