The street in front of Jongno 3-ga Station's Exit 6, central Seoul, bustles with people enjoying the vibrant outdoor ambiance in this photo taken on June 8. (Moon Joon-hyun/The Korea Herald)
The street in front of Jongno 3-ga Station's Exit 6, central Seoul, bustles with people enjoying the vibrant outdoor ambiance in this photo taken on June 8. (Moon Joon-hyun/The Korea Herald)

Time Out ranked Seoul's Jongno 3-ga as the coolest neighborhood in the world, up two spots from its 2021 ranking.

In an article published Wednesday, the London-based global media outlet highlighted Jongno 3-ga's timeless landscape and vibrant culture as its main appeal, describing it as a place where tradition coexists with a trendy vibe that keeps drawing young visitors.

The outlet credited the neighborhood's traditional hanoks with laying the groundwork for its transformation into a popular destination, as well as the recent boom in "pojangmacha," or late-night food stalls, on the streets.

L'Ocean District in Rabat, Morocco, ranked second out of the 40 coolest neighborhoods. The coastal district in Morocco's capital retains its independent shops and local culture while also hosting luxury hotels such as the Four Seasons.

Coming third was Neos Kosmos in Athens, Greece, followed by Los Angeles's Chinatown and Govanhill in Glasgow, Scotland.

Time Out magazine ranks notable neighborhoods each year based on recommendations from its writers and editors.

A screenshot of Time Out’s article explaining why Seoul’s Jongno 3-ga was selected as the world’s coolest neighborhood. (Time Out)
A screenshot of Time Out’s article explaining why Seoul’s Jongno 3-ga was selected as the world’s coolest neighborhood. (Time Out)

seoy@heraldcorp.com