30+ Unique things to do in Busan, South Korea

Busan, South Korea, or previously written as Pusan, South Korea is a beautiful city and one of the largest cities in South Korea. Busan is one of the most popular places of interest in South Korea. There are lots of things to do in Busan from beaches, cafes, spas, and more.  It is a different world when entering Busan. There is a rumor that the Korean people in Busan sound angrier when they talk. They happen to have a louder voice which sounds like they are yelling. There are also several different words or dialects that change with Koreans from Busan. 

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Busan, South Korea | Things to do in Busan

Best time to visit Busan

The best time to visit Busan is the same as I would say for Seoul. The best months would be March through May and September through November. Although, Busan is the hot spot during the summer months because it does have a beach and has a more beach town kind of vibe. 

How to get to Busan

There are 4 ways to get to Busan and they are all quite different. It all depends on the amount of time and money you want to spend. 

Plane

One of the easiest ways to get to Busan is by plane. If you happen to already be flying into Incheon and trying to get there, then this is the best route. However, if you are already in Seoul and trying to get to Busan, then there are other options to take. 

KTX Train 

Now a train to Busan is probably one of the best ways to get there. It’s affordable, you don’t have to show up at the airport so early, it gets you to Busan in about 2-3 hours, it gets you into the main city, and there is free wifi. Taking the train to Busan (like in the movie) is safer than you think as well. You can easily book one last minute in comparison to a flight. Part of the things to do in Busan is to take the train there, it makes the trip feel a little more nostalgic. 

Bus

Your next option would be to take a bus. A bus is a very affordable and cheaper option, however, it takes about 4-6 hours to get there by bus. This all depends on traffic, how fast the bus is going, etc. There are a lot of factors happening in this scenario where most people just would rather take the train. 

Car

The other option is renting a car if you feel comfortable enough driving around in Korea. The good thing about this option is that you can visit a lot of other places like Ulsan, Gyeongju, Daegu, and many other stops along the way. If you want to take the scenic route, this might be a good option for you. 

How to get around Busan

If you have traveled to Seoul, then you have probably noticed all of the subway lines and it can sometimes be confusing. Busan, in fact, does have a few subway lines to make traveling easy, on the other hand, there are not as many as there are in Seoul.

If you are planning to visit all the popular things to do in Busan, I highly suggest you take the Busan City Tour bus which is pretty much a hop-on and off tour bus. You can reserve your 24-hour pass here.

Where to stay in Busan

So there are a lot of great areas to stay in Busan. Think about what things to do in Busan and plan where you will stay based on that. Read my extensive guide on where to stay in Busan.

• Seomyeon – Seomyeong is a great location to keep you centrally located. It’s a great place to have a hotel because there are a lot of great restaurants, drinking streets, shopping, and it’s fairly close t Busan station for when you enter and leave the city. 
• Gwangan-dong – This is the perfect location to stay in if you want to be close to Gwangalli beach. The beach there is very beautiful and relaxing and you can get a perfect view of the beach. There are quite a few foreigner-friendly restaurants alongside the beach as well and some great local shopping.
• Haeundae-gu – Next to Gwangan-dong is the Haeundae and Haeundae beach. There are a lot of great hotels in this area with a beautiful view and I highly suggest you stay at H Avenue where you can get a great view of Gwangalli beach.
• Nampo-dong – Not too far from Seomyeon is Nampo-dong. This area is great if you want to stay fairly close to the train station in Busan. This is also a popular area where you can go to the Jagalchi Market.
• Temple Stays at Beomeosa – A popular thing to do in Korea is to do a temple stay. These experiences are pretty great because you can experience delicious vegan or vegetarian food, have a calm and relaxing experience, and learn more about Korean Buddhist culture.

Things to do in Busan | Top attractions in Busan

You probably came to this post asking what are the top attractions to visit in Busan? Well these are some of my top choices I recommend everyone who plans to visit Busan.

