Busan Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Busan
Busan featuring a bridge, landscape views and a city
Chungnyeolsa featuring heritage elements, a garden and wild flowers
Gwangalli Beach which includes a coastal town, general coastal views and a high-rise building
Busan showing night scenes and outdoor eating as well as a small group of people

Visit South Korea’s most popular summer destination to relax in a luxurious spa complex, discover peaceful forests and stroll along scenic beaches.

Busan is the second-largest city in South Korea but contrasts with the country’s metropolitan capital, Seoul, because it is mostly populated with resorts. Visit this scenic city to enjoy its wide beaches, lush parks and convenient proximity to the islands and coast of Hallyeohaesang National Park.Busan’s beaches are best during the warmer months.

Visit Haeundae Beach to find the country’s most famous strip of coastline. In summer, the long beach is populated with masses of beachgoers relaxing under brightly coloured sun umbrellas. For a little more seclusion, head west to reach Gwangalli Beach. This beach generally attracts fewer people and features clear views of South Korea’s longest bridge, Gwangan Bridge.

Enjoy diverse shopping at Shinsegae Centum City, the largest department store in the world, with 14 floors. Explore Shinsegae Centum City’s numerous stores, boutiques and cafés before winding down with a bit of golf at the indoor driving range or skating at the ice rink.

To experience South Korea’s famous seafood, visit Ja-galchi Market, Busan’s expansive fish market. Head to the dock and wander around the multilevel warehouse to experience the largest seafood market in South Korea.

Busan is becoming a popular destination for cosmetic surgery and medical tourism. Indulge in a luxurious facial treatment or get a full facelift at one of 160 clinics on Seomyeon Medical Street in Busan’s city centre. Book ahead to secure your spot at the Shinsegae Centrum City Spaland and treat yourself at one of 22 spas and 13 saunas.

Catch a ferry or a bus to nearby Tongyeong, a busy port town located on an island just off Busan’s southwest coast. Enjoy your Tongyeong daytrip with a visit to the Hallyeo Waterway Observation Cable Car and see magnificent views of the mainland. Take a stroll through the fascinating streets of Dongpirang Village, a historic town that had been condemned to demolition before villagers turned it into an outdoor art gallery.

Busan does have a city metro system, but most destinations are easily reached with bus, car or ferry.

Where to stay in Busan

Haeundae showing a sunset, a city and general coastal views

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 showing heritage elements, wild flowers and a garden

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
Jagalchi Fish Market featuring food and markets

Nampo-dong

Shopping and seafood restaurants are highlights of Nampo-dong. Make a stop by Jagalchi Fish Market or Nampodong Street while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Jangalchi Station to get around town.

Nampo-dong
Jung District showing a river or creek, a bridge and a city

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
Yeongdo which includes general coastal views, a bay or harbour and boating

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 Korea National Maritime Museum.

Yeongdo
Default Image

Gwangan-dong

When in Gwangan-dong and the surrounding area, you'll want to check out sights like Gwangalli Beach or Shinsegae Centum City and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Gwangan Station or Suyeong Station.

Gwangan-dong
Lotte Hotel Busan

Lotte Hotel Busan

5 out of 5
772, Gaya-daero, Busanjin-gu, Busan, Busan
The price is AU$221 per night from 11 Nov to 12 Nov
AU$221
per night
11 Nov - 12 Nov
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Busan. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,021 reviews)
"Concierge and Lobby staff were very attentive. Many elevators. Rooms were in clean condition however it seems outdated."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

Lotte Hotel Busan
Paradise Hotel Busan

Paradise Hotel Busan

5 out of 5
296, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan, Busan
The price is AU$285 per night from 10 Nov to 11 Nov
AU$285
per night
10 Nov - 11 Nov
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Busan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,425 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

Paradise Hotel Busan
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 AU$80 per night from 4 Nov to 5 Nov
AU$80
per night
4 Nov - 5 Nov
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,173 reviews)
"Excelente servicio, las empleadas muy amables y serviciales, el desayuno muy bueno y siempre a tiempo, el hotel muy fácil de llegar, siempre limpio y con mucha variedad de tiendas de conveniencia y restaurantes a su alrededor, en fin si vuelvo a Busan definitivamente volvería a quedarme aquí"

Reviewed on 22 Sept 2025

Toyoko Inn Busan Haeundae No.2
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.
NEWCZ HAEUNDAE RESIDENCE

NEWCZ HAEUNDAE RESIDENCE

4 out of 5
30 Haeun-daero 570beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Stay at this 4-star residence in Busan. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Haeundae Beach and Gwangalli Beach are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (332 reviews)
"Not great and not terrible. Just good."

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

NEWCZ HAEUNDAE RESIDENCE
Elmomento Songdo

Elmomento Songdo

3.5 out of 5
9, Deungdae-ro,Seo-gu, Busan
Stay at this 3.5-star residence in Busan. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Lotte Department Store Busan Main ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (80 reviews)
"They should provide bath size towels free! I saw many foreign visitors staying there, we don’t typically use hand towels to dry after shower or bath. When I asked for it, they charged for each bath towel! Hope they would improve the service."

Reviewed on 22 Sept 2025

Elmomento Songdo
Raviens haeundae Avenue

Raviens haeundae Avenue

2.5 out of 5
30, Gunam-ro 18beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Stay at this aparthotel in Busan. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Haeundae Beach and Gwangalli Beach are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (52 reviews)
"clean hotel, best bang for the buck"

Reviewed on 22 Sept 2025

Raviens haeundae Avenue
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%
4 - Good
18
4 - Good 47%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 5%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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

Great city. Just pick a good hotel !!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful place!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Nice place friendly people

Cities near Busan

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