Travel to Busan, South Korea with Keytours Vacations

Discover Busan's Wonders

Busan, South Korea’s vibrant port city, is where stunning ocean views, rich history, and modern city life come together in perfect harmony. Bask in the sun on the golden sands of Haeundae Beach, take in breathtaking coastal views from the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, and explore the colorful alleys of Gamcheon Culture Village. For an authentic local experience, wander through the bustling Jagalchi Fish Market, where the freshest seafood awaits, or sample sizzling Korean street food at BIFF Square.

Nature lovers can hike the scenic trails of Igidae Park or explore the tranquil beauty of Taejongdae Resort Park, while urban explorers can dive into the lively shopping and entertainment districts of Seomyeon and Nampo-dong. As night falls, take in panoramic views of the city skyline from Busan Tower, or unwind in a traditional jjimjilbang spa with ocean views.

Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, Busan’s unique blend of coastal charm and urban energy promises an unforgettable journey.

Current Weather

71.42 °F - Clouds Min/Max: 71.42 °F / 71.42 °FFeels: 72.68 °F Humidity: 94%5 Day Forecast

Trips

Hotels

Activities

Transfers

Description

Busan is a sprawling metropolitan area that encompasses several clusters of interest, each with its own set of attractions. The unmissable showpiece is Busan's famous Jagalchi Fish Market, which supplies nearly 50% of all seafood across Korea. There is an abundance of scenic coastal walks, lively nightlife, and a never-ending supply of local eats, from finger food served at street stalls to elaborate meals that necessarily come with a trayful of various pickles and condiments.

Useful information

Population:

Metropolitan city: 3.5 million (2024) Metro area: 8 million

Currency:

South Korean won (KRW)

Emergency Info:

Ambulance & Fire: 119
Emergency medical information: 1339
Police: 112

Opening Hours:

Do & See

Beomeo-sa Temple

This spectacular urban Buddhist temple (the head temple of the Jogye Order) is a highlight on any Busan itinerary. A pleasant uphill hike through quiet nature will take you to temple grounds, with beautiful ornate pavilions, Buddhist statues and worshippers, which include both temporary visitors and monks who reside here permanently. Temple grounds tend to get busy during holidays and weekends. You can either make a few hours' trip or – for full cultural immersion – book an overnight stay that includes an introduction to monastic life, complete with joining a formal dinner and pre-dawn chanting. Stays must booked in advance via the website, and there are several different programmes available. If you opt for the full experience, do mind that the (silent!) wake-up hour is at 5am.

Dongbaekseom Park & Haeundae Beach

Explore the wood walkways traversing Dongbaekseom Park and take in the spectacular views of the coastline from several viewing platforms along the way. It's a very pleasant, scenic walk in the shade of pine trees that lends itself well to photos; you'll see Busan's own mermaid statue looking out longingly to the sea soon upon entering. Busan's most popular public beach, Haeundae, is right next to the park. It gets rather busy during the summers (in August especially so); bring your own sun umbrella if you plan to stay longer.

Gamcheon Culture Village

2009 saw Gamcheon turn from an area of budget housing for refugees of the Korean War into a premier tourist attraction, all thanks to a collective effort by local students and artists, who transformed the neighbourhood with colourful wall painting and street art. Today Gamcheon even has a tourist office of its own: stop by on your way in to pick up a detailed map of the village's attractions; collect a stamp at each and you'll receive a small prize from the tourist office on submission. There is a small museum telling the neighbourhood's story, and a number of shops, cafes and street food stalls. When wandering the maze of Gamcheon's streets, please respect the privacy of family homes.

Igidae Coastal Walk

Igidae Coastal Walk makes for a wonderful hike along the shore of the Sea of Japan. The path itself is of moderate difficulty, with some parts featuring pedestrian bridges and others running directly through natural terrain. The entire path is about 4km long and should take about 2 hours to complete in its entirety, but there are access points along the way which you can use to cut through to a nearby bus stop. The trail can be done both north to south and vice versa, although heading north is reportedly easier and comes with an added bonus of finishing the hike at the scenic Oryukdo Skywalk, standing on a see-through platform and looking down onto the rocky shore.

