Things To Do In Gangnam, Seoul: The Local’s Guide to Korea’s Most Glamorous District

Last Updated on March 30, 2026

Gangnam isn’t a neighbourhood you stumble through and love instantly the way you might Ikseon-dong or Seongsu. It’s a district you need to know how to read. Without a plan, you can end up wandering between glass office towers and luxury car showrooms wondering what the fuss is about. With a plan, you find the viral honey makgeolli bar tucked into Sinsa-dong, the UNESCO-listed royal tombs hidden between skyscrapers, the Sulwhasoo flagship that’s one of the most beautiful spaces in Seoul, and the K-pop history trail that BTS fans cross oceans for.

I’ve been visiting Gangnam for two decades, not as often as Hongdae or the neighborhoods north of the river, but enough to know what’s genuinely worth your time and what you can skip. This is that guide.

Want to skip around this post? Here are the sections to look out for:

• Gangnam Quick Guide
• What You Should Know About Gangnam
• Where To Stay in Gangnam
• Shopping in Gangnam
• Things To Do in Gangnam
• What To See in Gangnam
• Where to Eat & Drink in Gangnam
• FAQ

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Gangnam Quick Guide

Best for	K-beauty experiences, K-pop heritage, upscale dining, art museums
Neighborhoods to know	Sinsa-dong, Cheongdam-dong, Samseong-dong, Apgujeong-dong
Getting there	Gangnam Station (Line 2), Apgujeong Rodeo Station (Bundang Line)
How long to spend	Half a day for highlights; full day if adding beauty treatments
Best time to visit	Afternoon into evening, many spots open late
Don’t miss	Sulwhasoo Flagship, K-Star Road, Bongeunsa Temple, Sinsa Jeon

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What You Should Know About Gangnam

Did you know Gangnam is NOT just the area around Gangnam station? Don’t be confused. Gangnam is actually a district or -gu that is home to Cheongdam-dong, Nonhyeon-dong, Sinsa-dong, and Samseong-dong among other neighborhoods you might already be familiar with.

When Psy’s song first came out, I was inundated with questions about what to see and do in Gangnam. While the majority of traditional and historical sites to see are north of the river, Gangnam hits with K-beauty, luxury shopping, and fine dining.

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Where To Stay In Gangnam

There are numerous hotels in Gangnam and most of them cater to the business traveler as the district also has a ton of companies that people are flying in to meet and greet. Here are two hotels that we’ve stayed out for a staycation in Seoul. These are both in a great location near the subway and we enjoyed ourselves and hope you do too!

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Shopping in Gangnam

Gangnam’s shopping is different from Hongdae or Myeongdong. There is less streetwear and character goods, more luxury labels, Korean designer boutiques, and high-end beauty stores. Here’s where to focus.

Garosu-gil (가로수길)

The tree-lined street of Garosu-gil in Sinsa-dong is Gangnam’s most walkable shopping street. Independent boutiques, flagship stores for Korean designers, cafes spilling onto the pavement, and a pace that’s genuinely pleasant.

It runs for about 700 meters and is best explored slowly, ducking into whatever catches your eye. Don’t neglect the side streets in this area. The Garosu-gil shops have spread out into the streets just over now as well so it’s a district of shopping fun finds.

Apgujeong Rodeo Street (압구정 로데오거리)

Korea’s answer to Rodeo Drive with luxury brands, upscale Korean labels, and the starting point for K-Star Road. The area has evolved significantly over the decades and now blends high fashion with K-pop culture rather neatly. Worth walking even just to see the flagship stores and people-watch.

Cheongdam-dong (청담동)

Cheongdam is where the genuinely wealthy shop. International luxury houses, Korean designers, private showrooms. It’s not a casual browsing experience but if you want to see what the top end of Korean fashion and beauty retail looks like, there’s nothing like it.

