10 Must-Visit Places in Busan, South Korea

After spending time exploring Seoul, I was so excited to head to my next stop - Busan.

Mind you, I was also incredibly excited about how I was getting there. Taking the KTX to Busan had been something I was looking forward to, especially because Train to Busan is one of my favourite movies. Thankfully, my journey was far less eventful than the movie!

After arriving, I couldn't wait to explore a completely different side of South Korea. Known for its beautiful coastline, colourful neighbourhoods, incredible seafood and lively atmosphere, Busan felt completely different from the busy streets of Seoul.

What I loved most about Busan was how easily you could go from wandering through a traditional market to standing on a scenic coastal skywalk, exploring a colourful village or watching the sunset over the ocean. Every day felt like a completely new adventure.

I only had a few days to explore this beautiful city, but I managed to experience some of its most iconic attractions, hidden coastal spots and unforgettable views. From riding above the ocean in a cable car to visiting one of Korea's most beautiful temples, these are the 10 places I think are absolutely worth adding to your Busan itinerary.

1. Songdo Air Cruise Cable Car

📍 Location: Songdo Beach, Seo-gu, Busan

One of the first experiences I would recommend in Busan is taking a ride on the Songdo Air Cruise Cable Car. Stretching across the ocean between Songdo Beach and Amnam Park, the cable car offers incredible views of the coastline, the city and the sparkling water below.

You can choose between a standard cabin or a crystal cabin with a transparent glass floor, which makes the experience even more exciting. Looking down and seeing the ocean directly beneath you is definitely not for everyone, but it makes for a pretty unforgettable ride.

For me, this was one of those experiences where the journey was just as enjoyable as the destination. The views over Songdo Beach were absolutely beautiful, and it gave me a completely different perspective of Busan's coastline. Tip: Try to visit on a clear day for the best views, and consider booking ahead during busy weekends or holiday periods.

2. Gukje Market

📍 Location: Jung-gu, Busan

One of my favourite things about travelling through South Korea is exploring the local markets, and Gukje Market is definitely one worth adding to your Busan itinerary.

Located in the heart of the city, the market is filled with narrow streets, local shops, street food stalls, clothing, souvenirs and just about everything else you can imagine. It's the kind of place where you can easily lose track of time while wandering around and seeing what you discover.

I loved the busy atmosphere here. There was always something happening, whether it was locals shopping, vendors calling out to customers or the smell of delicious Korean street food coming from around the corner.

If you enjoy experiencing the more local side of a city, Gukje Market is a great place to spend a few hours exploring. It's also conveniently located near several other attractions, making it easy to include in a day of sightseeing.

3. Songdo Skywalk

📍 Songdo Beach, Seo-gu, Busan

Located along the beautiful coastline near Songdo Beach, the Songdo Skywalk is a great place to enjoy the ocean views while walking above the water.

The skywalk stretches out over the sea and features sections of glass flooring, allowing you to look directly down at the waves below. If you're anything like me, you might find yourself carefully choosing where to step at first!

The views from the skywalk are beautiful, especially when looking back towards the beach and surrounding coastline. It's also a relatively quick stop, making it easy to combine with the Songdo Air Cruise Cable Car.

I loved that this whole area offered so many different ways to experience the coastline. You could spend hours here walking, taking photos, relaxing by the beach and simply enjoying the ocean views.

4. Jagalchi Fish Market

📍 Location: Jung-gu, Busan

No trip to Busan would feel complete without visiting Jagalchi Fish Market, Korea's largest seafood market.

As soon as you arrive, you'll see just how important seafood is to Busan's culture. The market is filled with an incredible variety of fresh seafood, from fish and shellfish to some things I honestly had never seen before!

One of the most interesting parts of visiting Jagalchi is simply walking through and seeing the different stalls. It's busy, loud and full of energy, making it an experience in itself.

If you're a seafood lover, you can choose fresh seafood and have it prepared to eat. Even if seafood isn't really your thing, I still think the market is worth visiting for the atmosphere and the chance to experience such an iconic part of Busan.

5. Gamcheon Culture Village

📍 Location: Saha-gu, Busan

Gamcheon Culture Village is one of Busan's most recognisable attractions, and it's easy to see why. Built across the hillsides, the colourful houses, winding laneways, murals and art installations make it feel completely different from anywhere else in the city.

Often referred to as the 'Machu Picchu of Busan', the village is filled with colourful corners and photo opportunities. However, one of my favourite things about visiting was simply wandering without too much of a plan. Every time you turn a corner, there seems to be another staircase, mural, viewpoint or little café waiting to be discovered.

It's definitely worth allowing yourself plenty of time here, as there is more walking than you might expect. The village is built on a hillside, so there are plenty of stairs and steep streets, but the views are absolutely worth it.

Tip: Wear comfortable shoes and visit earlier in the day if you want to avoid some of the crowds.