Jagalchi Fish Market

This legendary market will blow the mind of anyone who happens to have even a passing interest in seafood. The sheer variety of sea creatures sold here must be seen to be believed: apart from Korean favourites like crab and eel, there are the myriad types of fish and shellfish (try the 'kalguksu' noodles with clams, or 'bajirak'), plus essentially anything that can be extracted from the deep waters washing over Busan. Take a stroll around to gawk at the market's curiosities, such as the sea worm ('gaebul'), whose visual similarity to the male reproductive organ has earned it the apt nickname of 'penis fish'. Then, select the seafood that tickles your fancy and have it be cooked right then and there by one of the shops inside the market, many of which have a seating area in the second floor. Get all your seafood from a single vendor if you can, then proceed upstairs to be served your selection accompanied by sauces and side dishes (a few the latter can even be served on the house if you're in luck). Mind that a cooking charge applies, and the price on side dishes is listed per person. Given the upsurge in tourist numbers, prices at Jagalchi have reportedly gone up in recent years, leaving it for travellers who aren't exactly on a budget. Do not despair: most of what you'll see at the market is also served at nearly any seafood restaurant in town, and at a lower charge in some cases.

Jjimjilbang (Spa)

Jjimjilbang culture holds firmly in Korea, with the Busan area alone boasting around 450 spa centres (the largest number compared to any other region). It's important to note that the absolute majority of spas require that guests of both genders remove all of their clothing prior to accessing any of the baths or hot springs (this includes swimwear). Heosimcheong Spa is the largest of kind in Asia (and extremely reasonably priced), but there are other options for a slightly more refined experience that's still very affordable (the luxurious Spa Land Centum City, to name one). Some spas (such as Hill Spa, for example) remain open 24/7; these are sometimes used as a place to spend the night in lieu of a hotel room. For a lighter version of the experience, visit a "foot-only" spa, where anyone can sit down and soak their feet in hot thermal water for a few minutes. Dongnae Spa Outdoor Foot Bath is one address to experience this.

Nampo-dong & BIFF Square

Taking its name from the Busan International Film Festival, BIFF is certainly at its liveliest during this esteemed annual event, but remains a happening place throughout the rest of the year. It's best known for the street food stalls dotting the area and the 400+ metre-long street itself, with a plethora of Korean specialities cooked up by the skilled vendors (look for Gwangbokdong Food Street for the biggest selection). Our top pick among those would have to be the ubiquitous 'hotteok' pancakes stuffed with a sweet mix of crushed seeds and brown sugar. Nampo-dong is the greater area around the street itself, packed with a dizzying array of restaurants, shops, cafes, movie theatres, and more. Evening is the best time to come.

Song Marine Cable Car

This recently renovated cable car route stretches out across the sea for longer than 1.5km, and features cabins with and without see-through flooring. If you're the daring type, opt for the former and be rewarded with incredible views of the water below.

Dining

Anga Sutbul-gui

If it's the celebrated Korean BBQ you're after, Anga Sutbul-gui is probably the place you'll be directed to. They're known primarily for their marinated pork which is grilled to perfection on the private grills built into each table. Diners can also enjoy access to an unlimited salad bar which also displays various condiments. Keep in mind that it's on the pricey side and only set menus are served at lunchtime.

Choryang Milmyeon

A classic inexpensive eatery in close proximity to the Busan station, Choryang Milmyeon serves up cold 'milmyeon' noodles which are a local favourite. The dish might not be for everyone (although we do of course encourage you to try this Busan speciality), wheres the 'mandu' (meat dumplings) rarely disappoint. Prices are extremely affordable.

