Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art (삼성미술관 리움) - Area information - Korea travel information

Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art (삼성미술관 리움)

6.0Km    2022-12-15

60-16, Itaewon-ro 55-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, exhibits traditional and modern art works by Korean and international artists. The museum itself is just as fascinating as the art works on display, since the museum's three buildings were designed by internationally renowned architects Mario Botta, Jean Nouvel, and Rem Koolhaas.

MUSEUM 1 houses traditional Korean art, such as calligraphy, paintings, ceramic arts, and metal craftwork, while MUSEUM 2 displays modern and contemporary art by both Korean and international artists.

Banpo Hangang Park (반포한강공원)

Banpo Hangang Park (반포한강공원)

6.1Km    2025-10-23

40 Sinbanpo-ro 11-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul

Banpo Hangang Park is located on the southern side of the river centering on Banpo Bridge (Jamsu Bridge) between Hamnam Bridge (upstream) and Dongjak Bridge (downstream). The Rainbow Fountain built on both sides of Banpo Bridge was registered in The Guinness Book of Records in 2008 as the longest bridge fountain in the world with a total length of 1,140 meters. At night, over 200 lights create a fantastic view of a beautiful rainbow.

In addition, the park is equipped with sports facilities including bubble playground, in-line skating track, soccer field, and basketball court. You may also enjoy the gorgeous view of Hangang River and skyscrapers on the riverside from Gureum and Noeul cafes, lookout places located on the southernmost part of Dongjak Bridge.

Seoraeseom Island which connects from Banpo Hangang River Park is an artificially created island to provide a leisure space for Seoul urbanites. Every spring, the place is flooded with waves of canola flowers and people to enjoy picnic and spring events like ‘Searaeseom Butterfly, Canola Flower Festival’.

Your joyful experience in the park doesn’t end here - there are more things to see and enjoy including a nature experience field, boat quay, bike lane, and picnic spots.

The Hyoosik Nouvelle Seoul Itaewon (더휴식 누베르 서울 이태원점)

The Hyoosik Nouvelle Seoul Itaewon (더휴식 누베르 서울 이태원점)

6.1Km    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.

Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain (반포대교 달빛무지개분수)

Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain (반포대교 달빛무지개분수)

6.1Km    2025-10-23

647 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul

The Rainbow Fountain plunges 20 meters into the water on both side of Banpo Bridge over the Hangang River. When the sun goes down, 200 lights illuminate the fountain as it sends out dancing, rainbow-colored jets of water in the air in synchronization with music. The fountain boasts spectacular views from the hills, the Hangang River observation deck, and the moon-shaped Moonlight Square. Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain operates every day from April to October, four to six times a day for 20 minutes.

Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

6.1Km    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.

Kervan Turkish Restaurant (케르반레스토랑)

6.1Km    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.

Itaewon Antiques Street (이태원 앤틱 가구 거리)

Itaewon Antiques Street (이태원 앤틱 가구 거리)

6.2Km    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.

National Gugak Museum (국립국악박물관)

National Gugak Museum (국립국악박물관)

6.2Km    2021-08-13

2364, Nambusunhwan-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul

The National Gugak Museum opened on February 23, 1995 as the first gugak museum in Korea, featuring approximately 6,000 pieces of gugak-related materials and relics which have both historical and cultural value. It is comprised of seven themed permanent exhibition halls that present 250 pieces of audio and video clips regarding gugak. In the 3D room, visitors can enjoy 3D animation at all times. The museum also hosts special exhibitions in unique and interesting themes.

National Gugak Center (국립국악원)

6.2Km    2025-01-17

2364 Nambusunhwan-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul

The National Gugak Center is the governing body established to preserve and promote traditional Korean performing arts. The center can accommodate every type of traditional performing arts, such as palace music, court music, and all other genres including major productions of changgeuk (Korean musical drama). Originally opened in Busan in 1951, the center moved to its current location in Seoul in 1987. The center also opened branch locations in Namwon, Jindo, and Busan in 1992, 2004, and 2008 respectively.

Grand Hyatt Seoul (그랜드 하얏트 서울)

Grand Hyatt Seoul (그랜드 하얏트 서울)

6.2Km    2025-10-23

322, Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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.