Gangnam-gu

Seoul

Gangnam featuring outdoor art
Gangnam featuring outdoor art
Gangnam-gu showing signage
Gangnam showing outdoor art
Gangnam-gu featuring wildflowers

Made world-famous by a catchy 2012 K-pop song with quirky dance moves, this is still Seoul’s most talked about neighborhood today.

Shop for the latest fashion in Gangnam’s swanky boutiques, dine on some of Korea’s best traditional and vegetarian food, party to the sounds of K-pop in the city’s coolest clubs and bars, and pose with the giant GangnamDols of K-Star Road.

Gangnam, which means “south of the river,” was developed relatively recently and is your introduction to an ultra-modern side of Seoul. The large district with soaring skyscrapers and upmarket shops and restaurants comprises the areas of Gangnam-gu, Seocho-gu and Songpa-gu.

Hop on Seoul’s sleek subway system to Gangnam Station in the heart of the district. Follow the long expanse of Gangnam-ro, a glitzy street packed with skyscrapers and luxury shops.

Get back on the subway to head to Apgujeong Rodeo Station and take exit 7 to visit the GangnamDol Haus on K-Star Road, which is a nickname for the former luxury street of Cheongdam. Many of South Korea’s entertainment companies are located here. Let their advertising and video clips introduce you to the latest K-pop trends.

Follow the street until you have seen all the bear-like GangnamDol statues and indulge in some fashion shopping along upmarket Apgujeong Rodeo Street.

Need a break? Then jump back on the subway and head east to Seolleung Station to enjoy the tranquility in Samneung Park, where you can view the ancient Seonjeongneung Tombs from the Joseon Dynasty.

Use the subway once more to reach Cheongdam Station, which is linked to the COEX Mall under the city’s massive Convention and Exhibition Center. Visit the mall’s COEX Aquarium, Museum Kimchikan or cinema.

Outside the COEX building is the Gangnam Style Horse Dance Statue, a pair of large golden hands symbolizing Psy’s iconic K-pop song.

Nearby you can experience the stark contrast of old and new South Korea in the Bongeunsa Buddhist Temple.

At night, Gangnam’s neon lights reflect a kaleidoscope of colors in the shiny façades of the buildings. It’s now time to try some of the mouthwatering food served up in Gangnam’s cool cafés and flash restaurants. Afterwards, hit the karaoke bars and nightclubs to sing and dance, Gangnam style.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Gangnam-gu Hotel Deals

Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas by IHG

Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas by IHG

5 out of 5
521, Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu Seoul
$279 nightly
The price is $306 total per night from Mar 3 to Mar 4
$306 total
Mar 3 - Mar 4
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,002 reviews)
Excellent services and good location

Reviewed on Jan 26, 2026

Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas by IHG
Oakwood Premier Coex Center

Oakwood Premier Coex Center

5 out of 5
46, Teheran-ro 87-gil, Gangnam-gu Seoul Seoul
$175 nightly
The price is $193 total per night from Feb 25 to Feb 26
$193 total
Feb 25 - Feb 26
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this luxury aparthotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,522 reviews)
Clean room, attention to detail and room upgrade was really great!!

Reviewed on Feb 1, 2026

Oakwood Premier Coex Center
Shilla Stay Samsung COEX Center

Shilla Stay Samsung COEX Center

4 out of 5
506, Yeongdong-daero Seoul Seoul
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$102 nightly
The price is $112 total per night from Feb 18 to Feb 19
$112 total
Feb 18 - Feb 19
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the clean rooms in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Quiet and clean room.

Reviewed on Jan 10, 2026

Shilla Stay Samsung COEX Center
Shilla Stay Gangnam Yeoksam

Shilla Stay Gangnam Yeoksam

4 out of 5
517 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu Seoul
$91 nightly
The price is $100 total per night from Feb 8 to Feb 9
$100 total
Feb 8 - Feb 9
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
Clean rooms and such a friendly staff. Breakfast was very nice with a variety of options.

Reviewed on Jan 30, 2026

Shilla Stay Gangnam Yeoksam
The Westin Seoul Parnas

The Westin Seoul Parnas

5 out of 5
524, Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu Seoul Seoul
$265 nightly
The price is $291 total per night from Feb 20 to Feb 21
$291 total
Feb 20 - Feb 21
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (91 reviews)
This hotel has it all..beauty, location, and great staff. I will definitely stay here again!!

Reviewed on Jan 23, 2026

The Westin Seoul Parnas
Hotel Cappuccino

Hotel Cappuccino

4 out of 5
155, Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu Seoul
$78 nightly
The price is $87 total per night from Feb 9 to Feb 10
$87 total
Feb 9 - Feb 10
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
편안하게 잘 쉬었어요

Reviewed on Jan 23, 2026

Hotel Cappuccino
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Gangnam-gu

Samseong-dong featuring interior views

Samseong-dong

Spend some time visiting places like COEX Convention and Exhibition Center while getting to know Samseong-dong, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Bongeunsa Station or Samseong Jungang Station to see more of the area.

Samseong-dong
Seoul Forest showing a garden and a bridge

Seongsu-dong

If you're spending time in Seongsu-dong, check out sights like Seoul Forest or Hangang Park and hop on the metro to see more the city at Seoul-forest Station or Ttukseom Station.

Seongsu-dong
Seocho-gu featuring a bridge, a river or creek and modern architecture

Seocho-gu

4.5/5(32 area reviews)

Travelers choose Seocho-gu for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Yangjae Station or Nambu Bus Terminal Station and check out top sights like KEPCO Art Center.

Seocho-gu
Olympic Park showing landscape views, a garden and a city

Songpa-gu

4.5/5(74 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Lotte World while getting to know Songpa-gu, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Jamsil Station or Mongchontoseong Station to see more of the area.

Songpa-gu
Itaewon which includes street scenes as well as a couple

Itaewon-dong

3/5(1 area review)

Take time in Itaewon-dong to visit attractions like Itawon Street and Namsan Mountain Park. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at Itaewon Station to see more of the city.

Itaewon-dong
F1HJ6B The Dongdaemun history and culture park in the east part of Seoul, South Korea

Dongdaemun-gu

4/5(44 area reviews)

Home to the University of Seoul and bustling Cheongnyangni Station, Dongdaemun District offers a lively atmosphere with Gyeongdong Market's herbal medicine and agricultural delights. Explore cultural sites like King Sejong Memorial and Seonnongdan.

Dongdaemun-gu


Gangnam-gu

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