Gukje Market

A bustling food street cuts through Busan's busiest market, and has diners take seats at the stalls of their choosing. Street eateries sell all manner of Korean and Busan specialities imaginable, from 'gimbap' (Korean sushi rolls) to cold noodles, pork soup, and more. The rest of the market makes for a curious browse-around, even though most of the wares are aimed primarily at local shoppers rather than tourists.

Haeundae Milmyeon Jeonmunjeom

The Busan speciality of "milmyeon" is best served on a hot summer's day. Picture a nest of wheat noodles served ice-cold (sometimes with ice still floating in the broth) with hot pepper paste, vegetables and half an egg on top. The noodles aren't too spicy despite the gochujang paste and make for a nice snack on the beach. The Milmyeon Jeonmunjeom restaurant is walking distance from Haeundae. This type of noodle is known elsewhere in Korea as "naengmyeon", but varieties outside of Busan usually swap wheat noodles for buckwheat, sweet potato for other kinds and they generally leave out the pepper paste.

Jagalchi Fish Market

This legendary market will blow the mind of anyone who happens to have even a passing interest in seafood. The sheer variety of sea creatures sold here must be seen to be believed. If the Korean favourites such as crab and eel get stale, try the 'kalguksu' noodles with clams or 'bajirak' as well as basically anything that can be extracted from the deep waters washing over Busan. One speciality that Jagalchi does particularly well is 'hoe' (pronounced /wɛ/), which is raw fish cut into thin slithers almost like sashimi. Dip it in sauce and wrap it up in a lettuce leaf for a flavour punch in a crunchy casing.

Jangsusam

This compact hole in the wall serves one thing and one thing only, Korean 'samgye-tang'. This gingery soup is made up of a whole chicken stuffed with rice and flavourful ingredients such as garlic and ginseng. The soup is deemed to hold all sorts of curative properties and is considered to be a traditional warm-weather dish. The owner is exceptionally friendly to foreign visitors and willingly demonstrates the proper way to eat the soup, with an assortment of Korean pickles followed by a special ginseng drink and chased with a coffee.

Samjin Amook Main Branch

Fishcakes have a long tradition in Busan, and Samjin Amook is Busan's oldest operating fishcake factory. Its main outlet is a fishcake bakery that features an observable production line, a store where multiple varieties of fishcake are on sale at surprisingly low prices and even a museum on the top floor. There is a cafe of sorts across from the store, where your "catch" can be cooked into a full noodle dish. Fresh cakes sell out quick, so arrive early for best assortment.

Shinsegae Food Hall

The food hall in the basement of Shinsegae, the world's largest according to the Guinness Book of Records is a smorgasbord of international dining options. You'll be truly spoilt for choice with flavours from across Asia and beyond. One really can't go wrong with 'bibimbap', a bowl of rice with delectable toppings that is sometimes served in a steaming hot cast iron bowl, to be mixed and cooked right before eating.

Cafés

Brown Hands Baekje Cafe

Perhaps the most Instagrammable cafe in Busan, Brown Hands Baekje Cafe occupies the space of a former hospital and effortlessly blends elements of the old (like bare brick walls, white wall tiles and jagged doorways) with stylish decor and lighting. They serve hot and cold drinks plus a few sweet snacks.

Jeonpo Cafe Street

The Jeonpo Cafe Street (sometimes called the Seomyeon Cafe Street) is where trendy cafes compete for customer attention with expertly brewed coffee, delectable desserts, and abundant brunch offerings. Whether it's a Korean shaved ice or the finest French pastry you fancy, it can all be found along this stretch. Most cafes open around 11.00.

OPS Haeundae

This popular little bakery packs a punch with its wide array of baked goods, ranging from incredibly appetising sweet treats and cakes (try their Korean custard puffs!) to savoury options that include quiche and noodles as well as some neatly dressed salads. Wash it down with your favourite beverage, it is sure to be on the menu at OPS Haeundae.

