Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

6.5Km 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.

yyk [Tax Refund Shop] (와이와이케이)

6.5Km 2024-06-27

13, Itaewon-ro 54ga-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Kervan Turkish Restaurant (케르반레스토랑)

6.5Km 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.

National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관)

6.5Km 2025-11-21

137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

The National Museum of Korea houses a vast collection of artifacts from ancient times to the modern era in a wide range of topics, including art and culture. The museum houses a Children's Museum, where visitors can learn more about the nation's history through educational programs and experiences. The outdoor grounds feature pagodas and other stone artworks too large to be on display inside.

In addition to galleries with a wide array of national and international pieces, the National Museum of Korea is a stage for a number of cultural activities related to collection, preservation, research and analysis, social training, academic publications, intercultural exchange programs, concerts, and more.

Exprive (주식회사 엑스프리베)

6.6Km 2025-10-23

#705, 38 Ttukseom-ro 13-gil (Seongsu-dong 2-ga, Sangsang Planet), Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Exprive Medical is a certified international patient attraction agency that safely connects overseas patients with Korea’s high-quality medical services. Our main services include discovering and consulting with international patients, coordinating customized hospital connections, and providing interpretation and convenience support. Through personalized services tailored to each patient, we contribute to enhancing the value of Korea’s medical tourism.

Childrens Museum of the National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관 어린이박물관)

6.6Km 2021-09-15

137, Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2077-9000

The Children’s Museum of the National Museum of Korea is an experience-oriented museum where children can see, touch, and feel history through hands-on programs and games. The permanent exhibition hall displays replicas of historical items so children can learn about Korea’s cultural heritage in a fun and interactive way. Children can also experience the lifestyle and wisdom of the past through experience programs.

Daelim Changgo Gallery (성수동 대림창고 갤러리)

6.6Km 2025-03-18

78 Seongsui-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Daelim Changgo Gallery, which is a landmark in Seongsu-dong, is a red-brick building that was once used as a rice mill in the 1970s. It is now a cafe and art gellery that preserves as much of the original rice mill atmosphere as possible so it exudes fascinatingly vintage vibes, widely loved by young couples.

Ongeundal (옹근달)

6.6Km 2025-10-29

41-1, Seongsui-ro 7-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

This bakery in Seongsu-dong boasts a colorful and unique visual, and is gaining popularity for its “cruffin,” a hybrid of a croissant and muffin. The menu includes a variety of breads and desserts, such as canelé, pound cake, crumble, and mille-feuille, making it a paradise for bread-lovers. The courtyard of the building, which was remodeled from an old factory, has thick bushes and a small square pond, offering a unique view. The floor-to-ceiling windows in this two-story building create the feeling of a wide, open space, making it full of photo opportunities.

G-Cosmo - Itaewon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (지코스모 이태원)

6.6Km 2024-04-23

195, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Seoul Grand Park (서울대공원)

6.6Km 2023-03-17

102, Daegongwongwangjang-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-2-500-7335

Seoul Grand Park is a family-friendly amusement park consisting of various themed facilities that promote the growth and preservation of diverse animals and plants.

[Seoul Zoo]
Seoul Zoo aims to provide an ideal environment for animals to grow and live as well as exhibit, preserve, and research rare animals and educate the public. As a result of the zoo's hard work and efforts, it is the only zoo in Korea to be certified as a member of both ISIS and IUDZG-WZO.

[Botanical Garden]
Seoul Grand Park's Botanical Garden was opened in 1985 amidst the lush forest situated at the foot of Cheonggyesan Mountain. The garden consists of a greenhouse, exhibition facilities, and themed gardens that boast a collection of over 41,000 plants from 1,262 different species. The greenhouse preserves and exhibits tropical and subtropical plants that are not found in Korea. Moreover, the Botanical Garden offers various activities and experience programs related to plants and forests.

[Theme Garden]
The Theme Garden is one of the most representative facilities of Seoul Grand Park. The Theme Garden consists of a Rose Garden and Children's Zoo. Seasonal plants and flowers as well as diverse themed garden programs are offered.

[Healing Place]
The Healing Place is a forest formed at the foothills of Cheonggyesan Mountain that surrounds the border of Seoul Grand Park. Main facilities consist of Healing Forest Walkway; Water, Wind & Sunshine Healing Zone; Barefoot Road; Aroma Garden; and Forest Plaza.

[Healing Forest Walkway]
Healing Forest Walkway is a walking path lined by diverse trees that form a lush forest serving as a habitat for small animals like squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, and more. The walking path is approximately 8 kilometers long and divided into four sections. The shortest course takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, while the full course requires 3 hours.

[Campsite]
The campsite within the Seoul Grand Park is the perfect place to camp out, hold picnics and enjoy recreational activities with friends and families. The main facilities consist of a campsite, volleyball court, basketball court, snack bar, and shower facilities. The campsite is open from March to November, except in the case of harsh weather conditions.

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