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$199 per night from 12 Oct to 13 Oct
AU$199
per night
12 Oct - 13 Oct
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! (1,994 reviews)
"This was my second stay at this hotel. I stayed in a Club Twin room. We enjoyed the daily breakfast with its variety of options. The staff was both friendly and helpful. We utilized both the laundry and dry cleaning services and were pleased with both the results and the timeliness. The room was ..."

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025

Lotte Hotel Busan
Ananti at Busan Cove

Ananti at Busan Cove

5 out of 5
268-32, Gijanghaean-ro Gijang-eup, Busan
The price is AU$332 per night from 6 Nov to 7 Nov
AU$332
per night
6 Nov - 7 Nov
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Busan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Haeundae Beach and Songjeong Beach are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"This place is gorgeous, the rooms were amazing. I didn't like the surprise 200K KRW/night security deposit; wouldn't have minded if it was included in any of the information provided. Also not the best location for exploring Busan, kinda removed from the happenings. Close to the premium outlets and ..."

Reviewed on 28 Sept 2025

Ananti at Busan Cove
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 20 Oct to 21 Oct
AU$80
per night
20 Oct - 21 Oct
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! (1,168 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! (324 reviews)
"Great place to stay with family, good access to local restaurants and bars, very close to the beach. Only thing is they don’t have wash and dryer and hair conditioner. They don’t have daily house keeping service. Other than that very nice place for the family vacation."

Reviewed on 27 Sept 2025

NEWCZ HAEUNDAE RESIDENCE
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
Brown Suites Busan

Brown Suites Busan

4.5 out of 5
160 Chungjang-daero, Dong-gu, Busan, Busan
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury apartment in Busan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Lotte Department Store Busan Main Branch and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (168 reviews)
"Close to KTX and Busan station, so easy to get around to different areas of Busan. Was slightly challenging to find our way to our room at first, but staff was helpful and responsive."

Reviewed on 4 Oct 2025

Brown Suites 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.

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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