Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

4.4Km 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.

LG Best Shop - Banpo Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (엘지베스트샵 반포점)

4.4Km 2024-04-18

165, Sinbanpo-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul

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Grand Hyatt Seoul (그랜드 하얏트 서울)

4.4Km 2025-10-23

322, Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-797-1234

The Grand Hyatt Seoul is an international business hotel located 10 minutes away from the center of the city and 20 minutes away from Yeouido and Gangnam, boasting a view of the Hangang River to the south and the scenery of Namsan Mountain to the north. It is also located only 70 minutes and 50 minutes away from Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport respecitvely, making the hotel a convenient option for international travelers.

Grand Hyatt Seoul has twelve restaurants and bars that serve authentic meals and develop menus that lead the culinery trend. The hotel is also equipped with conference rooms, sports facilities, and spa services.

Olive Young - Gangbyeon Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 강변역)

4.4Km 2024-04-17

10, Gangbyeonyeok-ro 4-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul

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

4.4Km 2024-04-23

195, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Olive Young - Dapsimni Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 답십리역점)

4.4Km 2024-06-27

1F, #103, 81, Gomisul-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul

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Koibito - Gangnam Main Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (고이비토 강남본점)

4.5Km 2024-04-18

310-3, Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul

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Kervan Turkish Restaurant (케르반레스토랑)

4.5Km 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.

Geumdwaeji Sikdang (금돼지식당)

4.5Km 2025-10-28

149 Dasan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Geumdwaeji Sikdang is renowned as one of the top three pork restaurants in Seoul, specializing in pork dishes. Its signature menu item is the nunkkon moksal (grilled pork shoulder), known for its marbled appearance resembling snowflakes. Bonsamgyeop (grilled bone-in pork belly) and deungmoksal (short loin and pork shoulder) are also popular choices. They offer fragrant basil wraps as a side dish, which perfectly complements the slightly grilled basil with the juicy and flavorful meat, creating a harmonious taste sensation that is considered a delicacy at this establishment.

Itaewon Antiques Street (이태원 앤틱 가구 거리)

4.5Km 2025-04-11

109-1 Bogwang-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Itaewon Antiques Street was formed around the late 1960s, when a group of antique dealerships from Asia, Europe, and North America settled in the district. This 1km-long street is home to antique dealers offering antique sofa, chairs, and tables. Some shops also offer antique decorations, accessories, and clothing. It is a famous shopping district with its own unique ambience from that of Seoul. During spring and autumn, Itaewon Antique Festival takes place, allowing visitors to shop and enjoy cultural performances.

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