Itaewon Special Tourist Zone (이태원 관광특구)

3.2Km 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.

Paraboot - Hannam Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (파라부트 한남)

3.2Km 2024-04-23

228-1, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Danggogae Catholic Martyrs' Shrine (당고개순교성지)

3.2Km 2020-03-18

139-26, Cheongpa-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-711-0933

Danggogae Catholic Martyrs' Shrine is located on the small hill just five minutes away from Yongsan Eletronics Market. 10 Catholics were martyred on this hill during the Gihae Persecution in 1839 including Choi Gyeong-hwan (Francis)'s wife Lee Seong-rye (Maria).

Nine of the 10 martyrs are now recognized as saints. Lee Seong-rye, the mother of Father Thomas Choi Yang-eop (Korea's second ordained priest), has not yet been canonized although she did suffer martyrdom. The reason was that the mother briefly put aside her faith because of the pressures of raising five children after she had her oldest son, Thomas. However, the difficulty of combining these two interests was eventually overcome and she died a martyr.

Aside from serving as a memorial site, Danggogae Catholic Martyrs' Shrine also offers a commanding view of Seoul. Nearby tourist attractions include Saenamteo Catholic Holy Place of the Martyrs, which is a Catholic church with Korean architecture, and Yongsan Family Park.

Alleys of Changsin-dong (창신동골목길)

3.2Km 2024-10-30

38, Jibong-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

K-movie <PARASITE> - A town full of nostalgia
On the day Kitaek's family returned home, the torrential rain flowed ferociously in streams. The alleys of Changsin-dong, with its narrow and steep stairs, were a good backdrop for visually representing the condition of the Kitaek’s family, who were about to fall. Changsin-dong is a warm and charming neighborhood where traces of the 70s and 80s can be felt.

The Hyoosik Nouvelle Seoul Itaewon (더휴식 누베르 서울 이태원점)

3.2Km 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.

KGC - Dongmyo Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (KGC 동묘점)

3.2Km 2024-04-22

347, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Hwanghak-dong Flea Market (Dokkaebi Market / Manmul Market) (황학동 벼룩시장 (도깨비시장/만물시장))

3.2Km 2025-04-11

11-7 Majang-ro 5-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Hwanghak-dong Flea Market was named after the way how merchants travel from one place to another all over the country, as if like fleas hopping around from one spot to another, to collect rare and valuable items. This market was once a haven of antiques and collectibles, but with the formation of old-fashioned art street in 1983 in Janganpyeong, many classic art shops had moved out, leaving only used item and general goods stores. Now, visitors can find stores selling antiques, used furniture, electronics, clocks, jewelry, musical instruments, camera, and machinery – pretty much anything one can name. Hwanghak-dong Flea Market is also referred to as Dokkaebbi Market, to describe how even the most rundown items become just like new, as if like the work of a dokkaebi (Korean folk goblin).

Inwangsan Mountain Chosochaekbang (인왕산 더숲 초소책방)

3.2Km 2024-03-06

172 Inwangsan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Inwangsan Mountain Chosochaekbang is a bakery and book café located along the trail of Inwangsan Mountain, remodeled from an old police station. Surrounded by glass walls within the forest, it blends seamlessly with nature, offering a panoramic view of Namsan Tower through the transparent windows. On the second floor terrace, guests can enjoy the scenic view of Seoul. Freshly baked bread and desserts are available daily, and the venue occasionally hosts book talks and music concerts.

Monday Edition [Tax Refund Shop] (주식회사 먼데이에디션)

3.2Km 2024-04-23

1F, Store #1, Store#2 (Hannam-dong), 57, Daesagwan-ro 11-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Taj Palace (타지펠리스)

3.2Km 2017-10-28

39, Usadan-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-790-5786, +82-2-777-5786

Named after the Taj Mahal, Taj Palace serves authentic Indian dishes prepared by an Indian chef. The restaurant owner hired the Indian chef in hopes of introducing real Indian food to Korean people. Some of the most popular dishes in the restaurant include tandoori (barbecue) dishes, Indian fried rice called "briyani," toasted bread, Indian beverages, and the “set meal."

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