Are you in search of the ultimate Busan adventure? Look no further because we’ve got you covered!
Nestled at the southwestern edge of the country, Busan, or 부산, as locals call it, is more than just a city – it’s a vibrant tapestry of tradition and modernity. While you might stumble upon older references calling it ‘Pusan’, once you’re here, you’ll find yourself immersed in its unique charm.
For me, Busan feels like a giant metropolis with the heart of a small town, welcoming newcomers with open arms. It’s a place of contrasts, where tradition meets innovation at every turn. From its bustling streets to its serene beaches, there’s something enchanting about this city that captures the imagination.
But what truly sets Busan apart is its embrace of cultural diversity. Whether it’s through world-renowned events like the Busan International Film Festival or its lively Dance and Comedy Festivals, the city thrives on the creativity and complexity of outsiders, greeting them with warmth and hospitality.
So, what awaits you in Busan? With so much to explore, it’s essential to plan wisely. Let’s dive into a personalized Busan 2-day itinerary crafted to make the most of your two days in this jewel of the Land of the Morning Calm.
Table of Contents
2 Days in Busan
Here’s an incredible 2-day itinerary we’ve put together for you. But before we jump into it, let’s chat.
Take a moment to think about how leisurely you want to enjoy each of the sights in the area. And don’t forget to account for travel time between stops.
If you’ve only got 2 days in Busan, we’ve handpicked a few must-see gems that embody the essence of authentic Korea and are conveniently reachable.
Busan can become particularly congested, so don’t quell your excitement with unreasonable expectations on transit times.
Taking public transport is so much more adventurous than jumping into a taxi that probably has some English capabilities.
Getting lost on the bus is always a possibility in a foreign country with squiggly lines for letters, which makes it a riveting experience when you’re game for a full bank of memories.
Where to Go in Busan: Day 1
On day one in Busan, why not hit the more vibrant side of the seaside metropolis?
There are bustling fish markets, resort parks, cultural stops, and amazing architectural feats to enjoy around every corner.
It’s a captivating blend of tradition and technology that’s breathtaking against the backdrop of coastal industry and cosmopolitan throngs.
1. Take the Songdo Cable Car
On a clear day, start your morning with a spectacular perspective of the city by the sea at the Songdo Cable Car in Amnam-dong.
How to Get There
Take subway line 1 (the orange line) to Jagalchi station and take exit 2.
Walk down Chungmu-daero for about 50 meters until you see a bus stop where you take bus 7, 26, 71 or 96 to Songdo beach. From here it’s about 15 minutes on foot to the cable car.
2. Wander Around Gamcheon Cultural Village
If you’re tired of blue skies and sparkling oceans (or the burgeoning crowds as the morning draws on), head over to the Gamcheon Cultural Village in Saha-gu for a cultural extravaganza.
It’s a stunning traditional setting that’s full of color, flair, street art, and photo ops.
You’ll need your walking shoes, but it’s difficult to get lost, and the views are truly a delight.
If you’re with children (or the young at heart), try the ‘stamp collection’ activity that’s available from the Information Center at the entrance of the village.
It will help you enjoy the village more as you become aware of the tantalizing secrets that hide in its alleyways.
How to Get From the Songdo Cable Car to Gamcheon Cultural Village
Take subway line 1 (the orange line) to Toseong station. Continue on the local bus to Gamcheon Elementary School Bus (the stop will be announced in English). You can take bus Saha-1-1, Seogu 2 or Seogu 2-2.
3. Explore Jagalchi Market
Perhaps, the most famous of all Busan attractions is the bustling fish market, called Jagalchi.
It is a massive complex of seafood stores and suppliers with the freshest fish products that you’re going to find in all of South Korea.
Busan is the epicenter of the Korean coastal culture and boasts specialist dishes that are as famous with the locals as it is with international visitors.
Besides the freshest ‘hwae’ (raw fish, or sashimi) that you’ll find anywhere in the country, Busan also has famous seed pancakes, ‘dwaeji gukbap’ (pork soup), and ‘milmyeon’ (a wheat noodle broth that’s fantastically refreshing in the summer).
