Gangnam is well worth visiting in Seoul, especially if you want an easy mix of family-friendly attractions, culture, and city energy in one area. You can pair COEX Mall and the SEA LIFE COEX Aquarium with the free Starfield Library, then slow down at Bongeunsa Temple just across the road. For a simple, flat walk, K-Star Road and the tree-lined cafés of Garosu-gil suit all ages and don't require much planning. With strong subway links, it's also a practical base for exploring the rest of the city.
5 Family-Friendly Things to Do in Gangnam with Kids
Most people come to Gangnam for the shopping - but for families visiting Seoul, it offers something far more interesting: ancient temples, world-class aquariums, and K-pop landmarks all within a few minutes of each other.
Plan your family trip to Seoul
Seoul’s glitzy Gangnam neighbourhood is best known for its sleek shopping streets, buzzing nightlife, and the K-pop anthem that put it on the world map. But for families visiting South Korea’s capital, Gangnam provides the perfect mix of indoor attractions, bustling streets, and centuries-old history - often within a few minutes' walk of each other.
From world-class aquariums and iconic libraries to K-pop landmarks and ancient temples, this guide covers the best family-friendly things to do in Gangnam.
Gangnam at a glance:
- Location: Gangnam district, Seoul, South Korea
- Top highlights: COEX Mall, Starfield Library, Bongeunsa Temple, K-Star Road, Garosu-gil
- Accessibility: Well-connected by subway and easy to navigate
1. Explore COEX Mall
COEX (Convention & Exhibition Center) is part of a large complex in Samseong-dong, and its shopping centre is widely known as Asia’s largest underground shopping mall. With over 300 shops and restaurants spread across four floors, there’s lots to see and do, making it a great starting point for your family day out in Seoul.
Visit SEA LIFE COEX Aquarium
SEA LIFE COEX Aquarium is the standout attraction for families with younger children. The aquarium features nearly 100 exhibit tanks spread across 16 themed zones, including the Deep Blue Sea Tunnel, Garden of Jellyfish, and Penguin's Playground. Kids will love the opportunity to make contact with baby sea creatures, and various animal feedings are held throughout the day.
Travel tip: Book SEA LIFE Aquarium tickets online in advance, particularly if you’re visiting on a weekend, to avoid queuing at the door.
Watch a film at Megabox
If you need an hour or two off your feet, Megabox Cineplex is one of Korea's largest cinema chains and is located inside COEX with a total of 17 screens. It is a practical option for families travelling with older children, and a useful backup if you need something to do on a rainy afternoon.
2. Visit the Instagram-worthy Starfield Library
If you’ve spent time on social media researching the best photo spots in Seoul, it’s likely that you’ve come across the towering bookshelves and dramatic open space of Starfield Library inside COEX Mall.
Children and parents alike are drawn to the sheer scale of this library, even if the books themselves aren’t the main reason for your visit. Take a stroll along the top level of the library and bask in the natural light beaming through the large windows. Don’t forget to snap your own Instagram-worthy photo on the escalator in the middle of the library.
There’s a small coffee shop on the lower level, making this a perfect rest break between shopping and sightseeing. Entry to Starfield Library is free, so it fits easily into any Seoul itinerary.
Travel tip: Visit on a weekday morning to avoid crowds and get the most out of the space. Evenings and weekends get busy, particularly around the escalators and main photo spots.
3. Slow down at Bongeunsa Temple
Just across the road from COEX Mall, Bongeunsa Temple offers a stark contrast to the skyscrapers around it.
Founded in 794 AD, the temple is one of the most historically significant Buddhist sites in Seoul, and it’s been at the centre of Korean Seon (Zen) Buddhism for centuries. The large Maitreya statue on the hillside is often the highlight for families - at 23 metres tall, its sheer scale makes it one of those sights that you simply must see for yourself.
You don’t need to spend long here - the grounds are flat, free to enter, and open every day until 10pm.
4. Walk along K-Star Road
Gangnam is closely linked to South Korea's global music scene and was immortalised by PSY’s 2012 hit ‘Gangnam Style’. For kids (and adults), a visit to Gangnam is somewhat of a pilgrimage, as the neighbourhood is home to some of the country's biggest entertainment companies - including SM Entertainment - along with the training schools where many of South Korea's most famous K-pop acts got their start.
K-Star Road reflects the neighbourhood’s music history in a way that’s easy for families to enjoy. The street runs for about one kilometre between Apgujeong Rodeo Station and Cheongdam Junction and is lined with colourful ‘GangnamDol’ bear statues, each one representing a different K-pop group. There are also handprints and displays featuring autographs from various idols, making it one of the best places to visit in Seoul for K-pop fans.
Even if your family isn’t deeply into South Korea’s music scene, K-Star Road still works as an easy, flat, free walk through one of Gangnam’s most interesting neighbourhoods.
5. Discover Garosu-gil
Garosu-gil is one of those areas that doesn’t require much planning, which is precisely its appeal. The iconic tree-lined street is brimming with cafés, dessert spots, and galleries that are easy to duck in and out of at your own pace.
