After a few days in Seoul, I took a train to go towards Busan. Honestly, I didn’t know too much about this coastal city in South Korea besides that I could take the ferry to Japan from there. A good reason to go, but of course since I was going there, I also wanted to spend a few nights there to explore the city and surroundings. It seemed like there was a lot to do in Busan, so I did my research, and filled my days with activities.
I was staying in a little guesthouse, so during my stay in Busan I didn’t really meet people but I actually really enjoyed just wandering around by myself and doing everything at my own pace. The advantages of travelling solo, am I right?? Well, I’ll share with you what I did in Busan.
In the end I stayed one day less than I initially planned, not because I didn’t like the city, but because of weather conditions. The ferry I booked was cancelled, so I left a day early to go to Japan. So there were still a few things I had planned to do in Busan, but sadly couldn’t because of the change of plans. All good, I still feel like I made the most of my time.
What to Do in Busan, South Korea? A lot!
Relax at Haeundae Beach
Haeundae Beach is one of South Korea’s most iconic beaches and a popular spot for both locals and tourists, especially in summer. Whether you feel like going for a swim, walking along the shoreline, or simply relaxing on the sand. Around the area you will find plenty of cafés, restaurants, and bars. End the day with a walk along the coast, followed by a drink at a cozy bar.
Walk to the Dongbaekseom Lighthouse
From Haeundae Beach, you can follow a coastal trail that leads you to the famous Dongbaekseom Lighthouse. Along the route, you’ll enjoy beautiful ocean viewpoints and a mermaid statue looking out over the sea. A great place to clear the mind and breathe in the fresh air.
Once you reach the lighthouse, you’ll notice another landmark right next to it: the Nurimaru APEC House.
Enter the Nurimaru APEC House
Even though the views are similar to those at the lighthouse, the Nurimaru APEC House itself is special. It’s located on the cliffs, and kind of feels like a location from a James Bond film. That isn’t the reason why it was built though. It was built for the 2005 APEC Summit and combines modern architecture with traditional Korean design elements.
You can enter it for free and learn some more about the history of this building. In general, I had lots of fun walking around this part of Busan and the views were incredible.
Explore Jagalchi Market
Situated near Busan’s harbor, Jagalchi Market is the largest seafood market in South Korea. The market is full of energy, with local vendors selling fresh seafood alongside a variety of regional products. Many stalls can even prepare your seafood right in front of you. Since I’m vegetarian, I didn’t try anything. But I guess if you do eat fish, this is the place to do so.
Wander Through Gamcheon Culture Village
Gamcheon Culture Village is one of Busan’s most colorful neighborhoods, spread across the hillsides of the city. It’s in a maze of houses in all the colors of the rainbow, narrow streets, and creative murals. It for sure is one of the city’s must-visit spots.
I’d recommend to spend some time walking around the streets, take a look at the street art, and don’t miss the famous Little Prince statue overlooking the city. Along the way, you’ll find many souvenir shops and small local art stores.
If you stay until the evening, you might catch a beautiful sunset while lanterns and decorative lights slowly start to light up. Feeling hungry? There are lots of street food stalls and cafés as well.
Visit Gwangalli Beach and the Gwangan Bridge
Gwangalli Beach is another favorite beach in Busan, loved for its soft sand and relaxed atmosphere. This was my plan to do on my final day, but yes, since my stay was cut one day short, I didn’t make it here.
Stretching across the bay is the impressive Gwangan Bridge, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, and yes you can even see it from the APEC House. But if you want to get a little closer, you can go here to watch the sunset for example!
Enjoy the View from Busan Tower
Are you looking for a place to see the views of the city from another perspective? Go to the Busan Tower in Yongdusan Park. It’s a 118-meter-high tower and offers panoramic views across Busan and its coastline!
Discover Taejongdae Resort Park
One of the reasons Busan feels so unique is the combination of city life and beautiful coastal nature. Taejongdae Resort Park is one of the best places to experience this, and going here was one of my favorite things I did while visiting Busan. You can either walk the circular trail through the park or take the tourist train, which stops at several scenic viewpoints along the coastline.
Walk Across the Oryukdo Skywalk
Another way to appreciate the coast is by going to the Oryukdo Skywalk. It’s a glass walkway that extends out over the cliffs and gives you some amazing views. If heights aren’t really your thing, this might be something to skip 😉
Visit the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Temples can be found all across South Korea, but Haedong Yonggungsa feels extra special thanks to its location. It’s directly along the cliffs overlooking the ocean. In my opinion, easily one of Busan’s most beautiful sights!
As you walk through the temple grounds, you’ll be surrounded by scenery, greenery, and stunning views. Throughout the complex, informational signs explain Buddhist traditions, prayer rituals, and life lessons.
I visited early in the morning, which I’d definitely recommend. There were hardly any people around, which made the visit extra special. Also since it’s a bit of a travel to get there, it was a nice way to start the day and to have time after to do other things in Busan that were still on my to-do list.
Stroll Through Jeonpo’s Trendy Streets
Looking for a more city-like activity and less nature? Go to the Jeonpo neighborhood, one of the trendiest of Busan. The streets are filled with trendy cafés, vintage stores, boutiques, and excellent restaurants. I didn’t know too much about the area and where to go, so I just saved some spots on my map and walked around.
The neighborhood mixes modern and traditional Korean culture in a really fun way. Some of my favorite places here are Ma Belle Mignon, Strut Coffee, Hash Table, and PUFF Bakery. And honestly, once you start wandering around and check some spots on Google Maps, you’ll come across plenty of cool locations yourself.
Try Hotteok at Gukje Market
Trying Hotteok is something you absolutely shouldn’t skip while visiting South Korea. This popular Korean snack is made from fried dough filled with sugar, honey, and nuts. Basically everything I love. It’s sweet, and perfect as a quick snack without being too sugary. In Busan, some of the best Hotteok can be found around Gukje Market.
The market itself is packed with food stalls selling all kinds of local food, but the Hotteok is especially popular. Make sure to explore the covered indoor area of the market as well, where you’ll find everything from fabrics and clothing to household goods and local products.
Well, that’s it. My recommendations for things to do in Busan. Lots to see and do and I bet there is a lot more than what I managed to cover in the few days that I was there. In the end I’m happy I went to Busan, and didn’t just see it as a smart stop to get to Japan, but also spend a few nights here to go around and explore. Highly recommend to visit while traveling though South Korea!
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