Over 150 ideas of things to do and places to see when visiting Busan, South Korea.
Busan is South Korea's second city and is located on the south coast of the Korean peninsula. With more than 50% of all visitors to South Korea going no further than its capital city, Seoul. Go somewhere different than the majority and take a trip to Busan, you won't be disappointed.
Busan Overview:
Country: South Korea
Currency: South Korean Won (₩)
Language: Korean
Population: 3.4 million (2020)
Time zone: Korean Standard Time (GMT/UTC+9hr)
www.visitbusan.net
For further information about each attraction and details about opening times, prices and events, click on the attraction title for the external link to visit their website ...
History & Architecture
Busan Museum – Busan’s history across the centuries
Geumjeong Sanseong – mountaintop fortress, originally built on 1703 and reconstructed since, walking routes or cable car
40-step stairway and street – statutes, information boards and exhibition about the refugees during the Korean War
Busan Modern History Museum – the story of Busan city from the 19th Century to today
Busan Tower – observation deck with virtual reality telescopes, great views of boats[expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Busan City Hall Tour – urban model map and information about the city
Ami-dong Tombstone Culture Village – wander the winding streets of this neighbourhood built on a former cemetery
Bokcheon Museum – a branch of Busan museum built on the location of ancient tombs
UN Memorial Cemetery and UN Sculpture garden – memorial to soldiers who died during the Korean War
Japanese Ruins of Busan – 400-year fortress ruins
National Memorial Museum of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Occupation – Korea’s history during a time under Japanese rule
Seokdang Museum – covers the history of Busan from prehistoric to modern times, includes a calligraphy exhibition
Yeongdo lighthouse – built in 1906, located in Taejongdae Resort Park [/expander_maker]
Arts & Culture
Busan Museum of Art – the city’s largest contemporary arts space
Busan Metropolitan Library – impressive new building with a café and children’s library
Busan Museum of Movies – interactive museum with cinematic images and virtual reality experiences
Cheonmasan Sculpture Park – hillside sculpture park with over 40 sculptures and hiking trails to two Buddhist temples
Kangkangee Arts Village – outdoor art gallery in former shipyard [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"]Dadaepo Sunset Fountain of Dreams – the world’s largest ground fountain, with music and a coloured lights display
Busan Museum of Contemporary Art – contemporary sculpture and art
Soul Art Space – contemporary Korean artists
Johyun Gallery – Korean and international contemporary art
Gallery Woo – contemporary sculptures, pottery and paintings
Goeun Museum of Photography – gallery, workshops and talks
Dareumsan Recreational Forest – woodland crafts and workshops
Busan Tower – projection art exhibition and trick art displays
Gamcheon Culture Village – colourful hillside community mixing history, culture and art. Follow the ink-stamp map for routes around the village
Museum DAH – large-scale interactive media art gallery, experience art
Bosu Book Street – many bookstores line this street
Art Street – located in Gukje Underground shopping arcade
Haeundae Cinema Street – movie themed sculptures line this route, perfect for photos and selfies
BIFF Square – celebrates the stars of Korean theatre and films
Radium Art Centre – 20th Century contemporary art
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Science, Technology & Transport
Busan National Science Museum – large scale interactive science museum, includes activities for children of all ages
Cable Car up Geumjeong Mountain – Geumgang Park to the mountaintop fortress, great views over Busan
Youngju-dong Oreum-gil Monorail – monorail created by refugees during the Korean War
Eulsukdo Migratory Bird Park – natural habitat for migratory birds
Amisan Observatory – exhibition centre and view point for the river delta, where the river meets the ocean [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"]Nakdong Estuary Experience Center – the ecology of the Nakdong Estuary
Sea Life Aquarium – at the base of Busan Tower. Feeding times and talks
Busan Meteorological Observatory – a UNESCO World Heritage site in meteorology
Air Cruise – Songdo Marine Cable Car, views over the ocean by Songdo Beach
Danubi Train – road train around Taejongdae Resort Park
Cable Car Museum – history of cable car travel
Taejongdae Cruise Ship = tours from Yeongdo island
Korea National Maritime Museum – maritime history and life
Busan Marine Natural History Museum – lots to explore about marine natural history
Fisheries Science Museum – interactive museum with small aquarium[/expander_maker]
Religion & Faith
Hongbeopsa Temple and gardens – the largest seated Buddha statue in Korea surrounded by beautiful peaceful gardens
