Busan is the second largest city in South Korea and one of my favourite cities. I love Busan because of the coast, beaches, vibes and all! Here are 10 things to do in Busan on your next trip to South Korea.
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1.Visit Haeundae Beach
Haeundae beach is arguably the most popular beach in Busan. There are cafes and restaurants very close by and the Haeundae dock close by where you can take a boat from. It is a nice place to chill and relax
Address: 264, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan /부산광역시 해운대구 해운대해변로 264 (우동)
Image from Pixabay
2. Visit Gwangali Beach
Gwangali Beach is another popular beach in Busan located right by Gwangan bridge, which has a light show weekly. A yearly fireworks festival called the Busan Fireworks Festival takes place at Gwangali which I highly recommend and is is a popular things to do. There are restaurants, cafes, pubs and shops nearby that you can also visit.
Address: Gwangwangannaeso 219 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro Suyeong-gu, Busan 48303 South Korea/ 광안리 해수욕장
3. Walk Around Gamcheon Culture Village
Gamcheon Cultural Village is a popular tourist location in Busan because of the colourful buildings. It has been nicknamed as the Lego City or Macchu Picchu of Korea. Gamcheon village started off as a place for refugees in the Korean War in the 1950’s. There are cafes, tourist shops and photo opportunity spots.
Address: 203, Gamnae 2-ro, Saha-gu, Busan/ 부산광역시 사하구 감내2로 203 (감천동)
4. Eat at Jalagchi Food Market
As you might have alreqdy guessed since Busan is right by the sea, seafood is something you have to try whilst there. One of the places to visit is the Jagalchi food market, it is a famous market in South Korea and is a great place for fresh seafood. You can choose the seafood you want to eat on the first floor at the stalls and then on the second floor they cook it and you eat. You also have the option of going directly to the restaurant and they pick it for you instead.
Even if you don’t want to eat anything you can always walk around and have a look around, it will be an interesting experience.
Address: 52, Jagalchihaean-ro, Jung-gu, Busan /부산광역시 중구 자갈치해안로 52 (남포동4가)
5. Look around Taejongdae Resort Park & Yeongdo Lighthouse
Taejondae is a seaside park that has some great views and is a lovely place to visit. There is a hop on and hop off train called the Danubi train, which would be recommended because there are slopes. cliffs and all. There is a lighthouse called the Yeongo lighthouse, an observatory, Taejongsa Temple, Gumyeongsa Temple, a cruise, sports park, restaurants and souvenir shops. On a clear day, you can see the Tsushima and Island of Japan.
Address: 24, Jeonmang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan/부산광역시 영도구 전망로 24 (동삼동)
6. Visit Spa Land, Centum City/ Korean Jimjillbang
Spa Land is located in the Shinsegae Centum City department store in Busan, which is the largest department store in the world. Spa Land is a large and classy facility that is made up of two floors and has two types of thermal waters: bicarbonate sodium sodium chloride. There are 13 spa rooms, 18 different hot springs , 22 tubs, two swimming pools and an entertainment zone. There are also women who will do a body scrub/exfoliation for you. You won’t regret visiting!
Address: 35 Centumnam-daero, U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea
7. Visit Dongbaek Island/Park
Dongbaek island is located at the end of Haeundae beach and is free to visit. It is technically no longer an island anymore and more like a park since it is now connected to the mainland. It is right next to the Westin Chosun hotel and has a lot of Camelias and Pine trees on it.
Address: Dongbaekseom, U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan /부산광역시 해운대구 우동 (동백섬)
8. Take a Ferry Tour of Oryukdo Island
Oryukdo are a group of islands made up of five or six islands depending on the day and tide. Oryukdo is made up of Usakdo Island, Surido Island, Gonggotdo Island, Guldo Island and Deungdaedo (Lighthouse) Island. You can take this ferry tour from Haeundae Mipo Dock. You will not get dropped off at the islands but will go on a loop around for approximately 1 hour.
Pick Up Address: Haeundae Mipo Dock
9. Check Out Songdo Beach, Songdo Cable Car and Sky Park
Songdo beach is another beach in Busan which is not as busy as Gwangali and Haeundae. You can visit Songdo beach, then take a ride on the Songdo cable cars and spend some time at the Sky Park. I love cable cars in general because you can see the view so this has made the list.
Address: 171 Songdohaebyeon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan
10. Yongdusan Park & Busan Tower
Yongdusan park is a nice place to relax and unwind. You can also pay to go up the Busan tower that is located in the park. The BIFF square is also not too far from the park, so you can make a quick stop there also.
Address: 37-55, Yongdusan-gil, Jung-gu, Busan /부산광역시 중구 용두산길 37-55 (광복동2가)
EXTRA
If you want to use an easy way of getting around and seeing the tourist attractions the Busan City Tour Bus may be a nice way to get around.
Overall I love Busan and it is my favourite city in South Korea and there is so much more you can much do. I hope you enjoy your trip to Busan and find this list of 10 things to do in Busan helpful for planning your trip.
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