Busan Travelers Recommend

With three days in South Korea’s second city, you can get an intimate glimpse into local life in Busan and visit top attractions, which range from beaches and bars to seafood markets and skywalks. A day trip to the surrounding countryside is also doable. Here’s how.  

Day 1: Busan’s Big-Hitters

Devote day one to taking in Busan’s top attractions. Unless you plan to hire a car, the easiest way to see everything is on a sightseeing tour, which transports you between dispersed attractions with ease and offers an introduction to the city that goes beyond a guidebook. Must-see sights include Haeundae Beach, where skyscrapers overlook the South Sea; the cliffside Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, which appears to tumble into the sea; and Gamcheon Culture Village, a rainbow-colored enclave that once provided refuge for members of the Taegeukdo religious movement. 

Spend your first night enjoying a quintessential Busan nighttime experience: Korean barbecue and karaoke. For the ultimate party, opt for a Busan pub crawl that reveals off-the-beaten-path party spots in the city. If you’d prefer something a little more relaxing, head to the observation deck at the top of Mt. Hwangnyeongsan.

Day 2: Escape the City

Use your second day to explore the myriad attractions outside of Busan. Gyeongju—a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s considered the historical capital of Korea—is the most popular day trip for history buffs, and it's accessible by train, bus or car. Tours range from guided to independent and typically cover Gyeongju highlights such as the Buddhist Bulguksa Temple and Cheomseongdae, which dates back to the seventh century.   

Other day trip options include the mountainous port city of Tongyeong, home to one of Korea’s highest cable cars; Junam Wetlands Park, with hundreds of bird species; and the remote Oedo island, which forms part of the nature-rich Hallyeohaesang National Park. Day trips typically include round-trip transfers and lunch, which means you skip the stress of car hire and navigation, and spend more time soaking up the scenery of southern South Korea.  

Day 3: Seafood and Seascapes

Devote your final day to enjoying Busan’s seaside sights. If you’re traveling with kids, a visit to SEA LIFE® Aquarium—home to more than 10,000 aquatic animals—is a must. Be sure to book a skip-the-line admission ticket to save time. Alternatively, food lovers can enjoy seafood specialities on a food and walking tour that visits Jagalchi Market, the largest seafood market in South Korea.  

At night, the bright lights of Busan flicker to life. Get views of the illuminated seascape on a night cruise, which offers a look at the skyscrapers that back Haeundae Beach. Alternatively, feast on South Korean food on a tour of Busan’s bustling night markets, most of which are located around BIFF Square.

In addition to historical temples and lively markets, Korea’s second-biggest city offers beaches, mountains, and spectacular seafood. One day is just enough time to get a taste of the quintessential Busan experience. Here’s how to make the most of your 24 hours in Busan.

Morning: Coastal Delights

Spend the morning ticking off Busan’s maritime highlights on a sightseeing tour, which typically provide a stress-free intro to the city. Expect to cover highlights such as Haeundae Beach and Jagalchi, Korea’s largest seafood market, where you’re likely to see huge octopus and squid in addition to hundreds of live fish. After the market, head to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a coastal temple that appears to tumble into the sea. It’s a photographer’s dream, but its remote location means it’s best to visit as part of a hop-on-hop-off-sightseeing tour, which also gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary.  

Afternoon: Santorini of the South Sea

Devote the afternoon to one of Busan’s must-see sights (and a staple on most full-day sightseeing tours): Gamcheon Cultural Village, nicknamed the Santorini of South Korea. Once an enclave for refugee members of the Taegeukdo religious movement, the hillside neighborhood now attracts visitors with its brightly colored cubicle houses, sweeping sea views, and plentiful galleries and cafés. Tours typically give you a historical introduction followed by ample free time to explore the area on your own. 

Evening: Bright Lights of Busan

Thanks to an illuminated cityscape and a plethora of karaoke bars, Busan comes to life at night. For the ultimate Busan experience, opt for an evening tour that covers one or two bustling night markets—where exploring with a guide removes the language barrier—and Mt. Hwangnyeongsan Observatory, from which the best city views are guaranteed. Alternatively, opt for an evening tour that includes a yacht cruise to enjoy unobstructed views of Busan’s coastline. No visit to the city would be complete without sampling its seafood, so conclude your evening with fresh fish South Korean–style.

Two days in Busan gives you time to tick off the top city sights—which include a clifftop temple and one of South Korea’s best beaches—and delve deeper into the coastal city’s culture, characterized by world-class seafood and a passion for film. Here’s how to spend 48 hours in Busan. 

Day 1: Essential Busan

**Morning:**Begin by getting your bearings in Busan on a hop-on-hop-off-bus tour, which zips you between top attractions such as Haeundae Beach and the Busan Museum, where you can get an introduction to the history and culture of this coastal city. 