Namcheon Cathedral of the Holy Cross – Roman Catholic cathedral with beautiful stained glass windows
Seokbulsa Temple – hillside temple with large stone buddhas sculpted into the rocks
Busan Al-Fatah Masjid – small mosque in Namsan-dong
Beomosa Temple – temple complex in the mountains, 3km uphill walk[expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"]Samgwangsa Temple – large temple, lit by lanterns in May
Haedong Yonggung Temple – temple overlooking the sea[/expander_maker]
Shopping areas
Shingsae Department Store – the largest department store in the world (Guinness World Record), includes Zooraji dinosaur themed roof-top park
Seomyeon – district with shops, restaurants and night-life
Tourist Information Office – several tourist information centers around Busan
Jagalchi Fish Market – sights and smells of the largest fish market in South Korea
Bupueong Kkangtong (Night) Market – large market open late into the night[expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"]Kukje Underground shopping center – lined with bargain shopping stalls and snack bars
Shanghai Street – pedestrianized “Chinatown”, many amazing restaurants and Choryang Modern History Gallery
Nampo-dong – the city’s main shopping and dining area
Gukje Market – large wholesale and retail market
Gwangbok-ro Fashion Street – over 100 fashion shops, large famous brand-name stores
Bosu-dong Book Alley – bookstore in a narrow alleyway, new and second-hand books
Lotte Department Store – large shopping centre with impressive views from rooftop viewing deck[/expander_maker]
Unusual Attractions
Jangnim Port – known as Busan’s ‘Venice’, colourful buildings ideal for photo opportunities and Instagram
Busan Coffee Museum – history of coffee and coffee machinery exhibition
Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge – visit this Instagram famous bridge and walk above the ocean to get across to Dongseom Island
Heosimcheong Spa – hot spring spa, claiming to be the largest in Asia
Turtle Island – island shaped like a turtle, bridge across from Songdo Beach, sculptures lit at night. [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"]Trickeye Museum – augmented reality museum (linked with the Busan Museum of Movies)
Dongsam Shell Mound Museum – archaeological site of discarded shells from 7500BC, on Yeong-do Island[/expander_maker]
Outdoor Activities, Sports and Walking Routes
Geumjeongsan Mountain – walking trails up to mountaintop fortress, views over Busan
Songdo Cloud Trails – 365-metre Skywalk over the ocean, views along Songdo Beach
Hwamyeong Arboretum – leisurely walks around the arboretum and gardens
Nuribaragi Observatory - views of the mountains, city skyline and Busanhang Port sea
Haeundae Beach – 1.5km white sandy beach, the most popular beach in Korea [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"]Busan Healing Forest – walking trails and activities
Yongdusan Park – Busan Tower, walking and good views from the top of the park
VRSkywing – breathtaking views from Asia’s first trapeze
Sky Harbor Observatory Platform – views of Songdo Sea, sculptures and plenty of photo opportunities
Dareumsan Recreational Forest – forest walking trails, guided walks available
Songdo Diving Platform – 3m and 5m diving platform into the sea
Songdo Beach – the first public beach in Korea
Songdo Yonggung Cloud Bridge – connects to Turtle Island
Taejongdae Resort Park – coastal cliffs and sea caves and Yeongdo Lighthouse, a park on Yeongdo connected island
Hwangnyeongsan Mountain – walking route easily accessible from downtown Busan (2-3hr hike)
Taejongdae Hot Spring – water treatments, saunas and steam baths
Oryukudo Park and skywalk – walk out above where the East Sea and the South Sea meet, walking trails, skywalk, information centre and nature garden
Dadaepo - Molundae geotrail – explore the fascinating coastal trail and sand dunes
Dusong peninsula – coastal walkway with beautiful scenery
Songdoureum Walkway – bridge walkway over the sea
Seunghaksan Mountain – panoramic mountaintop views and silver grass fields, impressive autumnal colours
Dongbaekseom Park – cycling, skating and walking, see the legendary mermaid statue on Dongbaek Island
Citizen Park – large park, with ponds, fountains, sculptures and children’s play area, good for running
Songdo Coastal Trail – raised walkway along the coast
Ahopsan Forest – woodland walks through a 400 year old forest
Hoedong Reservoir – longer-distance hiking trails
Spo1 Park – an open park stadium with indoor and outdoor leisure facilities and swimming pool, family friendly
Seongjigok Reservoir – boardwalk walking route around peaceful reservoir
APEC Naru Park – small, quiet coastal park with art sculptures
Dongnaeeupseong Walled Town – follow the trail around the stone walls of this quiet historic walled town
Gwangalli Beach – the closest beach to the city centre, beach themed street and facilities for diverse marine sports, nightly light shows
