16 Things To Do In Busan: New Attractions, Scenic Spots, Charming Villages & Cafes For Your Next Korea Trip
Tell your friends you’re visiting Busan and you’ll probably invite some overused jokes involving trains and zombies. As someone who was pretty unfamiliar with Korean culture, I too had my knowledge about this port city limited to the iconic action-horror film. But the opportunity for a VTL trip to Busan recently presented itself, and through it, I found myself gaining new appreciation for this travel destination I’d previously overlooked.
Less bustling than Seoul but with the same modern comforts, Busan has a balanced mix of activities for city-loving folk, as well as those seeking a good dose of sightseeing and culture. Here are 16 things to do in Busan including a mix of new attractions for 2022 and beyond, scenic spots, charming villages, cafes and so much more - great for both first-timers as well as repeat visitors.
Note: Prices stated are subject to prevailing exchange rates, and are correct at time of writing.
#1: Snap photos with interactive Instagrammable art at Museum 1
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Transport yourself to a realm of dreamscapes with Busan's Museum 1 (previously known as Museum DAH) - a 2-storey attraction full of mesmerising multimedia artwork, the first of its kind in Korea! Think of it as Korea's version of our ArtScience Museum, just bigger and better.
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With the current theme being "Technique of Healing'', this immersive experience is more than just a building full of Instagram-worthy spots for 21st century creatures who love feeding their cameras; It’ll have you finding calmness from within as you enter the various rooms, many of which are nature-focused.
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We shan’t give away too many spoilers, but our favourite spot was the mirrored room filled with beanbag cushions, where we lay back and watched the LED displays evolve from swirling nebulas to fiery sunsets and gentle waves of the sea, all accompanied by sound effects that further added to the magical atmosphere.
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This edition will be up and running till 7 May 2023, after which the museum's artwork will be refreshed once again. Tickets for adults cost KRW18,000 (~S$18.06). Museum 1 is a short 5-minute walk from Exit 6 or 8 of Line 2 Centum City Station.
Museum 1 Busan
Address: 20 Centumseo-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10am - 7pm | Saturday & Sunday 0am - 8pm
Telephone: +82 51 731 3302
Website
#2: Eat, shop, and admire street art at the colourful Gamcheon Culture Village
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Search “Busan” on Google Images and you’ll come across numerous photos of the vibrant Gamcheon Culture Village, which has a history that’s just as colourful as its houses. With its original inhabitants mostly refugees who fled other areas during the Korean War, this used to be one of the poorest districts in Korea. But in 2009, a project was kickstarted to liven up this sleepy suburban zone, with local artists roped in to paint murals and set up art installations there.
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Today, this charming village on a hill is home to small businesses like cafes, food stalls, and handmade trinket shops, all operated by the residents themselves. There’s even a store with modern photo booths now.
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One of the most iconic installations here is the Little Prince statue, which often has a queue of people waiting to snap photos with it. There’s a safety ledge on the other side so it’s perfectly safe for you to sit on the railing.
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Fun fact: The staircase-like formation of the houses was done such that no one would have their views affected by their neighbours’ homes.
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Gamcheon Culture VIllage
Address: 203, Gamnae 2-ro, Saha-gu, Busan, South Korea
Opening hours: 24/7 (opening hours for individual stores apply)
Website
#3: Zip down roller coasters at Lotte World Adventure: Magic Forest
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Lotte World is basically Korea’s version of Disneyland, and their newest branch, Lotte World Adventure: Magic Forest, is designed to look like a royal kingdom with European-inspired architecture. It’s also larger than the original theme park in Seoul in terms of floor space, which gives patrons more breathing room.
Photo from Lotte World Busan
Adrenaline junkies will love their thrill rides - including but not limited to a looping coaster and one with a vertical drop that ends with a splash - but those who prefer taking things easy aren’t short of options with bumper cars, carousels, and a breezy swing ride. There are also daily parades and performances that’ll have you grooving in high spirits!
Photo from Lotte World Busan
One of the biggest highlights is a pink castle, which sits in the theme park’s Royal Garden full of cheery flowers. Other than serving as a prime photo spot, the castle can actually be entered, with an observatory on the second level that gives a panoramic perspective of the compound.
Photo from Lotte World Busan
Read our review on Lotte World Adventure Busan: Magic Forest - with handy tips to make your visit a more fruitful one.
