Korea is a food and shopping paradise — what’s not to love about endless shopping districts, gorgeous temples, and freeflow kimchi? While most people only spend time in Seoul, we suggest hopping on a KTX to the coastal city of Busan for a short getaway from the city. Think of Busan as a unique blend of Seoul-meets-Jeju — with spectacular coastal sights, rich local culture, and buzzing urban districts! Thus, we’ve come up with a three-day Busan guide covering must-visit attractions and things to do.
Busan is one of our favourite places to visit in Korea and some must-see Busan attractions include Diamond Tower and BIFF Square. There are also many free things to do in Busan that’ll reward you with the best views. For starters, we recommend hitting up Oryukdo Skywalk, Gamcheon Culture Village and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. As for places to eat, make a stop at Jagalchi Market to try the freshly caught seafood — live octopus anyone?
Planning your own Busan itinerary? Check out our 4D3N Busan Itinerary — Why You Need To Spend More Than A Day Trip In Korea’s Charming Coastal City for more things to do in Busan.
Must-visit attractions to add to your Busan Itinerary
DAY 1 – 0:12
00:14 – Oryukdo Skywalk — This horseshoe-shaped bridge is set against a 35m coastal cliff overlooking the Oryukdo island.
00:27 – Haedong Yonggungsa Temple — Known as the temple by the sea, it offers one of the best views you can get in Busan. Many come to pray for various blessings like academic achievements!
00:42 – Jukseong Dream Church — Don’t be fooled as this ‘church’ is actually a set specifically for the Korean drama, Dream.
00:54 – Goraesa Fishcake (from ~S$2) — This shop sells over 30 different types of fishcakes. Our favourites were the gooey cheese-filled and fried shrimp ones.
01:09 – Sea Life Aquarium (~S$30) — Don’t miss exciting activities like shark and stingray feeding sessions, and even a glass-bottom boat ride!
DAY 2 – 1:21
01:24 – Jagalchi Fish Market — The largest fish market in Korea, you can find seafood restaurants with fresh catches here.
01:42 – Busan Cooking Class (~S$120) — Go on a guided cooking class to learn how to make your favourite Korean dishes. The best part is feasting on your culinary creations.
02:03 – Gamcheon Culture Village — Also known as the Machu Picchu of Busan, this Instagrammable village is popular for its pastel buildings and quirky alleyways.
02:15 – Gukje Market — The largest traditional market in Busan, you’ll find a smorgasbord of street food, household items, and snack shops. It’s also connected to Gwangbokro Fashion Street, a shopping heaven.
02:33 – BIFF Square —The Korean version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, look out for handprints of famous Korean and International directors and stars.
DAY 3 – 2:46
02:48 – Hanbok Rental (from ~S$10) — Rent a Hanbok and head to Yongdusan Park to live out your historical K-drama fantasies.
03:06 – Diamond Tower (~S$12) — Formerly known as the Busan Tower, catch the mesmerising 360° panoramic view of the Busan skyline at the top.
03:21 – Taejongdae Park — One of the most scenic places in Busan featuring a never-ending blue ocean, pa pebble beach, cliffs, and a picturesque white lighthouse.
03:36 – Seomyeon Shopping District — Get a taste of Busan’s vibrant nightlife by wandering through these lanes lined with eateries, shops, clubs, and bars.
Getting around Busan
Public transport is pretty accessible within Busan, with trains and buses widely available. Just pre-load some money into your T-Money card and you’re good to go! You can even use the card to pay for taxis and convenience stores. Alternatively, consider renting a car so you have more flexibility over your schedule. It also allows you to reach attractions that are further from the city like Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and even take a few day trips to nearby areas like Gyeongju or Ulsan! For more day trip ideas, here are some hidden gems that’s less than 3 hours from Busan!
Things to do in Busan
Here are some iconic Busan attractions and all of the activities are budget-friendly or better yet, FREE!
