Back in 2017, I spent a semester abroad in Busan, South Korea’s second-biggest city, and it slowly became one of my favourite places in the world. Since then, I’ve returned to Busan several times, most recently in 2026, and I somehow still keep finding new things to do.
While most first-time visitors to South Korea naturally spend a lot of time in Seoul, I really wouldn’t skip Busan. The city has a very different feel, with beaches, colourful villages, mountains, markets, temples, and some incredible coastal views, while still offering all the conveniences of a big city.
There is also much more to do in Busan than you might initially think. You can ride a cable car across the sea, relax at a Korean spa, watch a baseball game, take a yacht cruise underneath Gwangan Bridge or spend an afternoon hopping between beaches.
So, after living in Busan and returning several times since, here are my favourite things to do in Busan, South Korea.
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1. Visit the Gamcheon Culture Village
Gamcheon Culture Village is probably Busan’s best-known attraction and somewhere I would definitely recommend visiting if it’s your first time in the city.
The hillside neighbourhood is known for its colourful houses, little shops, cafés, murals and viewpoints overlooking Busan. However, it wasn’t always a tourist attraction. Gamcheon was once one of the city’s poorer areas before an urban regeneration project transformed it.
Today, you can easily spend a couple of hours wandering around the small streets and stopping at the different viewpoints.
In a way, it reminds me a little of Comuna 13 in Colombia, which has also gone through a massive and colourful transformation and is now one of the most visited places in the city.
I usually recommend pairing Gamcheon Culture Village with Songdo, as they are relatively close. My one day in Busan guide follows exactly this route.
How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to Toseong Station and continue by local bus towards Gamcheon Culture Village. You can walk up from the lower part of the city, but be prepared for quite a steep climb.
🌆 Prefer to visit with a guide? You can also book a Busan sightseeing tour that includes Gamcheon Culture Village and several other major attractions.
2. Ride the Busan AirCruise at Songdo Beach
If you ask me, the Busan AirCruise is still one of the best things to do in Busan.
The cable car travels from Songdo Beach across the water to Amnam Park, giving you incredible views over the beach, sea and skyline along the way.
You can choose between a regular cabin and one with a glass floor if you want an even better view of what’s beneath you.
Once you reach the other side, don’t immediately head back. There are several more things to see around Amnam Park, including the Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge and hiking trails through the forest.
The AirCruise works particularly well together with Gamcheon Culture Village because both are located on the same side of Busan.
🎟️ Book your Busan AirCruise ticket here.
3. Visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Haedong Yonggungsa is one of the most beautiful temples in Busan and especially worth visiting because of its unusual location directly beside the sea.
Unlike many Korean temples that are located in the mountains, Haedong Yonggungsa sits along the rocky coastline northeast of Haeundae.
There are several viewpoints around the temple where you can see the colourful buildings with the ocean behind them, and the coastal setting makes it feel completely different from many of the other temples you might visit during a trip around South Korea.
It’s quite far from central Busan, so I would combine it with other places on this side of the city, such as Songjeong or Haeundae.
👥 Or check out this tour, which also includes a visit to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple!
4. Visit ARTE Museum
If you like immersive digital art, ARTE Museum Busan is definitely worth adding to your itinerary in Busan.
The museum is located on Yeongdo and features large-scale digital installations that combine light, sound, and moving images. Some of the rooms are completely immersive, and I ended up enjoying this much more than I expected.
It is also one of the best things to do in Busan when it rains because everything is indoors.
I would combine ARTE Museum with Huinnyeoul Culture Village, as both are located on Yeongdo.
I have a complete guide to visiting the ARTE Museum Busan, with more information on tickets, getting there, and what to expect.
5. Explore Huinnyeoul Culture Village
Another place I visited on my latest trip to Busan was Huinnyeoul Culture Village on Yeongdo.
The village stretches along the coastline and is filled with little cafés, narrow streets and viewpoints overlooking the sea.
It has become increasingly popular, but I still think it feels quite different from Gamcheon Culture Village.
