10 Must-Visit Places in Busan! ( English version )

 Busan is a special city for me personally, the first city where I started my life in Korea, a city with mountains, sea-beaches and sparkling urban areas in one place. Talking about Busan, there will be no end. A city that I will recommend to everyone who asks “Where is the best place to go to Korea?” "To Busan" I replied later without hesitation. Here are the recommended places to visit in my version of Busan:

1.       Gwangalli Beach

Busan is synonymous with beaches! So if you go to Busan, it's not complete if you don't go to the beach. Gwangalli Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Busan, one of the icons of Busan. This beach is famous for the characteristic bridge across it (Diamond Bridge) where at night the LED lights on the bridge light up to create a sparkling backdrop for a romantic date or a night out. Gwangalli Beach also appeared in several drama scenes such as The Racket Boys (2021), Move to Heaven (2021); Just Dance (2018-19) and many others.

Then along the beach, there are wide cafes, restaurants, photo booths, places to sell souvenirs, convenience stores. Gwangalli is the most romantic at sunset, watching the sunset while having a picnic on the beach and enjoying chicken or ramyeon with friends, family must be really fun!

2.        Haeundae Beach

Haeundae Beach is wider than Gwangalli Beach. This beach is surrounded by tall buildings. In summer, many foreigners and locals swim or play beach volleyball. Just like Gwangalli, Haeundae also has many cafes and restaurants. The difference is, near Haeundae beach there is also a market (해운대 시장 ) that sells traditional food, seafood and street food.

 

There's also a lot to do on Haeundae beach. Here there is the Sea Life Aquarium, there is the Busan Air Capsule, there is the Bay 101 (a place to eat with a backdrop of tall buildings and the ocean, best for enjoying the evenings), and there is the highest Starbucks in the world (Busan x the sky), there is Cheongsapo Daritdol Skywalk, etc.

3.       Seomyeon

Seomyeon area where Busan youths play. At Seomyeon Station, there is an underground shopping market that sells various kinds of youth clothes, snack shops, bags, shoes at pocket-friendly prices! Exiting Soemyeon station exit 10, we can go straight to the center of the busy Seomyeon, there are cafes, restaurants, pubs, ice cream shops, salons, photo booths (everywhere in Korea there must be a photo booth hahha). Seomyeon is arguably the Hongdae of Busan, especially during the weekend its so crowded of people. In Seomyeon there is also an NC mall that sells various brands such as SPAO, H&M, ZARA. On the top floor of the NC Mall there is also a restaurant.

 

4.       BIFF Square (Nampo-dong)

For you lovers of Korean street food, you must come here! Along BIFF Square, there are small street food stalls that we can eat on the spot. There's Hotteok! (Busan's most famous Hotteok technique), Teokpokki, Eomuk, Twigim (fried), Mandu, Waffle, all delicious :") (writing this while imagining). Inside BIFF Square there is Gukje Market, which sells traditional Korean food and souvenirs, Korean souvenirs can also be found here. Tips when going to the market in Korea: bring cash!

5.       Busan Tower

Busan Tower is a symbol of Busan which stands proudly at a height of 69 meters above sea level at an altitude of 120 meters. Busan Tower is also located in the Nampo-dong area, visitors can see Busan from the Observatory, quoting from visit korea.com there are admission fees to go to the Observatory:

 

Admission Fees

Observatory

Individuals - Adults (ages 13 and older) 8,000 won / Children (ages 3-12) 6,000 won

Observatory for two people + Popcorn set: Adults 19,500 won / Children 15,500 won

Observatory for one person + Burger set: Adults 14,900 won / Children 12,900 won

 

Available Facilities

[Busan Tower]

1F: Entrance of Observatory, ticket booth, popcorn & snack, gift shop

2F: Exhibition Hall (Black Wonderland in Busan)

3F: Cafe

4F: Observatory (down elevator)

5F: Observatory, photo studio, gift shop

 

6.       Lotte Department Store (Gwangbok)

Lotte Department Store (Gwangbok Branch) is the first seaside department store in Korea. Built in Jungang-dong, Jung-gu where the former Busan City Hall is located.

Unique attractions at Lotte Department Store (Gwangbok Branch):

• The world's largest indoor musical fountain, listed in the Guinness World Book of Records.
•  From the Rooftop Park which is the largest in Korea, we can enjoy beautiful views of the entire city of Busan including Busan Tower; and it's free!

·    Youth trend clothing shops

 

7.       Jagalchi Market

Jagalchi Market is the largest seafood market in Korea, selling live fish and dried fish. Visitors can eat fresh raw fish directly at the market. Ever heard of Sannakji (Live Octopus)? You can try it here! It's chewy, light, and fresh. It's a little ticklish before eating it, but when you eat it you don't taste anything~ and it's not fishy at all. Sannakji price range 20,000 - 30,000 krw.

Outside Jagalchi Market there are also many fish restaurants. One of my favorites is (Grilled Mackerel), this fish has an Indonesian taste so I really like it, the Sajangnim is also very good, always give delicious and lots of banchan (sidedish). Price only 6000krw (Sajangnim i love  you).

TIP: Tourist-attractions in Nampo-dong can be enjoyed on easy walking trails starting at:

BIFF Square → Gukje Market Culinary Street → Gwangbokro Fashion Street → Yongdusan Park → Lotte Department Store (Gwangbok Branch) → Jagalchi Market

8.       Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

One of the most impressive temples I've been to, right by the sea! We can hear the sound of the waves, see the beauty of the ocean that stretches along the shoreline with clear blue skies while strolling around the beautiful temple/temple architecture. Some people go there to pray and meditate, as well as toss coins into the small pond to make a wish. Some are just to enjoy the view. There are a lot of stairs to go through to get here but it's worth the visit. Lots of street food shops, souvenirs before going down the stairs.

 

Named “The most beautiful temple in Korea”, agree!!

Entrance ticket: Free!

 

9.       Gamcheon Cultural Village, Busan, South Korea

 Gamcheon Culture Village, one of the tourist-must-to-go places in Busan. Often dubbed “The Machu Picchu of Korea”, “Santorini of Korea” because it is located between two hills that lead directly to the sea. Gamcheon Cultural Village is a residential area with colorful houses. Along the surroundings of this settlement, the eyes are spoiled with views of cotton candy houses, many cafes, art museums, hanbok rental shops and several souvenir shops.

Entrance ticket: Free!

However, to enjoy the overall charm of Gamcheon, visitors can buy a Stamp Map which is sold at the entrance for 2000 krw which will tell you the recommended route which is the highlight of Gamcheon, visitors can collect stamps for every object visited.

After all the stamps are collected, they can be exchanged to the Information Center and get prizes🎉

10.    Huinnyeoul Munhwa Maul (흰여울문화마을)

This is a really nice beachside village! Along the sea there are colorful streets and many unique murals that make this place perfect for taking photos. There is also a small museum here to introduce all the films and dramas filmed here, so a must visit for any k-drama fan!

There are also lots of cute cafes, with great drinks and Instagram able interiors! Tips: visit in the afternoon, sunset at the café is highly recommended!

 

In Busan there are many more that can be visited, there are so many unique and beautiful places that I can't even write here. Busan is a safe and comfortable city for vacation, a place to relax, a city where we can feel “Korea”. Haven't been to Korea if you haven't been to Busan :p💖💖

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