The Busan City Guide by Earth To Editorial has all the information you need to explore the second-largest city on the Korean peninsula. We built this guide with the help of local experts and our own personal experiences while traveling in Busan.
Best Time of Year to See Busan
The best time of year to go to Busan is the summer. While it will be crowded with locals and tourists, Busan is known for a few things, beaches being one of them—it would be criminal to miss this side of the city!
Busan is right on the water, and of course, is known for its sprawling coastline. There are two major beaches in Busan, and both are just across the street from hotels, restaurants, and things to do.
Where To Stay: Historical and Authentic
The Commodore Hotel in Busan is known for being one of the city’s architectural marvels. Wood beam interiors and intricately painted designs remind you of Korea’s traditional Hanok, the slanted-roof homes.
Where To Stay: Modern and Well-Placed
The truth is, you simply cannot beat the location of Haeundae Seacloud, nor can you think of a more aptly named hotel. The towering structure seems to almost breach the fluffy white clouds, and mere steps out the front door bring you to Haeundae Beach.
Where to Eat
Grab a snack and wander around Jagalchi Market, the traditional fish market in Busan. Here you can find all sorts of Korean delicacies, like grilled eel and spicy raw crab (yangnyeom-gejang).
Busan, being right next to the ocean and all, is a particularly good spot for sashimi (known locally as hoe). Find a selection of rockfish, flounder, and sea bream at your favorite food stall.
Things to Do in Busan
Visit the Dragon Palace
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, or Dragon Palace, is unlike most other Korean Buddhist temples. Most temples in the country are perched high in the mountains, whereas Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is right on the cliffside. You can look over the railing and literally see the crashing water right under you.
Gamcheon Culture Village
Vibrantly painted, uniquely decorated, almost entirely vertical. Do not underestimate the climbing hills of this village. It’s a pleasure to explore all of the nooks and crannies, but be sure to wear a good pair of walking shoes.
Spend a Day at the Beach
There are two main beaches in Busan: Haedundae and Gwangalli. A few more beaches lie on the southern coast, and these typically don’t attract as many crowds.
Haeundae is widely considered to be the ‘nicer’ of the two, with more amenities and cleaner sand. There’s also a nearby underground aquarium that can be a fun way to segment your day.
How do I get to Busan from Seoul?
The KTX high-speed train takes about 2.5–3 hours. You can also fly (1 hour) or take an express bus. South Korea is extremely well-connected via public transportation; be sure to check out these essential Korea travel apps to plan your journey.
Is Busan more affordable than Seoul?
Generally, yes, Busan tends to be more affordable than Seoul. Accommodation and food can be cheaper, especially if you’re eating in traditional markets and staying outside tourist hubs.
Is Busan safe for tourists?
Busan is one of the safest places I’ve ever been to, and that’s me speaking as a female solo traveler! When I was living in South Korea, I spent many weekends in Busan, often walking around freely at all hours of the day. You should always exercise some level of caution in a new place, but I think there isn’t much to worry about in Busan.
Do people in Busan speak English?
Basic English is understood in tourist areas, but I don’t lean on the hope. English speakers are far less common in Busan than they are in Seoul, and you should download a translation app like Papago before your arrival.