While Gamcheon is all about colourful houses built into the hillside, Huinnyeoul has much more of a coastal feel.
There is also a walking path down by the water, so leave yourself some time to explore rather than only walking along the main café street.
Since ARTE Museum Busan is also on Yeongdo, the two are really easy to combine.
6. Relax at Spa Land Centum City
For something completely different, spend a few hours at Spa Land Centum City.
Spa Land is a large Korean spa with various saunas, hot rooms, relaxation areas, baths, and other facilities.
I visited during my latest trip and think it’s particularly nice when you want a break from sightseeing. A lot of the sauna and relaxation areas are shared, and you wear the spa clothes provided, so you can easily spend a few hours moving between the different rooms.
Spa Land is located next to Shinsegae Centum City, so you can also combine your visit with some shopping or food.
It’s particularly convenient if you’re staying around Gwangalli or Haeundae because Centum City is located between the two.
I have a full Spa Land Centum City guide explaining what it’s like, what to expect and how to visit.
🎟️ Book your Spa Land ticket here.
7. Watch a Lotte Giants Baseball Game
One of my absolute favourite experiences in Busan is going to a Lotte Giants baseball game.
Even if baseball isn’t normally your thing, come for the atmosphere. Korean baseball games are so much fun, and the Lotte Giants have one of the biggest and most enthusiastic fan bases in the country.
There are songs and chants throughout the game, and you can buy food and drinks inside the stadium or bring your own.
Tickets are generally pretty affordable as well, particularly if you sit higher up.
If there is a home game during your trip, I would genuinely try to fit it in.
⚾ Read my complete guide to watching a Lotte Giants baseball game in Busan for more information about tickets, getting there and what to expect.
8. Spend some time at Haeundae Beach
Haeundae is Busan’s most famous beach and one of the city’s main tourist areas.
The beach itself is huge, and there are plenty of restaurants, cafés, bars and shops in the surrounding streets. Festivals and events also regularly take place around Haeundae throughout the year.
Even if you aren’t visiting Busan during beach weather, it’s still worth walking along the beachfront while you’re in this part of the city. There is also a market here as well as several attractions, such as SeaLife or the Busan x Sky skyscraper.
You can also easily combine Haeundae with the Sky Capsule, Beach Train and several other attractions along the coast.
9. Ride the Haeundae Sky Capsule and Beach Train
The colourful Haeundae Sky Capsules have become one of Busan’s most recognisable attractions.
The small capsules travel slowly along an elevated track beside the coast between Mipo and Cheongsapo, giving you beautiful views over the sea.
This is one attraction where I would recommend booking ahead, especially if you want to go around sunset. Popular time slots can sell out.
You can also combine the Sky Capsule with the Haeundae Beach Train, which travels farther along the coast towards Songjeong.
A popular option is to take the Sky Capsule in one direction and then use the Beach Train for another section of the route.
10. Visit Songjeong Beach
If you want a beach that feels considerably more relaxed than Haeundae, continue along the coast to Songjeong.
Songjeong Beach is particularly popular with surfers and has a much calmer atmosphere than Haeundae.
There are plenty of cafés around the beach as well, so it’s an easy place to spend an hour or two.
One of the nicest ways to reach Songjeong is by taking the Haeundae Beach Train, which makes the journey itself part of the sightseeing.
Check out the best ways to travel from Haeundae to Songjeong Beach!
11. Spend an evening at Gwangalli Beach
Gwangalli is probably my favourite area in Busan, particularly in the evening.
The beach looks directly onto Gwangan Bridge, which lights up once it gets dark, and the whole beachfront has a really nice atmosphere.
There are loads of restaurants, bars and cafés around the beach, so I would recommend coming in the late afternoon and staying until after sunset.
If you happen to visit on a Saturday, you can also watch the Gwangalli Drone Show over the water.
I stayed directly on Gwangalli Beach during my latest trip and have also written a review of the beachfront hotel I stayed at if you’re considering staying here too.
