Gyeongju City, on the southeastern coast of South Korea, used to serve as the capital of the ancient Silla Dynasty for centuries. Playing an integral part in the rich history of Korea, this historic city boasts a vast number of ancient archaeological sites and cultural properties from the bygone era. You can visit Bulguksa or Seokguram Grotto Buddhist temples or click beautiful pictures by Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond. History buffs can visit Gyeongju National Museum.
Do not rush through your trip in a day to fully immerse yourself in the rich culture of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage city and check out the beautiful sites at leisure. Instead, book yourself into a nice accommodation so you can easily explore this lovely city.
Ditch the Gyeongju hotels. For a truly memorable holiday in this ancient city, consider staying in a traditional hanok. Continue reading for our list of hanoks in Gyeongju, South Korea.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 04, 2024.
1. Hanok 1st Street (from USD 66)
Hanok 1st Street boasts one-bedroom accommodation with an en suite bathroom. To make your stay comfortable, it comes with three comfy futon beds and air conditioning to keep the indoors cool. You’ll also find a kitchenette with a mini-fridge and a microwave, allowing you to heat and store the food.
The exterior showcases a traditional hanok structure with multi-cross-beam ceilings in the shared kitchen. The common dining area also has a low-height table where you can enjoy your meals with fellow travelers. Stroll in the garden and get enchanted with the beautiful sculptures there!
Hanok 1st Street
Address: 22, Cheonwon 1-gil
19.91 km (12.4 mi) from Yangdong Folk Village
2. Dorandoran Guesthouse (from USD 103)
Looking for a guest house to experience the traditional culture of South Korea? Then, make sure to book a stay at Dorandoran Guesthouse. In addition to full-day security, the property offers free parking to all of its guests. Thus, you can bring your vehicle and explore the nearby attractions peacefully.
Stay in the Korean-Style Double Room, which features Ondol, a traditional method of heating the floor in Korea. It also has futon beds and low-height TV units and dressers. The units also have private bathrooms with showers. After resting indoors, you can stroll in the garden or connect with fellow guests in the shared lounge.
Dorandoran Guesthouse
Address: 165-10, Cheomseong-ro
18.78 km (11.7 mi) from Yangdong Folk Village
3. Adam Guesthouse (from USD 66)
This beautiful guest house in Gyeongju places you close to several nearby attractions. The ancient observatory of Cheomseongdae is just around a 30-minute bus ride away and Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond is around a 40-minute bus ride away from here. If you don’t wish to go outdoors, you can unwind in the inner courtyard and enjoy the natural surroundings.
Unwind in the minimal rooms with futon beds for a good night’s rest. You can watch your favorite movie on the TV, featured in every air-conditioned unit. This guest house is made of wood with traditional doors and roofs to give you an authentic hanok experience.
Adam Guesthouse
Address: 24-4, Cheomseong-ro 49beon-gil
19.08 km (11.9 mi) from Yangdong Folk Village
4. Cheonggong Hanok Stay (from USD 56)
Enjoy the beautiful scenery from the gardens of this traditional Korean hotel features. The garden has several spots perfect for sitting around and enjoying each other’s company or solitude. The property offers rooms with a tea/coffee maker, a refrigerator where you can store your beverages, and free bottled water. Make sure you visit the popular Bulguksa Temple, only 2.8 kilometers (1.74 miles) away, especially the Seokguram Grotto, which is a part of the temple complex. For an authentic experience, the accommodations feature futon beds and low-height tables and seating.
Other nearby attractions include the Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village and Gyeongju National Museum.
Cheonggong Hanok Stay (Korea Quality)
Address: 5-6, Igu 2-gil, Ma-dong, Gyeongju-si, South Korea, 38128
24.9 km (15.5 mi) from Yangdong Folk Village
5. Yettle Hanok Stay (from USD 81)
Experience living in a traditional Korean house in Yettle Hanok Stay. You can take a leisurely stroll by the garden or enjoy the early morning sun from the terrace. Like most traditional hanok, For an authentic experience, it’s not only the exterior and furnishing that are traditional; you will also sleep in futons or mattresses on the floor and dine or drink on low tables. If you’re carving a snack, you can also whip something up in the shared kitchen.
