28 Must-Do Activities in Busan, Korea’s Coastal Paradise

Ranked as the second largest metropolitan city in South Korea, Busan is the first city I flew to. In terms of location, Busan lays in southern part of South Korea which is suitable for my plan, traveling from South to North, ended up in Seoul.

It was late autumn at that time, the sky was clear blue with mild sunshine and chill weather.

Colorful leaves, combination of red, yellow, orange, and green, is what I dreamed to see of in autumn.

Most of travelers I met prefer Busan then Seoul.

They said Busan is relaxing, chill, and during summer, many tourists spend their time in the famous beach Haeundae and Gwangalli Beach.

Since I came during cold season, so I skipped the beach.

You can go to Busan from Seoul just for a little over 2 hours by fast train or KTX.

For a less pricey option, you could buy Korean Rail Pass (KR Pass) tickets here to visit Busan and other cities by fast train.

Here are several things that you can see as you’re traveling to Busan:

1. Beomeosa Temple

Probably the most famous temple in Busan.

Getting here is very simple, with a single journey subway to Beomeosa Station then continue by public bus number 90.

I had loads of time so I did a not so short walk up to the temple.

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Despite getting lost for few times, finally I could enjoy my first temple in South Korea.

There are several sections for prayer, monk’s housing, and also temple stay which is cheaper than other temple stay program in South Korea, only for 40,000 won.

2. Mount Geumjeongsan

Besides walking around the temple, visitors can hike the trail up to Mount Geumjeongsan.

Mount Geumjeongsan is one of the most beautiful mountains located in Busan, Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.

From the top, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Busan city and the mountains surrounding it, as well as the blue sea at a further distance.

Geumjeongsan extends from Geumjeong-gu, Busan, to Buk-gu in Yangsan-si of Gyeongsangnam-do.

Thanks to its wide coverage, it’s easy for both residents and tourists to access it, whether it’s from the center of Busan or the suburbs.

This mountain should be included in your list of must-go destinations in Busan, for those who have a hobby of hiking.

Hiking trails on this mountain are relatively easy even for beginners as they are made of paths covered in limestone and rocks with enticing formations and sizes.

Read also: Visiting the South Korea Ancient Village, Hahoe Folk Village in Andong

3. UN Memorial Cemetery

To commemorate the honorable soldiers who bravely fought during Korean War, the government volunteered the land for permanent use of UN.

As much as 16 countries contributed in the devastating war between South and North.

Two guards with a full set of uniform greeted me as I walked in.

Then, I saw a triangle-shaped building, looks like a chapel. Inside, the short video of the war was played and I could see how tragic the war was.

The admission is free, and the closest subway station is Daeyon Station.

Read also: My experience hiking Jirisan and Seoraksan in South Korea

4. Jalgachi Market

Jagalchi Market is the most well-known seafood market in Busan.

Don’t be surprised when you see giant size of crabs, fishes, clamps, and others.

The fishes are caught in the sea between Korea, China, and Russia,  it’s interesting to see the local activities.

5. Nampodong

Next to the market, the famous shopping district Nampodong with lot’s of shops queue on the street.

Whatever clothes you want, you can find it here, from the cheap street clothes until the high fashion one.

Another thing that makes the Nampodong area captivating is the Gukje Market Food Street.

Here, you can try typical Korean foods.

This market is usually crowded with vendors selling on the side of the road.

If you’re tired, you can also sit and chill in this area’s cafes.

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6. Busan Tower

Holiday in Busan would be missing something if you haven’t visited the monument that became a symbol or icon of the Busan city itself, which is the Busan Tower – located in Yongdusan Park.

Busan Tower initially opened in 1973, but underwent a complete refurbishment, reopened on 15 December 2021, and was given a new name, Diamond Tower.

This tourist destination in Busan offers an amazing night view and many other entertaining activities to do.

In the center of this park, there’s a statue of Yi Sun-sin, a naval hero in South Korea.

Visitors can go up the Busan Tower Observatory with a height of 129 meters to view the city of Busan.

The ticket price to go up is 8,000 KRW (Rp 100,000).

7. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

This beautiful temple on the cliff is also one of the main attraction in Busan.

