2nd biggest South Korean city with beaches and vibrant neighborhoods.
I don’t know why I thought Busan would be a small town but nope, it’s a big enough city of 3 million people. Has many many things to do and also carries a different vibe from Seoul. Although most people put only 2-3 days here, it’s easily a week’s worth of activities if not more. Touristically, it is NOT smaller than Seoul.
Seoul vs Busan ultimately comes down to what you prefer….bigger city with more nightlife (vibrant every night) vs coastal city with beaches. I would also add that Seoul has bigger historic sites (palaces & temples) and is colder (therefore more winter sports). And Busan feels less touristy than Seoul, less extreme weather (no freezing winters), better seafood, and friendlier people. I won’t say which is better. Both are worth visiting, but I’d ultimately stay longer in Seoul.
3 days to get a taste, 5-7 is more ideal to feel the vibe. Busan is bigger than you think and with more activities than you think.
Where to stay:
- Haeunde (beach) – I feel this is the default 1st place option because it’s by the beach. The commercial areas, markets, and food places feel more luxurious and lively. It’s nice. You can enjoy both a chaotic atmosphere or more chill. The drawbacks are that it’s far from the center, and can be excessively crowded during peak season. If you know for sure you want to be at the beach all the time, you can stay here.
- Seomyeon (central) – very lively district and good for backpackers and low-budget travelers. Central to everything, making it easier to get around to tourist places. Has everything as well, such as food and nightlife and shopping. But not as fancy as in the other districts, IMO.
- Nampo (shopping, food) – this area is like a giant outdoor mall and market. Close to the ports, so you can imagine the freshest seafood and many consumer goods (fashion, beauty, etc). Tons of restaurants, street food stalls, and shops. I personally prefer Seomyeon as it’s less chaotic and is more central to everything else. Nampo is farther away from all the tourist stuff and beaches on the east. I’d rather stay in Seomyeon and visit Nampo for some hours.
- Gwangalli (alternate beach) – if you want a beach but want something cheaper and more chill and more centrally-located than Haeunde, Gwangalli is for you. It also has equally beautiful scenery (amazing view of Diamond Bridge), and diverse options of shops and restaurants. And also feels more like a local spot. A perfect midpoint for those wanting to be closer to center but still have a beach nearby.
Hostels:
- I didn’t stay at any.
Neighborhoods & Walking areas:
- Districts:
- Haeunde – I think this should be first as it has a beautiful beach making it distinctly unique from Seoul. Then you have nice restaurants and shops nearby to relax with the beach view. Has a wide walkway to the beach, that kinda sorta feels like a typical European open square. Blueline park & Cafe Aslan 626 (sou recommedations?)
- Seomyeon – vibrant city center with lights everywhere, many shops and restaurants again. This is like the busy downtown area. People squeezing around small streets and busy corners. Still nice but I feel it’s also similar to usual busy places with lights that you see in Seoul.
- Nampo – also super busy. Tons of shops and eating places. People everywhere squeezing around even tighter spaces. Tons and tons of shops.
- Gwangalli – another beach area but more chill and amazing views of the bridge. I feel you should go here at night to see the bridge lights at night. There’s also nightlife here.
- Old cultural town
- Other city water bridge with skylift.
- Waterfronts:
- Hynyeoul Munhwa Maul – restored cultural village and coastal walk. Beautiful place to eat, shop, and relax. Suggested to come here for afternoon and evening. It’s not thaaaaat beautiful. So if you don’t have time, you can skip this.
Activities to do:
- Buildings & architecture:
- Haedong Yonggungsa Temple – considered the Korea’s most beautiful temple. It’s a buddhist temple on the water. Takes about an hour to get to from town center. And you’ll spend probably an hour there.
- Blue bridge
- old cultural town
- Parks, gardens, green spaces –
- Markets, shopping:
- Jagalchi Market – the biggest fish market in Seoul Korea. I’d recommend going in the morning or afternoon. Walk around the water points, then go inside and upstairs and eat at the restaurant on the 2nd floor. Don’t even bother looking around, all the stalls have the exact same menu. Above-average price but very high quality and worth it. A cheaper and different option is to go outside (walking west & south) and eat at the market restaurants outside. After you had enough of the fish market, you can walk to Biff Square, Gwangbok-ro Fashion Street, and up to Bosu Book Street (passing Bupyeong & Gukje markets along the way).
- Beaches, bridges, water-points –
- Haeunde Beach – tourist beach with busy commercial district and markets right by it.
- Gwangalli Beach – quieter tourist beach with nightlife nearby. Recommended to go at night, beautiful view of the bridge.
- Songjeong Beach – known as the local beach or “surfing beach”, and was the starting point of Korea’s surfing. There are other good surfing beaches too like Dadaepo and Gwangalli.
- Dadaepo Beach – enjoy the beautiful nature and sunsets.
- Songdo Beach – has cable car overlooking the coast.
- Busan has more beaches too if you want to keep exploring.
- Arts & museums –
- Viewpoints, sunsets –
- Busan has hills and coastline, so it’s easy to see many beautiful panoramic views. I wouldn’t even know where to begin listing them.
- There are numerous sunset views (Wanderlust link). I liked the sunset view I saw walking along the coast near the Park Hyatt Busan. Enjoy the walk and take some photos.
Restaurants & Cafes:
- Cafe Aslan 626 – friend recommended me this cafe with nice rooftop view.
Bars & Clubs:
- 부산 클럽 벨포스 – considered #1 club in Busan. I think it’s electronic music mostly.
- 부산 서면 아지트 클럽(BUSAN CLUB) – seems like a nice EDM club and where many famous rappers and R&B singers go. Problem is they don’t allow foreigners, they prefer that you’re local and at least speak Korean. Otherwise, you can try per$uading the bouncers.
- Zara – my friend told me this name but I could only find the clothing store.
- Other helpful links: reddit, reddit2, YouTube
Beware…many clubs don’t allow foreigners. Maybe you might get away with it coming with Korean friends, looking asian, speaking korean, or bribe the bouncer.
Miscellaneous tips:
Itinerary:
- DAY 1 – temple & haeunde beach
- DAY 2 – jagalchi market area & gwangalli
Nearby towns:
- Changwon
Unfiltered notes:
- Should I visit Seoul or Busan? – Bound for Busan