I visited Japan a second time this year and embarked on my 11th cruise on the same trip, allowing me to explore Busan, South Korea for two days. Busan is known for many things including the street food scene, beach activities, shopping, spas, and a thriving nightlife. However, since I stayed overnight on the cruise ship and not in a hotel this time in South Korea, I was limited to the ship’s schedule for embarking and disembarking. Given my time constraints, as usual, I diligently researched the essential destinations to explore in Busan. Consequently, I had the opportunity to explore noteworthy tourist attractions, ticking off a few destinations from my bucket list and was able to experience the charm of this South Korean city. If you’re also pressed for time like I was and have to select a few top destinations or have the luxury to explore at a more leisurely pace, here is a list of the 15 best places to visit in Busan, South Korea!
Note: Keep in mind, Google Maps doesn’t work very well in Korea so you will need to download Naver Map or Kakao Map.
15 Best Places To Visit in Busan, South Korea
I’ve also organized the following locations in a format resembling my itinerary-style blog posts, making it convenient to visit. This layout ensures easy exploration without needing backtracking and allows you to divide your time efficiently across the city.
1 – Oryukdo Skywalk
Time Spent – 1 hour
Interesting Facts – This glass-bottomed observatory in Busan, South Korea extends over cliffs and allows for unobstructed views of the beautiful ocean below. The name “Oryukdo” means five-six islands which represents the five islands visible from the skywalk on clear days. This is a coastal beauty that visitors love to admire and it gives a thrilling experience for those who want adventure and enjoy the scenic beauty of Korea.
2 – Taejongdae Resort Park
Time Spent – 3 to 4 hours
Interesting Facts – This park emphasizes the preservation of the coastal natural beauty with its stunning cliffs, dense forests, and panoramic ocean views. This park is named after King Taejong Muyeol of the Silla Dynasty and even has a monument dedicated to the king. You can find the Yeongdo Lighthouse, the Danubi Train where you can enjoy a scenic ride, natural rock formations – most notably – Suicide Rock, and Taejongsa Temple which is a tranquil Buddhist temple. You will also come across the diverse plant and animal life at this park which contributes to the ecological significance here. A visit to this spot in Busan, South Korea, is a wonderful opportunity to unwind and embrace a sense of tranquility during your travels.
3 – Jagalchi Fish Market / BIFF Square (Busan International Film Festival Square)
Time Spent – 2 to 4 hours
Interesting Facts – Jagalchi Fish Market and BIFF Square are within walking distance of each other so it’s easy to visit both areas while you’re in the area. Jagalchi Fish Market is one of Korea’s largest seafood markets for both fresh and dried seafood. Meanwhile, BIFF Square is celebrated for its film-related attractions, shops, and delectable street food options. Whether you’re indulging in shopping or savoring the local cuisine, there’s plenty of opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant experiences that Busan, South Korea has to offer.
4 – Gamcheon Culture Village
Time Spent – 3 to 4 hours
Interesting Facts – Gamcheon Culture Village captures travelers from near and far for its vibrant and artistic charm with its pastel-colored houses and captivating street art. This visually stunning village is full of artistic murals and sculptures created by local artists with the government’s support to turn this area around as it was once known as the slums. Through this artistic transformation, Gamcheon Culture Village became a thriving cultural hub with their unconventional housing designs, whimsical architecture, vibrant colors, and art installations.
Gamcheon Culture Village isn’t only a sightseeing experience, it’s an immersive journey into the culture and artistic creativity in Busan, South Korea and it was hands-down my favorite location that I visited on this trip!
Watch my Instagram reel for a quick walkthrough of this gorgeous village!
5 – Seonggok Traditional Market
Time Spent – 1 to 2 hours
Interesting Facts – Seonggok Traditional Market is a haven for food enthusiasts with an array of local snacks and delicacies, traditional Korean street foods such as skewered treats, savory pancakes, to an enticing variety of snacks. Beyond this gastronomic adventure, you can find a treasure trove of traditional goods and artisanal handmade crafts. You can also partake in seasonal festivities and events, and take in the cultural richness of this bustling hub Busan, South Korea.
6 – Samgwangsa Temple
Time Spent – 1 to 1.5 hours
Interesting Facts – Nestled in a serene location with a peaceful atmosphere, visitors can relish in the exquisite traditional Korean architecture. The temple’s structure showcases its intricate wooden designs, vibrant paintwork, and distinctive pagoda-style structures. You have the opportunity to enjoy cultural events, participate in meditation sessions, join in various ceremonies, and learn about the rich history through their artifacts, status, and other relics. This is the perfect temple to journey through spirituality, learn about South Korean cultural traditions, and take in the natural beauty of the landscape.
7 – Seokbulsa Temple
Time Spent – 1 to 2 hours
Interesting Facts – The Seokbulsa Buddhist temple is situated in the Geumjeongsan Mountain in Busan, South Korea and is a hidden gem of this city. Adorned with intricately engraved stones depicting Buddhist figures and featuring cave temples, Seokbulsa offers a unique sanctuary for followers and presents gorgeous views of Busan. To embark on this enchanting journey, you will need to traverse through scenic mountain trails, embarking on a picturesque hike that serves as an integral part of the complete Seokbulsa experience.