Not many temples in South Korea are located on the sea side, mostly at the mountain which makes this temple unique.

There are 12 chinese zodiac statues when I walked in, I had to walk down long stairs until I reached the main temple.

It’s beautiful during the sunset, the sound of the waves hitting the rocks makes it more peaceful.

To get here, take subway to Heundae Station and take bus no 181.

Read also: Traveling to Daegu, Things to do that you shouldn’t miss!

8. Gamcheon Culture Village

This tourist destination is very popular with its colorful building, which is aesthetic for Instagrammable photos.

Its location is not far from the tourist attractions of Jagalchi Market and Nampodong.

Originally, Gamcheon Culture Village was just an area for refugees after the Korean War.

Check out some of the day tour options that you can join to visit several tourist attractions in Busan!

In 2010, this area was finally transformed into a tourist destination that eventually became very popular.

It is recommended to visit in the morning as this area gets more crowded in the afternoon.

9. Songdo Skywalk

Another entertaining activity in Busan that would be a regret if you miss it is walking above the sea as far as 365 meters in Songdo Skywalk.

Skywalk extends from the Songdo Beach area to above Turtle Island.

The view presented here is extremely stunning, starting from the open blue sea, ships gliding on the sea waves, mountains, sandy beaches of Songdo, and towering bridges and buildings on the other side.

Here, you also have a chance to feed the seagulls that pass by.

10. Songdo Sea Cable Car

This tourist attraction in Busan is also known as Busan Air Cruise, which is purposely built to revive the reputation of Songdo Beach, the first public beach in Korea.

This Songdo Sea Cable Car is the only cable car in Korea that has an anti-war car propulsion system in the form of a single cable gondola.

Even so, this gondola or cable car is equipped with an RPD (Rope Positioning Detector) system which is a world-renowned technology.

This technology is applied to lift ropes that can automatically stop or slow down when abnormal symptoms are detected, are earthquake resistant, and can withstand tidal waves. Cool isn’t it!

11. Ilumia Park

For those of you who are looking for pleasurable activities in Busan at night, you can visit Illumia Park.

Night times are indeed the best time to rest after a long day of exploring various tourist destinations in Busan.

However, strolling around at night while breathing fresh air accompanied by twinkling lights and laser shows is something you can’t miss.

Especially if you’re on a holiday in Busan with your other half, this will be a memorable moment due to its view that adds to the romantic atmosphere.

There are also horses, mellow music accompaniment, artificial lakes, and many areas to explore under the night sky that are sure to make you feel comfortable spending your time here.

If you’re interested, Illumia Park is open everyday, starting from sunset to 12am at midnight.

12. Haeundae Beach

Haeundae Beach is the most popular beach in Busan and is usually crowded in summer.

Not far from this beach, there’s a traditional market called Haeundae Market that sells various kinds of food.

The nearest subway station is Haeundae Station.

13. Haeundae Beach Train

Haeundae Beach Train is one of the newest and most popular tourist attractions in Haeundae, Busan.

This beach train operates along the track of the old KA Donghae Nambu.

Aside from the beach train, there are a couple other tourist trains that you could try.

Among them are Haeundae Blueline Park and Haeundae Sky Capsule.

14. SEA Life Busan

Located in the Haeundae Beach, Sea Life Busan is the best tourist destination in Busan that you must visit with your big family and children.

This tourist destination in Busan represents a giant aquarium featuring around 250 species and up to 35,000 marine animals that can be seen through acrylic glass or from underwater tunnels. Heaven for you sea lovers!

In this aquarium, you can also find around 40 exhibits including penguins, piranhas, cute otters, and sea jellyfish.

Interesting, isn’t it? Your vacation experience in Busan with your family is guaranteed to be more memorable if you visit SEA Life Busan.

15. The Bay 101

Another tourist destination in Busan that is a must for you to visit is the cultural and arts complex in the Haeundae area which is called The Bay 101.

This place offers compelling activities for visitors, impressive facilities, and an extraordinary experience with a delightful view of the sea and nighttime.

The main activity that becomes the main attraction here is strolling along the beach on a magnificent yacht at the Yacht Club.