COEX Underground Mall

The largest underground shopping mall in Asia… and easy to get lost in. Multiple levels, hundreds of stores, a cinema, restaurants, and direct access to two Intercontinental Hotels and the Convention Center. A wet day option as much as a shopping destination.

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What To Do In Gangnam

Eating and shopping aren’t the only two things to do in Gangnam. From luxury spa experiences to an awesome city bus tour to your very own K-pop experience, there’s plenty to fill your day with while visiting Gangnam. Note, you can also get from here to the Banpo Han River Park or Jamwon Han River Park easily so head there for a fun-filled day in Gangnam.

Visit the beautiful Sulwhasoo Flagship Store

Sulwhasoo is the premier luxury Korean skincare brand and though it can be a bit on the pricey side, it is worth it! The store is stunning and super Instagrammable too. There’s really no reason you shouldn’t visit if you’re headed to the Gangnam district. Learn more in this complete guide to the Sulwhasoo Flagship Store and make sure to reserve an in-house experience before you go!

• Address: 18 Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 강남구 도산대로 45길 18)
• Days: Closed every first Monday of the month, New Year’s Day and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day)
• Hours: 10:00am ~ 9:00pm

Get A Spa Treatment

Gangnam is known for some of the most high-end skin care treatments in Seoul so if you’re looking to have your own premium experience, definitely find a spa in this area. Here are some of the most recommended spots:

Sulwhasoo Spa: Sulwhasoo is a high-end label that any K-beauty enthusiast will recognize. This premium spa is located at Sulwhasoo’s flagship store in Gangnam and offers Korean herbal medicinal anti-aging care with their luxury products and their jade, amber, and white porcelain tools. The flagship store itself is just stunning but then to have an exquisite spa experience makes it even better.

• Address: B1, 18 Dosan-Daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul(서울시 강남구 도산대로 45길 18 설화수 플래그십 스토어 B1)
• Hours: 10:00am ~ 9:00pm
• Make a reservation: Book your experience on Sulwhasoo.

Spa 1899: This spa is known for a signature Red Ginseng treatment and they focus on slow-aging, balancing, and rejuvenation. The calm and relaxing ambiance will leave any visitor feeling ready to take on the world once more.

• Address: B2, KT&G Tower, 1002 Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울시 강남구 대치동 1002번지 KT&G타워 B2층)
• Hours: 9:00am ~ 11:00pm
• Make a reservation: Book your treatment on Klook.

Get professional headshots at Sihyunhada

More than a photography studio, Sihyunhada personalizes every shoot with 1:1 consultations. With a unique tailored approach, you end up with gorgeous headshots and they are more budget-friendly than you might think. A great opportunity to jazz up your profile pictures.

• Address: 53-6 Teheran-ro 19-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 강남구 테헤란로19길 53-6, 단독주택)
• Hours: 10:30am ~ 6:30pm
• Book a Session: Reservations for the Gangnam branch can be made via Creatrip.

Rent Gyobok K-Style School Uniforms

Renting Korean school uniforms is just as fun for tourists as it is for local teenagers. Look like your favorite idol or K-pop group or dress up like your favorite actor or actress from a Korean drama. It will amp up your photos from Gangnam. You can find Gyobok K-Style School Uniform rental options here. This is especially popular in the spring when the cherry blossoms are blooming in Seoul. You’ll find people rent the uniforms and then head to beautiful Seokchon Lake to see the blossoms in bloom.

Try the Viral 15-step Korean Scalp Treatment

Gangnam has become popular as a selfcare and beauty capital of Seoul for a lot of visitors and there’s everything from facials to the viral scalp treatments. The 15-step scalp treatments took over social media, with the process going viral. Designed to cleanse, rejuvenate, and nourish the scalp, the key is consistency and this is where to start.

ParkJun Beauty Lab: I took advantage of the 15-step scalp care routine at Park Jun Beauty Lab in Gangnam, but they have a number of branches so you can find the one nearest to you.

