Although South Korea isn’t a very large country, it still gives larger countries a run for their money in the travel space. Numerous attraction make this country popular among tourists, with Seoul receiving the lion’s share of international visitors. However, less popular cities like Busan continue to make a name for themselves. Are you spending a day in Busan and are overwhelmed by the choices of what to do? You have come to the right place! We have found the best ways to spend your day in Busan, over the weekend! Check out our list of the top things to do in Busan, South Korea.
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1. Create a personalized scent (from USD 46.0)
Have you ever wanted to invent your own signature perfume? You have the chance with this exciting activity. Participants spend time getting a whiff of over 50 tantalizing scent bases. Then you have the option of two to five of your most preferred scents. The expert guide helps each novice perfumer mix the choices to create a bouquet that’s uniquely you. The host of this intriguing workshop is an expert perfumer and has been conducting this one-of-a-kind event since 2014. For best results, please refrain from wearing any perfume on the day of the experimentation.
To make your own perfume
Duration: 1 hour
2. Rejuvenate at SPA LAND Centum City
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
A traditional yet contemporary Korean-style spa, SPA LAND Centum City is the go-to place for any individual who needs supreme relaxation and replenishment. Relieve the stresses of everyday life at this expert luxury facility that provides a collection of soothing natural hot-spring baths and 13 delightfully themed saunas such as the Pyramid Room, Roman Room, and Wave-Dream Room. This stellar bathhouse experience also boasts some terrific architectural accents so you can drink in the sights while you chill.
SPA LAND Centum City
Address: 35 Centumnam-daero, U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea
Website: SPA LAND Centum City
Opening hours: 11am - 8pm (daily)
3. Build a fabulous Moss Terrarium (from USD 30.0)
If you want to do something that’s good for your soul then learn how to create a beautiful Moss Terrarium. With expert instruction, you can learn how to put together a tiny delicate garden in a glass container. Participants can put their own individual style into making this moss terrarium so no two terrariums ever look the same. All the required equipment is provided and the warm and friendly host - who’s a member of the Korea Terrarium Association - even provides fresh hot coffee.
부산 핫플레이스에서 나만의 작은 정원 만들기 "이끼 테라리움"
Duration: 2 hours
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4. Sample yummy noodles at Choryang Milmyeon
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Choryang Milmyeon is the city’s most-famed cold-noodle eatery. Though modest in appearance, Choryang Milmyeon is quite the opposite when it comes to their menu selections. The flavors are bold and food items are colorful and plentiful. The specialty is milmyeon - a Korean dish with long, thin noodles. But don’t pass up the King Mandu - a huge Korean dumpling that’s a standout. If you’re on a budget, this restaurant offers a complete menu of affordable options. For authentic Korean cuisine, you can’t go wrong dining at Choryang Milmyeon.
Choryang Milmyeon
Address: 225 Jungang-daero, Choryang-dong, Dong-gu, Busan, South Korea
Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (daily)
5. Enjoy a cheery vibe at Gamcheon Culture Village
Gamcheon Culture Village was once a hillside slum but today - after a snazzy makeover - is an Instagram-worthy tourist attraction. This area is replete with a picture-perfect village comprised of eye-popping views, vibrant pastel-hued houses, colorfully painted murals, inviting cafes, and charming shops. One of the most irresistible destinations in Korea, Gamcheon Culture Village oozes a lively atmosphere with lots to explore. To uncover a genuine slice of splendid Korean culture, you must make a point to stop by Gamcheon Culture Village.
Gamcheon Culture Village
Address: 200 Gamnae 1(il)-ro, Gamcheon 2(i)-dong, Saha-gu, Busan, South Korea
Website: Gamcheon Culture Village
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
6. Admire compelling art at the Radium Art Center
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Radium Art Center on Sunday, December 30, 2018
Situated on the shoreline of popular Haeundae Beach, Radium Art Center is a divine destination for any avid art lover. This fantastic museum offers timeless art mixed with a bit of whimsy. This first-rate art gallery features exhibits by world-famous and influential 20th-century masters such as Pablo Picasso. If you want to take a break, head to the museum’s coffee bar for a refreshing drink. Don’t forget to visit the specialty gift shop where you can find nifty mementos from fun plush sculptures to pretty art prints.
