Things I wish I knew before Seoul
Places disappear faster than you'd think. The neighbourhood you pick matters more than the hotel. And Seoul stays with you long after you leave.
A few things I'd tell anyone before they go to Seoul. They're more about expectations than logistics.
Save places in advance, but accept that they may disappear
One thing I noticed is that from one year to another, many places I had saved on Naver were gone.
Seoul changes quickly. Cafés, restaurants and shops can close or change before you even get the chance to go back.
So if you find a place you really love, enjoy it while it's there.
Choose your hotel area carefully
Because Seoul is so big, the area where you stay really matters.
I'd choose based on what you want to do the most. For a first trip, I'd probably stay somewhere well connected and practical rather than choosing only based on the hotel itself.
Don't compare every neighbourhood
Every area in Seoul has its own vibe.
Gangnam feels very different from Hongdae, Myeongdong, Seongsu or Ikseon.
I think it's better to enjoy each neighbourhood for what it is instead of trying to decide which one is "the best".
Seoul is a city that can really stay with you
For me, Seoul is not just a city I enjoyed visiting. It's a city I miss every day.
I knew I was going to love it, but I loved it even more than expected. It's the city that matches my lifestyle the most. For me personally, I even preferred it to Tokyo, but that's really based on my own passions, hobbies and interests.
Seoul is one of those cities you don't just visit. You keep missing it long after you leave.