In the yacht itself, you can find many amusing activities to do.

This includes chilling and coffee breaks, enjoying the city view from above the sea while also enjoying its culinary.

16. Gwangalli Beach

Gwangan Beach or Gwangalli is a beach that extends up to 1,4km in Busan.

As one of the most visited tourist attractions in Busan, this beach is known for its soft, white sand and its fantastic scenery.

Near the beach, there are also various cafes and restaurants for culinary tours.

One other thing that becomes the attraction of this beach is that you have the opportunity to witness an amazing light show from the Gwangandaegyo bridge.

17. Taejongdae

On a holiday to Busan, the first place that you must visit is Taejongdae.

This is one of the natural parks in Busan with a exquisite and exotic view of the sea.

Here, you can cherish moments by taking selfies on a magnificent cliff overlooking the open sea at the southernmost tip of Yeongdo-gu island.

In this park area, there are also amusement park facilities, an observatory, a lighthouse, and a large ship terminal.

Therefore, there are a lot of exciting activities that you can do if you visit Taejongdae.

Especially if the time of your visit coincides with summer, it will definitely make your adventure of climbing the cliffs here even more thrilling.

Not to mention the view of the sea that looks even clearer and bewitching in summer that will definitely blow your mind!

18. Oryukdo Skywalk

If you want other tourist destination recommendations in Busan that offer a magnificent nature view, you can visit Oryukdo Skywalk.

Oryukdo is one of only two sites in Busan that is classified as a National Cultural Heritage Scenic Site.

What’s more, the tour manager facilitated Oryukdo with a skywalk.

Thus, you can feel a thrilling sensation when walking on the sky with a glass floor as a foothold.

It’s no wonder that in recent years, this tourist destination in Busan successfully became an attraction amongst tourists visiting this city.

19. Jukseong Dream Church

Have you ever watched the Korean drama titled ‘Dream’? If you have, then the Jukseong church building shouldn’t be foreign to you.

Yes, this church is a mock place of worship built specifically for filming the K-drama series ‘Dream’. How determined, right?

So, it’s not surprising that many K-drama fans flock to this church for photo hunting.

In addition, many photographers often take pictures here as the sea view surrounding the church in the form of open sea and rocks is outstanding as a photo background.

20. Gijang Traditional Market

Besides visiting nature and cultural sites, other fun activities in Busan that you can’t miss are shopping and culinary hunting.

One of the best places to fulfill your shopping desires as well as a culinary tour while in Busan is the Gijang Traditional Market.

Here, you can find lots of stalls selling various Korean street food dishes, such as tteokbokki, hotteok, jajangmyeon, twigim, odeng, hweori gamja, and many more.

One more thing, if you stop by this market, it’s a must for you to try the King Crab menu as it tastes the best in all of Busan.

21. Huinnyeoul Culture Village

Huinnyeoul Culture Village is a coastal village located on the sloping cliffs of Yeongdo in Busan.

Huin yeo-il itself means white river.

It was named this way because most of the buildings are painted in white against a background of the blue ocean.

So, it’s no wonder that Huinnyeoul got the nickname of Busan’s Santorini.

At the base of this village near the beach, there are the Jeoryeong Coastal Walk and Huinnyeoul Coastal Tunnel.

Collectively, they have been getting a lot of popularity as a tourist destination that’s engaging for Busan visitors.

This village is made up of 14 intertwined streets and alleys, filled with ravishing works of art and aesthetically pleasing buildings.

It’s perfect for you to make an Instagrammable photo background to show off your good time in Busan.

22. Jinhae Cherry Blossom

Jinhae Cherry Blossom is the best cherry blossom season festival in South Korea.

For those of you who want to experience the beauty of spring in Korea, it’s a must for you to visit this place to witness yourself the beauty of the lovely cherry blossoms blooming on the trees.

Here, you can also hunt Instagrammable photos in entrancing photo spots which have been provided such as the bridge and Gyeonghwa Station.

If you drop by here during the Jinhae festival (March – April), you’ll have the opportunity to witness a series of events such as the lantern festival and the Korean Navy military band parade.