#4: Try local street eats and fresh seafood at these Busan food markets
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Foodies in search of authentic Korean street delights must not miss out on Busan’s food markets, and the good news is that there are quite a few clustered in the same area of walkable distance from each other. Time for a big food trail!
BIFF Square
BIFF stands for Busan International Film Festival, but don’t be misled by the name. This is the former site of the film event, and has now been converted into a bustling food street. Make sure you try the famous Ssiat Hotteok, a special Busan-style version of the traditional Korean pancake which comes stuffed with nuts and seeds instead of the usual fillings.
Jagalchi Market
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A paradise for seafood lovers, Jagalchi Market is the largest fish market in South Korea. Tourists usually go to the Jagalchi Fish Market Building to get their live catch, before heading up to the restaurant area on the second floor to have it prepared into a meal, but here’s a little secret from our guide: You’re better off purchasing your fresh seafood from a street stall outside the building and having it cooked elsewhere, as prices within the building are jacked up.
Bupyeong Kkangtong Market
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It’s impossible to walk through the lively Bupyeong Kkangtong Market without buying anything - the rows of stalls hawking fried chicken, grilled lobster, tteokbokki, sweet rice cakes and the like are simply just too tempting! Easily one of our favourites on this list, this market also has fresh produce like fruits and vegetables.
Gukje Market
Other than freshly-prepared nosh like gimbap and noodles, Gukje Market also has plenty of stalls with daily goods such as bedding, watches, and kitchen items. If your luggage is in danger of bursting from all the shopping you’ve done, this is where you can get a spare one at reasonable prices.
Bonus: Gwangbokro Fashion Street
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This isn’t a food street, but rather, one for the fashion aficionados. But since Gwangbokro Fashion Street is in the vicinity of all the food markets, it wouldn’t hurt to drop by for a short break from all the munching!
#5: Enter paradise at Huinnyeoul Culture Village, aka Korea’s Santorini
Photo from Visit Busan
Gamcheon Culture Village isn’t the only village in Busan that you should pay attention to. Lesser-known but just as endearing is Huinnyeoul Culture Village. Because of its coastal location and multicoloured low-rise buildings with murals and mosaic art, it’s often referred to as Korea’s Santorini.
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Speaking of Santorini, you’ll want to refuel at Sinki Yeoul, a cafe that looks like it belongs right on the romantic Greek island. Clad in blue and white, this multi-storey cafe has outdoor patio seats and opens up to a sea-facing balcony where you can breathe in the fresh sea breeze.
Photo from Sinki Yeoul
The interior of the cafe itself is painted black, which seems incongruent with the surroundings, but this was done on purpose to let the long glass feature window be the main focal point.
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Huinnyeol Culture Village is chock full of cafes (which you can check out here) and Sinki Yeoul is just one of the many. Head closer to the shoreline for some fresh pocha seafood, or stroll along the Jeoryeong Coastal Walk for a trail that will lead you to a tunnel.
Sinki Yeoul at Huinnyeoul Culture Village
Address: 202-2 Jeoryeong-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, South Korea
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 12pm - 8pm | Saturday & Sunday: 12pm - 9pm
Telephone: +82 70 8164 6150
Website
#6: Board the Haeundae Blueline Beach Train for an idyllic sightseeing ride to Songjeong Beach
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With the Haeundae Blueline Beach Train, the journey counts as much as the destination itself. This sightseeing train painted in bright colours has a retro vibe going on, and instead of the seats being built along the train’s breadth, they’re arranged in longer rows of two along its length, directly facing the coast.
Photo from Visit Busan
A single-trip Beach Train ticket costs KRW7,000 (~S$7.02) while a round-trip costs KRW10,000 (~S$10.03).
Photo from Haeundae Blueline Park
Prefer not to squeeze with the crowds? Book a private Sky Capsule for a romantic journey in a cute mini single cabin. A trip for 2 pax costs KRW30,000 (~S$30.09), but it’s slightly cheaper per person when you max out the capacity of the capsule, which is 4 pax.
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There are multiple boarding points and stops along the way, including Mipo Station and Daritdol Observatory. We chose to go alight at Songjeong Station, the last stop, for a stroll to Songjeong Beach, where we popped by Surfholic - a surf school cum surf rental store with a cafe on the second floor that offers a good eyeful of the sandy shores.