Haeundae Beach

When you think of things to do in Busan, oftentimes it will bring up this beach. This is a wonderful beach with an interesting bridge.  The bridge has glowing lights that project different sayings or quotes at night time.  There are plenty of bars right near the beach that have great views. 

Busan to South Korea is like California to the United States.  Obviously the weather there is not always beautiful like in California because Korea does get ice cold during the winter months. It also does snow in Busan as well.

Address: 부산광역시 해운대구 우동

Jagalchi Market

One of the things to do in Busan is to visit this Fishmarket. Busan is known for this quaint fish market.  Be prepared to get your bargaining on. This is a flea market with seafood such as shrimp, octopus, fish, crab, squid, and more.  This will be the freshest seafood you can possibly get. We ordered octopus and fresh fish served as sashimi. It was absolutely to die for. Unsure what to eat and want a guide? Book a Jagalchi market food tour.

Address: 부산 중구 자갈치해안로 52 자갈치시장

RELATED: Netflix Temple Chef Cooking Course

Gamcheon Village – One of the most popular things to do in Busan

There are a lot of beautiful places in South Korea and Gamcheon Village is one of the most beautiful places in South Korea. Gamcheon Village is a historical village in Busan Korea.  This village really emerged in the 1950s during the Korean War. Many villagers migrated to Gamcheon to hide and get away from the War itself. Gamcheon Village is one of the most popular things to do in Busan because of its rich history and culture.

This village is placed in the hills and the houses are made very small to fit many families.  Many are stacked 3 – 4 stories high and only have a single room. They have really made sure to preserve this little town and it has a lot of charm with beautiful color and art surrounding it. Additionally, be sure to try the traditional red bean soup in one of the restaurants there.

NOTE: This location is not very friendly for people who may have mobility issues because there are many stairs, hills, and cobbled roads.

Address: 부산 사하구 감내2로 203 감천문화마을안내센터

READ: Gamcheon Cultural Village

Bosu Book Street

With modern technology taking over the world and many bookstores closing, this can be a very rare sight.  This street holds the most books you will probably ever see! Out of all the things to do in Busan, this was the first thing I did when I was younger. I was visiting with my cousin and we came here and strolled around while eating street food. 

Most of the shops sell second-hand books, it varies from dictionaries, manga books, magazines and study books.  Additionally, the books stacked up to 6ft tall or more. It is definitely an interesting stroll to take in Busan.  Not to mention there is a huge flea market nearby as well.

Address: 부산 중구 대청로 67-1

Oryukdo Skywalk

If you love checking out some of the natural beauty that Busan has to offer, you must check out the Oryukdo Skywalk. Here you will be able to walk onto a glass platform with the ocean below you. This is the perfect place to get an Instagram shot. I felt this was one of those things to do in Busan that is a little underwhelming because it’s quite a small platform and far from the beaten path, but it was still interesting to do. 

Address: 부산 남구 오륙도로 137

Samgwangsa Temple

If you want to visit a traditional Korean temple, this is probably one of the most popular ones to visit in Busan.  This beautiful temple is filled with gorgeous lanterns that light up at night. It’s definitely worth visiting if you haven’t visited a temple in Korea yet. 

Address: 부산 부산진구 초읍천로43번길 77

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple 

One of the most beautiful temples in Busan lies along the cliffside. This temple is also known as the Temple by the Sea. This is a rare find in Korea since many of the temples in Korea are not along the shoreline like this one. This is probably one of the most popular things to do in Busan other than Gamcheon Village. 

Address: 부산 기장군 기장읍 용궁길 86 해동용궁사

Spaland – Relaxing things to do in Busan

If you feel comfortable getting naked, want to get your body scrubbed down by Korean ajummas, this place is the perfect place for you. This was one of my favorite things to do in Busan because it’s just so relaxing. My 2 best friends and I did this when they visited me from the US. It was one of the best experiences I have had in a long time. When I was a kid I used to hate getting scrubbed down because of how rough my mom would do it. 

This is a spa with pools that have 5 different temperatures and separated by sex. Everyone in the facility is naked and you can relax in the many different temperature pools. In order to get the scrub, you sign up at the board near the entrance of the spas and you must soak for at least 30 minutes. The facility provides lockers and everything you need while there. 