Cherry Blossom views – pink cherry blossom in springtime
Sajik Baseball Stadium – home of the Lotte Giants
Samnak Eco Park – peaceful park for cycling or walking, beautiful in all seasons
Gadeokdo Island – Jeonggeo Mural village, cave forts and Gadeokdo lighthouse, connected to the mainland by Gadeok Bridge
Democracy Park and Jungang Park – it takes around an hour to climb to the hilltop Memorial Tower, or take the funicular railway
Baegyangsan Mountain – hiking and mountain biking trails in the wellbeing forest of Baegyangsan Mountain
Igidae Park – 1.5 hour (one-way) coastal walking route, start from Oryukdo Skywalk[/expander_maker]
Activities for Children
Busan National Science Museum – large scale interactive science museum, includes activities for children of all ages
Dino Adventure – giant dinosaur models move to sound, by Songdo Beach
Taejongdae Resort Park – large park, visit the Yeongdo lighthouse or take the Danubi children’s road train around the park
Busan Aquarium – 30,000 fish and a touch pool for children
Kids Land – part of Spo1 park with indoor soft play and out door play areas[expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"]Busan Metropolitan Library – children’s library and café
Korea National Maritime Museum – children’s interactive museum all about the sea
Gupo Children’s traffic safety park – road safety through play
Children’s Grand Park – play areas, water park, hiking trails and animal park
Busan Fishing Village Folk Museum – looks back at Busan’s origin as a small fishing village, children's ‘Fishing Village Experience Room’
Figure Art Toy Diorama Gallery – limited edition figurines
Songdo Waterfront Park – waterjets, good for cooling down
LetsRun Park BusanGyeongnam – a horse-themed park and play area, children can learn to ride and look after horses
Citizen Park – large play areas and water play area with family facilities
Zooraji – a dinosaur themed roof-top park in Shinsegae Department Store[/expander_maker]
Festivals & Events
Haeundae Full Moon & Spa Festival (February) – street parade and festival, traditional Korean song and dance
Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival (end March/April) – the largest cherry blossom festival in Korea
Busan International Fireworks Festival (November) – spectacular fireworks display and live music, regularly has visitor numbers of over one million people
Haeundae Sand Festival (May) – giant sand sculptures by world class artists
Pusan International Film Festival (October) – one of the biggest film festivals in Asia [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"]Samnak Cherry Blossom Festival (March) - Samnak Ecological Park is one of the best areas in Busan to see the colourful cherry blossom
Daejeo Tomato Festival (April) – tomato based food exhibitions and tasting events
Polar Bear Swim Contest (January) – annual swim in the near freezing water, held since 1988
Nakdong Riverside Yuchae Flower Festival (April) – the largest canola flower field in South Korea can be found at Daejeo Ecological Park, looks spectacular in full bloom
Centum Beer Festival (June) – music and draft beer
Busan Biennale (even numbered years) – international authors, artists and musicians
Haeundae triathalon (July) – World Triathalon Cup
International Rock Festival (August) – outdoor music festival
Busan Sea Festival (August) – summer beach festival
Jagalchi Festival (October) - fish market, hands-on demonstrations and workshops
Haeundae Lighting Festival (December) – illuminations around Haeundae Beach and Gunamro Square
Busan Christmas Tree Cultural Festival (December) – Christmas trees of different shapes and sizes, music and lights [/expander_maker]
Nearby Day Trips
Oedo Island – boat trip to a beautiful western-style botanical garden
Gyeongju – historic city 50 miles north of Busan
Suncheon Bay – wetlands, salt swamp and reed fields
Tsushima Island (Japan) – Japanese island, visit temples, castle ruins, nature walks and fishing, only a one hour ferry ride from Busan
Geoje Island – large island linked by bridges and tunnel, only 1 hour from Busan. Walking trails in Bamboo Park (Gerje Manjongjongjing) , Hallyeohaesang National Park Korean National Scenic site, boat trip to see the tall cliffs and sea caves, Gerje Manjongjongjing tree climbing adventure routes [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival (early April) – amazing sights, try the cherry blossom flavoured ice cream
Daegu – South Korea’s fourth largest city, visit the temples and night markets
Yeosu – seaside city with an archipelago of over 300 islands
Namhae – island, Namhae Art Village and rice terraces
Eden Valley Ski (winter) or luge (summer) – small two-slope ski resort
Tongyeong – seaside town 2 hours from Busan, spectacular scenery and ferry services to nearby peaceful islands
Boseong Green Tea Festival – amongst the tea plantations of Boseong [/expander_maker]