Jagalchi Market is also a central stopping point for tours, cooking classes, and curious visitors who can’t wait to try out all the flavors. It’s housed within a complex of grocery stores, specialty shops, stalls, and street restaurants.
How to get from Gamcheon Cultural Village to the Jagalchi Market
25-30 minutes by bus (numbers 87 or 124) or a quick taxi ride.
4. Discover BIFF Square, Yongdusan Park, and Busan Tower
After a scrumptious lunch at the Jagalchi Market, make your way over to Yongdusan Park just a few minutes walk away.
It’s widely known for shopping, galleries, traditional markets, museums, and the famous Busan Tower (which is almost 120 meters tall) from where you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views during the day and at night.
This is also the area where the popular Busan International Film Festival is held (affectionately referred to as BIFF Square), so it’s jam-packed with places to see and things to do.
If you want a healthy dose of arts and culture, the area has easy walking access to:
- Busan Modern History Museum
- Busan’s Trickeye Museum
- Museum of Musical Instruments of the World
- World Model Ship Exhibit
- Daegaksa Temple.
If it’s food and shopping you’re after, BIFF Square and Yongdusan Park are also within easy walking distance from:
- Gukje Market
- Jagalchi Market
- Bupyeong Market
- Gwangbokro (Culture and Fashion street)
- Gwangbokdong (Food street)
- Bosudong Book Street
Busan Museum of Movies
The Busan Museum of Movies opened in 2017, which makes it one of the new kids on the block as far as the cultural scene is concerned, but it also houses the mind-boggling Trickeye Museum that’s so much fun (with or without children).
The museum is in Yongdusan Park itself, so you can connect with nature and enjoy the views while you’re there.
Most of the exhibits are interactive, and you can try out your movie splicing skills, ride the virtual reality roller coaster, pose with popular characters as you learn more about how movies are made, and so on.
Spend a fascinating few hours marveling at the movies and special effects (with amazing photo ops available at the clever Trickeye exhibits along the way).
Purchase Your Tickets Here:
Combi Ticket Movie and Trick Eye Museum
There is also an app available (Docent), which isn’t too highly rated but can make the experience slightly more meaningful for non-Korean speakers wanting to delve into more detail at each exhibit.
How to Get from the Jagalchi Market to BIFF Square
BIFF Square is only a three-minute walk from Jagalchi Market. Head away from the coast around the corner on Jagalchi Road and cross the main street (Gudeok-ro) to find yourself immersed in BIFF Square and surrounds.
Wander Around Yongdusan Park
The park itself is just as captivating as all the retail, culture, and entertainment options that surround it.
The Busan Tower is housed here, with its 118-meter spire as a clear landmark for orientation and wonder. There are gardens, monuments, pagodas, galleries, and plenty of rest stops and shady trees to take in the views of Busan below you.
How to Get from the Jagalchi Market to Yongdusan Park and Busan Tower
Yongdusan Park is a fifteen-minute walk from Jagalchi Market or fifteen minutes by bus (for which you need to walk a short way to the bus stop anyway).
Busan Tower is in Yongdusan Park and accessible by foot. There is an entrance fee to go up to the top of the structure and enjoy the observatory.
5. Visit Taejongdae Resort Park or Oryukdo Skywalk Bridge
At the end of a busy day, you may feel the need to reconnect with nature and take a last breath of fresh air before the evening’s festivities.
There are two options from your location in the BIFF area that are well worth your time: Taejeondae Resort Park or the Oryukdo Skywalk Bridge.
Option 1: Taejongdae Resort Park
If you are up for a long and leisurely stroll in view of the seaside, put on those walking shoes and get the camera ready for the stunning Taejeongdae Resort Park.
If time is on your side, see if you can find the temples nestled on the grounds, otherwise head directly to the observatory for the best views of the coastline and a quicker round trip.
The Yeongdo Lighthouse is right on the edge of the cliffs and gives stunning views of the sparkling blue expanse far below.