**Afternoon:**Spend the afternoon on the coast; rent a car and travel independently, or opt for the convenience of a tour that takes you to such seafront staples as the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and the Songdo Skywalk, from which sweeping views of the South Sea are guaranteed. 

**Evening:**Devote your evening to the bright lights of Busan by taking a panoramic sightseeing tour by bus or opting for a cruise that reveals the coastline in all its illuminated glory. Evening highlights include sweeping views from the Mt. Hwangnyeongsan Observatory. 

Day 2: Bright Lights and City Sights

**Morning:**Rise early and head straight to Gamcheon Culture VIllage before the crowds. This must-see sight is a staple of sightseeing tours, which typically give you free time to explore the colorful cubicle houses, galleries, and cafés and provide historical context.  

**Afternoon:**On your second afternoon, choose between visiting the Busan Sealife Aquarium—a must for families—or exploring Jagalchi Market, the largest seafood market in Korea, on a food tour. If you plan to visit the aquarium, save time by purchasing skip-the-line admission tickets in advance.

**Evening:**Nighttime activities in Busan are plentiful: Catch a movie at the famous Busan Cinema Centre; join a guide to explore night markets selling South Korean street food; or shop for souvenirs and skin-care products in bustling BIFF square, where the annual Busan International Film Festival is held. 

Shopping is a major recreational activity in Busan, where large malls and department stores offer plenty of ways to give your credit card a workout. Traditional markets, on the other hand, allow you to browse all kinds of goods while also interacting with locals and experiencing a bit of daily life. Here are the major markets in Busan.

Gukje Market

Busan’s largest traditional market, Gukje Market is the place to go to find bargains on clothing, home items, kitchenware, electronics, and souvenirs. These bustling stalls have been a fixture of Busan since the Korean War, when refugees began setting up stores here to make a living.

Jagalchi Market

This is Busan’s main seafood market, famous for its stalls that are mostly run by women. A large variety of fish and other seafood is for sale, including live and dried. This is a great place to observe and be part of local life in Busan.

Bupyeong Kkangtong Market

Liquor, fashion items, and accessories can be found at this market that once sold imported canned goods from the United States during the Korean War. Today, it’s known for its night market, where you can discover an array of street food.

Many visitors arrive in Busan and spend most of their time on the beach, eating seafood, or enjoying the city’s modern architecture, but the coastal metropolis has more to show off for those who are interested in its cultural history as well. Here are a few ways to go beyond the surface of South Korea’s second city.

Busan Temple Tours

Busan’s two most significant temples are Beomeosa Temple and Haedong Yonggung Temple. Many city tours include stops at one or both. Founded in 678 and located on Geumjeong Mountain, Beomeosa is the main temple for Korean Buddhism in the city. Haedong Yonggungsa is a Buddhist temple notable for its setting on the coast, which is unusual for temples in Korea.

Folk Village Tours

Discover the architecture of Korea’s Joseon dynasty on a tour to Andong Hahoe Folk Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the 16th century. Roughly three hours north of Busan, the village is known for its well-preserved traditional homes and provides the opportunity to learn about folk art and watch a mask dance performance.

Ancient Silla Tours

See the former capital of the ancient Silla kingdom on a tour to Gyeongju, a city less than two hours from Busan. It’s home to several historical and cultural attractions, including Bulguksa Temple, a Korean Buddhist landmark and UNESCO-listed site together with the nearby Seokguram Grotto. Check out Gyeongju National Museum to learn more about the Silla dynasty through its many artifacts and excavated archaeological relics.

As Korea’s second-largest city and most important port, Busan has always maintained close ties with the sea, so visiting this stunning coastal city often means a day at the beach. For sun, sand, and sea, these are some of Busan’s best beaches.

Haeundae Beach

Busan’s most famous beach, Haeundae is often packed with Korean and international tourists during the summer months, making it an excellent option for people watching. Hotels, restaurants, and high-end shopping centers back the amenity-filled beach.

Gwangalli Beach

Second to Haeundae in popularity, Gwangalli Beach sits just off Busan’s main drag and affords stellar views of Diamond Bridge (Gwangandaegyo). Numerous restaurants, craft breweries, and coffee shops in the area mean you won’t have to venture far from the sand to find refreshment.

Songdo Beach

In the southern part of Busan, Songdo Beach offers a convenient sandy escape within steps of the Nampo and Jagalchi shopping areas. Climb up the rocks on the northeast end of the beach for the best photo ops.

Songjeong Beach

Situated at the eastern end of Busan, the relatively secluded Songjeong Beach is perfect for a quiet day at the shore. This stretch of white sand also attracts surfers, as well as foodies who come for the fresh seafood.

Dadaepo Beach

Travelers looking for an off-the-beaten-path beach day will be rewarded with seclusion after making the trek to Dadaepo Beach. Popular with locals, this beach (along with many other Busan beaches) is at its liveliest on New Year’s morning, when celebrants gather to watch the sunrise.