3D2N Busan itinerary: Top places to see cherry blossoms this spring!

Another year around the sun, another round of lush trees turning pink— from none other than cherry blossoms, of course! Arguably the most anticipated event of the spring season, the blooming of cherry blossoms doesn’t just mark winter’s descent into a deep slumber, it also signifies new beginnings. Busan, South Korea is no exception to this, and the coastal metropolitan city is anticipating a full bloom this year.

The cherry blossoms in Busan are expected to bloom on 28 March 2024! So, gear up if you’ll be in the city at the end of march and make sure you have enough storage in your phone for all the pictures you'll take. Maybe bring some tissues while you’re at it, just in case you’re prone to allergies.

For more information, check out this cherry blossom forecast for South Korea.

Major cities in South Korea have very efficient public transportation systems, Busan included. That being said, the best way to fully enjoy this fleeting cherry blossom season would be with a road trip. Being in an underground train limits your view of the outside world, so consider driving so that you can enjoy the full blooms every step of the way! Renting a car is fairly simple, and you can do so on Klook. Check out this car rental guide to get more insight on driving abroad!

A walk down Namcheon-dong Cherry Blossom Road is like stepping into a movie. This is the best place to have your main character moment, with cherry blossom trees lining the road, fallen petals scattered across the pavement, and flowers rustling in the wind.

Mornings in Busan are reserved for long walks on the beach, and Namcheon-dong is pretty close to the famed Gwangalli Beach. It takes less than 10 minutes by car, so you can kill two birds with one stone if you come here.

Another cherry blossom hotspot in Busan is Daejeo Ecological Park, which is about a half hour drive away from Namcheon-dong Cherry Blossom Road. During the peak blooming season, you’ll find that many tourists and locals choose to come here for 2 reasons: the cherry blossoms (of course!) and the canola flowers. These flowers bloom around the same time here, making it a must-visit destination in spring. The field of bright yellow canola flowers makes for a vibrant and eye-catching background for your photos.

To continue the utter bliss from day 1, head over to Samnak Ecological Park where you’ll be greeted by leaves and flowers waving a warm hello. The cherry blossoms here are pretty special as they bloom along Nakdong River, the longest river in South Korea. Branches from opposing trees intertwine with one another, forming a delicate, petal-laden roof, almost like a tunnel. This spans for about 12 km, so you’ll have plenty of photo opportunities!

Here, we suggest renting a bike. There’s a bike rental shop located at the parking lot, so take advantage of this and enjoy the wind in your hair as you whizz down the road.

Next stop: Oncheon Stream, also known as Oncheoncheon. The fluffy trees that loom overhead make for an incredibly romantic photo spot.

This is where you’ll also find Oncheon Cafe Street, and yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like! A full street of cafes filled with warm pastries and aromatic coffee. After admiring the beautiful blooms, you can choose from an array of cafes to relax in, or more realistically, to sit down in and leaf through all the photos you just took with the trees. Alternatively, grab a cup of coffee to go and sip as you walk down the pink path.

If you’re in Busan, chances are you’ve already got Haeundae Beach in your itinerary. Before soaking in the sun and salt air, why not get your steps in at Haeundae Dalmaji Road, otherwise called Dalmaji-gil or Dalmaji Road. This road links Haeundae Beach and Songjeong Beach together, so you have access to both from here. There are plenty of cafes that overlook the scenery below— cherry blossoms and the beach! It can’t get any better than that, really.

Now that you’ve covered all the best spots in Busan, you can finally venture to other locations, namely Jinhae. Jinhae is roughly an hour away from Busan (depends on where you’re departing from) via car, and about 2 hours away by public transport. In this case, having a car would come in handy as you’d be able to save a lot of time, which also leaves more room for exploring.

Want an even better option? Join this Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival Day Tour that departs from Busan! You can even choose between a day or night tour, so you still have time to continue sightseeing in Busan before or after. Officially called Jinhae Gunhangje, this festival runs from the end of March to early April every year.