Travel guides › Busan in 3 Days: Getting There, Where to Stay, Routes and Food
Busan in 3 Days: Getting There, Where to Stay, Routes and Food
Busan is Korea's second-largest city and a port city where sea, mountains and old markets come together. Its atmosphere is completely different from Seoul, so it is especially worth recommending if this is your second trip to Korea. This article introduces how a first-time visitor can see Busan comfortably in three days and two nights.
How to get to Busan
From Seoul to Busan, KTX generally takes around 2 hours 30 minutes, and flights, once airport transfer time is included, are often similar or slightly longer. The train departs from Seoul Station and arrives at Busan Station, which has the advantage of easy access to the city center. Seats sell out quickly on weekends and holidays, so book early once your plans are set. From Gimhae Airport in Busan you can reach the city by light rail and subway.
Which area to stay in
- Haeundae: many sea-view hotels and close to the beach and good restaurants, so it suits a resort mood. It is very crowded in peak summer.
- Gwangalli: you can see Gwangan Bridge's night view up close and there are many cafes and restaurants, so it is popular with younger travelers.
- Seomyeon: subway Lines 1 and 2 meet here, making travel easy, with food and shopping close by.
- Nampo-dong and Jungang-dong: close to old-downtown sights such as Jagalchi, Gukje and Kkangtong markets, so it suits a market-focused trip.
Day 1: old downtown and markets
Start around Nampo-dong. Look around Jagalchi Market for seafood and eat raw fish or grilled dishes at a restaurant inside the market. Then walk through Gukje Market and Kkangtong Market and taste the street food. In the afternoon look down over the harbor from Yongdusan Park or Busan Tower, then move to Gamcheon Culture Village and walk its colorful alleys slowly. Gamcheon is a place where people live, so moving quietly is good manners.
Day 2: Haeundae and Gwangalli
In the morning walk along Haeundae Beach and make a loop of the Dongbaekseom trail. After resting at a cafe in Haeridan-gil, in the afternoon you can also use coastal attractions such as a coastal walk toward Cheongsapo or the Haeundae Blueline Park. Operating hours and booking methods can change, so check before you go. Around sunset move to Gwangalli Beach and enjoy the night view of Gwangan Bridge.
Day 3: the coast of Yeongdo
On the last day I recommend heading to Yeongdo, walking the seaside alleys of Huinnyeoul Culture Village and seeing the coastal cliffs of Taejongdae. At Taejongdae you can lighten the walking by using the circular train. Before heading back to Busan Station, a lunch of pork soup rice (dwaeji-gukbap) or milmyeon wraps up Busan neatly.
Foods you should try
- Dwaeji-gukbap: a Busan signature dish of rice served in a milky pork-bone broth.
- Milmyeon: a Busan-style cold noodle dish with chewy noodles and a tangy, sweet broth.
- Ssiat-hotteok and fish cake: street snacks around Nampo-dong and Kkangtong Market.
- Raw fish and seafood: you can eat fresh seafood at Jagalchi Market or at coastal restaurants, so check the price and amount before you order.
Travel tips
Busan is a hilly city, so places that look close on the map can be hard to walk between. Wear comfortable shoes and use taxis and the subway in a sensible mix. Sea winds are often strong, so a jacket helps, and during the summer swimming season the Haeundae area is extremely crowded, so aim for early mornings or weekdays.
Official sources
Rules, fares and opening hours change often. Check the latest details on the official sites below.