8 Things to Do in Busan, South Korea

Busan is the second largest city in South Korea and is known for its beautiful beaches and temples.  Take a look at some of the following things to do if you ever make your way to Busan!

Getting there: We flew into Seoul and bought a ticket for the Korean Train Express (KTX) to Busan.  The ride was about 3 hours.  While in Busan, we used the Busan Metro.  We learned how to navigate the subway fairly quick – it helped that most of the signs had English on them.

1. Shop until you drop at Shinsegae Centum City Department Store

This place is known as the largest shopping complex in the world!  There are 14 floors filled with clothing stores, restaurants, a spa and so much more!

2. Pamper yourself at Spa Land

Spa Land is connected to the Shinsegae Shopping center.  I HIGHLY recommend this spot if you need a day to relax. Admission is ₩12,000 ($10.50 USD) on weekdays and ₩14,000 ($12.25 USD) on weekends.

3. Hang out by Gwangan Bridge

In the evening, a lot of locals come here to socialize, eat and have a few beers.  The view is beautiful!

4. Feel the culture at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Haedong Yonggunsa Temple is unique because it can be found near the coast, unlike most of the other temples in Busan that are situated in mountainous areas.

5. Relax at Haeundae Beach

This is probably the most popular beach in Busan.  On the boardwalk, you can find many restaurants and bars.

6. Surf at Sonjeong Beach

This beach was absolutely stunning.  My boyfriend’s best friend rented a surfboard from Monkey Surf (two blocks from the beach) and taught us how to surf.  It was such a fun experience.

7. Trick Eye Museum

3D art museums are always a fun experience.  Make sure you go with a friend so they can take your photos, or bring a tripod!  The Trick Eye Museum is located on level 9 of the Nampo Plaza.

8. EAT EVERYTHING IN SIGHT!!!

During this trip, Korean cuisine moved its way up into my top 3 favorite cuisines.  Everything I guzzled there had the perfect amount of flavor and spice.  I tried a lot of new things on this trip and enjoyed every.single.dish.  One thing that I don’t have pictured below that you should definitely try is Korean BBQ.

If you’ve ever been to Busan, please comment below with some of your favorite things to do!