Haeundae and Gwangalli beaches, the colorful Gamcheon village, the Jagalchi fish market and Haedong Yonggungsa temple on the cliffs by the sea, Busan is Korea's coastal gem. Here's how to enjoy it in 2 or 3 days.
Busan at a glance
Population
3.3M (2nd city)
Airport
PUS (Gimhae)
Ideal stay
2 to 3 days
Budget / day
โฌ45-180
From Seoul
~2h30 by KTX
Time diff
+7h (Paris)
Current climate
Best season
In brief
Come by KTX from Seoul
The high-speed train links Seoul to Busan in about 2h30, departures every 15-30 min. Book ahead via the Korail app. Arrival at Busan Station, on metro line 1.
See Haedong Yonggungsa early in the morning
This Buddhist temple perched on the cliffs by the water is rare in Korea. Free entry, open sunrise to sunset. Go early to beat the crowds and catch the light.
Save Gamcheon for midday
The culture village of colorful houses on the hillside, nicknamed Korea's Santorini. Galleries, murals, the Little Prince photo zone. Allow 2 to 3 hours and wear good shoes for the stairs.
Dine at Jagalchi Market
The country's largest fish market: pick a live fish, octopus or crab downstairs, have it cooked upstairs. Guaranteed freshness, authentic atmosphere.
Drone show at Gwangalli on weekends
The trendiest beach offers the view of the lit-up Gwangan Bridge and a regular weekend drone show. Bars and terrace cafรฉs facing the bay.
Must-see
Busan's iconic beach, seafront skyscrapers and a coastal trail to Dongbaek Island and the Nurimaru APEC House.
Colorful houses terraced on the hillside, Korea's Santorini. Murals, artist studios, lanes and viewpoints.
A rare Buddhist temple built on the cliffs by the ocean. Make a wish facing the waves, magical light at sunrise.
Korea's largest fish market. Live seafood stalls downstairs, restaurants upstairs that cook your pick.
The trendiest beach, view of the lit-up Gwangan Bridge and a weekend drone show. Bars and cafรฉs facing the bay.
Coastal park of dramatic cliffs facing the open sea. Danubi train between viewpoints, lighthouse and forest.
A 365 m glass-floor walkway over the ocean at Songdo Beach. Panoramic cable car and coastal trails.
The district of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF, Oct 6-15, 2026). Street-food strip, cinemas and star handprints.
A lane perched above the sea, white houses and view cafรฉs, nicknamed the Santorini of Yeongdo. Superb sunset.
A large mountain temple founded in 678, at the foot of Mount Geumjeong. Calm, forest and old architecture, away from the coastal bustle.
Choose your district
Beachfront, hotels with a view, restaurants and nightlife. The seaside district par excellence. From โฌ70/night.
โ Recommended
The nerve center, crossing of lines 1 and 2, shopping, cafรฉs and restos. Very handy as a base. From โฌ50/night.
Central
Trendy beach, view of the Gwangan Bridge, young vibe and terrace bars. From โฌ55/night.
Trendy
Old Busan: Jagalchi market, BIFF Square, street food. Lively and authentic. From โฌ45/night.
Authentic
Getting around
Metro (T-money)
4 lines cover the essentials, signs in English. The Seoul T-money card works everywhere. Base fare around 1,500 KRW.
KTX from Seoul
High-speed Seoul-Busan train in ~2h30, frequent departures. Arrival at Busan Station, on line 1. Book via the Korail app.
Taxi
Affordable and handy for coastal sites poorly served by metro (Haedong temple, Gamcheon). Kakao T app in English.
City bus
Complements the metro toward beaches and hillside villages. Pay with T-money. Routes on Naver Map or Kakao Map.
Climate & crowds
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
Spring
Apr to Jun ยท 12-25ยฐC, mild ยท Ideal: pleasant sea air, cherry blossom, little rain
Summer
Jul to Aug ยท 26-30ยฐC, monsoon ยท Avoid for rain and humidity, though it's the crowded beach season
Autumn
Sep to Nov ยท 12-27ยฐC, dry ยท Ideal in October: BIFF, clear skies, cool evenings
Winter
Dec to Mar ยท 2-12ยฐC, mild and dry ยท Milder than Seoul, bright, few crowds
How much
Backpacker
โฌ45
per day
Comfort
โฌ110
per day
Premium
โฌ280
per day
Our tested itinerary
Day-by-day program.
Around
1 h by train ยท Silla kingdom capital, burial mounds and UNESCO-listed Bulguksa temple
1h30 away ยท Scenic port, islands, cable car and the painted lanes of Dongpirang
1h30 away ยท The country's 2nd largest island, coves and a jagged coastline
๐ 2h30 by KTX ยท The capital, royal palaces and trendy districts
FAQ
Marie Laurent โ
ยทSoutheast Asia specialist
Last updated: June 22, 2026.