Busan, South Korea: 11 Best Things to Do
The final stop on our South Korea itinerary was Busan, a waterfront city on the southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula. With history as the wartime capital during the Korean War, a cradle of K-pop icons and cinema, and home to stunning beaches, mountains, and temples, there is no shortage of things to do in Busan, cementing its reputation as one of the best places to visit in South Korea.
Despite being South Korea's second-largest city, Busan – sometimes spelled Pusan – feels different from Seoul. Its laid-back atmosphere, coastal charm, and unique attractions are products of its history and geography. Here is our curated list of things to do and see in Busan that set this city apart. Add them to your South Korea itinerary.
11 Unique Things to Do in Busan
Busan Diamond Tower and Yongdusan Park
Perched atop Yongdu Mountain, one of Busan’s three major peaks, you’ll find two popular places to see in Busan. The first is Yongdusan Park, a peaceful retreat of pine trees and a symbol of Busan for witnessing the Japanese occupation, the Korean War, and hosting refugees. The monuments in the park pay tribute to those historic events. The second is Busan Diamond Tower, topped with an observation deck modeled after the baldaquin of Dabotap Pagoda in Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju – the UNESCO city of South Korea we also visited on our itinerary. Rising 393 feet above the park, the observatory offers 360-degree views of the city and the port. It's the ideal place to take in the diverse cityscape of Busan.
Hot Tip: For a modern perspective, head to Busan X the SKY observatory. Located in the popular Haeundae district, it houses dining venues, an art gallery, shops, and an observatory with the best views of Busan’s iconic beaches and Gwangan Bridge.
BIFF Square
Described as the film capital of South Korea, Busan boasts UNESCO recognition as a Creative City of Film. Diving into this aspect of its heritage is a must, and the place to start is BIFF Square. From a cluster of post-liberation cinemas, it evolved into a district dedicated to the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), becoming Asia’s leading film festival and one of the biggest (popcorn-scented) Busan attractions. The festival takes place in the fall, but the square is a cultural attraction worth exploring year-round by strolling the Walk of Fame adorned with celebrity handprints. They are mostly Korean stars, with the odd international celebrity dispersed in between. BIFF Square is also famous for street food. Grab a sweet fried pancake filled with melted brown sugar and nuts (ssiat hotteok), an irresistible local specialty worth queuing for.
If you are not familiar with Korean cinematography, there is no better place to get informed than the Busan Museum of Movies, located a short walk from BIFF Square. At this museum, you quite literally hop on a time-travel train that explains how Busan became a cinematic city. Through various themed halls, you’ll explore what makes a great movie and even practice editing footage yourself, which was right up Bev’s alley as she is the resident YouTube editor between us.
Hot Tip: Go the extra mile and catch a movie at Busan Cinema Center. Not only is it a Busan landmark and cinema institution, but also a feat of architecture holding a Guinness World Record for the “longest cantilever roof” in the world. Make sure to catch an evening show to also admire the LED show on the roof.
Jagalchi Market
Located in the old harbor district of Busan, Jagalchi Market is the largest fish market in South Korea, with over 600 years of history. It’s one of the main things to see in Busan that can’t be missed. First, start by perusing the carefully assembled seafood displays on the ground floor. Marvel at marine delicacies you perhaps have never seen before, take photos, and consult the vendors on what to try, who are experts on the subject. The upper floor is filled with restaurants that will cook for you anything you buy at the market below. You can also order straight off the menu, but trying to bargain and communicate with sellers at the market is part of the experience.
Gamcheon Cultural Village
Built on a steep mountainside slope, Gamcheon Cultural Village is a former refugee settlement during the Korean War. It has gone through a transformation thanks to a regeneration project that offered up the shanty town as a canvas for artists. It’s referred to as the “Machu Picchu of Busan” for its terraced structure, and its art turned the village into a popular Busan attraction.
We recommend starting your tour at the museum located at the entrance to the village, where you learn about the history. Then, you are ready to spend hours navigating the labyrinthine alleys and stairways as you hunt for adorable art installations and murals like a series of ceramic houses, bird sculptures, and the Little Prince looking over Busan. The cute art and hanbok rentals (traditional Korean attire) present plenty of photo opportunities, so for one-on-one time with Gamcheon Cultural Village, visit early in the day.
Hot Tip: Just across the bridge in Yeongdo District, Huinnyeoul Cultural Village is a seaside town nicknamed the “Santorini of Busan” for its white-washed facades and blue accents and a similar history to Gamcheon. A visit to this cute village is a popular thing to do in Busan for coastal walks, mural hunting, and café hopping. Compared to Gamcheon, Huinnyeoul is a more peaceful seafront retreat, perfect for an early morning stroll and coffee with a view. Both villages are still residential areas, so be discrete.
Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge
Surrounded by sea, Busan is the place to visit for beaches. Though Gwangalli Beach is not the most famous in Busan when it comes to lounging, its main attraction is undoubtedly the Gwangan Bridge, which spans 4.5 miles across the sea. It’s a captivating view at sunset but perhaps even better at night when the bridge is fully illuminated. If your visit to Busan overlaps with a Saturday, be sure to make your way down to Gwangalli to watch the drone light show that takes place at 8pm and 10pm in spring and summer and one hour earlier in fall and winter. One of the best things to do in Busan is to watch about 500 drones create themed figures from Gwangalli Beach.