Yettle Hanok Stay
Address: 9, Balgeunmaeul-gil
19.23 km (12.0 mi) from Yangdong Folk Village
6. Hyangdan Hanok Guesthouse (from USD 152)
Find the locations of the above hanok guesthouses too urbanised? How does a hanok stay within an authentic Korean Folk Village that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site sound to you? If this idea excites you and you are prepared to pay more for such a unique experience, check out Hyangdan located in Gyeongju Yangdong Village (경주 양동마을)!
Built in 1543, Hyangdan House was designated as the 412th National Treasure on 14th November 1964. The structure of the house is quite different from the other houses in the hanok village. It was said that King Jungjong, moved by Gyeongsang Province’s inspector Yi Eon-jeok’s filial piety for his ailing mother, built it intentionally in this manner for inspector Yi, so that the mother could move around more easily. Appreciate the thoughtfulness of the King as you stay in this national treasure!
Since the house is located in a real folk village currently inhabited by locals, enjoy the convenience of being able to explore the scenic natural surroundings and traditional culture right at your doorstep. As Korea’s largest traditional village, there are about 160 old houses and 500-year-old thatched-roof cottages nestled within the valley. Indeed, 54 of these homes are over 200 years old and have been remarkably preserved in their original state. So staying at Hyangdan will allow you to check out this alluring traditional village at a leisurely pace, without having to worry whether there is enough time to cover the large heritage site.
It may sound pricey to pay 160,510 KRW (140 USD) for a twin-sharing room per night at Hyangdan, but cultural buffs will agree that this is money well-spent as it’s not often you get to stay in a national treasure within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Staying at this hanok is a nice break from hotels in Gyeongju, South Korea. In addition to the wooden furniture, the units have tatami mats, futon beds, and low-height tea tables to provide a glimpse into the traditions of this place.
Hyangdan Hanok Guesthouse (Korea Quality)
Address: 135 Yangdong-ri, Gangdong-myeon (121-83 Yangdongmaeul-gil), Angang-eup, Gyeongju-si, South Korea, 780914
674 meters (0.5 ft) from Yangdong Folk Village
7. Sarangchae Traveler's Inn (사랑채 게스트하우스) (from USD 81)
Proud to be the first Gyeongju guesthouse opened in Korea when the concept of dormitory-style guesthouses was still fairly foreign, Sarangchae Traveler’s Inn has come a long way and remains one of the most highly-recommended hanok guesthouses in Gyeongju city. This traditional house may have been around for more than a century, but its interiors are still well-maintained without losing its old-school charm.
Location-wise, Sarangchae is in the same centralised area as Lucky Won, but is also blessed with quiet surroundings for an undisturbed rest at night. Its friendly owner, Mr An, is fluent in English and Japanese, and is always willing to offer you detailed information on what you can do in Gyeongju. A complimentary breakfast comprising toasts with jam or margarine, eggs, and coffee or green tea is provided. You will also have the opportunity to try on traditional Korean clothes called the hanbok here.
In addition, the main attraction of the inn is none other than the native Korean dog breed known as Sapsaree Dog of Gyeongsan. Since the Japanese Occupation (1910 - 1945), the Sapsaree became a source of leather and consequently became in danger of becoming extinct. Therefore, it is now designated and protected as a Natural Monument in the country. Characterised with long hair covering its eyes and body and drooping ears, the dog is loyal to its owner and believed to expel evil and misfortune. Dog-lovers can spend some time playing with Choko and her daughter Candy while staying in this century-old hanok.
Depending on your budget, you can choose to stay in a room with private bathroom or shared bathroom facility. A double or twin-sharing room with private bathroom costs 45,000 KRW (39.10 USD) per night. It may be double the price of that in Lucky Won, but considering the opportunity to stay in such an ancient but well-maintained traditional house, it’s still pretty reasonable!