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#7: Ascend 100 floors at Busan X the SKY, home to the highest Starbucks in the world
Photo from Korea Tourism Organization
Be on top of the world at Busan X the SKY, a 100-storey skyscraper with views combining some of Busan’s best sights - tranquil beaches, urban landscapes, and mountains in the distance. This mishmash of scenery pretty much sums up the very core of what Busan is - a flourishing culture-rich city that has retained its natural beauty and charm.
Photo from Korea Tourism Organization
Peer through the binoculars for a clearer view, and make sure you cross the Shocking Bridge, a pathway where the floors are made of clear glass that you can see right through to the ground. There’s also an art gallery here, and a light art show titled SKY X SHOW that combines projections with real-life scenery to create something spectacular.
Photo from Korea Tourism Organization
Tip: Check the weather forecast before you book tickets. The sights might be compromised during rainy weather, especially if there’s mist and fog.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
While you’re there, grab a cuppa at Starbucks on the 99th floor - the highest Starbucks in the world! For something fancier, there’s SKY99, a European fine-dining restaurant on the same level with highly-coveted window seats.
Tickets to Busan X the SKY cost KRW27,000 (~S$27.08) for adults.
Busan X the SKY
Address: 30, Dalmaji-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Opening hours: 10am - 9pm daily
Telephone: +82 51 731 00989
Website
#8: Drop by F1963, an old factory turned urban space with food, art, & nature
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Once an old wire factory harking back to the 60’s, F1963 is now Busan’s hottest hipster hangout - a kitschy urban complex that houses F&B options, exhibition and performance halls, an art library, a secondhand bookstore, and even nature zones such as a bamboo trail and a Moonlight Garden with zen rock ponds. There’s also an open-air stage where you can catch free films, live music, and more.
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We stopped by Boksoondoga, a restaurant-bar that specialises in makgeolli (Korean rice wine). What’s special is that all the makgeolli here is made at their own brewery in Ulsan, using traditional methods using their own homemade nuruk (fermentation starter), and left unpasteurised for better flavour.
Photo from Visit Busan
Need a caffeine boost? Head over to Terarosa for freshly brewed coffee and tea, and fragrant bakes to go with. This industrial-style cafe retains bits of the location’s past, with old factory equipment and large metal wire bobbins serving as decor.
F1963
Address: 20 Gurak-ro 123(baegisipsam)beon-, Suyeong-gu, Busan, South Korea
Opening hours: 9am - 12pm
Telephone: +82 51 756 1963
Website
#9: Walk 108 steps down to reach Haedong Yonggungsa Temple on a cliff by the sea
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If you only visit one temple in Korea, let Busan’s Haedong Yonggungsa Temple be it. Seemingly straight out of a movie set, this Buddhist temple on a seaside cliff is one of the only few that’s located in such a setting - as opposed to the others which are mostly in mountainous areas.
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Getting to the temple involves 108 downhill steps, but it’s very manageable and more of a relaxing short trek than a hike. Along the way you’ll pass by a pagoda, statues of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, a bamboo grove, stone lanterns, and little figurines left by visitors as offerings.
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In front of the temple is a little sea-facing cafe on the edge of the rock formations. There are also street food stalls with picnic benches situated near the main entrance of the attraction for you to refuel and rest your feet.
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Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Address: 86 Yonggung-gil, Gijang-gun, Busan, South Korea
Opening hours: 5am - 8pm daily
Telephone: +82 51 722 7744
Website
#10: Hop on the Songdo Cable Car and cross Yonggung Cloud Bridge for sea views
Photo from Busan Air Cruise
Some of the best nature sights in Busan can be found via the Busan Air Cruise - also known as the Songdo Cable Car - which will provide unblocked views of Songdo Bay and its sparkling blue waters. A round trip in a regular Air Cruise cabin costs KRW15,000 (~S$15.05), but we recommend going for the Crystal Cruise at KRW20,000 (~S$20.06) which comes with a clear glass-bottomed floor.
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Busan Air Cruise offers more than just scenic cable car rides, as it'll take you to plenty of other vantage points in this coastal area. We alighted at Songdo Sky Park, and made a stop at the open-air Sky Harbour Observatory Platform, where a series of installations themed after The Little Prince awaited.