Haeundae Beach
Busan’s Haeundae Beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in South Korea, and a reputation like that brings big crowds all year round. To enjoy the magic of this mile-long stretch of sand fringed by skyscrapers, we recommend opting for an early morning stroll. If you keep walking west, you will reach Dongbaekseom Island, named after camellia flowers that bloom there during winter and spring. The island is home to Dongbaek Coastal Trail, where you can continue your walk for more scenic views. Our visit coincided with the Haeundae Sand Festival, during which Haeundae Beach is transformed into an exhibition of sand sculptures. It’s an annual event held from late May to early June, with a different theme each year.
Haeundae Blue Line Park Sky Capsule
In the opposite direction of Dongbaek Park, behind Busan X the Sky, lays the Haeundae Blue Line Park, home to the Sky Capsule and other Busan attractions. The Sky Capsule, not to be confused with the Haeundae Beach Train, is an elevated system of retro color-clad private capsules that slowly glide on tracks above the coast, offering stunning views from a unique vantage point. It’s one of the best things to do in Busan, especially if you are a party of two seeking a romantic moment and photo ops.
If you prefer to walk, take the Busan Green Railway Trail that runs from Mipo Station along the coast and through the forest. There are observatories dotted along the coast like the glass floor Cheongsapo Daritdol, which is 238 feet long and towers 65 feet above the water, and beaches like the secluded Cheongsapo Mongdol pebble beach. Note that Sky Capsule is a very popular thing to do in Busan, so it’s best to reserve your tickets in advance, especially if you want to ride from Mipo Station at sunset. Alternatively, you can walk to Cheongsapo, enjoying the sights along the coast, visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple further up the coast, and then take the less busy Cheongsapo-Mipo route on the way back.
Haedong Yonggusa Temple
You’ll notice Haedong Yonggusa temple long before you arrive at its doorstep. The walk toward it builds anticipation with a teaser of what’s to come in the distance. Only when you reach the base of the cliff is the view finally unveiled head-on. Built in 1376 into the rocky coastline, Haedong Yonggusa Temple takes your breath away. Since then, it had been destroyed during the Japanese invasion and fully rebuilt by 1970. The sign at the entrance reads “the most beautiful temple in Korea,” and we couldn't agree more, especially the intricate designs of Daeungjeon's Main Hall.
The beauty, energy, and power of the surrounding elements instill confidence in the temple’s promise to grant at least one of your wishes. There are even specialized prayer spots, like a car wheel dedicated to traffic safety. Despite its beauty, however, Haedong Yonggusa is in no way peaceful during peak visit hours. Being one of the most popular places to see in Busan, it draws significant crowds, so manage your expectations and pick your visit hours wisely. Opt for early hours on a weekday if you are after a spiritual experience.
Oryokdo Skydeck and Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge
Thanks to Busan’s coastline, made up of peninsulas and islets, there are plenty of viewpoints with trails, which means going on a hike is one of the best things to do in Busan. And some come with a thrill.
Oryukdo Skywalk, with its glass bottom walkway, is the tallest viewpoint of its kind, offering views of the Haeundae skyline in the distance. Beyond the deck, you can climb stairs up a mountain and skirt the coast along the Igidae Coastal Trail to the other side of the peninsula in about 2.5 hours.
Songdo Island, on the other hand, is full of man-made thrills built around nature. It’s got glass floor cable cars called the Busan Air Cruise that whisks you to Songdo Sky Park located in primeval forest Amnam. From Amnam Park, you can make your way to one of the most exciting attractions on this island – the Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge that connects to and circles the top of a smaller nearby island, replete with a glass floor.
Hot Tip: For more nature than thrills, visit Taejongdae Park – a dense forest surrounded by the sea, located on Yeongdo Island between Oryukdo and Songdo. Although close to the city, the park feels worlds away.
Geumjeongsan Mountain
Geumjeongsan Mountain is the highest point in Busan and one of the most remarkable mountains in South Korea. Hiking to its peak, 2,630 feet in elevation, is one of the best things to do in Busan if you enjoy the outdoors and history. While the forest and rock formations on this mountain are stunning, there is also an ancient temple Beomeosa that dates back to 678 and Geumjeong Fortress, built in 1703 during the Joseon dynasty. To get to the fortress, follow the trail from Beomeosa Temple toward the North Gate for about a mile. If you are pressed for time, take a shortcut via the cable car.
Shanghai Street
We visited the only official Chinatown in South Korea located in Incheon, which was impressive. But the Chinatown in Busan, called Shanghai Street, took us by surprise. Just like any other Chinatown, the entrance is marked by a grand gate, and the lantern-clad street is lined with Chinese street food and cultural depictions. But the further you walk, the more Chinese signs and eateries are replaced with Cyrillic inscriptions advertising Russian and Uzbek food. Fancy a borscht and plov with a spiced Korean twist? Apparently formed due to an influx of Russian sailors and the neighborhood's proximity to the port, this cultural mishmash is a peculiar thing to see in Busan.
We hope these unique things to do in Busan help you plan your stay. If you need more recommendations on places to visit in South Korea, check out our itinerary.