Myeongdong is the safest pick for a first visit: central, on several subway lines, with direct airport buses.
- Myeongdong: shopping and street food, walkable to Namdaemun Market and N Seoul Tower.
- Hongdae: young and lively, lots of cafés and bars; the AREX airport train stops here.
- Jongno – Insadong: close to Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces, good for culture lovers.
- Gangnam: modern with nice hotels, but far from the historic sights.
Note: pick a place within 5 minutes' walk of a subway station; Seoul is hilly and you'll travel mostly by train.