Gangnam, Seoul: What To See, Do, Eat & Where To Stay
Gangnam is an area of Seoul known for being home to the wealthy, celebrities, and it’s not uncommon to see people walking around with bandages on after they’ve gone to one of the high-end cosmetic surgery spots in the district. Literally meaning “south of the river”, Gangnam gained international attention in 2012 when Psy released his hugely popular song “Gangnam Style”.
The area is actually rather new compared to other districts in Seoul having only been built up and developed in the 80s, and while I’ve most often frequented the west side of Seoul, I have gone to Gangnam from time to time throughout the years and thought it was high time I shared the spots I like in one of the most popular areas of the city. Here is my guide to Gangnam.
Want to skip around this post? Here are the sections to look out for:
- What You Should Know About Gangnam
- Where To Stay In Gangnam
- What To Do In Gangnam
- What To See In Gangnam
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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.
As the district is rather vast, I’ll try to share as much as I can, but do realize, this is a big area to cover. You could easily end up in Gangnam just walking by tons of office buildings without seeing much if you don’t plan it right.
When Psy’s song first came out I was inundated with questions about what to see and do in Gangnam and my first gut reaction was to say.. uh.. nothing. That’s not to say there is NOTHING to do there, but it’s not a touristy district per se. There are art museums and shopping streets, but mostly places that someone living here would go to see at some point rather than a tourist with just one day to see Seoul.
If you’re a tourist with a limited amount of time, I’d recommend other places like the Bukchon Hanok Village, Changgyeonggung Palace, and Gwangjang Market so you can see a more traditional cultural side of life in Korea just to name a few. If you’ve got an extra day and want to make Gangnam the hot spot to check out on your list, then here are the places to see, the things to do, and the spots to eat in the area. Make sure to get your hands on a T-Money card before you visit to help you get around easily.
Hop On/ Hop Off Bus: If you’ll be traveling via the Seoul City Hop On/Hop Off Bus, know that there is a Gangnam route too. You can buy the ticket for this bus here. And to get more information about the bus, here is a guide to the Hop On/ Hop Off Bus In Seoul.
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 or some other good reason. These are both in a great location near the subway and we enjoyed ourselves and hope you do too!
Novotel Seoul Ambassador Gangnam
We chose the Novotel for a staycation recently because of the great reviews and the indoor pool. We love a good hotel to relax in and if it has a pool for the kiddo to check out, all the better. Enjoy the beautiful lobby and this hotel that is just in a great spot to see everything in and around Gangnam and of course don’t forget to visit the pool!
Book a stay here on Booking.com or here on Agoda.com
Le Meridien Seoul
Le Meridien, just next door to Novotel is another amazing option for a staycation in the city, or for tourists looking for a Gangnam stay. This hotel also offers an indoor pool along with five dining options, yoga classes, and an outdoor golf driving range. This is a gorgeous hotel to walk around. Out front there is also an art museum to stop into. Don’t miss a stay in the comfortable spacious rooms. The stay here is really fabulous and the staff friendly and helpful.
Book a on Booking.com or here on Agoda.com
The Twenty Floor Greenhouse
If you want something a bit more unique or special, check out some of the amazing Airbnbs in the area. The Twenty Floor Greenhouse is a spacious apartment that also features a beautiful terrace with views for days. Grill out on the barbecue while watching the cars and people down below. The vibes in this stay are meant to be calming and relaxed and really hit the mark.
Check out this Airbnb here and some other unique ones in the area.
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.
- Address: 18 Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 강남구 도산대로 45길 18)
- Hours: 10:00am ~ 9:00pm
- Days: Closed every first Monday of the month, New Year’s Day and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day)
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. Book your experience here.
- Address: B1, 18 Dosan-Daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul(서울시 강남구 도산대로 45길 18 설화수 플래그십 스토어 B1)
- Hours: 10:00am ~ 9:00pm
- 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. Book your treatment here.
- Address: B2, KT&G Tower, 1002 Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울시 강남구 대치동 1002번지 KT&G타워 B2층)
- Hours: 9:00am ~ 11:00pm
Take A Bus Tour
Did you know there’s a special Gangnam bus tour route? If you want to get around the entire area, see the sights and do it easily on transportation just perfect for visitors and tourists to the area, this is an awesome choice! The Gangnam route takes visitors past some of the highlights like the Seolleung Park, Bongeunsa Temple, COEX, Korean Wave Star Street, Apgujeong Rodeo, Garosu-gil and Samsung D’Light among others.
Gangnam is really large so this is definitely the best way to get around to the highlights if you don’t know the way, don’t want to walk, and want to see it all in one day. You can hop on and hop off as much as you want so take advantage now.
- Redemption Time: 10:10am ~ 5:00pm
- Address: 816 Yeoksam 1(il)-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 강남구 역삼1동 816)
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.
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. 60 tons of water is sprayed out into the Han River every minute that the Rainbow Fountain is operating. The fountains are NOT small by any means. The water jets out 43 meters from the bridge before falling 20 meters back down to to the river.
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)
- By public transportation: Head to Sinbanpo Subway Station and take exit 2. Walk straight to the first corner, turn left. You’ll walk for just under 20 minutes to reach the Han River. You could also head out from Express Bus Terminal Subway Station, exit 8-1 . Walk straight and turn right at the first intersection and walk straight to the river. Alternatively, if you could take a bus to the Banpo Hangang Park – Sevit Island stop (반포한강공원.세빛섬) and you’ll be right there when you disembark.
- 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
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
The Simone Handbag Museum (시몬느 핸드백 박물관)
This is a great spot to check out if you fall in the fashionista category of visitors. Spot this unique building with door handles shaped like purse handles, inside is an impressive collection of handbags. One floor houses contemporary styles from the West and there are yet other bags that date as far back as the 1500s. Make sure to grab a brochure on the way in to get more history and learn the stories behind the numerous intricate interesting bags. Check out their website for more information.
- Address: 536-17 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu (서울특별시 강남구 신사동 536-17)
- Hours: Tuesdays – Saturday: 10:00am ~ 7:00pm; Sundays: 11:00am ~ 7:00pm (Closed Mondays)
Royyal Dog Mural
Royyal Dog has very quickly become one of my favorite Korean street artists. He has work all over the city and I’m still tracking down his pieces when I can. Since I’m not in Gangnam all that often, I made sure to visit these pieces the last time I was around. You’ll end up down some streets that are a bit off the beaten path of Gangnam to find these murals which suited me just fine. Want to see some of his others? Check out his beautiful springy piece in Hannam-dong and then take a drive out to Ganghwado Hospital for a massive and gorgeous piece on this island to the west of the city. There’s also one just up the road from Seoul Station.
- Address: Nonhyeon-ro 142-gil 42 (서울특별시 강남구 논현로 142길 42)
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
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, SMTOWN where you can watch hologram musicals with SM Entertainment artists 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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One Comment
Rahul
Very nicely written article. Gangnam is a very beautiful place and it offers many things to do as mentioned in the article. Keep enlighten us with your information