Itaewon Special Tourist Zone
이태원 관광특구
Nature · 196 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Nearby stations and stops
- Itaewon (Line 6) · straight-line 129m
- Hangangjin (Line 6) · straight-line 775m
- Bus stop 이태원역앞 · straight-line 13m
- Bus stop 이태원119안전센터 · straight-line 66m
Straight-line distance; the actual walk is longer · Data as of 2025-10-31
Source: Korea National Railway urban rail station information · Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport nationwide bus stop locations
- Admission
- Not provided
- Hours
- Not provided
- Closed
- Not provided
- Parking
- Parking available
- Available (6 parking lots in the area)
- Pets
- Not provided
- Accessibility
- Not provided
- Data status
- Source: Korea Tourism Organization TourAPI · Source updated: 2024-11-27 · Collected: Not provided
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.
In the area
Tourism Complexes 2 of 12 attractions in Yongsan-gu
Similar places nearby
- Nodeul Island · 3.8km
Similar places in other regions
- Songtan Special Tourist Zone · Gyeonggi-do
- Goyang Special Tourist Zone · Gyeonggi-do
- Daegwallyeong Special Tourist Zone · Gangwon-do
- Gyeongju-si Special Tourist Zone · Gyeongsangbuk-do
- Gurye Special Tourist Zone · Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City
Source: Korea Tourism Organization TourAPI