8 – Beomeosa Temple
Time Spent – 1.5 to 2 hours
Interesting Facts – This historic Buddhist temple dates back to the 7th century and is located in the mountains, which provides a serene mountain experience where you can appreciate the cultural and historical aspects of Busan, South Korea. Here you can also participate in mediation sessions or join in a meditation session, explore the nature trails
9 – Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Time Spent – 1 to 2 hours
Interesting Facts – This unique seaside temple with stunning ocean views is known as the most beautiful temple in Korea. Tracing back to the Goryeo Dynasty, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is one of the few temples in Korea dedicated to the sea goddess which makes it significant for marine-related rituals. A notable feature are the zodiac animals that lead up to the seaside temple and the “Healing Buddha” statue. This temple also uses vibrant colors and intricate detailing in its architecture and design. There are also over 100 steps to get to the temple but it was quite easy to walk through, even for the elderly.
10 – World’s Highest Starbucks
Time Spent – 30 minutes
Interesting Facts – Of course, almost everyone knows what Starbucks is, but this is the world’s highest Starbucks and it’s located on the 99th floor’s observation deck at Busan X The Sky. You will need to pay an admission fee but besides the coffee, you can get an amazing view of Busan while you’re at it and say you’ve been to the world’s highest Starbucks.
11 – Sealife Busan Aquarium
Time Spent – 1.5 to 2 hours
Interesting Facts – Located in Haeundae Beach, visitors can enjoy the marine exhibits inside Sealife Busan Aquarium as well as the coastal surroundings of the beach on the outside. This aquarium showcases the unique marine species in this region’s waters and the underwater life along with their interactive exhibits that allow you to touch and interact with certain marine creatures. You can gain an educational experience here with their shows, feeding demonstrations, and informative sessions conducted by their marine experts. There are also conservation efforts to raise awareness about environmental issues that affect marine life in South Korea and ongoing projects and ways you can contribute to help preserve the marine life here.
12 – Haeundae Beach or Gwangalli Beach
Time Spent – 20 minutes up to 3 hours
Interesting Facts – Depending on your interests and preferences, you may want to drop by Haeundae Beach or Gwangalli Beach just to say you’ve seen it or spend some time with beach activities or festivals and events. To help you choose, here are the differences:
Haeundae Beach
- Lots of space at this large sandy beach
- This beach hosts different festivals and events
- Because of its popularity, it can get quite crowded
- Better for daytime activities
Gwangalli Beach
- Famous location for its stunning views of the Gwangandaegyo Bridge especially when it’s illuminated in the evening
- This beach hosts spectacular fireworks festivals
- There are many trendy cafés, restaurants, and shops
- Despite its smaller size, the beach offers fantastic city views and a more relaxed atmosphere
13 – Nurimaru APEC House
Time Spent – 20 minutes
Interesting Facts – While the APEC House only requires a short visit, it does hold cultural and architectural significance as it is served as the main venue for the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summit in 2005. The leaders of the 21 member countries which included Canada and the US gathered here to discuss regional economic cooperation. The architecture of this house also displays Korea’s traditional pavilion which symbolizes this country’s rich cultural heritage. The location of the APEC House also makes it ever-so-popular to visit as it has stunning views of the ocean and coastline, the Gwangandaegyo Bridge and has many surrounding walking trails and gardens to showcase their seasonal flowers.
The exhibits inside also showcase the food that was served to the leaders, the countries in attendance, a magnificent mother-of-pearl lacquer work, and more.
14 – Visit A Jimjilbang – Shinsegae Centum City Spa Land
Time Spent – 2 to 5 hours
Interesting Facts – Jimjilbangs are Korean bathhouses or saunas and there are many to choose from in Busan, South Korea. However, Shinsegae Centum City Spa Land is the largest jimjilbang in the world and has a variety of saunas, baths, relaxation amenities, entertainment zones, and additional spa services. This multi-story jimjilbang is an experience you won’t want to miss especially if you need a little me-time. You will be provided with an electronic bracelet that tracks the services you purchased including food and drinks so you can enjoy the facilities hands-free. If you visit on a weekday or during the mornings, there will be fewer crowds and cheaper entry.
Keep in mind, just like the onsens in Japan, you will need to strip bare for the baths.
15 – Shinsegae Centum City
Time Spent – 1 to 3 hours or more
Interesting Facts – For the shopaholics out there, this is the world’s largest department store and is even recognized by the Guinness World Records. This is also where you’ll find Spa Land so it really makes for a perfect day of pampering and indulgence. You can shop for high-end and luxury brands here with their large selection of products and product types. Besides shopping, you can be entertained with art galleries, cultural spaces, interactive exhibits, catch one of the latest films at Lotte Cinema, or even try ice skating on their rooftop. There is also no shortage of dining options to choose from which of course includes the Korean cuisine as well as many different international flavors.
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