Experience the best of Busan with our ultimate guide!
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Photo credit: @christinchris
South Korea's vibrant coastal city, Busan, offers a captivating blend of urban energy and natural beauty. Famous for its role in the "Train to Busan" blockbuster film, this vibrant metropolis is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. From the bustling Jagalchi Market, South Korea's largest seafood market, to the serene Haedong Yonggungsa Temple perched on the cliffs, Busan caters to every traveller's need.
Immerse yourself in the city's rich culture, indulge in delicious local cuisine, and soak up the sun on its stunning beaches. Ready to dive deeper into the wonders of Busan? Discover our curated list of 15 must-do activities to make the most of your visit.
🎟️ Get the Visit Busan Pass for your upcoming trip 🎟️
Travelling to Busan and planning to visit several attractions? If yes, then the Visit Busan Pass is a travel essential you wouldn't want to go without. With a single pass, you'll get to save your money on admission fees, especially if you plan on visiting multiple places.
🌟 Why should you get the Visit Busan Pass? 🌟
With the pass, you will get:
- Free access to over 40 tourist attractions in Busan for 24 or 48 hours
- Discounts at over 160 facilities including restaurants, shopping outlets, beauty, entertainment, accommodations, and more in Busan
- Prepaid access to the subway and bus with the rechargeable public transportation card provided (physical pass only)
Not only is the pass a great way to save money, it also offers you the flexibility to conquer top attractions depending on your preferences and allows you to see the best of Busan in a short amount of time. This makes planning your trip so much easier!
Top things to do in Busan
1. Visit the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
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Photo credit: @christina_melatikesuma
This temple is a rare find, as most temples in Korea are usually found up in the mountains, but the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is located by the coast instead. In fact, it is the only seaside Buddhist temple in South Korea and truly one of the most picturesque as well, with its colourful grand facade against the rugged, rocky coastline and sparkling sea.
Aside from being known as the temple by the sea, the Haedong Yonggungsa is also among the most sacred sites in South Korea, where many locals and tourists say their prayers. It’s believed that if you offer sincere, heartfelt prayers here, at least one of your wishes will be fulfilled. ✨
- Address: 86 Yonggung-gil, Gijang-gun, Busan, South Korea
2. Explore beaches - Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Beach, Songdo Beach
As one of South Korea’s hottest coastal cities, Busan is where you’ll find golden sandy beaches perfect for a balmy day out all year round. Haeundae Beach is a top favourite for swimming, while Gwangalli Beach is a great place to chill out especially in the evening as it has great night-time views of the surrounds. Catch the sunset followed by a dazzling light show from the Gwangandaegyo or Diamond Bridge, that’s just across the beach!
🌉 Diamond Bridge Light Show timing 🌉
- November - April: Weekdays, sunset to 12AM / Weekends, sunset to 2AM
- May - June & September - October: Weekdays, sunset to 1AM / Weekends, sunset to 2AM
- July - August: Daily, sunset to 2AM
Photo credit: @winnzab
Another must-visit beach is the man-made Songdo Beach, which been around since 1930. The best way to enjoy the coastal scenery? On the glass-bottom Songdo Skywalk, where you can walk over water and shoot postcard-quality pics of the lighthouse!
Love sightseeing at night? Enjoy a three-hour Busan Night Tour to Busan's popular viewing spots to see the city's brilliant lights and illuminated landmarks including Songdo Cable Car, The Bay 101, Gwangalli Beach, and Yeongdo Seaside Park.
3. Ride on the Haeundae Blue Line Park Train and Sky Capsule
Photo credit: @igoood
Besides frolicking in the sea and enjoying the sun, the Haeundae Beach area also boasts two very unique attractions which are the Haeundae Beach Train and Haeundae Sky Capsule. These are fun and unique ways to explore the coastline without walking.
For those who want a bird’s eye view, get tickets to the Haeundae Sky Capsule, which are just the most adorable colourful little mini train-like cabins that allow you to take in the coastal scenery from 10m up high. Make sure to book your tickets early though, because the sky capsule tickets get sold out extremely quickly!
4. Drive down the coastal road
Photo credit: Daniel Bernard
Fancy road trips? 🚙 Great news: Busan’s coastal routes are perfect! The seaside city isn’t only blessed with stunning temples and beaches and churches you can hit up with a scenic drive with friends.
By renting a car, you and the whole gang can cruise in style down the Dalmajigil Road. This path will lead you to both popular and hidden attractions in Busan, from Gwangalli and Songjeong Beach, to the Daebyeonhang Port and the Jukseong Catholich Church, a.k.a. the "Dream Cathedral".