Radium Art Center
Address: 24 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro 298beon-gi, Jung-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea
Website: Radium Art Center
Opening hours: Sun: 12pm - 4pm; Wed - Sat: 2pm - 5pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
7. Explore the dazzling Taejongdae Resort Park
Comprised mainly of rich forested splendor, Taejongdae Resort Park is a wonderful tourist attraction that provides a great break from the bustle of Busan. Visitors can leisurely drink in Busan’s natural beauty of landscapes and seascapes. This resort-park venue features two of the city’s most beautiful temples, a top-grade observatory, and the picturesque Yeongdo Lighthouse. This lovely lighthouse affords stunning views of southern Busan’s coastline, which possesses some of the top lookout points and dramatic cliffs in the city.
Taejongdae Resort Park
Address: 24 Jeonmang-ro, Dongsam-dong, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, South Korea
Website: Taejongdae Resort Park
Opening hours: 5am - 12am (daily)
Price: 2 - 3 USD
8. Discover the city's past at The Busan Modern History Museum
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The Busan Modern History Museum is a compact museum showcasing the rich and tragic history of the city. This splendid museum is housed in a structure that was erected in 1929 when the country was under occupation by the Japanese. The museum boasts intriguing three-dimensional displays plus interesting film and media exhibits. This captivating venue traces the history of the Busan port - the biggest port in South Korea. Guests can also learn about Japanese influence and the conflicts of the Korean War. More than 200 pieces of bygone-era relics for viewing are available as well.
The Busan Modern History Museum
Address: 104 Daecheong-ro, Daecheongdong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea
Website: The Busan Modern History Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 6pm (closed on Mon)
Price: Free
9. Relax at Haeundae Beach
Ah…the famous Haeundae Beach. Many locals and tourists flock here, year round, to listen to the waves, take selfies and enjoy the view. Probably one of Busan’s top rated and most visited beaches, Haeundae Beach still stays clean and constantly has events going on so you can always find something new to do here. If you get hungry or thirsty, there are tons of options within a one minute walk, to satisfy any palate. Worth a visit if you have never been, however, if you have visited this beach many times then check out number two, on this list!
Haeundae Beach
Address: 264, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Website: Haeundae Beach
10. Bask in the sun at Gwangalli Beach
🌊🌊🌊
Posted by 이유진 on Friday, 10 March 2017
Gwangalli Beach is Haeundae’s smaller and less crowded, sister beach. Located nearby many shops and restaurants, Gwangalli Beach is well known by locals as the ‘nicer’ of the two main Busan beaches. For some reason, this still has not caught on! Take advantage of this and head to Gwangalli while it’s still a secret! If you are looking to go in the ocean, make sure to head here before 6 pm, as they only allow swimming until this time and from July 22 to August 7, this extends to 6:30 pm.
Gwangalli Beach
Address: 219, Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan
Website: Gwangalli Beach
11. Get a spectacular view from the Oryukdo Skywalk
Posted by May Tan on Friday, 21 April 2017
The Oryukdo Skywalk is one of the more unique things to do on our list. If the weather is nice you can head out to this observation deck and get a spectacular view of the ocean from their see-through floor! The hours to see the beautiful views are from 9 am to 7 pm and it will cost you nothing, as of now! The construction of the Oryukdo Skywalk finished on September 12, 2012, and it is in the Seungdumal area, which is seen as the dividing point between the East Sea and the South Sea. It started allowing people to skywalk on October 18, 2013, with the theme of “walking on the sky”. Iron columns were placed over a 35-meter (115-foot) high cliff, right on the oceanside, and a 15-meter (49-foot) glass bridge made up of 24 glass plates were connected to the iron columns, to make it walkable and safe, yet see-through. Through the floor, you can easily see the ocean, waves, and the sandy beaches - making this a great spot for photos. If you are interested in Daemado Island this is probably the best spot to see it, on a clear and sunny day!
