Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

5.4Km 2024-11-27

196 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Itaewon was the first special tourist zone in Seoul, designated in 1997. It is a multicultural place where over 20,000 foreigners live and is widely recognized by international visitors.

The name Itaewon started to spread worldwide in the 1980s when Korea hosted the 1986 Seoul Asian Games and the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, as well as many international conferences. Since then, Itaewon has become a popular travel destination. Clothes and accessories with unique designs, and leather products in particular are famous. This is a go-to place for both shopping and entertainment. The street is crowded with shops selling clothes and bags, as well as hotels, restaurants, entertainment facilities and travel agencies. With about 2,000 shops and stores lining every street, visitors can experience a multicultural atmosphere. Also famous in the district is Antique Furniture Street where more than 100 shops selling furniture and antiques stretch from Hamilton Hotel toward Bogwang-ro.

Travelers can taste authentic cuisine and experience culture from around the globe on World Food Street where there are 40 restaurants operated by foreigners. Since the late 1990s, an increase in the number of tourists from Southeast Asia and the Middle East has transformed the streets from being US Army-oriented into culturally diverse. Various performances and events are held in the area. In particular, Itaewon Global Village Festival, held every October, is a famous festival. Tourists can pay in US dollars, Japanese yen, or another currency freely. In addition, visitors can use various languages like English, Japanese, and Chinese with the sellers.

Ferrara Korea - Itaewon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (페라라코리아 이태원)

5.4Km 2024-04-18

169, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Kervan Turkish Restaurant (케르반레스토랑)

5.4Km 2025-03-15

192 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Kervan is a Turkish restaurant located in Itaewon, offering authentic kebab, pidé, and Turkish desserts. It faithfully recreates the Turkish culture and food through its interior, decorated with traditional tiles, and dishes prepared by a chef from Türkiye. Main menus include Chicken steak, Rich pidé, and Chicken shish kebab.

The Hyoosik Nouvelle Seoul Itaewon (더휴식 누베르 서울 이태원점)

5.4Km 2025-04-08

11 Usadan-ro 14-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

The Hyoosik Nouvelle Seoul Itaewon aims to rediscover Seoul through creativity and inspiration. The overall design of the hotel is inspired by French avant-garde, using a variety of objects and props to create an artistic and stylish atmosphere. The hotel has Collection T room type, a twin bedroom; Collection D room type, a double bedroom; and Collection S room type, a single bedroom. On the first floor of the hotel is a guest lobby and a pasta restaurant. The hotel's parking lot is limited in space, and therefore guests are advised to use a nearby public parking lot.

Seoul Hyochang Park (서울 효창공원)

5.4Km 2024-07-09

177-18 Hyochangwon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2199-7608

Hyochang Park covers 122,245 square meters spanning across Hyochang-dong and Cheongpa 2-dong. It is a historic landmark that once contained several royal tombs, and was known at that time as Hyochangwon. The cemeteries that were originally located in Hyochangwon belonged to Crown Prince Munhyo, King Jeongjo’s first son who died at the age of five; Royal Noble Consort Uibin of the Seong Clan, King Jeongjo’s royal concubine and Crown Prince Munhyo’s mother; Royal Noble Consort Sugui of the Park Clan, King Sunjo’s royal concubine; and her daughter Princess Yeongon. The royal tombs were moved to Seooreung Tombs in the waning months of the Japanese colonial period. The Japanese empire began the development of Hyochangwon into a park in 1924, and the Japanese governor-general officially assigned the site as a park in 1940.

Presently, several of Korea’s greatest leaders are buried in Hyochang Park. The remains mostly belong to independence activists including Yoon Bong-gil, Lee Bong-chang, and Baek Jeong-gi, whose graves are collectively known as Samuisa Tomb. A statue of Lee Bong-chang has been built in the graveyard. Among the other patriotic martyrs who are interred in the park are Kim Gu and some of the key figures of the provisional government such as Lee Dong-nyeong, Cha I-seok, and Cho Seong-hwan. An ancestral shrine named Uiyeolsa has been built along the main gate and holds the portraits of the deceased independence activists.