5. Take photos at Gamcheon Cultural Village
Photo credit: @sumawijayaa
Another one of Busan’s iconic sights is the Gamcheon Cultural Village, one of Busan’s most Instagrammable places that’s filled with both historic and artistic significance. Nicknamed the "Machu Picchu of Busan”, this village comprises colourful houses stacked in rows that are built up against the mountain. A famous photo spot that you shouldn't miss is with the Little Prince statue, but be prepared to queue for this one!
Photo credit: @umestagram
There are also so many beautiful murals painted by the residents themselves. BTS fans, you may also want to check out this mural of your idols! 😉
After taking your photos, don’t forget to take some time to explore the village itself. Spend your day snacking on delicious street food, snapping pictures and browsing the many local shops for cute trinkets and more!
- Address: 200 Gamnae 1(il)-ro, Saha-gu, Busan, South Korea
6. Enjoy city views from up high
Photo credit: @zii.wonii
Hop onto the Busan Air Cruise Cable Car for an air cruise across Songdo Beach and the surroundings. For an extra special experience, we recommend opting for a crystal cabin, which features a cable car with a glass-bottom floor (you’ll get to see the sea beneath your feet!).
Instead of doing a round trip, you can opt to hop off the cable car at Amnam Park and take a short stroll to the Songdo Yonggung Cloud Bridge for more sensational views of the ocean.
💡 Klook Tip: Visit the Songdo Sky Park (3rd floor of the Songdo Cable Car Base Station) before you hop on your cable car ride. There are tons of cute photo ops including many adorable The Little Prince statues you can pose with!
- Address: 171 Songdohaebyeon-ro, Amnam-dong, Seo-gu, Busan, South Korea
Photo credit: @summer_jiin
At 410m high and going up to 100 levels, Busan X the Sky just so happens to be the second tallest tower in all of South Korea so you know you’re definitely going to get amazing panoramic views here. There’s also a restaurant, coffee kiosk and a Starbucks where you can grab exclusive merch.
Here's a fun fact: the toilet cubicles in Busan X the Sky have glass walls so you get to enjoy a view from in there too! 😉
- Address: LCT Landmark Tower 1-2F, 98-100F, 30, Dalmaji-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea
While it is not as tall as Busan X the Sky, the Busan Diamond Tower is still a great observatory worth visiting. We went there at night for a different experience, and were not disappointed! You’ll get to see the city in a whole new perspective - almost glowing in twinkling lights.
Besides the viewing gallery, there are also fun and interactive displays such as a photo booth as well as a multi-media installation which is great for photos!
- Address: 37-30 Yongdusan-gil, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea
7. Spend a day at Lotte World Adventure Busan
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Photo credit: @jinaji
For a fun afternoon out, head to Lotte World Adventure Busan! Expect six themed zones with rides for all ages. While there are dedicated kid zones, there’s also a few thrilling rides perfect for the adrenaline junkie such as the Giant Dagger which is a roller coaster with multiple loops and turns (our personal favourite) and the Giant Swing, similar to your usual pirate ship ride but with extra thrills.
💡 Klook Tip: Don’t miss out on getting your hands on some Lotte World merch and the gift shop, get them when you first enter the park, they make for a cute photo prop throughout the day!
- Address: 42, Dongbusangwangwang-ro, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan
8. Enjoy fresh seafood at Jagalchi Market
When in Busan, eat as the locals do! Welcome to another of the city's pride and joys - Jagalchi Market, which is also the biggest seafood market in South Korea! Here you will find plenty of vendors displaying their freshest catch - from fish to prawns, crabs as well as octopus too!
If you want to have a seafood feast, you can actually choose your seafood and bring it up to the second floor, where you can pay a table charge and get the chefs to cook it up. But before tasting Busan’s sumptuous seafood, you’ll have to respectfully haggle with the ahjumma here for the best price. Alternatively, you can also take your pick from the many seafood restaurants around the market’s vicinity.
- Address: 52 Jagalchihaean-ro, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea
9. Eat Korean street food
Although seafood is the city’s specialty their street eats are just as phenomenal. Besides Jagalchi Market itself, you will also find various street markets around the area that’s bustling with street food vendors hawking everything from hotteok (Korean sweet pancakes filled with nuts) to fried chicken and roasted squid!
You can sample the best of these at BIFF Square and Seomyeon Food Alley, along with other street food classics (think tteokbokki, gimbap, and the works). Though, if you’re more adventurous with food, we recommend dropping by Jokbal Alley to try sundaeguk, a Korean blood sausage and soup and jokbal. The vendors on this street have spent over 30 years perfecting the dishes, so you’re in for a real treat!