Unlike other major shopping areas in Seoul, Garosu-gil is more relaxed, which is helpful when you’re travelling with children.
Café hop along the main strip
Garosu-gil has some of the most distinctive cafés in Seoul, ranging from minimalist coffee bars to dessert spots serving Korean bingsu (shaved ice) and layered cakes.
Browse the Line Friends flagship store
The Line Friends Flagship Store is right on the strip and is a hit with younger children for its oversized character merchandise, photo spots, and themed food.
Explore the side streets
The alleys off the main road are where you find independent Korean fashion labels, K-beauty stores, and art galleries. Small and unique shops found down the alleys tend to be less crowded and more interesting than the main strip.
How to get to Gangnam, Seoul
Getting to Gangnam is easy from most parts of Seoul.
From Myeongdong
Take Line 4 to Dongdaemun Station, transfer to Line 2, and ride to Gangnam Station or Samseong Station
Travel time: around 30 to 40 minutes
From Itaewon
Take Line 6 to Itaewon Station, transfer to Line 9 at Express Bus Terminal Station, and ride to Sinnonhyeon Station or Bongeunsa Station
Travel time: around 25 to 35 minutes
From Hongdae
Take Line 2 from Hongik University Station directly to Gangnam Station or Samseong Station
Travel time: around 40 to 50 minutes
From Incheon Airport
Take the AREX (Airport Express) to Seoul Station, then transfer to Line 1 or Line 4 and connect to Line 2 for Gangnam. Alternatively, take the AREX to Gimpo Airport Station and pick up Line 9 directly to Sinnonhyeon or Bongeunsa Station
Travel time: around 70 to 90 minutes
From Gimpo Airport
Take Line 9 directly from Gimpo Airport Station to Sinnonhyeon Station or Bongeunsa Station
Travel time: around 40 to 50 minutes
Subway lines serving Gangnam
There are three main subway stations serving the key attractions in Gangnam.
Samseong Station - for COEX Mall and Starfield Library
Line 2 (Green Line) - circle line connecting major districts, including Hongdae and City Hall
Bongeunsa Station - for Bongeunsa Temple and SEA LIFE COEX Aquarium
Line 9 (Gold Line) - express line connecting Gimpo Airport to eastern Seoul
Sinnonhyeon Station - for access to many hotels in the area, including Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gangnam
Line 9 (Gold Line)
Sinbundang Line - rapid line connecting Gangnam to Bundang and Suji in the south
Gangnam Station - central hub for the broader Gangnam district
Line 2 (Green Line)
Sinbundang Line - rapid line connecting Gangnam to Bundang and Suji in the south
These connections make Gangnam one of the most accessible districts in Seoul, and it makes an excellent base for families exploring the city. If you’re short on time, it is also worth checking out our guide to 24 hours in Seoul.
Explore Gangnam with Novotel
Stay in the heart of Gangnam at Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gangnam, just minutes from Sinnonhyeon Station and within easy reach of COEX Mall, Bongeunsa Temple, and K-Star Road. With spacious family rooms, an indoor heated pool, and multiple dining options on-site, it is a practical and comfortable base for families looking to explore everything the neighbourhood has to offer.
Book direct on Novotel.com to enjoy the best available rates, and sign up to the free ALL Accor loyalty programme to earn points, access member benefits, and save up to 10% on every stay.
Frequently asked questions
For some of the best K-pop and Korean pop-culture experiences in Gangnam, start with a walk along K-Star Road between Apgujeong Rodeo Station and Cheongdam Junction, where colourful “GangnamDol” bear statues celebrate major idol groups. Keep an eye out for handprints, autograph displays and photo spots that make the route fun for kids and easy for families. Nearby, the COEX area adds a modern K-culture layer, from the famous Gangnam Style “horse dance” sculpture outside the East Gate to the high-energy buzz of Korea's biggest underground mall.
There are many free things to do in Gangnam. Starfield Library, Bongeunsa Temple, K-Star Road, and Garosu-gil all have no entry fee.
Gangnam is generally easy to navigate with a stroller. Pavements along main roads in Gangnam are wide and well maintained, and many subway stations have lifts and escalators. The COEX area in particular is very stroller-friendly.
If you're planning a trip to Gangnam with your family, two to three days will allow you to experience the main attractions at a comfortable pace. If you’re using Gangnam as a base to explore other areas in Seoul, four to five days gives you time to visit other popular areas like Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Insadong.
Gangnam is generally considered very safe at night. Streets are well lit, CCTV coverage is widespread, and there is a visible police presence, especially around busy areas like Gangnam Station, COEX, and Garosu-gil. Restaurants, cafes, and convenience stores stay open late, so there are usually people around. As with any large city, it’s still sensible to stay aware of your surroundings, but many visitors feel comfortable walking here after dark.
One of the most popular landmarks in Gangnam, the Gangnam style “horse dance” hand sculpture, is located outside the East Gate of COEX (near Starfield COEX Mall). It’s a quick stop that works well with kids because it’s outdoors, easy to find once you’re at COEX, and makes for a fast photo break before heading inside the mall.
