Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

6.2Km 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.

National Gugak Museum (국립국악박물관)

6.2Km 2021-08-13

2364, Nambusunhwan-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul
+82-2-580-3130

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.

Kervan Turkish Restaurant (케르반레스토랑)

6.2Km 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)

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.

Grand Hyatt Seoul (그랜드 하얏트 서울)

6.3Km 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.

Munjeong-dong Rodeo Street (문정동 로데오거리)

6.3Km 2025-03-29

10, Dongnam-ro 4-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul
+82-2-400-1633

Munjeong-dong Rodeo Street is a large shopping district containing over 200 brand-name discount stores. The street is T-shaped, with a 1-kilometer-long main street connected to a 400-meter-long alley, and the Munjeong 1-dong Resident Center located at the center. For shoppers’ convenience, there is a public parking lot (if visitors purchase goods at Rodeo Street, they can park here for free) and a parking lot for foreign tourists only (free of charge). Munjeong-dong Rodeo Street is one of Korea’s major shopping streets with customers ranging from teenagers to adults, since discount stores stocking sports wear, casual wear, shoes, men’s and ladies’ suits, and golf wear are all located on this street. Moreover, this is a great place to find deals on famous brands, at prices lower than at a department store. On some items you can get discounts of up to 70-80%.

Since most of the goods are stock from previous seasons, it might be better to purchase the more classic styles rather than the trendy fashions. In some cases, the goods might have been slightly crumpled or stained during the transfer from warehouse storage, but taking them to the dry-cleaners should fix most problems. However you should be careful when looking at the sewing quality, and check for missing buttons.

One more thing to bear in mind is the shopping season. Even discount stores have periods when stock runs low. The best time to shop is immediately after the stores in Rodeo Street restock their merchandise. This is done at about the same time as department stores. There is also an enormous variety of goods to choose from during the Rodeo Festivals in May and September. The purchased goods are exchangeable but non-refundable, so check the quality of the products carefully before purchasing.

In addition, Munjeong-dong Rodeo Street has a wide selection of restaurants and entertainment facilities. There are a number of pizza places, coffee shops, and food courts, as well as internet cafes and game rooms in the alleys behind the stores. Visitors can also relax in the surrounding parks. There’s a park with a 600-year-old zelkova tree right behind the Munjeong 1-dong Resident Center. Munjeong Rodeo Street is not just a shopping district; it’s a cultural area. The ‘Munjeong-dong Cultural Festival’ takes place every year in May, and the ‘Munjeong-dong Rodeo Festival’ takes place in May every other year. During these festivals, visitors can watch traditional Korean performances, traditional wedding ceremonies, international fashion parades, hip-hop dancing, and more. A charity sale is held on weekends and national holidays on the open-air stage of the Munjeong 1-dong Resident Center, and merchandise is sold for even bigger discounts.

Paradise Casino Walker Hill (파라다이스 카지노 워커힐)

6.3Km 2025-05-16

177, Walkerhill-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
+82-1899-0700

Paradise Casino Walker Hill is a foreigner-exclusive casino operating inside Walker Hill Hotel, from where guests can enjoy a fine view of the Hangang River nearby. The casino is open 24 hours a day, all year round, and offers baccarat, blackjack, roulette, and tai-sai tables among others, and a variety of slot machines as well. The game tables are run by expert dealers, and staff members are fluent in many languages to serve the customers’ needs.

Vista Walkerhill Seoul, Wellness Club (비스타 워커힐 서울, 웰니스클럽)

6.3Km 2025-10-23

177, Walkerhill-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
+82-1670-0005

Vista Walkerhill Seoul is nestled in Achasan Mountain like a cloud overlooking the Hangang River. It offers beautiful natural sceneries that cannot be found in downtown. A combination of high technology and nature adds vitality while allowing guests to relax surrounded by nature. A new space where humans, nature, and the future coexist. Vista Walkerhill Seoul leads a sustainable and luxurious culture through differentiated and creative lifestyle experiences.

Grand Walkerhill Riverpark (Outdoor swimming pool) (그랜드 워커힐 리버파크 수영장(야외수영장))

6.3Km 2022-12-21

177, Walkerhill-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
+82-2-450-4630

Grand Walker Hill Riverpark is a swimming pool using water comprised of alkali ingredients such as sodium and potassium from underground granite. Since it opened in 1994, the Riverpark is one of Seoul's most popular summer getaways to enjoy swimming. Located by the Hangang River and Achasan Mountain, it provides fresh air as well as the beautiful nature scenery. People can use any of the various facilities, including the main pool, lazy river, swimming pool for children, pool-side restaurant offering special summer lunch, and sun tanning beds.

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