Busan Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Busan featuring a bridge, landscape views and a city
This summer resort destination offers some of South Korea’s most spectacular beaches, a village filled with art and the world’s biggest department store.

Pamper yourself and relax in Busan, South Korea’s favourite resort destination. The country’s second-largest city is located on the picturesque coastline and is a popular getaway in the warmer months. Visit for its bustling beaches, spa treatments and daytrips to the Hallyeohaesang National Park.

Long beaches attract locals and visitors for warm water and tanning on golden sand. Join record-breaking crowds of locals and visitors on Haeundae Beach, a famed relaxation spot for hardworking South Koreans. The colourful masses of umbrellas and friendly passers-by make for a fun day in the sun. For a less crowded beachfront, visit Gwangalli Beach. It has stunning views of South Korea’s longest bridge, the Gwangan.

Browse a huge range of boutiques and brands at Shinsegae Centum City which, at 14-storeys, is the world’s largest department store. After shopping, get active at the indoor golf driving range or the department store’s ice rink.

Stop for a seafood lunch at the enormous Jagalchi Market, South Korea’s biggest fish market. Enjoy the sights and smells of the dock while you sample marine delicacies from decorated stands around this multistorey warehouse marketplace.

Busan has become renowned for its advanced cosmetic and medical treatments. Renew and revitalise your skin with exfoliation treatment or a facelift at one of 160 clinics along Seomeyen Medical Street. Visit the Shinsegae Centum City Spaland to enjoy some 22 spas and 13 saunas designed to recharge tired muscles.

Take a daytrip by ferry or bus to the island port of Tongyeong. Just southwest of Busan, this town provides access to the Hallyeo Waterway Observation Cable Car, which looks back onto the picturesque coastline of the mainland. Don’t miss the unique Dongpirang Village, a colourful suburb reborn out of plans for demolition after a determined community transformed it into an outdoor art gallery.

Get around central Busan by metro and use buses, cars or ferries for destinations further out.

Where to stay in Busan

Haeundae featuring a sunset, landscape views and a city

Haeundae

4.5/5(16 area reviews)

Haeundae Beach and Paradise Casino are top sights in Haeundae, and you should be sure to explore the stunning beaches. Hop aboard the metro at Haeundae Station or Jung-dong Station to see more sights in the area.

Haeundae
Busan Citizens Park featuring heritage elements, a garden and wild flowers

Seomyeon

Travellers choose Seomyeon for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Buam Station or Gaya Station and check out top sights like Lotte Department Store Busan Main Branch.

Seomyeon
Jung District which includes night scenes, a river or creek and a bridge

Jung-gu

4.5/5(18 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Busan Tower while getting to know Jung-gu, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Jungang Station or Nampo Station to see more of the area.

Jung-gu
Gwangalli Beach showing general coastal views, a sandy beach and a coastal town

Suyeong-gu

5/5(1 area review)

Noted for its beaches and bars, there's plenty to explore in Suyeong-gu. Top attractions like Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Grand Bridge are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Gwangan Station or Suyeong Station to see more of the city.

Suyeong-gu
Yeongdo featuring general coastal views, boating and a bay or harbour

Yeongdo

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the restaurants and museums in Yeongdo. You might want to make time for a stop at Taejongdae Park or Huinnyeoul Culture Village.

Yeongdo
Busanjin showing wild flowers and a lake or waterhole

Busanjin

4.5/5(21 area reviews)

You might enjoy the shopping while in Busanjin. Lotte Department Store Busan Main Branch is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Buam Station or Seomyeon Station to see more of the city.

Busanjin
Toyoko Inn Busan Haeundae No.2
Toyoko Inn Busan Haeundae No.2
2.5 out of 5
5, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro 237beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan
The price is NZ$83 per night from 29 May to 30 May
NZ$83
per night
29 May - 30 May
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Busan. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
"View of Haeundae Beach was partially blocked by a building, but the hotel was so close to the beach, it's alright."

Reviewed on 1 May 2024

Toyoko Inn Busan Haeundae No.2
Paradise Hotel Busan
Paradise Hotel Busan
5 out of 5
296, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan, Busan
The price is NZ$317 per night from 20 May to 21 May
NZ$317
per night
20 May - 21 May
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Busan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,240 reviews)
"This was the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept on."

Reviewed on 5 May 2024

Paradise Hotel Busan
Lotte Hotel Busan
Lotte Hotel Busan
5 out of 5
772, Gaya-daero, Busanjin-gu, Busan, Busan
The price is NZ$185 per night from 27 May to 28 May
NZ$185
per night
27 May - 28 May
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Busan. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,467 reviews)
"Big rooms , very convenient location , helpful staff"

Reviewed on 12 May 2024

Lotte Hotel Busan
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Pale De CZ
Pale De CZ
4 out of 5
24, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro 298beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Stay at this 4-star beach condo in Busan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Haeundae Beach and Gwangalli Beach are located ...
7.4/10 Good! (339 reviews)
"This property has amazing veiws easy parking, literally everything was in walking distance to every thing down by the beach. Including a Starbucks down stairs. The only thing i would change about this property is the bed! The bed is so hard that it was hard to sleep."

Reviewed on 6 Apr. 2024

Pale De CZ
Grand LCT Residence
Grand LCT Residence
4 out of 5
Landmark-dong, 30, Dalmaji-gil, Busan, Busan
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Busan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Haeundae Beach and Gwangalli Beach are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (397 reviews)
"everything is good 👍"

Reviewed on 18 Feb. 2024

Grand LCT Residence
NewCZ Osiria Residence
NewCZ Osiria Residence
4 out of 5
17 Dongbusangwangwang 7-ro Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, Busan
Stay at this 4-star residence in Busan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a theme park shuttle (surcharge). Popular attractions Haeundae Beach and Gwangalli ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (59 reviews)
"The property was comfortable and very well priced! Also had laundry machines and detergent for us! Definitely recommend!"

Reviewed on 12 Apr. 2024

NewCZ Osiria Residence
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Busan

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
16
" "5 - Excellent 42.10526315789474%
4 - Good
18
" "4 - Good 47.36842105263158%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 5.2631578947368425%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 5.2631578947368425%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
3 Nov 2019

The beach opposite the hotel was lovely. Lots of food choices. Roselands in Gwangalli is well worth visiting for eating drinking and decor. The owner, she is beautiful

4/5 - Good

D
1 Nov 2019

Great city. Just pick a good hotel !!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
23 Oct 2019

It’s nice city a bit more relaxing than Seoul I like walking and hiking it’s good for out door activities not just shopping I wish I could stay longer than 2 days

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
6 Oct 2019

Some great places to see. My teenage daughter doesn’t like Seoul but loves Busan.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
25 Sep 2019

Beautiful place!

5/5 - Excellent

Andriana
5 Sep 2019

Nice place friendly people

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