Busan, South Korea: travel guide
Beaches, mountains and seafood markets on Korea's southern coast
South Korea's second-largest city and principal port — famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, majestic mountains, fresh seafood, and the prestigious annual Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).
About Busan
Busan is a harbour city where steep green hills drop to long beaches. It is where South Korea does the seaside, with a skyline of towers behind Haeundae and a working port with ferries and fish markets close by.
You can eat raw fish and grilled seafood at Jagalchi Market, climb the colourful lanes of Gamcheon Culture Village, ride the coast to Haedong Yonggungsa temple on the shore, and catch an event if the film festival is on. Things to do in Busan mix urban and beach days easily.
Busan suits travellers who want sea air as well as city energy. Late spring and early autumn are comfortable, while summer is the beach season.
- Country
- South Korea
- Currency
- KRW
- Time zone
- Asia/Seoul
- Nearest airport
- PUS
Last updated
Top places to visit in Busan
Haeundae Beach
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Korea's most famous beach stretches 1.5 km of white sand flanked by luxury hotels and seafood restaurants. Summer weekends draw over 1 million visitors. The APEC Naru Park and Dalmaji Hill art gallery road add culture.
Gamcheon Culture Village
Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Built into a steep hillside in the 1950s by Korean War refugees, Gamcheon's maze of pastel-painted houses is now an open-air arts district. Murals, sculptures, tiny galleries, and quirky cafés fill the labyrinthine stairs. The "Little…
Gwangalli Beach & Diamond Bridge
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Busan's hippest beach lined with independent cafés, craft-beer bars, and cocktail lounges. The 7,420 m Gwangan Bridge — Korea's longest suspension bridge — frames every photo, especially at night when lit in changing colours.
Jagalchi Fish Market
Market · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Korea's largest seafood market: vendors sell live octopus, crab, sea cucumber, and every South Sea species. Buy on the ground floor and have it cooked upstairs for a small cutting fee. A visceral, uniquely Korean experience.
Things to do
- Gamcheon Culture Village Street Art Tour Cultural · 2.5 h · from KRW 25,700 per person
- Haeundae Beach Sunrise Walk & Seafood Breakfast Nature · 3 h · from KRW 51,300 per person
- Jagalchi Fish Market Tour & Cooking Demo Food · 3 h · from KRW 82,200 per person
Where to stay in Busan
- Haeundae about KRW 200,000 per night
Busan's premier beachfront district. Luxury hotels, the famous Haeundae Beach, rooftop bars, and Korea's best seafood restaurants along Marine City.
- Nampo-dong / Jung-gu about KRW 50,000 per night
Budget-friendly historic Busan city centre near Jagalchi Fish Market and BIFF Square. Best for authentic local Busan life over beach resort atmosphere.
Hotels
- Park Hyatt Busan 5-star · KRW 400,000 to KRW 900,000 per night
- Busan Youth Hostel 1-star · KRW 20,000 to KRW 45,000 per night
Where to eat
- Choryang Milmyeon Korean Noodles · about KRW 9,000 per person
- Gukje Market Sundae Alley Korean Street Food · about KRW 7,000 per person
- Haeundae Amso Gopchang Korean Grilled · about KRW 25,000 per person
- Millak Waterside Raw Fish Centre Korean, Seafood · about KRW 45,000 per person
Getting to Busan
Airport: Pusan (PUS)
Getting around
- Bus
- Metro
- Ride Hail
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Haeundae Beach Chair Overcharging
Haeundae and Gwangalli beaches in summer
Unofficial vendors charge ₩20,000-₩50,000 per beach chair without disclosing the price first.
How to avoid it: Always ask the price before renting. Busan City official rental facilities have posted fixed rates.
More in South Korea
Frequently asked questions about Busan
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Busan?
- The highest-rated places in our Busan guide are Haeundae Beach, Gamcheon Culture Village, Gwangalli Beach & Diamond Bridge, Jagalchi Fish Market.
- Where should I stay in Busan?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Busan: Haeundae, Nampo-dong / Jung-gu.
- How do I get around Busan?
- Ways to get around Busan covered in our guide: City bus, Metro, Ride-hailing app, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Busan?
- Scams reported to us for Busan include Haeundae Beach Chair Overcharging. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Busan?
- The nearest airport to Busan has the code PUS.