Address: 부산 해운대구 센텀남대로 35 신세계백화점센텀시티점

로빈뮤지엄 Classic Museum

This museum showed up in my Instagram feed and as someone who grew up working on classic cars, I knew it was one of the things to do in Busan that I had to do. I had missed that sense of the classic car community and just wanted to feel like I was back home. This place has its old 50’s diner feel which is very American. It’s quite far from the rest of the things to do in Busan, so unless you live there or really are into this kind of a vibe, I would say it’s worth visiting. If you are short on time, then maybe skip this place. We went and got some cute photos, chatted about the classic cars, and also enjoyed an ice cream while there.

Address: 부산 강서구 신호산단1로140번길 71 1층

Ibagu Gil Monorail – Free things to do in Busan

A lot of people don’t seem to know about this hidden little monorail and it can be a little difficult to get to, however, there is no fee. This little monorail will take you up and you can get some of the best views of Busan here. It’s best to visit at night, but also great during the day as well. There are quite a few cute cafes in the area and it’s not too far from Gamcheon Village if you go by bus or taxi. This is a great place to get a view of the city! The monorail itself is more like an elevator, but still quite enjoyable. This isn’t one of the most popular things to do in Busan, but I still found it enjoyable.

Address: 부산광역시 동구 초량동 994-155

Haeundae Blue Line Park

This is quite touristy to do, but it was actually quite enjoyable. I would say this is great if you have kids or maybe a date. I would suggest going during sunset because you’ll get a nice view. What I love about this park are the beautiful little trolleys you get to take. The trolleys are placed high up where you can get a great view of the ocean below. This was one of the cutest things to do in Busan.

There are 2 options for trolleys you can take. There is the sky capsule which is the smaller one which holds up to 4 people or the train below which is like a subway. The sky capsule is a bit pricey costing about 30,000 won for 2 people for one way or 55,000 won for 2 people roundtrip. The train costs 7,000 for one way and 10,000 for round trip per person.

If you choose to do one way, once you get off the trolley after the trip, you can walk back on the wooden pathway along the coastline. I suggest you arrive early or purchase tickets online since they do sell out quite quickly. Additionally, there can be a long line even when you select your time frame because these trolleys in the sky capsules only go about 5km per hour, so be sure to take some time out of your day to wait.

Address: 부산 해운대구 청사포로 116 청사포정거장

Songdo Cable Car – Things to do in Busan with Kids

The cable car is quite an experience and is one of the most popular things to do in Busan. It’s pretty popular to do with kids because once you arrive on the other side, there are a lot of things to do for kids including a dino park, Songdo Suspension Bridge, Forest park and Amnam Park, and more. The ride itself costs about 15-20,000 won per person round trip depending on the car style you want to take. The 15,000 won round trip does not include a glass bottom in the cable car hence the added fee, however, the lines were shorter for the ones without the glass bottom.

Address: 부산 서구 송도해변로 171

Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge

Songdo Beach is the first beach in Korea and has a lot of old charm. This suspension bridge is a replacement for the original suspension bridge which was destroyed during a typhoon 18 years ago. I wanted to visit this place just because of how beautiful the view is when you get on it. It’s got a great view of the cargo ships out on the bay, the cable cars, and more.

Address: 부산광역시 서구 암남동 620-53 암남공원 안

Busan X the Sky

I’m sure if you visit Haeundae Beach or the Haeundae Blue Line Park, you will see this massive skyscraper. We actually kind of stumbled upon it and figured this must be one of the major things to do in Busan. We tried to enter on the backside which was an apartment complex called LCT and we thought maybe we could get a view from there. However, we were unsuccessful. So I said well let’s walk to the beachside. As we walked toward the front of the building, we saw access to Busan X the Sky.

