Seoul is a great city to enjoy the beauty of Korea, thanks to the palaces and cultural heritage sites all over the city. Among them are hanok, a Korean house built in a traditional architectural design that can be found in many parts of the city. Korean architects say that hanok is an architecture that breathes with nature because it’s made of wood, clay, and other natural materials. Because a typical hanok has a roof made of clay tiles with a gentle curve on all sides and a yard with green grass, chances are you will get the sensation of being in nature even if the house is situated right in the middle of the busy city. From inside the house, all you have to do is open the window to take in the view the hanok has to offer. Hanok is a house that is both beautiful and practical, and you can appreciate its architectural beauty and value just about everywhere in Seoul.

Nostalgia Blue Jae, a Hanok with Gracefully Curved Blue Clay Tiles

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With an area of over 330 m² and history of over 100 years, Nostalgia Blue Jae is the largest and oldest hanok in the Seoul district of Gahoe-dong where you can see the grandeur and elegance of a hanok. Its blue clay tiles add to the beauty and style of the house, just like the ones on Cheong Wa Dae. The natural landscape of its garden can be enjoyed from the bedroom, living room, bathroom, or any other part of the house. The guesthouse also makes Bukchon Makgeolli with the consultation and approval of a certified makgeolli master and serves the unrefined rice wine with three side dishes to go with the drink so your stay can be more rewarding and memorable.

Bukchon Binkwan by Rakkojae, Offering the Best View of Bukchon, Seoul

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Bukchon Binkwan by Rakkojae is not a typical hanok guesthouse in that it has a living room on the first floor and guest rooms on the third floor. It’s designed in this way so that guests can enjoy a cup of tea on the first floor before going up to the third floor to take in the commanding view of Bukchon. The third floor offers a beautiful view of Bukchon, a district that still has many traditional Korean houses including hanok amidst a forest of tall buildings. With Namsan Mountain also within the view, it wouldn’t be farfetched to say that this guesthouse offers the best view in Bukchon. In addition to the view, the guesthouse also offers wood crafting program where you get to make your own chopsticks. Carving and smoothening the wood in a hanok can be a peaceful experience.

Classic Gotaek, the Hanok featured in the Korean Movie Architecture 101

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Classic Gotaek was a filming location for the Korean movie Architecture 101 (2012), starring Suji and Lee Jehun. It’s a filming location turned into a hanok guesthouse. Classic Gotaek is more than just a guesthouse for lodging in that it also hosts the Gotaek Concert with various K-classical music, Korean traditional music, and movie BGM programs. It’s a place of music and relaxation where you can enjoy musical performances by various artists in the garden while having a traditional Korean meal that includes nine side dishes and sweet rice punch. Lit by lanterns under the night sky, this hanok creates a romantic atmosphere with music and food.

BUTLER.LEE, a Modern Hanok that Connects the Past and the Present

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BUTLER.LEE is a hanok stay brand that gives a modern touch to old traditional Korean houses called hanok by replacing their windows and walls with better insulated ones. BUTLER.LEE stands out from the rest by combining the beauty of hanok with a comfortable space for relaxation. It has a number of guesthouses including Yujundang by BUTLER.LEE with the distinctive fresh scent of pine trees; Onyuheon by BUTLER.LEE with a hot bath; and the four-story guesthouse Byeolharu by BUTLER.LEE with differently themed rooms.

STAYFOLIO, Where a Stay Becomes a Travel in Itself

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STAYFOLIO is a group of guesthouses with a private space situated at the corner of an alley in Seochon, Seoul. Each of the guesthouse buildings - named Nuwa, Nujung, STAY day off, Adam Hanok, OF.ONE BOOK STAY (Ildokilbak), Lost House (Haeunjae), Hanok Essay Seochon, and Humijin – has a different style and atmosphere. Any of them is a great choice to keep a bit of time and distance from your daily routine and spend some time alone all by yourself. Each hanok guesthouse is furnished with a tea table and bathtub, and come with a manual so you can enjoy them the way you want it – with style.

* This content was last updated in September 2023, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check for updates before visiting.

* Publication and Inquiries: Shopping & Accommodations Team, Korea Tourism Organization