12. Take a yacht cruise beneath Gwangan Bridge
Another fun thing to do around Gwangalli is to take a yacht cruise.
The cruise I did travelled around the area between Marine City and Gwangan Bridge before returning to the marina.
I went in the evening, which I would definitely recommend because you get to see the bridge and skyline illuminated.
The cruise lasts around 50 minutes, so it’s also easy to fit into an evening without taking up a huge amount of sightseeing time.
I have written a complete Busan yacht cruise review covering the experience, the current departure point and how to get there.
⛵ Book the Busan yacht cruise here.
13. Walk across Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge
Once you’ve taken the Busan AirCruise across to Amnam Park, you can walk over to the Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge.
The bridge connects the mainland to the small Dongseom Island and offers beautiful views of the sea, Songdo Beach, and the cable cars travelling overhead.
The entrance fee is only 1,000 KRW, so I think it’s definitely worth adding while you’re already in the area.
You don’t need much time here, but the views make it a nice addition to a day in Songdo.
Planning a trip to South Korea? Check out my guide to one week in South Korea, or take a look at my 10-day South Korea itinerary if you have a few extra days to explore.
14. Hike to the Dudo Island Observatory
If you want to walk a little farther after visiting the suspension bridge, continue through the forest towards the Dudo Island Observatory.
The trail takes you along the coast through Amnam Park before reaching the viewpoint.
It isn’t a particularly difficult hike, but it gives you a nice break from the busier tourist attractions.
At the end, you’ll get a view over the sea and surrounding coastline.
15. Go up Busan Tower
Busan Tower is located in Yongdusan Park in Nampo and offers panoramic views of this side of the city.
From the observation deck, you can see the harbour, surrounding mountains and huge stretches of Busan.
I wouldn’t necessarily call it an absolute must if you’re short on time, particularly because there is another free viewpoint nearby.
However, if you enjoy observation decks or want to see Busan illuminated at night, it’s still worth considering.
16. Get a free view from Lotte Department Store
You don’t necessarily have to pay to go up Busan Tower to get a great view over Nampo.
Head into Lotte Department Store in Gwangbok and take the lift up to the viewing area on the 13th floor.
From here, you can see the harbour, Jagalchi, Busan Tower and parts of the city stretching towards Gamcheon.
Best of all, the viewpoint is completely free.
I really like this one because it doesn’t take much time to visit and you can easily stop by while exploring Nampo.
17. Visit Jagalchi Fish Market
Jagalchi is one of Korea’s most famous seafood markets and one of Busan’s best-known attractions.
I’ll be very transparent here: I don’t eat seafood, I don’t particularly enjoy the smell of fish, and this isn’t somewhere I personally feel the need to return to.
That said, I’m still glad I’ve seen it once.
The sheer amount and variety of seafood being sold makes it interesting to walk around, especially if this is your first trip to Busan.
And if you actually like seafood, you’ll probably appreciate Jagalchi considerably more than I did.
18. Visit BIFF Square and try Busan hotteok
BIFF Square is another easy stop while you’re exploring Nampo.
There are lots of food stalls here, and this is also one of the easiest places to try Busan’s version of hotteok.
Hotteok is a Korean pancake that you can find throughout the country, but Busan is particularly famous for ssiat hotteok, which is filled with seeds.
It makes for an easy snack while walking around the area, and BIFF Square is only a short walk from Jagalchi Market and the Lotte Department Store.
19. Shop at Seomyeon Underground Shopping Center
I wouldn’t necessarily tell you to go all the way to Seomyeon just to sightsee, because there aren’t many major attractions here.
However, if you’re already around Seomyeon, the underground shopping area is worth checking out.
There are loads of small shops selling clothes, accessories, beauty products and other items, often at considerably lower prices than you’ll find in Busan’s big department stores. I actually found a lot of things here, but I also really enjoy underground shopping centers in Korea.
Seomyeon itself is also one of the busiest nightlife and restaurant areas in Busan, so it can be a good place to visit later in the day. It also has a famous café street that is worth checking out!
