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Exploring Busan: A Complete Guide to South Korea’s Coastal Gem

· 3 min read
Kai Miller
Kai Miller
Cultural Explorer & Photographer

If Seoul is the polished, high-tech brain of Korea, Busan is its beating heart. The second-largest city in Korea feels completely different: the people are louder and warmer, the food is spicier, and the ocean is everywhere.

Whether you want to ride the Instagram-famous Sky Capsule or eat live octopus at a fish market, here is your ultimate guide to Busan.

Exploring Busan: A Complete Guide to South Korea’s Coastal Gem

1. Getting There & The "Golden Ticket"​

The KTX to Busan​

  • Route: Seoul Station → Busan Station.
  • Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes.
  • Cost: ~59,800 KRW (One way).

The Visit Busan Pass (VBP)​

This is arguably the best value travel pass in Korea right now.

  • Price: 24-Hour Pass (~49,000 KRW) / 48-Hour Pass (~69,000 KRW).
  • What you get: Free entry to over 30 major attractions, including Busan X The Sky (27k), Blue Line Park Beach Train (7k), Spa Land (20k), and Lotte World Busan (47k).
  • Verdict: If you visit just 3 places, you save money. Buy it online before you go.

2. District Guide: East Busan (Haeundae & Gijang)​

This is the "Miami" side of Busan. Skyscrapers, luxury hotels, and sandy beaches.

Haeundae Blue Line Park (Must-Do)​

You've seen it on social media: tiny, colorful trains floating above the ocean.

  • Sky Capsule: The slow, private 4-seater cars (30 mins). Reservation Required 2-3 weeks in advance.
  • Beach Train: Larger public tram on the ground level. Included in the Visit Busan Pass.

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple​

Most temples are in the mountains. This one is built on a cliff right over the crashing waves. Go at sunrise for a spiritual experience (and fewer crowds).

Spa Land Centum City​

Forget small neighborhood saunas. This is a massive, luxury Jjimjilbang inside the Shinsegae Department Store (the world's largest). It has 18 different thermal spas.

3. District Guide: Old Busan (Nampo-dong)​

This is the historic center, full of markets and narrow alleys.

Gamcheon Culture Village​

A hillside shantytown turned into an open-air art gallery. The pastel-colored houses stacked on top of each other look like Lego blocks or "Machu Picchu."

  • Tip: It is a steep climb. Take the local bus (Seo-gu 2 or 2-2) to the top and walk down.

Jagalchi Fish Market​

Korea's largest seafood market. On the first floor, wrinkled grandmas sell splashing fish. On the second floor, you can eat fresh sashimi or live octopus (San-nakji).

BIFF Square & Gukbap Alley​

  • BIFF Square: Eat the famous Ssiat Hotteok (pancake stuffed with sunflower seeds).
  • Gukbap Alley: A whole street dedicated to Pork Soup.

4. What to Eat: Busan Specialties​

You can't leave Busan without eating these three things:

  1. Dwaeji Gukbap (Pork Rice Soup): Milky pork bone broth with slices of pork. Add salted shrimp (saeujeot) to season it.
  2. Milmyeon (Wheat Noodles): During the Korean War, buckwheat was scarce, so refugees made noodles from wheat flour. Chewy, cold, and spicy.
  3. Eomuk (Fish Cake): Busan fish cakes are famous nationwide for their high fish content.

5. Perfect 3-Day Itinerary​

  • Day 1 (Culture & Markets): Arrive at Busan Station -> Gamcheon Culture Village -> BIFF Square (Street Food) -> Jagalchi Market (Dinner) -> Nampo-dong Night Market.
  • Day 2 (Luxury & Views): Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (Morning) -> Blue Line Park (Sky Capsule) -> Haeundae Beach -> Spa Land (Relax) -> The Bay 101 (Night View).
  • Day 3 (Chill & Coffee): Gwangalli Beach (Lunch with Ocean View) -> Cafe Hopping -> Departure.

Busan is just the beginning. Check out our Top 10 Cities List to see where to go next.