Published : 26 Sep 2026, 10:43 PM
Updated : 26 Sep 2026, 10:43 PM
Seoul’s Jongno 3-ga has turned its maze of historic lanes, hanok homes and late-night food stalls into a winning formula, taking the title of the world’s coolest neighbourhood for 2026.
The district, where old Seoul meets a lively mix of cafés, craft shops, restaurants and bars, topped Time Out’s annual ranking of 40 neighbourhoods, reports The Independent.
The district previously featured at No. 3 in Time Out’s 2021 ranking.
At the heart of Seoul, the district blends old and new, with cafés, restaurants, craft shops, and bars occupying streets lined with traditional architecture.
Once a fading residential area, its Ikseon-dong quarter has become one of Seoul’s best-known destinations as businesses moved into its preserved hanok homes, many of which were built in the 1920s as modest residences, according to The Independent.
After sunset, the district takes on a different rhythm. Its pojangmacha, or tented street stalls, have been part of Seoul’s street culture for decades, offering inexpensive food and drinks.
In Ikseon-dong, they continue to attract younger crowds with dishes including savoury pancakes, grilled seafood and sannakji, or live octopus.
Jongno 3-ga was followed in the ranking by L’Ocean District in Rabat, Neos Kosmos in Athens, Chinatown in Los Angeles and Govanhill in Glasgow, which rounded out the top five.
Overlooking the Atlantic, L’Ocean District combines a palm-lined promenade, beaches, and sports pitches with low-rise residential streets and a strong local identity.
Neos Kosmos sits between the Acropolis and the Athenian Riviera in Athens. The neighbourhood has retained its residential character while becoming a hub for contemporary culture, with the Onassis Stegi cultural centre drawing visitors for exhibitions, performances and public events alongside a growing collection of restaurants, bars and independent businesses.
Los Angeles’ Chinatown brings together a history dating to the late 19th century with a newer generation of restaurants, bars, galleries and creative ventures.
Central Plaza remains a focal point, while the nearby LA State Historic Park hosts concerts, film screenings and a farmers’ market.
Govanhill, in Glasgow’s southside, is home to long-established immigrant communities, independent businesses and community organisations.
According to The Independent, 44.1 per cent of residents were from ethnic minority backgrounds in the 2022 census.
Tokyo, which held the No 1 position last year with the book-lined Jinbōchō district, dropped from the top spot in 2026. Japan nevertheless placed two neighbourhoods in this year’s top 10: Osaka’s Kitakagaya at No 6 and Tokyo’s Koenji at No 8.
Kitakagaya, a former shipbuilding area, has reinvented disused factories and warehouses as art spaces and studios. Koenji, once associated with Tokyo’s punk scene, remains known for its independent shops, record stores, bars and live music venues.
Time Out’s Top 10 Coolest Neighbourhoods for 2026
1. Jongno 3-ga, Seoul, South Korea
2. L’Ocean District, Rabat, Morocco
3. Neos Kosmos, Athens, Greece
4. Chinatown, Los Angeles, US
5. Govanhill, Glasgow, Scotland
6. Kitakagaya, Osaka, Japan
7. Chapinero Alto, Bogotá, Colombia
8. Koenji, Tokyo, Japan
9. Downtown, St Catharines, Ontario, Canada
10. Esquilino, Rome, Italy
