27 Best Sights in Busan, South Korea

Just a short stroll from central Seomyeon is one of Busan's great treasures: Bujeon Market. This sprawling complex is the largest in the city, a dizzying, full-force blast to the senses that reminds you just how exciting Korea can be. Whether you're in the mood for seafood, kimchi, fresh fruit, chili powder, dried squid, veggies, or live turtles, Bujeon has it all, along with a festive, frenetic atmosphere that's sure to get your blood pumping and mouth watering. You don't even have to buy anything: the market is worth a visit just for the experience alone, though you'd be foolish not to snack at one of the many food stalls.

Built in 1376, this exquisite complex sits on the rocks right above the roiling ocean waves. Seaside temples are rare in Korea, and Yonggungsa is arguably the country's finest. Perfectly combining raw nature and architectural splendor, this temple is a must-see, delivering a dose of both exhilaration and serenity to anyone lucky enough to visit. Try to visit on a weekday if possible, as weekends get crowded.

This 1.5-km (.9 mile) expanse of white sand is the most popular in the country, which means there are parasols as far as the eye can see during the busiest weeks of the summer. Still, the beach is home to events year-round, including the Polar Bear Swim and the Jeongwol Daeborum Fire Festival in the winter; it also plays partial host to the Busan International Film Festival in October. Whatever the season, this gorgeous inner-city beach is a destination unto itself and, for most Koreans, is synonymous with "Busan." Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; fee parking; showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.

A visit here serves as a reminder of Korea's recent past and the continuing state of political affairs on the peninsula. During the Korean war, almost 41,000 UN soldiers lost their lives; and approximately 2,300 people, from eleven nations, are interred here. While all of the fallen from the USA and seven other countries have been repatriated, the flags of the twenty-one nations that participated fly over the cemetery today.

Walking up this flight of 40 stairs is a symbolic act: the climber is reminded of the struggle of refugees displaced by the Korean War. During that time, the area was a transportation hub where refugees would gather to set up camp in makeshift housing and meet up with loved ones from whom they'd been separated after fleeing their hometowns. Today, the area pays tribute to this history with several statues.

First constructed in 678 AD, Beomeosa Temple sits on the flank of Geumjeongsan mountain just on the outskirts of Busan, though it feels a world away from the bustling city below. This is one of Korea's most renowned Buddhist temple complexes and is a beautiful example of mid-Joseon Dynasty temple architecture. Beomeosa is a sizable temple so give yourself plenty of time to explore—the main hall houses the Seokgamoni Buddha and two bodhisattvas; there are seven royal palace wings, three gates, and a bell pavilion with a three-story pagoda and a lantern dating from the Silla Dynasty. A free guided tour is available in English from the small office near the bus stop. Beomeosa also has a temple stay program if you care to spend the night. From Beomeosa station (exit 5) it's a five-minute walk to the bus station where bus 90 will take the rest of the way.

Packed with street food vendors and shopping stalls draped in neon lights, this lively area is also the main venue for the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). It's sprinkled with first-run movie theaters and, like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, lined with handprints of the most famous Korean actors.

Opened in 2011 as the official headquarters of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), this architectural award-winning complex not only houses editing rooms and scores of state-of-the-art cinemas, but also features the world's longest cantilever roof. Perhaps most impressive is the BIFF Archive, where you can check out any film screened in the festival's history and watch it on your own private viewer. 

Though it has a reputation for being slightly old-fashioned, the Busan Museum is ground zero for the art, culture, and history of Busan. Casual visitors may not be too interested in the first-floor galleries, but the second floor is fascinating. Here you'll find detailed explanation of the recent history of Busan and Korea, the Korean War, and the relationship between Japan and Korea. The video installations are all in Korean but the rest of the texts are in English.

Hosting exhibitions by modern Korean artists rather than big name international draw cards is exactly what makes the BOMA interesting. Recent Korean art and design has a distinct aesthetic and is, in many cases, politically influenced. The BOMA offers visitors insight into recent Korean history and political thought through the eyes of the peninsula's artists. Located close to Centrum City, it is well worth taking an hour or so to visit.

One of three ocean observatories in Busan, this 72.5-meter (238-foot) long, 20-meter (66-foot) high platform is equipped with a transparent glass floor, giving visitors the illusion that they're walking on the water. It's an ideal place to catch the sunset, as the observatory provides a panoramic view of Cheongsapo Village, its lighthouse, and seashore.

This little fishing village between Songjeong and Haeundae Beach is most famous for its restaurants specializing in grilled clams and eel. Once a hardscrabble collection of huts and seaside tents, the hamlet has seen a makeover in recent years and now hosts a few upscale cafes and Western-style eateries. It's just a thirty-minute walk down the coast from Songjeong Beach, making it an ideal side excursion. 

With gorgeous views of the ocean and the Gwangan Diamond Bridge, Dongbaek offers a tranquil refuge among the camellias and pine trees and is a great place to stretch your legs on a stroll. The highlight of the island is the Nurimaru APEC House, which hosted world leaders for its big regional conference back in 2005. 

Originally a hillside shanty town, Gamcheon Cultural Village has blossomed into one of the city's premier tourist attractions. In 2009 the tiny houses and warren of alleys and staircases were given a radical makeover, transforming this former slum into a chromatic mishmash of diminutive residences, art spaces, cafes, and vivid murals. While the village is open year-round, please keep in mind that this is a place where real people live and work, so please exercise courtesy and never take photographs of people without their permission. 