Sarangchae Hanok Guesthouse
Address: 133-2, Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu
267.42 km (166.2 mi) from Yangdong Folk Village
8. Sillabang Guest House (신라방) (from USD 43)
Just 5 minutes’ walk from Gyeongju Station, where you can be connected to other parts of Korea by train, is Sillabang Guest House conveniently located in Gyeongju’s city centre. You can find the Large-size Mart and many restaurants and shops nearby. Tourist attractions such as the Gyeongjueupseong Ruins are also within close proximity to the guest house.
Furthermore, located on the other side of Gyeongju Station to the east, is the largest traditional market in Gyeongju - the Seongdong Market (성동시장). There are around 300 stores and 30 street vendors making a living in the market. Over here, you will be able to find the authentic Hwangnam Bread, a Gyeongju speciality popular with both locals and tourists. Just like the other traditional hanok guesthouses, the guest rooms in Sillabang are equipped with a shared kitchen, lounge and garden. What makes Sillabang stand out from the rest is the provision of the charcoal fire cooking facilities, tea room and calligraphy room, where guests can learn more about the Korean traditional culture as well as mingle with friends. In addition, this hanok accommodation is said to house the biggest guest rooms in the city, so space will no longer be a concern should you stay here!
Sillabang Guest House is ideal for guests planning to travel to other parts in the country, as it will be much more convenient to stay in the city centre within a stone’s throw of the railway station. Price starts from 45,000 KRW (39.10 USD) for a twin-sharing room with private bathroom per night.
Sillabang Guesthouse
Address: 323 Seongdong-Dong
17.68 km (11.0 mi) from Yangdong Folk Village
Lucky Won Guest House (락희원 게스트 하우스)
Tucked away in a quiet little alley in Hwangnam-dong, guests at Lucky Won Guest House enjoy the privacy of a peaceful stay in a Korean traditional housing. However, rest assured it is not isolated from the famous tourist attractions in Gyeongju Historic Area, because getting to Cheomseongdae Observatory (경주 첨성대) and Daereungwon Tomb (대릉원) is possible just within 10 minutes by foot. Turn left upon leaving the hanok, walk about 100 metres (328 feet) along the alley and you will reach the tourist street filled with many shops, restaurants and convenience stores. You can also find public buses that brings you to the bus terminal and railway station as well as other attractions in the city along this street for your convenience. What a perfect location for a private yet convenient stay in the beautiful city!
Upon arriving at the guesthouse, you will be pleasantly greeted with the sight of its lovely courtyard garden surrounded by the rooms. There are about 10 rooms in Lucky Won, with the small rooms for 2 guests and big rooms for 4 guests. All rooms are fitted with heated flooring, an air-conditioner, a private shower, towels, a hairdryer and television. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the hanok and there is a shared PC in the communal kitchen if you need one. You can also help yourself to the free coffee, tea, water and instant noodles in the kitchen.
The guesthouse owners may not speak English, but they have kindly prepared tourist maps and written advice about the city, with recommendations on things to do and what to eat around the area, in the kitchen too. Such thoughtful gestures are definitely appreciated by guests. An interesting thing to note, there is no real room key provided, instead you use a traditional long metallic spoon to “lock” it for some privacy. Feels like those familiar period drama scenes where you go back in time to the bygone era when people did not need to lock their traditional houses, doesn’t it?
How much would you be willing to pay for such a charming Gyeongju hanok stay? From 20,000 KRW (15.22 USD) (17.40 USD) for a twin-sharing room per night, this is definitely a bargain you don’t want to miss!
Lucky Won Guest House (락희원 게스트 하우스)
Address: 214-2 Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju-si, South Korea
Price: from 15.22 USD
Create awesome memories with a traditional hanok stay
In a historical city like Gyeongju, you can experience living in the same old houses Koreans have lived in for centuries if you book a stay at one of the above-mentioned awesome hanok accommodations.
Appreciate the wonderful hanok architecture made of wood and clay, with a dual-flooring concept that allows you to stay cool in the house during summer and stay warm during the cooler months. This will definitely be a worthwhile experience compared to staying in a typical hotel for your next trip to Gyeongju city. Have a fulfilling and wonderful time in the ancient city!
Frequently asked questions about hanoks in Gyeongju, South Korea
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