How to Get from Yongdusan Park to Taejongdae Resort Park
Bus lines 8, 30, 66, 88, 88-A, and 101 all head to Taejongdae. Take a bus if you have at least an hour to spare, otherwise, hop into a taxi.
Option 2: Oryukdo Skywalk Bridge
As the afternoon draws to a close, you might prefer to skip the walking and make your way over to the Oryukdo Skywalk Bridge in Nam-gu instead.
It’s a stunning natural peninsula where you can reconnect with the natural wonder of this fascinating country.
How to Get From Yongdusan Park to Oryukdo Skywalk Bridge
Take the metro to Busan Station (line 1/orange), exit 10. From Busan station, you continue your journey on bus 27 for about 30-40 minutes. The bus stop is called Oryukdo SK back gate. It takes some time to reach Haedong Yonggungsa and Oryukdo Skywalk by public transport.
6.Walk Along Seomyeon shopping street
Many visitors are glad they’ve booked their accommodation in Busan near Seomyeon Shopping Street (where the Seomyeon subway stop is located).
It’s only six subway stops from Busan Station, and it’s bustling with restaurants, shops, and entertainment to cater to tourists and locals alike. If you’re passing through during the day or night, it’s well worth taking a leisurely look around.
If you’re hoping to mingle with the young and famous in Busan, this is where it is all happening, around the clock.
Some say this upmarket shopping scene is reminiscent of Gangnam (in Seoul) in many ways, but it definitely is not as crowded.
You’ll find whatever you need here after a long day on the go, and it’s conveniently accessible for whatever direction you happen to be traveling.
How to Get to Seomyeon Shopping Street:
The street is easily found if you head to the Seomyeon Subway Stop. From Jagalchi Market, it’s a fifteen-minute walk to Busan station (the subway stop) and then only six stops to Seomyeon.
Busan 2-day itinerary: Day 2
After such a busy first day in Busan, you’re going to need to put your feet up for a while and unwind.
For a final day of leisure before you hit the road, why not enjoy some of the most beautiful vistas in Busan and a relaxing few hours at the beaches and spas?
1. Vist the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
We recommend starting with the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple for quiet meditation and a heap of pious traditions. This is one of the most beautiful places in Korea.
Stairs and statues complement the spectacular ocean views below, setting the scene wonderfully for a morning of reflection and gratitude.
It’s the perfect way to start your final day in Busan.
The beautiful temple is a favorite with a great many onlookers, and it’s the kind of attraction that’s enjoyable in any season.
Snowy temple vistas by the seaside are just as breathtaking as the spring cherry blossoms or the vibrant fall tones.
How to Get from Haeundae Station to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Take the subway to Haeundae Station (Metro Line 2). Make your way to exit 7, right in front of exit 7 is a bus stop. Wait at this bus stop for bus 181. The bus trip should take approximately 45 minutes to an hour. You leave the bus at the Yonggungsa Temple (용궁사) stop. Signage will lead you from the bus stop to the entrance of the temple.
2. Enjoy Haeundae Beach and Sea Life Busan Aquarium
When your head is clear, and your camera lens is satisfied, head back to Haeundae Beach for the rest of the morning.
If you’re in Busan with the family, stop in at the Sea Life Busan Aquarium on Haeundae Beach after a fun morning in the sun.
There are 250 species of fish to admire and a fascinating eighty-meter ‘underground’ tunnel that makes you feel like you’re walking the ocean floor.
More Information and Booking:
Sea Life Tickets
Haeundae Beach is a favorite among tourists and locals alike, and it’s the kind of place where you can kick back and unwind until you’re ready to move into a leisurely lunch at the myriad of beachside restaurants.
Then, prepare for an afternoon of retail therapy and more relaxation at the impressive Lotte Department Store in Centum City.
How to Get from Haedong Yonggungsa Temple to Haeundae Beach
Head back to Haeundae Station the same way you came. For orientation, the Haeundae Subway Stop is a five-minute walk from the main beach.
3. Busan Museum of Art
When you’ve had enough of the gentle surf and soft white sand, take a stroll over to the Centum City region for shopping, culture, and relaxation.