Sulbing Seomyeon

This nationwide chain of cafes is known primarily for its 'bingsu' (shaved ice dessert) which is sometimes used interchangeably with the brand name 'Sulbing' itself. There are multiple varieties to choose from at Sulbing Seomyeon. Toppings range from fresh fruit, such as mango and strawberries, to elaborate concoctions featuring an entire slab of tiramisu on top. The chocolate sulbing is probably the most decadent-looking dessert you'll have seen in a while.

Waveon Coffee

If time permits, take a road trip up to Gijang County to pay a visit to the stunning Waveon Coffee building. Set in a spectacular seafront location, this architectural gem offers 4 floors of unobstructed sea views with an open-air terrace at the top. There is a limited coffee/tea menu plus a selection of several elegant desserts.

Bars & Nightlife

Galmegi Brewing Gwangan

Galmegi Brewing is a local craft beer brewery with several locations across Busan. Ordering a sampler flight of 4 distinct beers is usually the best way to go. Select them from a menu that includes everything from mild IPAs and lagers to stouts and other darker beers with fruity or vanilla notes. They serve a limited food menu of pizza and snacks. The chain is quite popular with expats.

Gorilla Brewing Co.

A popular craft brewery with a couple dozen varieties of beer on tap; order by flight or individual glass. The roomy interior follows an industrial theme and can feel somewhat empty outside of peak evening hours, so plan your visit for somewhere around 9pm. There is a decent food menu at Gorilla Brewing Co to help absorb all of that hoppy goodness.

Gwangalli Beach & Millak Waterside Park

Nighttime is when this beach truly shines. It starts with a spectacular sunset, followed by an unobstructed view of the Gwangan Bridge light show (8, 9 and 10pm Fri–Sat and 8 & 10pm Sun–Thu), which is sometimes complemented with a firework display. There are street performances along the promenade and dozens of inviting eateries. Unsurprisingly, the beach tends to get quite busy after sundown and is especially popular with local youths who particularly favour the area. If you feel up to a genuine local nightlife experience, pick up some picnic food (sashimi and soju are usually the local combinations of choice) and join the crowds at Millak Waterfront Park.

Haeundae Ogtap Rooftop

A lively rooftop bar with a view of the sea, Haeundae Ogtap Rooftop sits right above the beach, beside its surrounding high-rises which light up beautifully at night. Order a beer and take it all in from the panoramic outdoor terrace. A snack and food menu is also available.

HQ Gwangan

This Gwangalli Beach staple is a bar especially popular with expats for its affordable drinks, live music, great vibes, and a spectacular night view of the Gwangan Bridge. There is also a fairly long list of edible accoutrements on the menu at HQ Gwangan so the beer has something to soak into.

The Bay 101 Yacht Club

This buzzing waterfront development is a popular venue for an after sundown excursion, whether it be to enjoy the spectacular cityscape that unfolds from here or indulge in some expertly cooked dishes of world cuisine (try the beef noodles at Daedo). There are both high and low end dining options available, as well as a coffee shop that also sells desserts like ice cream and Korean shaved ice.

Shopping

Gukje Market

A sprawling market to shop for anything one can imagine. Haggling is often expected and may prove fruitful here at Gukje Market. The main attraction is the food street stretching across it where Korean street food specialities are represented in abundance.

LOTTE Department Store Gwangbok

Lotte is an iconic Korean department store brand with locations all across the country. This particular one is noteworthy for the spectacular views of Busan harbour from its rooftop, plus a great food court on floor 10. As with every branch, there is a vast array of goods here, from Korean cosmetics to esteemed international brands in everything from personal care to kitchenware. The on-site Lotte Mart hypermarket is a discount chain that stocks a huge variety of local, Asian and international foodstuffs, and can work surprisingly well for souvenir shopping.