20. Visit Shinsegae Centum City
If you enjoy shopping, Shinsegae Centum City is worth a look while you’re in the area.
The department store is absolutely massive, with floor after floor of shops, restaurants and other facilities.
Personally, I wouldn’t make a special journey across Busan just for the shopping centre, but it works really well in combination with Spa Land, which is located right next to it.
It’s also a useful rainy-day option if the weather isn’t cooperating.
How many days do you need in Busan?
I would recommend spending at least three days in Busan.
One thing that is easy to underestimate when planning your trip is how spread out Busan is. Travelling between Nampo, Gwangalli, Haeundae and the eastern side of the city can take quite a while.
With three days, you can divide your sightseeing by area rather than spending half your trip travelling back and forth across the city.
Have a look at my 3-Day Busan Itinerary for the route I recommend.
Staying Connected in Busan
Having reliable mobile data made travelling around Busan much easier for me, especially as I was constantly checking directions, public transport routes and places to visit while I was out exploring. Since I spent most days moving between different parts of the city, I definitely wouldn’t want to rely on Wi-Fi alone.
This section is sponsored by Nomad eSIM, who provided me with an eSIM to test during my latest trip to South Korea. As always, all opinions and experiences are my own.
During my latest trip, I tested Nomad eSIM in South Korea and found it really convenient. The setup was straightforward, and once activated, I could use my data as normal throughout the trip. I also tested the hotspot while travelling between destinations so I could connect my laptop and get some work done on the go, which worked well for me.
Having reliable data is particularly useful in Busan, as many of the main attractions are spread across different parts of the city and you’ll likely use your phone a lot for directions and public transport. Nomad eSIM offers both fixed-data and unlimited options for South Korea, with access to networks including SK Telecom, KT and LG U+. New users can also currently try a free 1GB trial eSIM.
For more details, read my full guide to using Nomad eSIM in South Korea, where I share my experience, how the setup works and the different plans available.
Where to Stay in Busan
Busan is much more spread out than it looks, so choosing the right area to stay can make a big difference.
For first-time visitors, I would recommend Haeundae or Gwangalli. Haeundae is the most popular area in Busan and perfect if you want to stay by the beach and close to attractions like the Sky Capsule and Blue Line Park. It is also the easiest area if you do not speak Korean. Book your accommodation in Haeundae!
I usually stay around Gwangalli when I’m in Busan, and on my most recent trip I stayed at a beachfront capsule hotel directly overlooking the beach. I booked one of the private capsules with an ocean view, and the location was honestly hard to beat. You can read my full Gwangalli beachfront hotel review if you’re considering staying there too. Book your accommodation in Gwangalli! Book your accommodation in Gwangalli!
If you want to save money and stay somewhere more central, Seomyeon is a great option for nightlife, shopping, and easy access to the rest of the city. Find hotels in Seomyeon!
For easy access to attractions like Gamcheon Culture Village, BIFF Square and Jagalchi Market, Nampo-dong is another good area to stay. Book your accommodation in Nampo-dong!
Ready to book your stay in Busan?
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Getting to Busan from Seoul
Most travellers visiting Busan as part of a longer South Korea trip will arrive from Seoul.
The KTX is the fastest option, while buses are usually cheaper if you have more time available.
I’ve explained the different options, journey times and departure points in my guide on how to get from Seoul to Busan.
Is Busan worth visiting?
Absolutely.
Busan is still my favourite place in South Korea and one of my favourite cities in the world.
Part of what I love about it is that the city doesn’t feel like you’re doing the same type of sightseeing every day. You can spend one day exploring Gamcheon and riding the AirCruise, another around Haeundae and the coast, and another relaxing at Spa Land before finishing the evening at Gwangalli Beach.
And despite having lived here and returned several times since, I still haven’t run out of new places to see.
So don’t make the mistake of only visiting Seoul on your first trip to South Korea. Give Busan at least a few days – you might end up loving it just as much as I do.
And these were just some of many things to do in Busan, South Korea. Have you been?
Talk to you later!