This to me was by far one of the best Busan Attractions to stumble upon. It is a bit expensive, however, it was completely worth going to. It was about 55,000 won for 2 people to visit the observatory, cafe, and gift shop. You will have access to the 100th, 99th, and 98th floors. On the 100th floor is the observatory. The 99th floor has a steak restaurant which is very expensive. The cheapest item on the menu is a cheeseburger which costs about 37,000 won. On the 98th floor are the cafe, light show, and gift shop.

Additionally, inside you will find 2 spots you can take souvenir photos one before entering the elevator and the other on the 98th floor with a corner city view. When you enter the elevator, it will be filled with a TV display and list how fast you are going in the elevator as well. The way it was designed was magical.

Address: 부산 해운대구 달맞이길 30

Busan Tower

After visiting Busan X the Sky, I will have to say this will be kind of cheesy or less interesting to tourists. However, I wanted to add it to the list and make sure it was an option as well. Busan has done a great job marketing to tourists on all of the popular things to do in Busan.

Address: 부산 중구 용두산길 37-55

Take a Day Trip to Gyeongju

One of my favorite places to visit in South Korea is Gyeongju. There is a lot of history located in Gyeonju and it’s well-known for its historical sites. You can read more about things to do in Gyeongju if you want to spend more time there.

Gyeongju is a city located in the southeastern part of South Korea, in the North Gyeongsang province. It is known as the “museum without walls” due to the large number of historical sites and artifacts that can be found throughout the city.

Gyeongju was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla, which ruled the Korean Peninsula from the 7th to the 9th centuries. During this time, the city was a center of culture, art, and religion. The Silla dynasty left behind an impressive legacy of architecture, art, and artifacts that can still be seen in the city today.

One of the most notable historical sites in Gyeongju is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bulguksa Temple. The temple was built in the 8th century and is considered one of the finest examples of Buddhist architecture in East Asia. Other important sites in Gyeongju include the Seokguram Grotto, the Anapji Pond, and the Cheomseongdae Observatory.

Lotte World Adventure Busan

If you went to the one in Seoul, then it might not be necessary to go to the on in Busan. The Busan branch however is the newer one and opened not too long ago. However, if you want the original experience then the one in Seoul is a great option.

Cafes to visit in Busan

City Farmhouse Cafe/ DOCO Cafe

This is a beautifully elegant cafe that serves some delicious coffee. They also roast their own coffee beans and purchase your own coffee beans to take back home. You can easily get your instagrammable drinks from this location. 

Cafe in Gamcheon Village

There are a lot of great cafes in Gamcheon Culture Village. You can get a great view and some even have private terraces where you can place a lock that is only available for certain cafes. 

Waveon Coffee

This is a great location to visit if you enjoy the ocean views with a lot of beautiful outdoor seating. Although the summer months might be too hot to enjoy, it can still be relaxing. 

랑데자뷰해운대점 Cafe

This cafe has a great view of the beach making it a popular destination for Koreans and tourists. It has a beautiful large window giving you a more panoramic indoor view.

RELATED: Popular Cafes in Seoul

What to eat in Busan | Must eat in Busan

Korean Food Options in Busan

There are a lot of food options you can have in Busan. Many of them are seafood options and these are a few you can definitely have in Busan, but I highly suggest you read my guide on food to eat in Korea.

• Live Octopus  – It’s important to try this dish since it is very popular to Korean cuisine. If you visit the Jagalchi Market, this is one of the most famous dishes there. Busan is one of the most famous places to get the freshest seafood in Korea so I highly suggest you try it. You may need to fight it off the plate, even though it is chopped up, the soy sauce makes it move. 
• Ssiat hotteok – This is a regional Korean pancake. Hotteok is a popular Korean street food that is usually served during the fall to winter months. This specific hotteok is a bit more crunchy since it is filled with seeds and nuts which makes it different than the ones served in Seoul. 
• Tteok-bokki – A popular Korean street food that you can get anywhere in Korea. It is made of rice cake and a spicy sauce. They are also found in many restaurants as well. You can easily grab this at Gukje market in Busan
• Pajeon – One of my favorite Korean street food but also food that is made at home quite often. It’s a Korean pancake filled with green onions, other veggies, and sometimes with octopus. You dip this in soy sauce and vinegar adding some salty flavors.