• Locations: Available all over the country. Search “박준뷰티랩” and find the nearest branch to you.
• Hours: Every day: 10:00am ~ 8:00pm
• How To Book: You can book a service with Park Jun Beauty Lab on Creatrip. (This link goes to the Gangnam branch I visited.)

JUNO HAIR: A popular company with branches all over Seoul, JUNO HAIR features a scalp treatment as well as the opportunity to get your hair cut, colored, and permed, too.

• Locations: JUNO HAIR is located all over Seoul, from Hongdae to Gangnam. Fine one that’s nearest you.
• Hours: Every day: 10:00am ~ 9:00pm
• How To Book: You can book a service with JUNO HAIR on Creatrip. (This link goes to the Hongdae location, but Creatrip has all of the locations listed.)

Try Traditional Hair Care at Lee Moon Won Clinic

The Lee Moon Won Clinic has been specialized and focused on hair and scalp issues since 2005. Lee Moon Won utilizes active ingredients extracted from plants that can be safely consumed internally. They DO NOT use hormone drugs, steroids, or hormone blockers for their treatments.

• Address: 33 Seolleung-ro 132-gil, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울시 강남구 청담동 선릉로132길 33)
• Hours: Monday – Wednesday: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm; Friday: 10:00am ~ 9:00pm; Saturday: 9:00am ~ 4:30pm
• How To Book: You can book a service with the Lee Moon Won Clinic through Klook.
• Languages: The Lee Moon Won Hair Clinic offers multilingual services in English, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, and Korean.

Sing Like A K-Pop Idol!

Psy made Gangnam ultra famous around the world so it’s no wonder that visitors from around the world come just to see the neighborhood he was singing about. A popular activity to do in the area now is to act like your favorite K-pop idol and make a recording. Don’t be left out of the fun. You can get your own professional studio and sing sing sing. You can book your K-Pop Vocal Recording & Making Video Experience here. 

See the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Show

Visit the Banpo Han River Park for a picnic and check out the Banpo Bridge to see the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Show (반포대교 달빛무지개분수). The Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Show is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest bridge fountain in the world and measures 1,140 meters long.

The fountain is programmed to play different shows during the day and the night. The program during the day shows a hundred different configurations to evoke waving willow branches and leaves while the program during the night features rainbow colored jets of water synchronized with music, which is why the bridge is the most famous. Learn more about what time to you can see the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Show.

• Address: 40 Sinbanpo-ro 11-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 서초구 신반포로11길 40)
• Hours: April 1st – June 30th & September 1st – October 31st: Weekdays: 12:00pm; 8:00pm; 8:30pm; 9:00pm; Weekends and holidays: 12:00pm; 7:30pm; 8:00pm; 8:30pm; 9:00pm; July 1st – August 31st: Weekdays: 12:00pm; 7:30pm; 8:00pm; 8:30pm; 9:00pm; Weekends: 12:00pm; 7:30pm; 8:00pm; 8:30pm; 9:00pm; 9:30pm

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What To See In Gangnam

Looking for street art in Seoul? Fun art museums or aquariums? Or maybe the largest underground shopping mall in the world? Gangnam isn’t just for the K-pop celebrities and the elite, there is plenty for you to get out and about to see from Garosu-gil to Cheongdam-dong, make sure you know what to see in Gangnam. If you want to see the spots but don’t want to get lost, join a walking tour.

One of the most popular Airbnb experiences is a Walking Tour Of Gangnam By Moonlight. You can visit special K-Pop locations, COEX, K-Star Road and Bongeunsa. Take advantage of a night in Gangnam and book your tour here.

K Museum of Contemporary Art (K현대미술관)

I often plan trips around the city based around the art museums I want to visit. While I love cafe hopping, I can only do that so much before I’m full and need a break from stuffing myself. The K Museum of Contemporary Art has various exhibitions going on at the same time and they were all rather ‘weird’. That is to say, maybe don’t go here expecting to find older works but you will probably find quirky experiential art exhibitions which meant it was great for me with a toddler tagging along.

