Seoul is a large metropolitan town with breathtaking sites, both traditional and modern. While we recommend you visit as many historic sites as you can, walking all day can be tiresome. To relax and take some time off sightseeing, you can visit one of many Seoul department stores. Here are some of our top picks that will please your shopping cravings if you are visiting Seoul.
Lotte Department Store
First department store on our list is the Lotte Department Store. Lotte boasts itself as the biggest department store in South Korea. It has become the heart and soul of the always busy shopping district of Myeongdong. If you want to witness a shopping craze like no other, you must visit this department store. The store gets an average attendance of 1.5 million shoppers per day. For those who can’t get enough shopping done in one day, the store next to the Lotte Hotel Seoul. You can sleep, rest, and shop as your ideal shopping destination is a few steps away. For anyone visiting Seoul for the first time, Lotte department store is a great place to pick up gifts for the family and friends back home. There are also several independent shops on the streets of Myeongdong. If you are looking for deals, they are a great option too.
To get to the department store by public transit, you can either take the bus or the subway.
Bus
Get on and off in front of the Lotte Department Store. Take any of the following numbers.
103,105,143,149,151,152,162,163
201, 202, 261, 262, 401, 405
7017, 7012, 7017, 7021
1005-1, 1500, 2100, 2300
Subway
Line 2 at Euljiro Ipgu station. Use Exit 7 to access the department store.
Address
9-12th Fl. LOTTE Duty Free Store, 1, Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
The Galleria
This department store is a must visit for everyone who loves high-end goods. The Galleria is located in an upper class neighborhood of Cheongdam-dong. You will met with a presence of luxury similar to Ginza district of Tokyo and Avenue des Champs Elysées of Paris. This impressive feat of architecture is not one, but two department stores in one. Divided up into the East and West Gate, this department store can boast with over 4000 glass discs that reflect the romantic sunset in Seoul. It is a dazzling sight to see in the evening. Inside you will find a variety of shops, from wine shops to bakeries. They also feature luxury brands like Gucci, Chanel, and Saint Laurent. The west Gate even has its very own supermarket. If you are new to Seoul, you have to check out the Galleria one of the biggest department stores in Seoul.
To get to the department store by public transit, you can either take the bus or the subway.
Bus
Get on and off in front of the Hanyang Apt. / Apgujeong Rodeo Station Bus Stop. Take any of the following numbers.
Blue Bus: 143, 145, 240, 301, 351, 362, 440, 472
Green Bus: 4318, 4412, 4419
Red Bus: 9407, 9507
Airport Bus: 6006
Subway
Get off at Apgujeong Rodeo Station (Bundang Line). Use Exit 7 for West Wing and Exit 1 or 2 for East Wing
Address
343, Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Shinsegae Department Store
If you want to shop and look at how modernity and be fused with tradition, look no further than the Shinsegae Department Store. Its flagship store is located in the heart of Seoul itself, the Myeongdong ward. That flagship store stands now in the place where the first department store in Korea once stood, the Japanese Misreukkosi store. That store opened back in the 1930s whilst being renovated throughout the years. Back in the year 2007, the entire building was renovated to the last possible detail. But it still has some of its more traditional charms. With its Trinity Garden and its gallery it is one of the few department stores in the world that can combine art with consumerism. The final ace in the sleeve of this shopping giant is its very own location. Since it is the heart of Seoul, there are plenty of sightseeing opportunities like the Namsan Mountain or hop on to the Myeongdong cathedral and get married.
To get to the department store by public transit, you can either take the bus or the subway.
Bus
Get on and off in front of the department store. Take any of the following numbers.
A : 103, 105, 149, 151, 152, 162, 163, 201, 201, 202, 261, 262, 406, 408, 500, 701, 704, 8000, 7021, 7022, 5007
B : 104 ,401 ,504 ,7017 ,6001 ,6015
C : 143, 406
D : 104 ,105 ,263 ,421 ,507 ,604 ,7011 ,6015
Subway
Get off at Hoehyeon Station (Subway Line 4). Use Exit 7 for direct access to the department store.
Address
63 Sogong-ro, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
Hyundai Department Store
According to some, this is the second greatest department store Korea has to offer. Its main store lies in the Apgujeong-dong ward. It is a beautiful place to visit for all those lovers of luxury and exclusiveness. The department store first opened its doors in 1985, which makes it one of the earliest department stores.
To get to the department store by public transit, you can the subway.
Subway
Get off at Apgujeong station using Line 3. Use Exit 6 to directly access the department store.
Address
135-724 165, Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul