Discover what to do in Busan, South Korea: The Ultimate 2-Day Guide to See and Visit Its Most Iconic Places

Would you like to go to Busan for a couple of days from Seoul? If so, this is the travelogue you need.

Day 1: Haeundae Blueline Park and Gwangalli Beach.

To optimize your time and avoid paying for an extra night in a hotel, you can take the high-speed train from Seoul to Busan on your first morning (it's only a two-and-a-half-hour journey!). Like Seoul, Busan has an efficient transportation system, which represents significant savings since you can easily get around the city by subway. If you decide to travel exclusively by subway, buying a day pass for 4,000 won is an excellent investment.

Suggested destinations:

Haeundae:

This is undoubtedly Busan's most famous beach. You can easily find a restaurant for lunch there. After eating, you can enjoy the view as you stroll along the white sand. The contrast between the modern skyscrapers and the blue sea is what makes this beach so captivating. Furthermore, depending on the season, you might encounter a (pleasant) surprise: in spring, if you head to Dalmaji-gil (very close by), you can walk along an exquisite path lined with cherry blossoms.

Haeundae Blueline Park:

Nearby, the Haeundae Blueline Park offers a unique experience: an elevated railway along the coast where small capsules travel. These capsules are very picturesque, and the views are absolutely breathtaking. The park includes the Haeundae Beach Train, a tourist train that travels along Busan's scenic eastern coast from Mipo to Songjeong, passing through Cheongsapo; and the Haeundae Sky Capsule, a romantic, automated capsule for four people that travels along a 2-kilometer track between 7 and 10 meters above sea level, from Mipo to Cheongsapo.

Gwangalli Beach:

Once the afternoon arrives, you can head to Gwangalli Beach, which offers a slightly different style of beach. The cleanup efforts by the local authorities are evident, so despite how crowded it can get, you can still enjoy clean sand and water. The highlight of this beach is actually at sunset, when the lights of the Gwangal Bridge come on, creating a stunning nighttime view and one of the must-see things to do in Busan.

Day 2: Colorful Gamcheon Village, Nampo-dong and the best night view of Busan.

The second day immerses you in Busan's more artistic and traditional side. To move efficiently between these destinations, keep in mind that subway routes are limited, so buying single tickets (starting at 1,200 won ) is usually more than enough. The great advantage is that the main attractions in the Nampo-dong area—such as Jagalchi Fish Market, BIFF Plaza, and Yongdusan Park—are very close together and easily accessible on foot, allowing you to explore at your leisure and soak up the atmosphere.

Suggested destinations:

Gamcheon Cultural Village:

You can take subway line 1 to Toseong Station and then transfer to a bus or a taxi to reach the city's most photogenic spot: Gamcheon Cultural Village. This labyrinth of cube-shaped houses stacked on the mountainside, painted in vibrant colors and adorned with murals and sculptures, fully justifies its nickname, "the Santorini of Busan." What you probably didn't know is that during the Korean War, this area experienced a massive influx of immigrants, and its population grew steadily. It wasn't until 2009 that artists, students, and residents decorated the area, transforming it into the colorful tourist attraction it is today.

Jagalchi Market: Just in time for lunch, head to Jagalchi Market, the largest seafood market in Korea. There you'll find some of the best and freshest seafood, and their sashimi is especially famous—be sure to try it!

Nampo-dong:

From Jagalchi Market to Nampo-dong, this is a famous commercial district. In the past, it was the city's financial and commercial hub, but today it's primarily a shopping area. Another extremely famous spot, which you've probably heard of, is BIFF Plaza, the venue for the Busan International Film Festival.

Yongdusan Park:

To end the day, head to Yongdusan Park. From there, you can take an elevator or walk a short distance to reach the base of Busan Tower. Ascending to its observation deck, 118 meters high, offers a 360-degree view of the city stretching out to the sea—a perfect perspective to appreciate the immensity and beauty of this destination. As night falls, the city lights create a shimmering tapestry, a perfect ending to two intense days of exploration. What to see in Busan, South Korea.