10. Join a Busan cooking class
Wanna get a more in-depth experience on Busan cuisine? There’s no better way than with a cooking class! Our personal favourite is a Busan Cooking Class with Chef Hee Young, a fun and educational experience that allows you to learn more about the different ingredients used in Korean cooking and the characteristics of Busan cuisine.
Based on our own experience here, Chef Hee Young guided us to prep and cook two delicious traditional Busan dishes, Dongnae-style pajeon (Korean seafood pancake) and nakji-bokkeum (Korean stir-fried octopus). It was definitely a great way to experience local cuisine and we highly recommend it!
- Address: 2F, 15, Gudeok-ro 186beon-gil, Seo-gu, Busan, South Korea 49224
11. Visit Museum Dah (Museum 1)
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Photo credit: @d_xxi__
Art lover or not, Museum 1 is a must-do on your Busan itinerary! This media art gallery is not your usual museum, but has a fascinating mix of interactive installations, thought-provoking art pieces and photo-worthy exhibits all housed under one roof.
Spend your afternoon wandering around the building and exploring various galleries that invite you to take a closer look into the artist’s POV, chill out at one of the many lounges filled with bean bags or just sit back in a corner and enjoy the dynamic and vibrant media art displays in its full glory. This place is an Instagram heaven for sure so get ready to snap away!
- Address: 20 Centumseo-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea
12. Haeundae River Cruise
Here’s a fun way to explore Busan - via a river cruise! All aboard the Haeundae River Cruise, which takes you across the waters of the iconic Suyeong River to see Haeundae and its surrounds from a different vantage point. Spot Gwangandaegyo or Diamond Bridge and Bay 101, while enjoying the breeze as you go along.
💡 Klook Tip: Don’t stay downstairs. We recommend climbing up to the rooftop deck for the best view sans windows!
- Address: 33-1, Dalmaji-gil 62beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan
13. Challenge yourself at the Running Man Thematic Experience Centre
Photo credit: @okim_i
Step into the world of one of South Korea’s most beloved reality TV shows, Running Man, at the Running Man Thematic Experience Centre. Attempt the challenges done by your favourite stars, and race to get as many coins as possible within 60 minutes. It’s your time to shine!
- Address: 672 Jungang-daero, Busanjin-gu, Busan
14. Poo Poo Land Busan
Photo credit: @dndea
Photo credit: Poo Poo Land
Have a good laugh as you take fun photos at South Korea’s first poop-inspired theme park, Poo Poo Land. Try their fun activities like the Dynamic Digestive Maze where you can pretend to be food in someone’s digestive tract. Of course, photo zones are made extra fun here so get your phones ready!
P.s.: It’s located in the same place as the Running Man Thematic Experience Centre so you can enjoy two attractions in one day!
- Address: 672 Jungang-daero, Busanjin-gu, Busan
15. Cabinet de Poisson
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Photo credit: @sebastian.kyujin
Last but not least is this hidden gem that even some locals don’t know about! Situated in the swanky Ananti Cove, a luxury seaside resort in Busan, Cabinet de Poisson is a picture-perfect attraction you should add onto your itinerary if you have the extra time.
Indulge in afternoon tea at the sprawling cafe with a gorgeous sea view before stepping into the media gallery that brims with digital media and light installations, perfect for more Instagram-worthy shots (think Japan’s teamLab vibes). There’s also the ocean-front bookstore and cafes to wander around and explore too!
- Address: 268-31 Gijanghaean-ro, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, South Korea
🇰🇷 Save up to RM200 OFF your Busan trip! 🇰🇷
Travelling to the coastal city of Busan? 🌊 From cultural wonders to seaside experiences, we're ready to be your travel buddy on all of your adventures there! Save 10% off ALL Busan activities on Klook when you make your bookings between 9th August to 8th September, just remember use the promo code <VISITBUSAN10> at checkout!
💙 More travel deals at Busan Hugs: Healing By The Sea 💙
Don't miss your chance to grab exclusive event-only deals at the Busan Hugs: Healing By The Sea event happening at Avenue K Shopping Mall this weekend! Here's what you can look forward to:
- Get a FREE hotteok: Find the Klook Kombi van and download the Klook app to redeem.
- Buy 1 Free 1 Visit Busan Pass: Flash deal happening at 5.30PM daily.
- Up to RM250 savings: Save more with our exclusive event-only Busan promo codes.
Sea you there! 😉 🌊
More travel inspiration for your Busan trip! ✨
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