What to do in Busan

Activities, attractions and tours

Dongpirang Village featuring general coastal views, a house and a bay or harbor
Dongpirang Village featuring general coastal views, a house and a bay or harbor
Busan showing a bridge, a city and a river or creek
Chungnyeolsa showing heritage elements, a park and wild flowers
Gwangalli Beach featuring a skyscraper, general coastal views and a coastal town
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Top places to visit

1. Gwangalli Beach

Gwangalli Beach is an urban beach well-known for its fine sand and clean, swimmable water. It sits in an attractive bay while looking out across the Sea of Japan to a famous bridge. Gwangalli Beach is a hive of activity from early in the morning until long into the night. Find traditional Korean barbecue restaurants, a fish market, amusement park and concert stage.
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Gwangalli Beach featuring a skyscraper, general coastal views and a coastal town

2. Haeundae Beach

On sunny days in July and August, Haeundae Beach is the most popular spot in Busan. Fields of colorful umbrellas line the entire 0.9-mile (1.5-kilometer) stretch. Masses of visitors float on bright yellow tubes. Regularly, more than 100,000 people come here each day during the summer. On particularly hot days, the beach has hosted up to a million sun worshipers, making it as much a place to people-watch as a place to swim.
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Haeundae Beach featuring a city, a coastal town and a sandy beach

3. Songdo Beach

Join the city residents and tourists that escape the sweltering summer heat of downtown Busan at Songdo Beach. Created in 1913 and upgraded in the 2000s, Songdo Beach is Korea’s first public beach. The name Songdo means pine island and is a reference to pine forests that were once thought to flourish in the area. It presents a quieter coastal experience to Busan’s other beaches such as Gwangalli Beach and Haeundae Beach.
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Songdo Beach showing a sandy beach, a sunset and general coastal views

4. Shinsegae Centum City

Shinsegae means “new world,” an appropriate description for this 14-floor, all-encompassing department store. Officially the largest department store in the world, Shinsegae Centum City offers the hottest brands, the finest foods and numerous entertainment and relaxation options.
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Shinsegae Centum City featuring interior views

5. Songjeong Beach

Discover a relaxed coastal atmosphere at Songjeong Beach. Join the hordes of local families that come to relish in the beach’s calm water and gorgeous sand. Dabble in watersports, go fishing and be part of vibrant festivals. Songjeong Beach is the quieter and less commercial option to the nearby, developed resort of Haeundae Beach.
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Songjeong Beach which includes waves, a sandy beach and general coastal views

6. Gukje Market

Prepare yourself for a sensory overload at Gukje Market. This vast street market has hundreds of shops packed tightly together along a network of both covered and open-air lanes. Browse for electronics, fashion trends and sundry household goods. Enjoy the traditional flavors of Korean snacks. Gukje Market began during the Korean War of the early 1950s when refugees sold their wares as a way to make a living.
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Gukje Market which includes interior views and markets as well as a small group of people

7. Paradise Casino

Bet on blackjack or try the slots at Paradise Casino, one of Busan’s newest gambling establishments, not far from the sea-going pleasures of Haeundue Beach. After a day of sun and sand, relax with a game of baccarat while interacting with other visitors to Busan and South Korea.
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Busan_ParadiseCasino_6285564_03

8. Dadaepo Beach

Dadaepo Beach is Busan’s most famous stretch of sand. Join locals at this delightful beach where the waters are shallow and gentle, there are plenty of facilities and the scenery is beautiful. There is also the rather impressive Dadaepo Sunset Fountain of Dream spectacle to enjoy too.
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Dadaepo Beach featuring general coastal views, a sunset and a sandy beach

What to do in Busan

Popular places to visit

Gwangalli Beach featuring a skyscraper, general coastal views and a coastal town

Gwangalli Beach

4.5/5(13 reviews)

Swim in the calm water of a sheltered bay, dine at waterfront seafood bars and see uninterrupted views of Gwangan Bridge.

Gwangalli Beach
Haeundae Beach which includes a sandy beach and a coastal town

Haeundae Beach

4.5/5(20 reviews)

Let your cares float away while you bob on a tube just off Korea’s most famous beach, where locals and tourists come to see and be seen.

Haeundae Beach
Lotte Department Store which includes a statue or sculpture, a fountain and heritage elements

Lotte Department Store Busan Main Branch

4/5(21 reviews)

You can find the perfect gifts to bring home with a trip to Lotte Department Store Busan Main Branch, a popular shopping spot in Busan. Wander through the beautiful beaches and seaside in this culturally rich area.