We had a lot of fun with this. I would definitely go back to check out the other exhibitions in the museum. Check their website for current exhibitions.

• Address: 807 Seolleung-ro, Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 강남구 선릉로 807)
• Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00am ~ 7:00pm
• Admission: Adults: W15,000; Middle School/High School Students: W12,000; Elementary Students: W10,000; Children: W8,000

Hallyu K-Star Road (한류스타거리)

The Hallyu K-Star Road (한류스타거리) is a popular jaunt for K-pop enthusiasts. It’s a 30-45 minute walk to see all 17 Gangnamdols that pay homage to some of K-pops best acts. GangnamDols are life-size bear statues printed with images and logos of popular K-pop groups. The name combines Gangnam + idol + doll, and they’re basically giant K-pop-themed art toys. Have fun spotting them all.

• Address: 407 Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 강남구 압구정로 407)
• Directions: Take the subway to Apgujeong Rodeo Station. For the start of K-Star Road: Use Exit 2. For the GangnamDol Haus souvenir shop: Use Exit 7*. Start at Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 2 and walk toward Cheongdam Crossroads. This 1.08 km stretch is part K-pop tribute, part high-end fashion walk.

Songeun Culture Venue (송은문화재단)

The Songeun Culture Venue (송은문화재단) is a non-profit organization established in 1989. They have a mission to support emerging artists which means you never know what you’ll see when you visit. They host some very interesting exhibitions. Take your time for a visit in this beautiful space designed by renowned Swiss architecture firm, Herzog & de Meuron.

• Address: 441 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울시 강남구 도산대로 441)
• Website: www.songeun.or.kr

Old BigHit Entertainment Building

One of the most popular destinations for ARMY is the building where it all began. The first office and headquarters of Big Hit Entertainment is where BTS spent their trainee days in preparation to debut in 2013. Here until 2017, today, it’s covered in messages of love and adoration for BTS from fans from all over the world.

• Address: Cheonggu Building, 10-31 Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam, Seoul (서울 강남구 도산대로16길 13-20)

Samneung Park (서울선릉과정릉)

Gangnam can be ritzy and glitzy, but there are still places to chill out and take a break. Much like Seooreung in northwestern Seoul, this park is home to several tombs for Korean royals including King Seongjong, Queen Jeonghyeon, and King Jungjong. Take a walk in this park that is an UNESCO Heritage Site and learn about the kings and queen buried here while getting a breath of fresh air and enjoying some peace and quiet.

While it does house tombs, don’t think of it as a graveyard. It’s really a large forest and if you didn’t know that Korean tombs look like grassy mounds, you’d probably walk right by without noticing them. Need a break from the hustle and bustle? This is the park to find.

• Address: 131 Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu (서울특별시 강남구 삼성동 131)
• Hours: 6:00am ~ 9:00am
• Admission: W1,000

Bongeunsa Temple (봉은사)

Just across the street from COEX, this is one of the easiest temple to add onto an itinerary when visiting Seoul because it’s so close to a subway station unlike many temples in Korea which sit further up on mountains. It is also gorgeous and has a lot of history. Bongeunsa is a beautiful Buddhist temple in Seoul that you can visit during the day and at night. When I stopped in one evening before a dinner date in COEX, I had the spot to myself which was very calming.

If you want to learn about the temple and take an evening tour like I did, check out this awesome Airbnb tour hosted by WonYoung and enjoy this beautiful temple. This temple was built in 1498 and when you look into the history of the temple, there is a lot of drama surrounding it. You can read more about the drama and history in this post.

• Address: 73 Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu (서울특별시 강남구 삼성동 73)

COEX (코엑스)

Just across the street from Bongeunsa Temple, COEX is the largest underground shopping mall in the world! Honestly, it’s easy to get lost inside, but just find an elevator or staircase leading up, and you’ll be able to get out easy enough. There’s so much to see and do in COEX that it really needs a post unto itself, but suffice it to say, it’s a must see.

