Gangnam-gu

Seoul

Gangnam featuring outdoor art
Gangnam-gu showing signage
Gangnam showing outdoor art
Gangnam-gu featuring wildflowers
Gangnam showing a city and signage

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

L7 GANGNAM by LOTTE HOTELS

L7 GANGNAM by LOTTE HOTELS

4 out of 5
415 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu Seoul
$90 nightly
The price is $99 total per night from Jan 18 to Jan 19
$99 total
Jan 18 - Jan 19
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,756 reviews)
On the first day, the room amenities were restricted to one, though the booking was for two guests. I had booked this hotel with breakfast, but upon check-in, we were informed that we did not have breakfast and it was going to be an extra $36 USD per day. We showed them the booking and they told ...

Reviewed on Jan 3, 2026

L7 GANGNAM by LOTTE HOTELS
Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas by IHG

Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas by IHG

5 out of 5
521, Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu Seoul
$250 nightly
The price is $275 total per night from Jan 25 to Jan 26
$275 total
Jan 25 - Jan 26
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! (1,008 reviews)
Concierge is very knowledgeable. They send you to places they know, not just random google places. Ambasssor diamond perks were recognized. Breakfast was busy so they sent me to lounge.

Reviewed on Jan 3, 2026

Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas by IHG
Shilla Stay Samsung COEX Center

Shilla Stay Samsung COEX Center

4 out of 5
506, Yeongdong-daero Seoul Seoul
$101 nightly
The price is $111 total per night from Feb 1 to Feb 2
$111 total
Feb 1 - Feb 2
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! (1,023 reviews)
Love this place, very convenient to go around. COEX right in front of it! Very clean, spacious rooms and good bfast. Stayed for 15 days with family!

Reviewed on Jan 4, 2026

Shilla Stay Samsung COEX Center
The Westin Seoul Parnas

The Westin Seoul Parnas

5 out of 5
524, Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu Seoul Seoul
$265 nightly
The price is $292 total per night from Jan 11 to Jan 12
$292 total
Jan 11 - Jan 12
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! (67 reviews)
Everything is great! New facility great location friendly staff

Reviewed on Jan 5, 2026

The Westin Seoul Parnas
Shilla Stay Gangnam Yeoksam

Shilla Stay Gangnam Yeoksam

4 out of 5
517 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu Seoul
$90 nightly
The price is $99 total per night from Feb 8 to Feb 9
$99 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! (1,014 reviews)
They had nice amenities.

Reviewed on Jan 6, 2026

Shilla Stay Gangnam Yeoksam
Grand Mercure Imperial Palace Seoul Gangnam

Grand Mercure Imperial Palace Seoul Gangnam

4.5 out of 5
640 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu Seoul
$171 nightly
The price is $188 total per night from Jan 23 to Jan 24
$188 total
Jan 23 - Jan 24
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 3 restaurants. Popular attractions Lotte World and Dongdaemun History and Culture ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (496 reviews)
Impressive decoration

Reviewed on Jan 5, 2026

Grand Mercure Imperial Palace Seoul Gangnam
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
you can't go to South Korea and not have a Korean BBQ #Seoul #SouthKorea #Jun2016 #iPhone6  #Food #LifeAtExpedia

Yeoksam 1-dong

If you're spending time in Yeoksam 1-dong, check out sights like Kukkiwon or Teheranno and hop on the metro to see more the city at Yeoksam Station or Eonju Station.

Yeoksam 1-dong
Seoul Forest showing a park and a city

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


Gangnam-gu

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