6. Hwangnyeongsan Observatory

📍 Location: Nam-gu, Busan

If you're looking for one of the best views in Busan, Hwangnyeongsan Observatory needs to be on your list. Located high above the city, the observatory offers panoramic views across Busan, including the skyline, mountains, coastline and Gwangalli Bridge in the distance.

I think this is one of those places that is especially beautiful around sunset. Watching the city slowly light up as the sun disappears is such a different experience from seeing Busan during the day.

There was something really special about standing above the city and seeing just how far Busan stretches. After spending days exploring individual neighbourhoods, beaches and attractions, seeing everything from above made me appreciate the scale and beauty of the city even more.

If you have the chance, I would definitely recommend visiting later in the afternoon and staying until after dark.

7. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

📍 Location: Gijang-gun, Busan

Unlike many Korean temples that are located in the mountains, Haedong Yonggungsa sits right along the rocky coastline overlooking the ocean. The combination of traditional temple architecture and dramatic sea views makes it one of the most beautiful temples I've ever visited.

Walking down towards the temple, you pass through traditional gates and stone stairways before reaching the main temple area. Everywhere you look, there are beautiful details, colourful lanterns and incredible views of the ocean.

I could have spent hours here simply wandering around and taking everything in. It was peaceful, beautiful and one of those places that made me stop and appreciate just how many incredible experiences South Korea has to offer.

8. Gijang Haenyeo Village

📍 Location: Gijang-gun, Busan

After learning about the famous haenyeo in Jeju, I was excited to learn that Busan also has a village where you can experience this incredible tradition.

The haenyeo are female free divers who dive into the ocean to collect seafood, often without the use of breathing equipment. Watching these women work is fascinating and gives you such an appreciation for the strength, skill and tradition behind what they do.

Gijang Haenyeo Village is also a great place to experience Busan's seafood culture. Located along the coast, it's the perfect stop for anyone wanting to enjoy fresh seafood while taking in the beautiful ocean views.

I loved that visiting here felt a little different from some of Busan's more famous tourist attractions. It gave me another glimpse into the coastal culture of Korea and reminded me of why I found the haenyeo tradition so fascinating during my travels.

If you're already planning to visit Haedong Yonggungsa, this is a great addition to your itinerary as both are located in the Gijang area.

9. Haeundae Blueline Park

📍 Location: Haeundae-gu, Busan

Haeundae Blueline Park was one of my favourite experiences in Busan and something I had seen all over social media before my trip. Following the beautiful coastline between Haeundae and Cheongsapo, the park allows you to experience some of Busan's most scenic ocean views by riding either the Beach Train or Sky Capsule.

The colourful Sky Capsules slowly travel along an elevated track overlooking the ocean, and honestly, the views are absolutely incredible. It's such a relaxing way to take in the coastline while enjoying a completely different perspective of Busan.

I loved that this wasn't just about getting from one destination to another - the journey itself was the experience. Watching the ocean, passing the coastline and seeing the colourful capsules travelling along the tracks made it one of those travel moments I had been looking forward to for a long time.

Tip: Book your Sky Capsule in advance, especially if you want a particular time slot. Sunset is incredibly popular for obvious reasons!

10. Gwangalli Beach & the Drone Show

📍 Location: Suyeong-gu, Busan

Gwangalli Beach is one of the best places to experience Busan at night. With the famous Gwangan Bridge stretching across the water and the city lights reflecting on the ocean, the entire area has such a beautiful atmosphere. During the day, it's a great beach for relaxing, walking along the water or stopping at one of the many nearby cafés and restaurants. But for me, the real magic happens after the sun goes down.

If you're lucky enough to be visiting when the Gwangalli M Drone Light Show is taking place, I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary. Watching hundreds of drones light up the night sky above the beach was such a fun and unexpected experience.

There was something about sitting on the beach surrounded by people, watching the bridge light up in the background and seeing the drones create images and patterns in the sky that made the whole experience feel so uniquely Busan.

It's the perfect way to finish a busy day of exploring and one of my favourite memories from the city.

Tip: Check the drone show schedule before your trip, as performance times and schedules can change. Arrive early if you want a good spot along the beach.

A Few More Things Worth Mentioning

If you have a little extra time while exploring Busan, here are a few more experiences I would recommend adding to your trip.

• Haeundae Beach - One of Busan's most famous beaches and a great place to relax, swim or simply walk along the coastline.

• BIFF Square - A lively area filled with street food, shops and entertainment, especially worth visiting if you're exploring the Jagalchi and Gukje Market area.

• Busan's cafés - If you're a café lover like me, you'll have no trouble finding beautiful cafés with incredible ocean views throughout the city.

• Explore the coastline - Some of my favourite moments in Busan were simply walking along the coast, discovering new viewpoints and stopping whenever something caught my attention.
  

Busan was everything I hoped it would be and more. From colourful villages and traditional markets to beautiful temples and unforgettable ocean views, every day offered something completely different to discover.

If you're planning a trip to South Korea, I definitely recommend allowing a few days to explore Busan. There's so much to see, eat and experience, and I already know there are plenty of places I missed that I would love to return and explore next time.