South Korea has not only established itself as famous for its great culture, history, music in the form of K-pop, and beautiful scenery but also its great nightlife. While the adventure and memorable experience-seeking targets are arguably synonymous with most backpackers, South Korea provides a different dimension for party lovers.
Be it late-night singing at the karaoke bar, shopping at Korea’s night markets, drinking and dancing over the roofs, or simply letting go at the nightclubs, South Korea is a paradise for fun travelers. Indeed, one of the most attractive aspects of South Korean nightlife is that it may last until the morning.
This guide includes tips about the best cities to visit, activities, and how to have the best party-hopping backpacking journey across South Korea.
Best Party Cities for Backpackers
When planning a backpacking trip in South Korea, there are some cities that any traveler would wish to include, especially if they are interested in the dance floor.
Seoul: The Heart of Nightlife
Originally, South Koreans enjoyed their nightlife half as much as their daily life. Nevertheless, clubs, bars, and restaurants are open until dawn. Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, is the leading destination for nightlife. It has an assortment of sophisticated clubs, friendly pubs and bars and a good share of cultural entertainment activities.
The famous ‘Gangnam Style’ dance was born in this place. For nighttime lovers, https://gangnam1st.com is just the place you need and as it comes with high quality and personalized services. Although it is somewhat pricier compared to the other places in the city, it consists of an infinity edge pool with underwater lighting and music under a luxurious atmosphere. Depending on your budget, there are steam baths and heated saunas to make you feel even more relaxed. For a taste of the hedonistic lifestyle, you can try clubs such as Club Octagon or even a club called Arena.
Boasting the atmosphere as the most international neighborhood, Itaewon is a worthwhile place to explore. It is usually a center of fashionable bars, clubs and restaurants. They cite that it is one of the defining destinations for tourists and expatriates. Hence, be prepared to meet people of all nationalities. Go to nightlife spots like Octagon, an A-list nightclub in Seoul or enjoy cocktails and beers at casual outlets such as Southside Parlor.
Hongdae is a perfect place for young people, especially those who travel with backpacks who like an energetic and tropical atmosphere. Popular for its art district, performance troupes, university students, and traditional Korean setting, Hongdae has all kinds of night entertainment, ranging from smaller indie centers to noraebangs. The atmosphere in the Hongdae streets is active all night, creating an environment suitable for adventurous moments.
Busan: Party by the Beach
South Korea’s second-largest city is also located on the coast and boasts beautiful beaches and great nightlife, similar to Seoul. For those wanting more of a laid-back atmosphere, perhaps Gwangalli Beach, with its beachside bars where you can drink cocktails and watch the sea, is the best place to spend a relaxed evening. Many of the bars also have live music.
Seomyeon is the largest entertainment area in Busan, where an array of fabulous entertainment is available from the street. This area is also home to offices and socializing places well-known by residents and visitors and includes numerous bars, lounges, and dance clubs.
Haeundae Beach has several clubs and bars with a sea view for fiesta lovers. The beach culture changes at night, and the beachside restaurants and nightclubs keep the revelry going.
Incheon: The Gateway for Backpackers
Most travelers use Incheon International Airport when accessing South Korea. Incheon is more than a getaway if you are not in the mood for Seoul or Busan. There are bars that are a lot of fun and contain good entertainment venues for nightlife.
As South Korea’s smart city, Songdo is home to an increasing number of chic bars and restaurants. Seoul’s late-night scene is slightly less frenzied, making it perfect for the backpacker looking for a rather laid-back evening.
No tourist should leave South Korea without trying noraebang. These private rooms are for singing your favorite tunes with friends as long as you want. You can sing at an hourly rate as cheap as a few dollars, and sometimes, it even includes small snacks and drinks. The advantage is that there are opportunities to strike up conversations with other travelers and locals.