10 TOP Things to Do in Busan (2022 Activity Guide)

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Busan Travel Guide

Dongpirang Village featuring general coastal views, a house and a bay or harbor

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Busan must see attractions

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 showing a coastal town, a sandy beach and general coastal views

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 showing a sandy beach and a coastal town

3. 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 showing waves, general coastal views and kite surfing

4. 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 showing a sandy beach, outdoor art and general coastal views

5. 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 featuring a coastal town, a beach and general coastal views

6. 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 showing interior views and shopping

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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8. Jagalchi Fish Market

Whether you’re in the mood for seafood or not, a walk through the Jagalchi Market is an enjoyable sensory experience. Visiting the sprawling multistory market is like exploring an aquarium without the glass walls. Octopi splash from buckets. Escaped fish flip on the pavement. However, there’s one important difference; everything at Jagalchi Market is destined to be someone’s meal. Jagalchi Market is the largest seafood market in South Korea. It will take an afternoon to fully explore. Be sure to tour both the outdoor section along the port and the indoor section in the massive market hall.

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Jagalchi Fish Market which includes food and markets

9. 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 featuring markets and interior views as well as a small group of people

Popular places to visit in Busan

Gwangalli Beach

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

Haeundae Beach

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.

Dadaepo Beach

Head to Busan’s most popular beach for a day of swimming, building sand castles and watching the impressive musical fountain show.

Songjeong Beach

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

Gukje Market

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

Busan University of Foreign Studies

Hear the sound of Malaysian, Russian, Italian or Uzbek without leaving Busan at one of Korea’s foremost universities of languages and international relations.

Songdo Beach

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

Shinsegae Centum City

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.

Busan Cinema Center

The home of the world-renowned Busan Film Festival, a year-round hotspot for cinephiles and architecture lovers, has one of the world’s largest cantilevered roofs.

Areas of Busan

Haeundae

4.5/5Wonderful!(300 area reviews)

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

Busan Citizens Park featuring heritage elements, a garden and wildflowers

Seomyeon

Consider a visit to Lotte Department Store Busan Main Branch and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Seomyeon. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Buam Station or Gaya Station.

Gwangalli Beach showing general coastal views, a coastal town and a beach

Suyeong-Gu

4.5/5Wonderful!(25 area reviews)

Noted for its beaches and bars, there's plenty to explore in Suyeong-Gu. Top attractions like Gwangalli Beach and Millak Waterfront Park are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Gwangan Station or Suyeong Station to see more of the city.

Busanjin

4.5/5Wonderful!(97 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.

Yeongdo

4.5/5Wonderful!(14 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.

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 the city at Gwangan Station or Suyeong Station.

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Things to do in Busan

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