If you feel like you need a dose of culture before a serious stint as a shopaholic in Centum City, pop across the road to The Busan Museum of Art for a more contemplative experience.
It’s a small but radical collection of pieces from all over the world, and contemporary art lovers rave about the exhibition.
The Busan Museum of Art is only a few minutes away from Centum City, too, and it closes at 6 p.m.
How to Get from Haeundae Beach to the Busan Museum of Art
Walk five minutes to Haeundae subway station for three stops to Busan Museum Art, or four stops to Centum City. Or, take Bus 1001 for three stops until Centum City BEXCO (a three-minute walk from Lotte Department Store).
4. Go Shopping in the Lotte Department Store, Centum City
The grand Lotte Department Store at Centum City is a sight to behold, indeed.
The impressive complex provides an enlightening view of all that Korea has to offer in the way of technology, retail, and top-notch brands for the high-end market.
How to Get from the Busan Museum of Art to Lotte Department Store, Centum City
The museum is two minutes away from Centum City by bus or subway, and a few more minutes to walk (but not more than ten minutes).
5.Relax in Spa Land or at Gwangalli Beach
Our final two recommendations for day two of your Busan itinerary go hand-in-hand with a day of nature and relaxation: Spa Land and Gwangalli Beach.
We’ll leave it to you to decide on the order that suits you best as we are torn between the most luxurious way to end two memorable days in Busan.
Option 1 is a glorious soak and pamper in Spa Land (Centum City) after a long afternoon of shopping. The spa will be followed by a quick taxi to take you to dinner and nightlife at Gwangalli Beach. You’ll eat and marvel under the lights of the beautiful bridge that sparkles in the bay.
Option 2 is a leisurely early supper at one of the beachside restaurants in Gwangalli for a beautiful sunset that turns into a twinkling bridge scene. Excellent Korean cuisine will be followed by a nightcap at one of the quirky pubs that line the road and a quick return to the comforts of Spa Land, Centum City. The rest of the evening will be a blur of hot tubs, massages, saunas, and bliss until you retire to your hotel, utterly relaxed.
How to Get There:
Spa Land is located on the first floor of the Shinsegae Centrum City shopping center which is directly connected to Centum City Station on Subway Line 2 (green line).
Either way, we worry that you will not be in the least bit ready to leave your newfound love in the morning – Busan quickly turns into everyone’s favorite city in South Korea.
Check Prices and Availability:
Busan Spa Land
How to Get from Busan to Seoul
Busan is South Korea’s second-largest city and it is well connected to the rest of Korea by both train and bus.
The city also has an airport and several daily flights link the city to the capital.
By Flight
Busan International Airport is called ‘Gimhae’. The airport offers multiple daily flights to Seoul (both Incheon and Gimpo airport) and Jeju.
There are several flights per hour between Seoul and Busan. Flights are offered by Korean Air, Air Busan, and Jeju Air. The flight time is approximately 1 hour.
By Train
There is a direct KTX service between Busan, Seoul, and Gyeongju. KTX is the high-speed rail service from Korail, the national rail operator.
The KTX train is the fastest option, it requires 2 hours to reach Gyeongju (Singyeongju station) from Seoul, and getting to Busan requires about 2 hours and 45 minutes.
The KTX train leaves Seoul from KTX Seoul Station or KTX Yongsan Station.
Korail also operates slower and cheaper trains in between Seoul and Busan. These are the ITX express trains and the Mugunghwa intercity trains. Express trains reach Busan in 4 hours and 30 minutes, the intercity runs one hour longer.
Korail offers various train passes to foreign visitors.
You can choose passes for 2, 3,4, or 5 consecutive days or you can opt for the flexible select passes.
With the select passes, you can select either 2 or 4 days within a 10-window period.
The passes offer unlimited train travel on all trains operated by Korail, including the high-speed KTX trains.
A return ticket for the KTX between Seoul and Busan is cheaper than the cheapest Korail pass.
Click here to get more info about the Korail pass:
Korail Pass
Supreme Railways is a private high-speed operator. It offers train services between Seoul and Busan. Tickets tend to be slightly cheaper than those for the KTX and the journey takes 2,5 hours which is almost just as long as with the KTX.