Oryukdo Skywalk
Address: 137, Oryukdo-ro, Nam-gu, Busan
Website: Oryukdo Skywalk
12. Shop at Jagalchi Market
韓國的帝皇蟹🇰🇷🦀 Korea KING CRAB🇰🇷🦀
Posted by Fabian Lam on Wednesday, 22 February 2017
If you love seafood and I mean love it, even if it looks scary, then you must check out Jagalchi Market, for some cheap seafood. It is a traditional Korean seafood market, that sells all varieties of locally caught fish! While it is very popular and at times crowded, for westerners it may be a bit of a shock. Seeing older Korean men and woman butchering all types of fish in front of your eyes is not exactly why most people come to Busan. There is everything from trout, to octopus, blowfish, tuna, sashimi and tons of freaky looking fish you have probably never seen!
Many locals come here to buy fresh seafood to take home and cook, while it seems tourists are here more for the crazy experience of seeing it all. This can easily be a place you spend an hour or half a day. It’s up to you! It is located in the up and coming area of Nampo, so you can easily head to a cafe before or after, or on your way to a shopping day trip. This area is also covered in parks and has some great views, so if you love photography, after you are done people watching and seeing some things at the market, you can stay in the area to enjoy all the nature!
Jagalchi Market
Address: 52 Jagalchihaean-ro, Nampo-dong, Jung-gu, Busan
Website: Jagalchi Market
13. Admire the historic Haedong Yonggungsa
No words needed
Posted by Viktorija Vinogradova on Thursday, 30 April 2015
If you are into history and culture we’ve got you covered with our fifth recommendation: Haedong Yonggungsa is an old Buddhist temple, in Gijang-gun, Busan, South Korea. The temple was built in 1376, by the teacher known as Naong, during the Goryeo Dynasty. The temple complex is a large one, with so much to explore and one of a few temples in South Korea set on the beautiful seaside, which of course is perfect for selfie picture taking! From here you can enjoy a nice walk, hike, picnic lunch and the view. You can easily spend half a day here, relaxing and taking in the sights of the area.
Haedong Yonggungsa
Address: 86 Yonggung-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang, Busan
14. Stroll in Yongdusan Park and visit Busan Tower
Posted by Wataru Murata on Friday, 21 April 2017
For an incredible view of all that Busan has to offer, you can head to Yongdusan Park, which holds the infamous Busan Tower. Inside, you can see for miles, all across Busan and get some great photos. Mostly a couples or tourist spot, the park surrounding the tower has some statues, is easy to access by metro, and best of all, visiting the park is free! If you are looking to shop, there is a shopping area within walking distance, to give yourself a break from the outdoors!
Yongdusan Park/Busan Tower
Address: 37-55 Yongdusan-gil, Gwangbok-dong, Jung-gu, Busan
15. Learn Korean cooking (from USD 61.0)
Get the best instruction on how to cook tasty Korean dishes in this cooking class. The setting is a professional cooking studio where you’ll prepare four types of classic Korean cuisines. But before you dive into cooking, participants will make two stops at a couple of top-grade markets in Busan to purchase the freshest ingredients. The first stop is Jagalchi Market - a world-renowned and biggest fish market in the country. The next stop is Bupyeong Can Market - a heavenly destination for serious street-food foodies. If you truly want to know how locals cook then this is the activity for you.
JunoTripCookingClass (with Jagalchi & Bupyeong Market your)
Duration: 4 hours
Need more to do in Busan?
If laying on the beautiful beaches of Busan, seeing some temples and shrines, and being exposed to a traditional Korean fish market is not enough to sate your adventurous spirit, head to some of the food or drink spots, nearby, to enjoy some of the nightlife, in Busan!
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