Busan Itinerary | 2 Days in Busan

Busan is a popular city located in the southern part of South Korea. It’s the second-largest city in South Korea with Seoul obviously being number one. Busan is a coastal city located along the ocean’s coast. There is a lot of history when it comes to Busan which is why it is a popular destination for tourists and locals to visit. During the Korean War, many Koreans fled to Busan to stay away from the dangerous war and because of that, there are many traditional villages from that time period. In this Busan Itinerary, you can experience some of the best ways to spend 2 days in Busan. 

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Busan Itinerary | 2 Days in Busan

Busan is a popular destination for hikers and people just wanting to explore more of South Korea. Busan is also quite popular because of its beautiful tourist destinations and recent filming from the Black Panther. There are some statues of the black panther, however, I believe one was destroyed and no longer available. 

Best time to visit Busan in 2 days

The great thing about Busan is that it is a lot warmer than Seoul. So visiting in November is not nearly as cold as visiting Seoul during November. The best time to visit Busan is March-May, September – November, and maybe June and July if the weather is okay.

It’s great to visit during the summer months for a great beach vacation, however, during the summer months in Korea, you have to worry about Monsoon season which includes a lot of heavy rains and heavy winds from incoming typhoons. It doesn’t happen every day, but it could damper on your plans if what you want to do is mostly outdoor activities. You want to make the most of your 2 days in Busan with the best weather you can get.

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Getting to Busan from Seoul

There are a few ways to get to Busan and it depends on your itinerary for South Korea. 

Plane

So the plane ride is obviously the fastest way to get there, however with getting to the airport, check-in, and all of that jazz, you may waste some time. It is also very affordable to travel to Busan by plane. 

Train

The most logical way to get to Busan is by train unless you are already at the airport, then you can easily fly out to Busan. The train is great because it’s about the same price as flying, it takes about 3 hours by train, and there is usually free wifi. So you can easily watch your favorite shows, browse the internet and relax. The train is a fairly comfortable way to travel to Busan and a popular way to get there. 

Bus

You can take a bus, however, the bus is going to be the longest way to get to Busan from Seoul. It’s the most affordable, however, it can take up to 5 hours to get there by bus. 

Car

If you feel comfortable driving in Korea, you can easily rent a car and make plenty of stops to other cities within the area along the way. This would be ideal if you want to explore more countryside places in South Korea. 

How to get around Busan in 2 days

You have a few options for how you can get around Busan in 2 days and it depends on the location. Many places are accessible by Subway, however, there are several areas in which you may need to trek by walking, hiking, bus, or by taxi. 

• Rent a Car – If you feel comfortable driving in a foreign country with aggressive drivers, this would be a great option for you to get around. Many of the sites are accessible by car and makes it a bit easier to get around without wasting any time.
• Taxi Driver Tour – You can hire a taxi driver tour for the day and visit all of the popular sites in Busan which will allow you to store your belongings in a vehicle while wandering out in the streets of Busan. Book your Busan full-day tour here. 
• Bus or Subway – You can take a bus or subway which is easily accessible but there may be several places where you will need to walk to get to your destination. 

Where to stay in Busan during your Busan Itinerary for 2 days

There are a few neighborhoods you can stay in Busan for 2 days, these would probably be the best areas that are in close proximity to things to do and tourist attractions. Be sure to read my guide on where to stay in Busan.

• Nampo –  This area is great if you want to stay fairly close to the Jagalchi fish market in Busan. It’s also fairly close to Busan Train Station for the KTX. 
• Seomyeon – Probably the best area when it comes to shopping and doing things at night. There are a lot of great restaurants in the area, lots of shopping, and things to do in the evening which makes it a great place to stay. 
• Haeundae – If you want to stay near the beach, this is the best location for that. It’s great for those times when you want to go to the Busan fireworks festival and more. It’s beautiful to see the bridge lit up late at night as well. There are quite a few great restaurants along the beachside as well. 

Busan Itinerary | Places to Visit in Busan Day 1

Haedong Yongungsa Temple

This is considered to be the most beautiful temple in all of South Korea and there is plenty of reason why. With its prime location on the sea cliffside, it provides excellent views, great air, and just a calming and relaxing place to visit. It can be quite steep going down the steps to the temple, however, it’s fairly short and definitely worth the view.

This temple is definitely my favorite to visit in Korea. It’s free to visit, however, you will need to take the subway to Osidia, take a bus, and walk about 10 minutes until you reach the entrance. You can easily take a taxi to the entrance as well. This was one of my favorite places to visit during my 2 days in Busan.

Dongbaek Island

Like I’ve said before, Busan is a great place for people who love to hike. One of the beautiful hiking spots in Busan is Dongbaek Island. The lighthouse is located on this island which makes it a popular site to visit. You can also get a great view of the Nurimaru APEC House. The house is considered to be the most beautiful place for meetings. There are a few great walking trails along the cliffside as well. If you love hiking, you should include this in your 2 days in Busan Itinerary. 