RELATED: Myeongdong Street Food

Western Food Options in Busan

If Korean food isn’t your jam or maybe you are just wanting something different during your trip, there are quite a few options for Western food in Korea. Many Koreans love Western food like pasta and make some of the best pasta in the world. Additionally, many foreigners are moving and visiting Korea now, which has encouraged an increase in Western options. If you are looking for Western food while exploring things to do in Busan, here are some of the places I suggest.  

• El Chicano – If you are looking for a Mexican fix, you can definitely get your fill here. I highly suggest you order the chorizo fries, tacos, and chimichangas. 
• 솔탭하우스 – If you are looking for a good view and some delicious pizza, I suggest you visit here. This place is close to the beach and has a great variety of American-style pizza. If you don’t already know, Korean-style pizza is very different from the American style. A lot of times they will top it with honey or something sweet rather than a savory flavor. 
• Slice of Life Pizza

Things to do in Busan at Night

There are a lot of things to do in Busan at night from going to the clubs, bars, and singing until your heart is content, these are some of the most popular things to do in Busan at night.

Where to drink in Busan

• Galmegi Brewing Nampo – If you want to try some local Korean craft beer, this is the perfect brewing location for you to visit in Busan. They have a small variety of beers including an IPA, Espresso Vanilla Stout, Lighthouse Blonde, and a few others.
• Gorilla Brewing
• Thirsty Thursday – This is a popular chain location and there happens to be 2 alongside Gwangalli beach. It’s highly recommended on the weekends after grabbing a bite to eat.
• Rock N Roll Bar
• Lzone
• The Commonplace

Clubs in Busan

• Output
• Club Babau
• Revel

Karaoke Bars in Busan

• Sunoraebang
• Feel Karaoke
• Songba Karaoke

Things to do in Busan | Where to Shop in Busan

• Gamcheon Culture Village – There are a lot of cute small shops in this area and it’s a perfect way to get something handmade and support the local businesses. You can find anywhere from small pins, to food, to postcards, and more. 
• Go crazy of Korean’s Skincare Products – You can easily purchase skincare products everywhere in Korea, however, if you want a one-stop-shop, you can easily find every skincare store in Hongdae. They literally have each brand on every corner making it easy to find and buy. There are a lot of skincare shops in Seomyeon and if worst comes to worst, visit the local olive young while they are easy to find all over. 
• Go to Daiso – $1 store of Asia – Daiso is a popular Japanese dollar store that has taken over all over South Korea. Many people come here for cute and useful products to save money. If you have never been to this affordable store, I highly suggest you at least visit it once to check out all the products.  
• Visit Shinsegae Department Store – If you are looking to stay out of the heat, rain, or whatever bad weather, visit the Shinsegae Department Store. This is a popular department store or mall where you can find clothes, makeup, and close to Spaland. It’s a great way to relax and enjoy yourself. You can also try some Korean food dishes in the food court area. 

Best Beaches in Busan

A lot of people love visiting Busan because it’s a coastal city where you can grab some amazing seafood, visit the beautiful sandy beaches, and drink until your heart is content.

Busan is a city that is thankfully filled with many amazing beaches with soft sand compared to many areas within South Korea that have rocky beaches that can be uncomfortable to visit. If you need a day to relax, I’ll always recommend spending your day at the beach. You can easily go to the closest convenience store, grab some delicious food and drinks, and have a picnic on the beach!

Here are my top beaches to visit in Busan, especially during summer in Korea.

Haeundae Beach

This is probably one of the most famous beaches in South Korea, but especially the most popular and famous things to do in Busan. It’s a beautiful long beach that can hold many people without making you feel like you can’t enjoy yourself. During the summer months, they have umbrellas, floating rafts, and lounge chairs you can rent.

If you are visiting during winter, it’s still a beautiful beach where you can have a picnic, enjoy your feet in the water, and relax with the sand between your toes. You can also enjoy the many cafes along the edge of the beach where you can enjoy the view.