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From there, we strolled over to Songdo Yonggung Cloud Bridge, a suspension bridge which connects to Dongseom Island, and watched the waves crashing around rock formations below. Do note that there’s a nominal entrance fee of KRW1,000 (~S$1), which goes into the maintenance of the bridge.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Busan Air Cruise - Songdo Cable Car
Address: 171 Songdohaebyeon-ro, Amnam-dong, Seo-gu, Busan, South Korea
Opening hours: 9am - 9pm daily
Telephone: +82 51 247 9900
Website
#11: Visit Ananti Cove for a secret seaside cafe with its own media art gallery
Photo from Hilton Busan
Having your honeymoon or simply seeking a spot of luxury? Check out the swanky Ananti Cove, located along the coastal outskirts - home to Hilton Busan, high-end fashion boutiques, restaurants, and calming bookstore Eternal Journey. Even if you’re not staying at the luxury hotel, you’re welcome to visit the public areas including Cabinet de Poissons Cafe, a hidden cafe with sea views that’s unknown even to many locals.
Photo from Artmap Korea
Connected to the cafe is a media art gallery with multiple rooms of interactive digital art that responds to movement - very much like the ones by Japan’s teamLab! You can even try “water bending” like Katara from Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Photo from Visit Busan
Tickets to the media art gallery cost KRW15,000 (~S$15.05) for adults, with a 50% discount for Ananti members and guests of Hilton Busan. It opens 11am on weekdays and 10am on weekends, with closing times of 7pm for both. Regular closure occurs on the last Thursday of each month.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Ananti Cove
Address: 268-31 Gijanghaean-ro, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, South Korea
Telephone: +82 51 604 7000
Website
#12: Shop ‘til you drop at Lotte Premium Outlets
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You’d better come with ample luggage space if you’re making a visit to Lotte Premium Outlets in Busan. Here’s where you can get everything from branded goods, snacks, cute stationery, Korean fashion, sheet masks and more - all at prices lower than Singapore’s. Don’t forget to check out the discount racks, for you might just score quality apparel going at just 10 bucks! You’ll also find some stores that no longer exist back home, such as Samantha Thavasa and Artbox.
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Head straight to the supermarket if the famous HBAF Honey Butter Almonds are on your agenda. While these cost around 10 bucks per packet in Singapore, you can get them for a fraction of the price in Korea. In fact, the more packs you buy, the cheaper it gets - we got ours for a mere KRW3,740 (~S$3.75) each when we bought 3 packets. Other than the regular favourites, you can also try funky renditions of these nuts in flavours like Carrot Cake, Tiramisu, and Injeolmi.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Lotte Premium Outlets Busan
Address: 147 Gijanghaean-ro, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, South Korea
Opening hours: 10.30am - 9pm daily
Telephone: +82 51 901 2500
#13: Soak in dazzling views of the skyline with fireworks at Busan Diamond Tower
Photo from @diamondtower_busan via Instagram
Busan Diamond Tower is a 120-metre tall observatory with views of the city’s port area, but it isn’t just a lookout point. Revamped in late December 2021, this attraction now has modern art installations incorporated into it, with the highlight being the fireworks projections that happen at intervals on the tower’s windows. While the pyrotechnics aren’t real, we found ourselves captivated nonetheless as they looked absolutely stunning against the nighttime cityscape.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
As you make your way down, you’ll come across sky-themed trick art, illuminated “infinity” floors, and other interactive elements. Our favourite was the dark room with a 3D model of Busan’s city and a giant crescent moon, surrounded by fluorescent glow-in-the-dark paint splatters made to look like stars and fireworks. These definitely made our KRW12,000 (~S$12.04) worth every cent!
Photo from Busan Diamond Tower
Next to the tower is a lower octagonal pavillion, where you can purchase snacks as well as coffee made by a robot. The first floor has a faux grass patch with picnic benches, but you can head up to the space on the second floor to munch on your food for more romantic vibes.
Busan Diamond Tower
Address: 37-30 Yongdusan-gil, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea
Opening hours: 10am - 10pm daily
Telephone: +82 51 601 1800
Instagram
#14: Get KAKAO FRIENDS merch at a 3-storey flagship store
Photo from KAKAO FRIENDS
There are tons of KAKAO FRIENDS stores scattered all across Korea, but only 3 of them are multi-storey standalone flagships. While the two duplex outlets in Seoul might seem impressive, it’s the 3-storey one in downtown Busan that takes the cake. It’s impossible to miss its bright and cheery storefront with full window displays of cute products, amidst the other trendy fashion stores in the area.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Inside is a wonderland of plushies, stationery, apparel, kitchen items, home decor, gadgets and more - all featuring your favourite characters like Ryan, Apeach, Choonsik, Muzi, and the rest of the gang. There are also plenty of life-sized character installations which you are free to snap photos with.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
#15: Learn how to make traditional Korean dishes at a cooking class
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I’ll be honest - I’m someone who hates cooking, so I was dreading this portion of the itinerary. But much to my surprise, my experience with Busan Cooking Class turned out to be nothing short of enjoyable, and this is coming from someone who’d rather eat random scraps than put in minimal effort for a simple stir-fry.