Lotte Department Store Busan Main Branch
Gukje Market in Busan

Nampodong Street

4/5(18 reviews)

You can browse for souvenirs when you visit Nampodong Street, a popular shopping spot in Busan. Wander through the beautiful beaches and seaside in this culturally rich area.

Nampodong Street
Songdo Beach showing a sandy beach, a sunset and general coastal views

Songdo Beach

4.5/5(3 reviews)

Fine golden sand, lively restaurants, a sky walk and lively music festivals make this a popular beach in southern Busan.

Songdo Beach
Shinsegae Centum City showing interior views and shopping

Shinsegae Centum City

4/5(10 reviews)

Pull on ice skates, practice your golf swing or slip into a spa at the world’s largest department store. You’ll find great shopping and dining too, of course.

Shinsegae Centum City
Songjeong Beach which includes a beach, kite surfing and general coastal views

Songjeong Beach

4.5/5(2 reviews)

Enjoy swimming, surfing and live music events during the warm summer months at this quiet beach situated on Busan’s east coast.

Songjeong Beach
Gukje Market which includes interior views and markets as well as a small group of people

Gukje Market

4/5(17 reviews)

Shop for clothing, homeware and souvenirs and sample typical Korean street food at this sprawling and lively market that is popular with locals.

Gukje Market
Paradise Casino showing a city

Paradise Casino

4/5(5 reviews)

After a day on the beach, relax with table games and slot machines at a small casino near the area’s restaurants and bars, not far from the ocean.

Paradise Casino

Explore areas of Busan

Haeundae featuring a sunset, landscape views and a city

Haeundae

4.5/5(30 area reviews)

Known across the country for its spacious and beautiful beach, this part of Busan also has numerous exciting cultural attractions.

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
大韓民国　釜山　チャガルチ市場

Nampo-dong

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

Nampo-dong
Jung District which includes night scenes, a river or creek and a bridge

Jung-gu

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

Find important historical locations commemorating Korea’s fight for independence as well as traditional markets in this southern section of Busan.

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

Yeongdo

4.5/5(3 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(24 area reviews)

For shopping in Busan, this part of the city is superb. You’ll find traditional markets and high-end shops along with food and entertainment.

Busanjin

Day trip destinations from Busan

Colorful red suspended bridge and rocky cliffside coastline trees forest and at the beach park in Daewangam Ulsan South Korea during sunset

Ulsan

Asian heritage, peaceful place

Gimhae

Changwon showing a river or creek and a small town or village

Changwon

Geoje showing a city

Geoje

PDXW48 Yangsan, South Korea - Aug 2, 2018 : Honglyongsa temple scene in Yangsan City

Yangsan

Gwangan Bridge and skyscrapers in the night. Busan, South Korea

Imnang

Oedo Island coastline, Hallyeohaesang National Park, Busan, South Korea

Ilgwang

Busan featuring a bay or harbour as well as a small group of people

Cheongsapo Fishing Village

Frequently asked questions

Is Busan worth visiting?
Whether you're planning to experience the cultural highlights and local charm or sample unique foods and explore the outdoors, there are plenty of things to do in Busan.
How do I spend a day in Busan?
Begin your day with a visit to Songdo Beach and Seomyeon Street. Then, check out other parts of Busan for local restaurants and some retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Busan?
Songdo Beach is one of the top tourist attractions in Busan and should be high on every to-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Busan?
You can easily tick off leading attractions like Seomyeon Street, Oryukdo Skywalk and Gwangbokro Culture and Fashion Street with a three-day break in Busan. On average, most travellers book two days here. There's plenty to discover nearby too, so stay a little longer and head to Dong-gu.
Is Busan a walkable city?
With exciting neighbourhoods and major sights within walking distance of the city centre, Busan is a great place to explore on foot. Wander between Seomyeon Street and Samjung The Park. Then take a stroll around Seomyeon, located 3 kilometers from downtown, and Busanjin, which is roughly 3 kilometers away.
What are some activities to do in Busan with kids?
If you're looking for sights and activities for all of your group, take a look at these awesome ideas for what to do in Busan with kids.

What to do in Busan for adults?
Nampodong Street and Bosu-Dong Book Street are just a couple of the things to do in Busan. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Busan?
From relaxing in parks to strolling around hip neighbourhoods, it's a breeze to find free things to do in Busan. If you need new ideas, ask for tips from a local tour guide. Seomyeon Street is a great spot for anyone looking to save on their travel adventures.

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