Gangnam and Sinsa강남 · 신사

Feels:

Wide avenues, towers, clinics, luxury shops

Suits:

Business trips, shopping, K-pop agencies, clinics

Best time:

Evening

Watch out for:

Walking between sights: distances are long.

In short:

Wide roads and towers; 30–40 min to the palaces. Garosu-gil and Apgujeong Rodeo for shops.

The old city north of the Han river holds nearly everything a first visit needs: palaces and Bukchon in Jongno, Myeongdong and Namsan in Jung, Hongdae in the west. Gangnam, Seongsu and Jamsil are 20–40 minutes away by subway across the river.

Lines from the Seoul drinking guide that name this district.

• Gangnam and Cheongdam · Cocktail bars, clubs, lounges · until about 02:00–06:00Dress codes at clubs; prices well above Hongdae.

Markets and shopping streets from the Seoul buying guide that name this district.

• Cosmetics and skincare · Myeongdong, Hongdae, Gangnam; Olive Young branches everywhere · About 10:00–22:00About 10:00 AM–10:00 PMTax refund at the till with your passport in participating stores; free samples are standard.
• Department stores · Lotte (Myeongdong/Euljiro), Shinsegae (Myeongdong, Gangnam), The Hyundai Seoul (Yeouido) · About 10:30–20:00; to 20:30 on weekendsAbout 10:30 AM–8:00 PM; to 8:30 PM on weekendsFood halls in the basements; foreigners' tax-refund desks inside.