If you stop by the Jinhae Cherry Blossom, your experience wouldn’t be as complete if you miss the iconic foods and drinks here.

Among them are bread that looks cute like cherry blossom petals, cute buns that resemble ducks, and coffee that you can buy to accompany your adventure at Jinhae Cherry Blossom.

23. Running Man Thematic Experience

Who here likes to watch Running Man?

If that’s you, then you have the chance to try lots of exciting activities and games just like in that highest rating Korean variety show.

Here, there are 5 experience zones provided, including Running Ball, City Pursuit Battle, and Maze Battle.

Besides feeling the excitement of playing various types of funny games, you can also collect as many R-coins as possible within 1 hour.

When you’ve collected more than 80 coins, you will get a price and certificate. Fun, right?

It’s the perfect thing to list in your holiday itinerary in Busan with your family or friends.

24. Tongyeong

Tongyeong is a lovely fishing town, located along the South Sea (Namhae).

As its location is on the coast of the sea, this town has a collection of exotic beaches for tourists to visit.

Among them are Suryuk Beach, Bongam Beach, Bijindo Beach, Yeondaedo Beach, and Daehang Beach.

Aside from beaches, Tongyeong also has a lot of historic sites and hidden gems that you can visit.

To make your holiday in Busan more memorable, you can stop by the Long Snake Island, a marine park located in the southern sea of Geoje Island which was once the filming location for the K-drama ‘My Love from the Stars’.

25. Oedo Island

Did you know that aside from Jeju Island, there are lots of other beautiful and amazing islands that you can visit in Korea?

One of them is Oedo Island which is located in Gyeongsang Namdo province.

Oedo Island is known for its enchanting landscapes and views of the blue and clear South Sea.

Tourists who visit can enjoy the pleasing views of the park and sea to relax the mind as well as making it an aesthetic photo background.

This island is also the home to more than 3000 plant species, including subtropical plant species that you can rarely find in Indonesia.

If you visit Oedo Island, take the time to stop by Windy Hill, which is a hill grown with grass while facing the sea.

Due to its beauty, this hill often became a shooting location of K-dramas such as ‘Merry Go Round’ and ‘Eve’s Garden’.

26. Busan X The Sky Observatory

Although this place is considered new in the category of Busan’s tourist destinations, Busan X The Sky Observatory is able to attract many local and foreign tourists.

How can it not? Through the observatory that has just opened up this 2020, you can witness the beauty of the whole city of Busan and its surroundings more clearly.

This observatory is located on floors 98-100 of Haeundae L City Landmark Tower, which is the second tallest building in South Korea.

What differentiates this observatory from others that you’ve visited in other countries is the additional comfort level here.

In other observatories, it just feels more like a snap-and-go tourist attraction.

Meanwhile, Busan X The Sky has many seats spread over these three floors.

You can enjoy pasta and grilled meats at X The Lounge while looking at the horizon.

FYI, you can also chill at Starbucks that’s located on the 99th floor.

27. Daejeo Ecological Park

This tourist attraction in Busan is located along the banks of the Nakdonggang River next to Gimhae Airport.

This park is a habitat for migratory birds and is designated as a Natural Monument.

Daejo Ecopark consists of various swamps, ditches, and grass.

There are also sport facilities available at both ends of the park, making it easy to use before and after exploring the several walking trails.

Here, you can witness the splendid vast fields of yellow yuchae flowers blooming in spring.

What’s more interesting, this park also becomes the venue for the annual Nakdong Canola Festival held in April.

So, if you’re planning to go on a vacation to Busan in April, you’re in luck!

28. Busan Museum Art

Busan Museum Art opened back on 20 March 1998, with the aim of providing a space to showcase the creativity of fantastic modern artworks and enhance the artistic minds of the general public.

Inside the museum, you can see various exhibitions in different genres.

This museum consists of 5 floors, each of which has its own theme, including exhibition halls, archive rooms, education rooms, and an outdoor sculpture garden.

Those are 28 top things to do in Busan that you can visit.

So, if you have time, check out Busan while you’re in South Korea.

The boat departing to Jeju also the flights to Jeju from Busan are pretty cheap. Have fun and enjoy!

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