The massif of Geumjeongsan dominates much of the Busan skyline, and a visit to its ancient, fortress-topped ridge should be part of most any itinerary. The best way to access the mountain is from Geumgang Park, where you can ride the cable car and soak up spectacular views of the city during the 15-minute trip to the top. 

Enjoy your time up on the ridge by hiking its trails, and once you've worked up your appetite, be sure to stop off at the Sanseong Village for a hearty lunch of heok yeomso bulgogi (marinated black goat meat) or baeksuk (steamed ginseng chicken), along with a filling array of side dishes. Most of the restaurants in the village also provide a shuttle van that will ferry you to back down to the city and drop you off at Oncheonjang Station, completing the loop. 

Even though it attracts fewer tourists and more locals than the neighboring Haeundae Beach, the sands here are equally beautiful and the views much better, especially with the Gwangan Diamond Bridge spanning the bay. The area is packed with cafés and bars overlooking the water, so it's an excellent place for a sunset or late night stroll. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Busan's most iconic landmark is this suspension bridge, an architectural marvel spanning from Haeundae district to Suyeong district. At 7,420 meters (4.6 miles) long, it's the second longest bridge in South Korea. The best spot to get a glimpse is from Gwangalli Beach just across the water. 

Marvel at sweeping views from the observatory at the top of this 1,352-foot landmark tower, the second-tallest building in Korea. On clear days you can see the distinct rise of Japan's Tsushima Island in the distance.

Said to be the the largest natural hot spring spa in all of Asia, this mammoth, pavilion-like complex is the granddaddy of soaking in Busan. There are more than 40 different kinds of baths available, including large open areas, cozy grottos, green tea and waterfall baths, as well outdoor pools. These range in temperature from geyser hot to glacially cold, so if one pool doesn't suit your taste, you're sure to find a perfect fit the next one over.

The Heoshimcheong also includes a unisex jjimjilbang (Korean sauna) with heated rooms and relaxation areas, along with a nightclub, hotel, banquet rooms, as well a massive German-style hof where they brew beer their own beer and serve it up with sausages and pretzels. There's also a house band that rocks the roof off the place seven nights a week.

Affording some of the most breathtaking vistas in the city, this 2.9 mile–long path winds along through pine forests, rugged beaches, and up and over the kind of rocky outcroppings that define the Korean coast. Though it's just a stone's throw from the sometimes claustrophobic crush of the city, you'll feel as if you've stepped into an unspoiled world. Igidae is the perfect place to move your muscles and and clear your head while taking in views of the Gwangan Diamond Bridge, Dongbaek Island, and the azure stretch of the East Sea. 

Situated in the quieter Jeonpo neighborhood, this hip district hosts numerous cafes, dessert joints, specialty restaurants, and small bars. Once home to industrial machine shops, young entrepreneurs began to move in around 2009, taking advantage of the stylish spaces and cheap rents. Since then the area has really taken off, especially after a high-profile mention in The New York Times. The main street has since become dominated by corporate brands (think Starbucks), while the funky, little cafes and eateries have largely moved to the fringes of the neighborhood, so don't be afraid to walk a little bit extra in search of that perfect cappuccino, craft beer, or slice of cake.

Located in the middle of Haeundae Beach and home to 250 species and some 35,000 varieties of fish, algae, amphibians, and reptiles (the sharks and penguins are perennial favorites), Busan Aquarium is one of city's most popular family attractions and arguably the best aquarium in the country. Though the aquarium is huge and spread out over three floors, it still can get crowded during peak times. The modern displays are designed with an eye toward education and entertainment.

Created in in 1913, Songdo was Busan's first official beach. Once a neglected, shabby piece of sand, in recent years the little cove has undergone a remarkable transformation, making it a terrific place to spend an afternoon or evening. While some sunbathe or swim during the furnace blast of the Korean summer, most head to Songdo to stroll along its glass-bottomed skywalk, or better yet, catch ride in the cable car that glides over the waves to the rugged splendor of nearby Amnam Park. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; fee parking; showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.

While this 1.2-km (.75-mile) expanse of sand sees its share of visitors in the summer, Songjeong tends to be the quieter of Busan's "big three" beaches. The surrounding waters are shallow, making it popular with families with young kids, though a decent break off its northern shore also attracts scores of surfers who bob on the surface in hope of catching that next wave. The neighborhood surrounding the beach is home to a lot of nice hoe (raw fish) restaurants, good cafes, and no shortage of places to stay. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Escape the bustle of Busan and wander through 200 pine trees and camellias that line the coast at this lovely park. Most visitors come for the spectacular views of the jagged cliffs and the distant Oryuk-do Islets just beyond the 19th-century lighthouse. To get a feel for the park without breaking a sweat, ride the tram that circles the park or grab any one of the boats for hire that ply the nearby coast. There are also several hiking trails through the pine forests and along the rugged coastline.

This trendy yacht club complex features two restaurants, a store, a couple of cafes, and event spaces for rent. It's a great spot to kick back for an afternoon.

Descend down a series of escalators from the busy Gwangbokno shopping street and into Yongdusan Park and Busan Tower. Though it is a tourist trap, there are some impressive views of the city. Signs of a charming local tradition can be seen here: locks are attached to the fence next to the tower by young lovers as a symbol of commitment. The keys are then places in a box atop the viewing platform at the nearby Lotte Department Store.