Is Busan Worth Visiting? Visit South Korea in 2026

Have you been wondering whether is Busan Worth Visiting? I’ve got you covered!

Busan is a vibrant, colourful and wonderfully beautiful destination in South Korea.

Not only is it a divine seaside city with a hugely diverse list of best things to do, but it also has strong connections to spirituality and Buddhism, particularly evident in the world-famous oceanside temple, Haedong Yonggungsa temple. 

I visited on a whim taking the train from Seoul and instantly felt a strong connection to the city – the food, the friendly people and the scenery are all second to none.

A day trip to Busan absolutely has to be experienced once in your lifetime. 

What is Busan & Why Visit Busan?

Busan is South Korea’s second largest city next to Seoul and in fact is the only city not to have been captured by North Korea during the Korean War in the 1950s.

So there’s a proud and strong history and strength of spirit in this port city that is tangible to this day.

Busan offers a fascinating array of activities and main attractions, all set against the stunning coast of the Sea of Japan.

The people here feel more relaxed and at ease than in the capital of Seoul and when I visited around Christmas time, there were locals dancing to buskers in the streets, extravagant light displays and a huge amount of street food vendors lining every laneway, creating a really celebratory atmosphere. 

How to Get to Busan?

Busan has its own incheon international airport which is serviced by airlines such as Lufthansa and Korean Air, so it is possible to fly directly into Busan.

However, most major airlines fly into Seoul so it is more likely that this will be your point of entry into South Korea by air.

From Seoul, there are two preferred options to get to Busan – via domestic flights which will take just over an hour or by high speed train which will take just over 2 hours.

I love rail journeys, so I opted for the train and it was comfy, convenient and offered a great way to look out the window and see the country.  

WHERE IS BUSAN LOCATED?

Busan is in the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula in South Korea. It is located on the Sea of Japan.

Here’s a better understanding with the google maps.

What is Busan Known for?

Busan is famous for its beautiful beaches like Haeundae Beach, which has white sand and a beautiful coastal city walk to go with it.

When I visited Haeundae Beach in winter the stretch of clean white sand was home to a gorgeous Christmas light display that felt utterly magical when the sun went down.

The Haeundae area also comes alive at night with food markets and plenty of restaurants and accommodation. Haeundae is also quite unique because the city skyscrapers can be seen from the beach – an unique meeting of steel and nature that is an interesting sight. 

Gamcheon Culture Village is another unique reason to visit Busan. This colourful village is perched on a hill (such as an observation deck) overlooking the city and the sea, offering incredible sunset spectacular views.

Gamcheon used to be a slum, but over the recent years has been transformed into a vibrant bohemian arts village with a maze of narrow laneways just waiting to be traversed. 

Busan is also well-known for its fresh seafood and is home to South Korea’s largest fish market, Jagalchi. The city has a reputation for excellent and cheap street food and when I visited it certainly did not disappoint with vendors lining the streets of the city.

Jagalchi Fish Market itself has a brilliant array of market stalls and it is fascinating to wander through as locals zip past on their scooters and purchase the freshest catches of the day to take home to feed their families. 

For those wanting to get in touch with their spiritual side, the remarkable cliff-side Haedong Yonggunga should be on your day Busan itinerary.

This breathtaking temple is nestled into the rocky seaside of north-eastern Busan and though it is a little tricky to get to, it is well worth the visit.

The temple complex is huge and though it is often busy, I found that tourists and worshippers were all very respectful and I never felt claustrophobic. Haedong Yonggungsa is one of three sacred places related to the Goddess Buddha of Mercy in South Korea. 

Another spiritual site in Busan is the Beomeosa Temple that sits atop Geumjeongsan mountain overlooking the city. Buddhist monks live in this temple complex and it is possible to do a temple stay or a visit to this very active temple.

Silence is requested of visitors, but your silence allows you to explore the complex and see many designated Korean national treasures. 

Best Time to Go to Busan in South Korea?

Busan is a great place to visit at any time of year and the seasons all have their unique charms.

I visited in winter and loved the Christmas light displays and the fact that the city was quieter than in peak tourist season.

In summer, all roads lead to the beach and Busan has one of the world’s best beaches in Haeundae (and it’s not gwangalli beach).

In autumn, the foliage season is in full swing and the incredible colours of the leaves make the city and surroundings seem even more special.

And of course, in spring the humidity of summer starts to wane and the plum blossoms make their grand entrance.

There is really no bad time to visit Busan.

Best Area to Stay in Busan?

I loved staying in the Nampo-dong area because it is full of life well into the night, has great food offerings and is walking distance from the Jagalchi Fish Market and the Busan Tower.

The area has a wonderful vibe and there’s a railway station and bus stop within 5 minutes short walk so accessing some of the other main sights such as Haeundae Beach and Gamcheon Culture Village is an easy task. 

• A great budget option in the area is the Urbanstay Boutique Nampo BIFF, a hotel of small studio apartments that are incredibly cheap for the quality.
• A great midrange choice that I personally loved staying at was the Nampo Hound Hotel Premier – the room I had was spacious and the service at the hotel was fabulous. There’s also a rooftop bar that offers dreamy sunset views over the water.
• In the luxury range, you have the Wyndham or the LOTTE Hotel, both which have restaurants and swimming pools on the premises.

Is Busan Safe?

Busan felt incredibly safe when I visited. South Koreans are very kind and respectful people and I never doubted my safety when I travelled there.

Of course, like in any major city there is always a risk of petty crime like pickpocketing, however it is far less likely here than in some other countries. 

Best Restaurants in Busan South Korea

You cannot visit Busan without sampling some of the freshest seafood in the world at the Jagalchi Market restaurants.

There are many options to experience the gukje market, but if you want to be able to sample several things and don’t speak Korean then I recommend a tour where the guide can barter with the store owners and you can enjoy the food without stress. 

And then to the street food. Busan is absolutely street food heaven with an unthinkable amount of stalls set up selling all sorts of things.

You must try Hotteok, a sweet pancake with brown sugar syrup filling and cold wheat noodles from Naeho Naengmyeon, a wartime meal still well loved today. 

Another well loved dish in Busan is the Dwaeji Gukbap pork soup with rice. I tried it at Hapcheon Gukbapjip and can absolutely vouch for why this restaurant is an inclusion in the Michelin guide. It was absolutely delicious!

FAQs: Busan Worth Visiting