Haeundae Beach

This is one of my favorite beaches in Busan and it’s quite different than a few of the others. There is an alleyway that also serves lots of Korean street food and fresh seafood. This beach has some great sunset views and quite a few events are held here. We visited during the annual lighting festival which is held every year from November through January. The entire beach is covered in string lights perfect for date nights, friends, and families. 

Oryukdo Skywalk

If you have time and are interested, there is a small skywalk available where you can get a great view of several mini islands along the coast. This is a great place for people who love to hike as there is a mountainside you can hike. The skywalk itself is fairly short and simple. There is also a cafe with a view where you can sit down at relax. To walk onto the skywalk, you must first use the provided shoe covers to place over each shoe before walking onto the platform. I would say this isn’t super common for people to include in their 2 days in Busan Itinerary, however, it was quite spectacular to see. 

Spaland

Spend time at one of the best jimjilbangs in South Korea. A jimjilbang is a large public bathhouse that is usually separated by sex with different temperature hot tubs. There are, however, public dry saunas and sometimes massage tables. It costs about 20,000 won to enter the spa, but you can also pay additional fees for other services like getting a full-body scrub which costs about 25,000 won. I do warn you that the full-body scrub is fairly rough and you will see a ton of dead skin come off your body. The body scrub is great to make you feel so smooth and soft afterward. 

Busan Itinerary | Places to visit in Busan Day 2

Gamcheon culture village – A must-see for your Busan Itinerary

This is probably one of the most visited places in Busan to check out. During the Korean War, many Koreans fled to Busan to hide and protect themselves from what was going on. Gamcheon village is an old traditional village from during this time. Many of the houses do not have running water or pipes and water is usually brought in and placed in tanks to be used. This village is filled with a great view of colorfully painted houses, cafes, shopping, and a bit of a fairytale aspect. It’s definitely worth the visit. This is a must-visit for your 2 days in Busan.

Jagalchi Fish Market

This is probably one of the most famous markets in South Korea for your 2 days in Busan itinerary. Busan is known to have the freshest seafood in South Korea and this is the best location to get live seafood. They will grab them out and cook them for you right away. Here you can order live octopus, steamed scallops, oysters, king crab, and sashimi.

There are several different stalls on the lower level. You will pick what you want to eat first from the tanks and pay for them. Then someone will come down from upstairs to seat you and you will need to pay for the services which include side dishes, preparation, and cook of the dishes. If you want to do a food tour, book your tour here. 

BIFF Square

This is a popular movie district located in Busan. Here you can find many street food vendors, handprint tiles embedded in the sidewalks, and more. It’s a great place to shop, eat, wandering around, and check out some local street performers. 

Gukje Market

Gukje Market is the largest traditional market in Busan. Similar to Gwangjang Market in Seoul, they offer more of the traditional Korean street food options. You can also buy several new and used items, including military supplies as well. There are several places to just buy inexpensive clothing, accessories, and souvenirs. 

Gwangalli Beach

This is a very popular beach in Busan because its a beautiful view of the bridge that crosses over. The beach has a lot of great restaurants overseeing the bay. It’s a great place to relax, explore, shop, hang out at a cafe, and eat. You can easily hang out here during the summer months for a summer getaway. This one was my favorite to visit during my 2 days in Busan.

Hwangnyeongsan Mountain Night View

Now, this is definitely not a tourist-friendly location to visit, so unless you have hired a taxi for the day, rented a car, or have a vehicle, I don’t necessarily recommend visiting for your 2 days in Busan Itinerary. If you like hiking, that is a possibility, but it’s fairly steep with the sidewalks and windy roads which we made the mistake of doing the winter night air. This is a beautiful mountain top area located in Busan where you can get the best view of the city. It’s only about a 10-minute taxi ride from Gwangalli Beach and has some of the best views in Korea. 

Other things to add to your 2 days in Busan Itinerary

• Samgwangsa Temple
• Bosu Book Street
• Taejongdae
• Yongdusan Park
• Busan Tower
• Beomeosa
• Song Marine Cable Car
• Cheongsapo Daritdol Observatory
• United Nations Memorial Cemetery

RELATED: Things to do in Busan

Food to eat during your 2 days in Busan Itinerary

• Fresh seafood including Oysters and Scallops – You can actually get oysters and scallops in Busan for a fairly reasonable price. We got about a dozen oysters for about 10,000 won which is a heck of a lot cheaper than what we can get in the US. The scallops though were one of my favorites and steamed to perfection. It’s definitely a must-try for your 2 days in Busan. 
• Live Octopus 산낙지 – So the Jagalchi market is popular when it comes to serving this dish. Live octopus is actually dead, however, the tentacles and everything is still technically moving around because of the salt in the sauce. It’s a great dish if you can stomach it and is a popular one among locals. I actually really enjoy the freshness and simple flavors of this dish. 
• Ssiat Hotteok – Hotteok is one of my favorite street foods in South Korea. The Busan one differs from the one in Seoul because it includes sunflower seeds or nuts typically. Hotteok is a rice flour pancake that is filled with brown sugar and for Busan brown sugar with seeds and nuts. This is typically served warm and only during the fall and winter months. 
• Korean Street Toast 
• Chimaek – Korean fried chicken and beer.

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Map for 2 Days in Busan Itinerary

 

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