The trains depart from Suseo station in the Gangnam district of Seoul.
Read Also:
By Bus
Various bus operators run express buses throughout South Korea. It shouldn’t be hard to find a bus from Seoul to Busan or vice versa.
On average there are 3 buses each hour between the two cities.
The buses leave from Dong Seoul and Seoul Gyeongbu.
By Car
Korea can be discovered very easily with a self-drive. Koreans tend to ignore the speed limits but beyond that, they drive very courteously.
All road signs are bilingual and with the help of a navigation system such as Naver maps (Waze, Google Maps and other foreign systems don’t work properly in South Korea) it’s easy to find your way around.
It should take approximately 4,5 hours to get from Seoul to Busan by car.
Where to Stay in Busan
Busan sprawls out across its landscape, so if it’s your first time visiting, I’d recommend opting for a centrally located spot like Seomyeon or Nampo-dong. These areas are fantastic choices, bustling with restaurants and conveniently situated near Busan’s subway system, albeit it’s somewhat limited.
Staying in Seomyeon places you within easy reach of subway lines 1 and 2, whisking you directly to popular hotspots like Haeundae and Gwangalli Beaches, the tranquil Beomeosa Temple, and the bustling Jagalchi Market.
On the other hand, if you’re all about shopping and sightseeing, Nampo-dong is the perfect base for your adventures in Busan.
Below we share an overview of the best hotels in Seomyeon and Nampo-dong. For more information, you can also read our in-depth guide on where to stay in Busan.
Hotels in Seomyeon
Lotte Hotel Busan
The Lotte Hotel lies close to the Seomyson subway station. You will stay in spacious and well-kept rooms. The friendly staff speaks very well English. The hotel offers direct access to the Lotte department store and there are many other dining options nearby as well.
Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Busan
The Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel lies near the Lotte department store. You will also find plenty of restaurants in the neighborhood. The hotel lies a 10-minute walk from the Seomyeon subway station.
Arban hotel
The Arban Hotel is located a little south of the Lotte Mall. The hotel lies within walking distance of restaurants, the underground shopping mall, and the subway. You will stay in a spacious and clean room. The staff speaks English fluently.
Hotels in Nampo-Dong
Aventree Hotel Busan
The Aventree Hotel is located in the middle of the Nampo shopping street and close to tourist attractions such as the Jagalchi Fish Market, Busan Tower, and Gukje Market as well as the subway. Clean rooms with comfortable beds. The hotel staff speaks fluent English.
Nampo Hound Hotel Premier
The Nampo Hound Hotel is a brand-new hotel. It lies within walking distance of the subway and the Nampo shopping street.
Conclusion
This itinerary will show you most of the city’s highlights over an exciting 2 days. Busan is, together with Seoul and Gyeongju, a city not to be missed during a trip to South Korea.
The city is very extensive and the subway fails to get you to most of the tourist highlights.
Enjoy your time in Busan and make sure to try some of the fantastic local food.
Pablo
Friday 26th of April 2024
Hi Sylvia! Thanks for this great great itinerary. Also, it's a great and a helpful idea share how to get from one site to another for foreigners.
Mentioned That, do you know if we can use the T-Money in Busan as normal as it sounds to be in Seoul? I read Busan has a different card and it could be a little difficult to re-charge the T-money.
Also, you know if 2 person can use 1 only T-money card for transportation?
Thanks a lot!
Sylvia
Friday 26th of April 2024
In Busan, you can use the T-Money card for transportation, but it's not as widely accepted as it is in Seoul. Busan has its own transportation card called "Cashbee," which can be used similarly to T-Money. While you can use T-Money in Busan, you may find it slightly less convenient to recharge compared to Cashbee.
As for sharing a T-Money card between two people, it's possible to do so, but you'll need to tap the card twice if you're traveling together. Each tap deducts the fare for one person, so if you're both traveling, you'll need to tap the card twice for each journey. Keep in mind that this may be less convenient than having separate cards, especially during rush hours or when transferring between different modes of transportation.