Gwangalli Beach

Gwangalli beach has a beautiful view of the bridge which can be quite a sight at night time. This bridge lights up with beautiful colors that provide a wonderful display in the dark sky. It’s a more relaxed beach and there are a lot of hotels and locals who live near this beach.

During the fall months, you can enjoy the popular fireworks festival. If you go to the local convenience store, you can purchase some fireworks that you can shoot out onto the beach. Just make sure to pick up your trash when you are done. This is a beach where my family and friends would just grab a bottle of soju and beer and bring them onto the beach to drink.

Songdo Beach

Songdo Beach is very well known for some popular Busan tourist attractions. Not only is the beach known for its beautiful coastline and clear waters, but also for its many recreational activities.

Some of the most popular activities at Songdo Beach include swimming, sunbathing, and beach volleyball. Visitors can also rent beach umbrellas and chairs, or take a stroll along the beach’s promenade.

One of the unique features of Songdo Beach is the Songdo Skywalk, a glass-bottomed walkway that extends out over the ocean. Visitors can walk along the Skywalk and enjoy stunning views of the coastline and the ocean below.

Another popular attraction at Songdo Beach is the Songdo Marine Cable Car that I listed above. This cable car provides panoramic views of the beach and the surrounding area and takes visitors from Songdo Beach to Amnam Park.

Dadaepo Beach

The beach stretches over 2.5 kilometers and offers a wide range of activities. One of the highlights of Dadaepo Beach is the Dadaepo Sunset Fountain of Dreams, which is the largest musical fountain in Asia. The fountain show is held every evening during the summer months and features a combination of water, music, and lights.

Songjeong Beach

Songjeong Beach is the Jeongwol Daeboreum Fire Festival, which is held every year on the first full moon of the lunar calendar. The festival involves a traditional fire ritual, as well as performances, games, and food vendors. There are also a lot of hiking trails within the area as well which makes it a great location for people who enjoy the outdoors.

Best Temples in Busan

There are a variety of different temples you can stay in Busan, these are some of the most popular that are some popular things to do in Busan.

• Haedong Yonggungsa
• Beomeosa
• Samgwangsa

Other important information about Busan

Currency in Busan

The currency used in Busan is the South Korean Won. It is a good idea to have cash when bargaining at some of the shops and food locations. However, most locations and restaurants do accept credit or debit cards.

Language in Busan

The language spoken in Busan is Korean although it can be difficult even for fluent Koreans to understand. However, I have found more taxi drivers who spoke English in Busan than in Seoul. 

Fun Fact:  Busan is known for an accent that has more of an angry-toned pitch compared to people living in Seoul, but don’t let that fool you, because Koreans in Busan are very friendly!

Tips to save money in Busan

The best tip I have is to have cash on hand. If you have cash, you have a better shot at bartering with owners on pricing for products and at the market.

Taking public transportation (ie. buses and subways) versus taxis will save you a lot of money and time on making it to all the things to do in Busan, however, it may cost you more on time depending on where in the city you are trying to travel to.

FAQs about things to do in Busan

What are the most popular things to do in Busan with Kids?

There are a lot of things that are popular to do with kids in Busan. Some things I suggest are visiting the many beaches in Busan like Haeundae Beach and Gwangalli Beach. Visit many of the kid’s cafes and malls. There are a lot of arcade rooms that are perfect for kids of all ages. Visit the most popular temple and Gamcheon Culture Village to learn a little bit about the history of South Korea. If you want to take them to an amusement park, I suggest taking them to Lotte World in Busan.

What do to in Busan at Night

There are a lot of things to do in Busan at night. I highly suggest you check out some of the bars like Thursday Night, Galmegi Brewing Nampo, and more. You can easily grab some drinks at the local convenience store and bring them to the beach and drink on the beach. While at the convenience store, you can also grab some fireworks that you can shoot off at the beach.

You can visit some of the many clubs in Busan as well, like Output, Club Babau, and Revel.

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What were your favorite things to do in Busan?