From shopping shopping shopping to a movie theater, the Kimchi Museum, Coex Aquarium, 2 Intercontinental Hotels, and a casino as well as a City Airport Terminal that allows tourists to check-in, go through immigration, and drop off bags, it’s an amazing spot for visitors to visit and even stay at while in the city.

• Address: 159 Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu (서울특별시 강남구 삼성동 159)

Sikmulgwan (식물관PH)

Many people would probably be surprised by just how far Gangnam district stretches. Head south to Suseo Station and you’re still in Gangnam and you can see an amazing greenhouse cafe which is totally on trend right now.

The Sikmulgwan is a greenhouse cafe and gallery which has a cool modern and chic design aesthetic. There are plants filling the space but in a well planned photo-op sort of way and plenty of space for visitors to spread out. This is a must see along with some other awesome greenhouse cafes that have cropped up around Seoul.

• Address: 590-1 Suseo-dong, Gangnam-gu (서울특별시 강남구 수서동 590-1)
• Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 9:00am ~ 9:00pm
• Admission: W10,000

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Where To Eat & Drink in Gangnam

Gangnam has some fantastic bars and restaurants so if you’re interested in the food scene, pay attention. It’s not all glitz and glam, but it can be.

Sinsa Jeon (신사전)

This spot in the Sinsa area of Gangnam has gone viral for their honey makgeolli. A honeycomb comes tableside where the staff cut a piece off for each cup at the table. Order some popular dishes that go well with Korean rice wine like yukhoe, or beef tartare, potato jeon, or tofu and kimchi.

• Address: 18 Dosan-daero 11-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울 강남구 도산대로11길 18)
• Hours: Every day: 10:30am ~ 1:00am

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FAQ

Is Gangnam worth visiting in Seoul?

Yes, with the right expectations. Gangnam isn’t the place to go for traditional Korean culture or historic sites, but it’s excellent for K-beauty experiences, K-pop heritage, upscale dining, and modern Korean design. Most visitors to Seoul spend at least half a day here.

What is Gangnam known for?

Gangnam is known for being Seoul’s wealthiest district, home to luxury brands, high-end cosmetic surgery clinics, K-pop entertainment companies, and some of Korea’s finest restaurants. It gained international fame through Psy’s 2012 song “Gangnam Style” but has a richer identity than the song suggests.

How do I get to Gangnam from central Seoul?

Gangnam Station is on Subway Line 2 — the green circle line — making it easily accessible from Hongdae, Sinchon, City Hall, and Dongdaemun. The journey from Hongdae takes around 30 minutes. For Apgujeong and the Cheongdam area, Apgujeong Rodeo Station on the Bundang Line is more convenient.

How long do I need in Gangnam?

Half a day covers the main highlights comfortably with spots like K-Star Road, Bongeunsa Temple, COEX, and a meal. A full day allows you to add beauty treatments at Sulwhasoo or the scalp treatment clinics, more leisurely shopping on Garosu-gil, and the Banpo Bridge fountain show in the evening.

Is Gangnam good for K-pop fans?

Very much so. K-Star Road features 17 GangnamDol statues representing major K-pop groups. The old BigHit Entertainment building, where BTS trained before their debut, is a pilgrimage site for ARMY. The area around Cheongdam-dong has numerous entertainment company buildings and occasionally spots idol sightings.

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Gangnam rewards the visitor who comes with the right expectations. It’s not where you go to find old Seoul. For that, head to Bukchon or Insadong. It’s where you go to understand modern Korea at its most polished and ambitious: the beauty culture, the K-pop legacy, the restaurants that take Korean cuisine somewhere entirely new, the temples that have somehow survived decades of development rising up around them. There’s more here than the song ever suggested, you just have to know where to look. Now you do.

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