Discover the best things to do in Busan, the second-largest city in Korea. Here, you’ll find diverse urban and coastal landscapes, rich cultural heritage, beaches, and mountainous terrain.
With Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, the pastel-colored tiers of Gamcheon Culture Village, the historic treasures of the ancient capital of Gyeongju, and much more, a visit to Busan should definitely make your to-do list when planning a trip to South Korea.
Explore Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Carve out some time to explore the Haedong Yonggungsa, a Buddhist temple sitting next to Busan’s craggy coastline, featuring a gorgeous blend of pagoda-style architecture and stunning coastal scenery.
Haedong Yonggungsa, originally built in 1376 but destroyed by Japanese invaders, saw its newest incarnation recreated in the 1970s. As you wander about, you can enjoy the still and calm here, punctuated by the sounds of waves crashing against the rocks.
Some of the temple’s highlights include the outdoor animal statues, along with the large, jolly-looking Golden Buddha statue. Overall, Haedong Yonggungsa is a wonderful religious and cultural destination where you can enjoy the sea and South Korea’s Buddhist aesthetic.
Experience the Views from Gwangandaegyo Bridge
Gwangandaegyo Bridge
A great way to check out Busan’s seaside beauty is by crossing the Gwangandaegyo Bridge, also known as the “Diamond Bridge.”
With a span of 4.6 miles, this is the world’s longest double-decker bridge. It stretches across the ocean, connecting the Suyeong-gu and Haeundae-gu districts, while showcasing stunning views of Busan’s skyline at the same time. If you love architecture, this is one of the best things to do in Busan.
At night, if you’re still in town, the bridge is illuminated with colorful lights that make for an incredible sight. During the day, you can drive or take a taxi across the bridge to enjoy the stellar views or else experience the bridge from the nearby Gwangalli Beach, where you can also rent bicycles to further explore the area.
Meditate at Beomeosa Temple
Beomeosa Temple
If you’re looking for some contemplative insight and spirituality, Beomeosa Temple offers the perfect getaway.
This ancient temple, from the Silla Dynasty, was built in 678 AD and is located on the slopes of Geumjeongsan Mountain in the northeastern region of the city.
During your visit, take part in a traditional tea ceremony and learn the correct Korean way to make green tea. Walk around the temple grounds, take in the many striking Buddha statues dotting the site, or simply find a spot to meditate in one of Beomeosa’s serene halls.
With its history and exquisite buildings, like the gabled roofed Daeungjeon Hall with its gold-colored Buddha statues, or the three-story stone pagoda, plus the forested surroundings, Beomeosa offers something unique to do in Busan.
Explore Local History at the Bokcheon Museum
If you’d like to delve into the history of Busan, make the Bokcheon Museum a priority. This archaeological museum’s main theme is Busan through centuries, including the long-lasting Three Kingdoms period, which ended in the seventh century.
Inside, there are exhibits with pottery, weapons, and jewelry, excavated from nearby burial mounds, offering a glimpse into the lives of the people of Busan more than 1,500 years ago during the era of the Three Kingdoms and the Gaya Confederacy.
If you’re interested in ancient Korean culture, check out the outdoor park here as well, where the Bokcheon-dong tombs, or burial sites, are located.
Enjoy the Kaleidoscope of Colors at Gamcheon Village
Gamcheon Village
Don’t leave South Korea’s southern capital without heading to Gamcheon Culture Village, one of the coolest things to do in Busan. This gorgeous, multi-hued maze of narrow alleyways, cobbled walkways, and steep stairs offer a mixture of art and vibrant culture.
As you work your way around the slopes, you can scramble up or down the different alleyways to explore the mosaic of custom-painted houses here, with playful color schemes that don’t seem to follow any discernible pattern.
This village was created by Korean War refugees looking for a place to live. These days, you’ll find vibrant murals, backstreet galleries, artisan cafés, plus all types of creative art.
Hike to Geumjeongsan Mountain Fortress
Geumjeongsan Mountain Fortress
Hiking up to the Geumjeongsan Mountain Fortress is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in Busan’s natural surroundings and historic landmarks. This Joseon Dynasty fortress, built in the early 18th century in response to Japanese invasions, sits atop Geumjeongsan Mountain.
If you tackle this moderately challenging uphill hike, for which you should budget three to four hours, your senses will be invigorated as you wind through forests and across mountain ridges on the way up to Korea’s largest mountain stronghold.
Once you reach the fortress’s stone walls and one of the main gates, check out the verdant, rolling hills below you, flowing like massive ocean waves.
The historical and natural beauty of the Geumjeongsan Mountain Fortress makes it the perfect destination for nature enthusiasts and history buffs who want to enjoy the great outdoors.
Try Something Fishy at Jagalchi Fish Market
Jagalchi Fish Market
On your trip to Busan, set aside an hour or so to visit Jagalchi Fish Market, the largest fish market in the Republic of Korea.
Inside, you’ll see all of the boisterous activity that takes place in a thriving fish market as locals come here every day to buy fresh fish that are caught all over Korea.
Jagalchi Fish Market boasts an abundance of different kinds of seafood, from octopuses to massive crabs. If you’re a seafood lover, you can sample the freshest sashimi you’ll probably ever try in your life—right after you haggle with seafood sellers for the best price.
Unwind at Spa Land Centum City
If you want to relax while visiting Busan, Spa Land Centum City is the perfect spot.
Spa Land, with two expansive floors, will offer you various thematic saunas, steam rooms, and hot baths, all located inside the world’s largest department store, Centum City.