Nampo-dong & BIFF Square

Taking its name from the Busan International Film Festival, BIFF is certainly at its liveliest during this esteemed annual event, but remains a happening area throughout the rest of the year. It's best known for the street food stalls lining the 400+ metre-long stretch, where a plethora of Korean specialities are cooked up by skilled vendors. Our top pick among these would have to be the 'hotteok' pancakes stuffed with a sweet mix of crushed seeds and brown sugar. Evening is the best time to come. Nampo-dong is the greater area around the street itself, packed with a dizzying array of restaurants, shops, cafes, movie theatres, and more.

Samjin Amook Main Branch

Shinsegae Centum City

This Guinness Book of Records-listed shopping complex (it's the largest one in the world as of late 2019) is a shopping paradise for those with a penchant for upper-range to luxury brands. The basement food hall is an attraction in its own right, offering up a complete selection of all and any Asian and international culinary delights imaginable. Busan's best spa complex, Spa Land is also located here, alongside other entertainment facilities like a skating rink.

Tourist Information

Best Time to Visit Busan

The Busan International Film Festival is held annually in late September/early October and sees multiple big names from across Asia flock to South Korea's second city. Busan is exceptionally active during festival days, which results in higher volumes of tourists and higher accommodation prices. There is a distinctive change of seasons in Busan, with cold winters and warm summers. Spring is a popular time to visit (particularly because of the iconic cherry blossoms), but summer (May through August) attracts travellers the most. Due to its seaside location, Busan is also a popular summertime destination for internal tourists, who can be seen setting up sunbathing stations across Haundae Beach all through the summer.

Passport / Visa

Citizens of multiple world countries can travel to South Korea for tourism purposes visa-free, for stays from 30 to 180 days (Canada). Citizens of most countries in Africa and Asia will need to apply for a visa in advance. Please consult the official website of Korea Tourism for up-to-date details.

Gimhae International Airport (PUS)

Gimhae International Airport serves the area of Busan with both national and international terminals. The airport is easily accessible by several means of public transport: a city bus that runs to Hauendae and a convenient metro system with several interchange stations linking different lines. Nampo, Jagalchi, and Seomyeon are all stations along line 1.

Public Transport

The public transportation system in Busan is extensive and convenient, comprising 4 subway lines, 1 light rail line and a network of public buses. To avoid the hassle of buying single tickets, purchase a reloadable 'Cashbee' card and top it up as needed at any convenience store. Any remaining card balance can be refunded when you're leaving the city (this does not apply to the cost of the card itself, which is roughly US$2 at the time of writing). Note that although buses can be recognised by their number, all text apart from the final destination is in Korean only, and bus drivers will often not speak English.

Taxi

Grey taxis circulate around Busan and are easy to hail off the street. It's usually a good idea to have your destination written down in Korean to show to the driver. Although most taxis use meters by default, make sure one is turned on when you board a cab. Note that there is a nighttime surcharge and that certain types of cabs are considered of "deluxe" class and will charge more These are often black.

Busan Cruise Port

There is not much in the way of sightseeing or entertainment at the Busan port arrival point, but the Busan Port International Passenger Terminal (which is a few minutes walk away) does have a few eateries and shops; ATMs are also available. There is a free shuttle that runs from the port to the closest metro station (Choryang, line 1, right next to Busan central station), as well as one that goes all the way into the city centre (Nampo-dong), although there have been reports that the latter now charges a fare. They take around 10 and 30 minutes respectively. From here, it is easy to reach any location throughout Busan via the metro: purchase an unlimited travel card at the station if you plan to use the metro multiple times.

Electricity

220V / 60Hz European-style plugs

Health

Medical care is of a very high standard in South Korea, but do bring along any prescription medication you know you may require during the trip. There is a good chance of seeing an English-speaking doctor at Pusan National University Hospital.

Trips

Seoul Busan and Jeju Island Explorer

Classic South Korea Explorer

South Korea and Japan Explorer

Let’s plan your next vacation

Let us take care of all the details to create the perfect trip for you. With our expertise and personalized service, we will ensure that every moment of your trip is special and unforgettable. Get ready to embark on a dream adventure!

Your Trip Plan is Empty