Photo from Busan Cooking Class
We were warmly greeted by owner and chef Heeyoung upon entering the homely space, where homemade plum drinks were already waiting for us. After a brief introduction, we got right down to it, with Heeyong demonstrating each step as we went along. She gave us enough time and space to get our stuff done, all while providing encouragement and guidance whenever we needed it - sans micromanagement.
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Once done, we plated our food and sat down together for a feast with bapsang included. During this meal, the sweet and affable Heeyoung shared with us more about Korea’s food culture and her past travels, and it felt as though we were chatting with an old friend.
We then washed down everything with a traditional Korean tea ceremony.
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A 3.5-hour session at Busan Cooking Class will have you making 4 different dishes. Your KRW115,000 (~S$115.36) fee includes all ingredients, welcome tea, local rice wine, and a local tea tasting session. Aprons will be provided, and you’ll get to take the recipe with you so as to re-create this authentic taste of Korea back home. Do contact them in advance regarding dietary restrictions, if any.
#16: Take the scenic Haeundae River Cruise and spot the famous “Black Panther” bridge
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Fun fact: A portion of Marvel’s “Black Panther” was actually filmed in Busan, and one of the landmarks that made it to the big screen is Gwangan Bridge, also known as the Diamond Bridge. You’ll be able to spot it from Gwangalli Beach (aka Gwangan Beach), but if you’d rather not get sand in your shoes, you can also take a relaxing 1-hour Luxury Yacht ride by Haeundae River Cruise for an eyeful of this majestic structure.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
For the least crowds and clearest photos, opt for a Daytime cruise, like we did. Turns out, there were no other bookings during our session, so we essentially scored ourselves a private party!
Sunset cruises are most popular, and reservations have to be made 1 to 2 weeks in advance. There are also breezy Night cruises where the bridge will be lit up with the twinkling lights reflected on the water’s surface.
Photo from Haeundae River Cruise
Haeundae River Cruise
Address: South Korea, Busan, Haeundae-gu, Suyeonggangbyeon-daero, 85 리버크루즈 매표소
Opening hours: 9am - 10pm daily
Telephone: +82 51-711-1789
Website
Where to stay in Busan: Lotte Hotel Busan
Photo from Lotte Hotel
One can never go wrong when booking accommodation under the esteemed Lotte chain, and thus we recommend Lotte Hotel Busan in central Busan for a comfortable stay. Even their most basic Deluxe Rooms come with bathtubs and are more spacious than most 5-star hotel rooms, which gives you sufficient walking area and luggage space. They’ve also got a solid buffet breakfast spread that will get you raring to go every morning!
Lotte Hotel Busan
Address: 772 Gaya-daero, Bujeon-dong, Busanjin-gu, Busan, South Korea
Telephone: +82 51 810 1000
Website
Day tours & private vehicle hire in Busan
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For this trip, we had the pleasure of being served by English-speaking local guide Dony from Local Travel Lab (previously known as Busan Mate), who arranged a spacious private van to ferry us around. He’s your go-to man if you’d like an informative experience that still gives you enough time and space to do your own thing at various points. Dony is knowledgeable, thoughtful and always made sure we were comfortable - he even brought ponchos along as our trip was during the rainy period.
While free-and-easy trips tend to be more popular than guided itineraries these days, it’s still worth considering short day tours with private transport, especially for places that are difficult to get to via train.
Local Travel Lab’s website is currently fully in Korean, but you can drop an email to [email protected] and someone will be able to get back to you in English.
This post is brought to you in collaboration with Korea Tourism Organization (Singapore). All opinions are our own.
More ideas for your Korea trip:
- Snoopy Garden Jeju: Peanuts-themed nature attraction full of photo opportunities
- Rustic hanok-style Starbucks: With traditional floor seating
- Ethereal purple island in Korea: Lavender fields, purple bridge & cafes
- Cafe with daisy field: In Incheon, Korea with brunch, desserts, and fresh bakes
- L'escape Hotel: Gorgeous Parisian-inspired hotel in Seoul
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