After shopping, you can meditate in a peaceful and quiet space, enjoying the spa’s many amenities, including massage chairs, humidified foot baths, traditional Korean saunas, thermal baths, and even a snack bar, the perfect place to relax after a long day of sightseeing.
Shop at Shinsegae Department Store
Shinsegae Department Store Photo by Michiel1972 on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
When it comes to shopping, Busan and the iconic Shinsegae Department Store will dazzle even the most dedicated shopaholics out there.
As the largest department store on the planet and with 14 floors, Shinsegae houses anything and everything you might desire, from high-end fashion, cosmetics, the latest electronic gadgets, cafes, an ice-skating rink, a golf driving range, and the luxurious Spa Land.
With its modern architecture and sheer size, this retail behemoth is worth visiting for the sheer spectacle, especially if you adore shopping adventures.
Ride the Songdo Cable Car
Songdo Cable Car
Hop aboard the Songdo Cable Car for panoramic vistas of Busan’s coastline. Enjoy an exhilarating ride above Songdo Beach, ideal for some beautiful pictures overlooking the ocean and the city.
As you ascend from Songdo Bay Station, near Songdo Beach, to the Songdo Sky Park station, the glass-bottom cars will let you see the waves swirling beneath your feet, the rugged coastline, plus several iconic bridges, including Namhangdaegyo and Yeongdodaegyo bridges.
Once you reach Songdo Sky Park, enjoy the views from the observation area, as well as from the Bay Harbor Rooftop Garden, which is an amusement park featuring dinosaur sculptures, sky swings, and other attractions, in addition to the stellar views.
Stroll Around BIFF Square
BIFF Square Photo by Christophe95 on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and film lovers should pay a visit to BIFF Square in Busan, a riotous convergence of culture, entertainment, and cuisine named after the city’s Busan International Film Festival.
The main attractions here are the screenings and exhibitions that take place in the cinemas, the snack stalls and tasty street food, plus the sidewalk molds where film stars left their handprints.
As you wander around BIFF Square, soak up some of the city’s electric atmosphere— especially during the film festival, which is usually held in the autumn.
Ssiat hotteok
This trendy square is also filled with food stalls selling Korean culinary delights, including ssiat hotteok sweet pancakes filled with seeds, mandu dumplings, and odeng fish cakes.
Read: Best Places to Visit in Seoul
Step Back in Time at Gyeongju
Gyeongju
A trip to Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty, about an hour north by car from Busan, is like stepping back in time. Gyeongju is “a museum without walls,” packed to the brim with history, ancient temples, royal tombs, and stunning pagodas.
Explore the eighth-century Buddhist Bulguksa Temple here, and Seokguram Grotto, with the latter featuring a large carving of a seated Buddha. Both sites, located on Mount Tohamsan, will let you admire their intricate stone carvings while surrounded by lush green mountain landscapes.
Daereungwon Tomb Complex
Next, you’ll want to explore Daereungwon Tomb Complex and Tumuli Park, where you’ll be able to see the huge burial mounds of some of Korea’s past kings. You can even go inside one, the Heavenly Horse Tomb, although the other main tombs remain sealed.
Gyeongju’s rich history, beautiful landscapes, and traditional Korean architecture make it one of the best things to do in Busan, even if it’s a little outside the city limits.
Trek Through Taejongdae Resort Park
Taejongdae Resort Park
For ocean views and rocky shorelines, trek through Taejongdae Resort Park, located on Yeongdo Island, featuring some of the most incredible coastal vistas in this part of South Korea.
If you spend a few hours in this lovely park, named after a Silla Dynasty king who often frequented the area, you will be able to ramble through green forests and across rocky cliffs, all the while relishing the tremendous ocean views.
Several miles of well-marked trails lead from one gorgeous lookout to the next. Once you reach the Yeongdo Lighthouse and the observation deck, gaze out at the dark blue water and continue to commune with the sea.
Skywalk Above the Waves
Oryukdo Skywalk
The Oryukdo Skywalk is an outdoor glass floor located 295 feet above the sea, making it one of the most exciting attractions in Busan. This glass-bottom walkway extends over the edge of a cliff, giving you the vertigo-inducing illusion that you’re hovering above the water.
Coastal panoramas are a big part of Busan’s allure. Simply walk out onto this glass path to peer down at the waves crashing against the rocks below.
Cheongsapo Daritdol Skywalk
To the northeast of the Oryukdo Skywalk, at the nearby fishing village of Cheongsapo, stands the Cheongsapo Daritdol Skywalk, designed to resemble a blue dragon stretching out over the salty spray.
While the Cheongsapo Daritdol Skywalk isn’t as high up as the Oryukdo Skywalk, a visit here will also afford the chance to experience life in an authentic Korean fishing village while enjoying amazing ocean views and some wonderful seafood restaurants at the same time.
Visit Busan Aquarium
Busan Aquarium
Plan a visit to the Busan Sea Life Aquarium for an underwater escapade. Located next to Haeundae Beach, this enormous, modern aquarium is home to all kinds of marine life, including sharks, rays, otters, colorful fish, plus many other marine species from around the world.
The long underwater glass tunnel here is a big draw, letting you gaze at sea creatures swimming above, below, and all around you.
Busan Sea Life Aquarium also features several different interactive displays, a shark zone, and exhibition areas—like the “Sea at Night” zone—that will teach you more about ocean conservation and marine biology.
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Busan
Explore the sights and experiences of the city on one of Celebrity’s cruises to Busan.