Maison Hannam (메종 한남)

5.4Km 2024-12-27

24 UN village 3-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Remodeled from the prevoius Italian Embassy, this restaurant boasts an excellent view of the Hangang River and Lotte World Tower. It is a popular place for dates or birthday parties, requiring a reservation at least a month in advance to sit on the terrace with a view of the Hangang River. Among the recommended menus is the Maison Lunch Set, which offers three courses, including appetizers (such as grilled scallops), pasta, and Korean beef steak. The food is served warm, and the utensils are changed frequently for a pleasant meal. There is a glass greenhouse on the outdoor terrace, so guests can enjoy the Hangang River view regardless of the weather.

The War Memorial of Korea (전쟁기념관)

5.4Km 2022-12-29

29, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-709-3144

The War Memorial of Korea, located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, exhibits and preserves materials related to the Korean War and serves as a national moral educational venue. It was established on June 10, 1994 by the War Memorial Service Korea Society to commemorate the noble sacrifice of patriotic martyrs. The museum houses approximately 33,000 artifacts with about 10,000 on display at indoor and outdoor exhibitions. There are six separate indoor halls, including Expeditionary Forces Room, Patriotic Memorial Room, War History Room, 6·25 Korean War Room, Development Hall and Large Machinery Room. The outdoor exhibition showcases large-sized weapons. Visitors of all ages from children to adults can also participate in 20 various educational programs and diverse cultural events such as military music and honor guard events, drawing contest, cultural event and more. The character of War Memorial of Korea is ‘Mudori’ featuring a helmet symbolizing the protection of the nation and a bay leaf meaning peace.

Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital Seoul (순천향대학교 부속 서울병원)

5.5Km 2025-10-23

59 Daesagwan-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Soonchunhyang University Hospital Seoul has established a systematic and dedicated system for international patients covering all stages from pre-entry processes to departure and aftercare. Based on the medical records provided by the patient, we consult with the medical staff of each specialty to come up with an estimated treatment plan and costs to help patients prepare for their treatment in Korea. Our dedicated outpatient and inpatient teams provide expert medical interpretation, guidance, and integrated appointment management to ensure prompt and organized medical care for international patients throughout their stay. Complete with spacious and comfortable rooms, the International Ward is staffed by coordinators and a nursing team reserved for international patients. Multidisciplinary care with organized systems, state-of-the-art medical equipment, and top-notch medical staff ensure accurate diagnosis and the best treatment outcomes possible.

Ewha Womans University Museum (이화여자대학교박물관)

5.5Km 2022-09-14

52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3277-3152

The Ewha Womans University Museum was established in 1935 with the goal of preserving the cultural heritage of Korea. Originally, items related to folk art, traditional woodwork, and pottery were put on display in the hall of the main university to keep them from being confiscated during the Japanese occupation. This later led to the opening of the museum to display and store the growing collection.

Regular exhibitions of the museum’s collection have been taking place annually from 1972. Since 1996, the museum also held special exhibitions that focus on other themes related to cultural heritage. Additional small-scale exhibitions are also held frequently to promote Korea's traditional culture and art.

A ceramics research facility as well as a more traditional museum, a large portion of the museum’s efforts is focused on the research and excavation of kilns. To this aim, excavation teams from the museum have traveled to various parts of the country to conduct studies on historic sites and assess the value of artifacts. Through the publication of books and reports on its discoveries, the museum has contributed to raising knowledge and awareness of Korean cultural heritage in academia and among the public.

Ewha Welcome Center (이화웰컴센터)

5.5Km 2022-09-13

52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3277-3277

Ewha Welcome Center opened in 2013 as the first promotional center and visitor center of its kind on a university campus in Korea, comprised of an information desk, exhibition lounge, and gift shop. The information desk offers useful information to help visitors get the most out of their Ewha campus experience. The exhibition lounge introduces the history, traditions, and vision of the present-day and future of the university year-round. Visitors can purchase university gear at the gift shop. Furthermore, foreign visitors can take part in a range of campus tour programs in English and Chinese for an enriching experience.

Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구) - Area information - Korea travel information