Skip to content
CoreandaDiscover hidden Korea
Illustration: Busan
Metropolitan city · southeast coast

Busan 부산

Mountains, beaches and Korea's biggest port

4 places3 local dishes

Why go

Busan is Korea's second city and its great port. Houses climb the hills almost down to the sea, and in one afternoon you can go from a beach to a fish market to a neighborhood painted in bright colors. During the Korean War it was the temporary capital and took in huge numbers of refugees, a history you can still taste in its food.

Getting there

KTX from Seoul Station to Busan Station, approx. 2 hours 30 minutes; the fastest trains take a little less. There are also flights of approx. 1 hour from Gimpo Airport to Gimhae Airport.

Travel times are approximate. Verified in October 2026.

What to see

  1. Gamcheon Culture Village

    감천문화마을 Gamcheon Munhwa Maeul

    Pastel houses stepped up the hillside, which is why it is called the Machu Picchu of Korea. Korean War refugees built it, and since 2009 students, artists and residents have filled it with murals and sculptures. Entry is free, but people live here, so respect their peace.

  2. Haeundae Beach

    해운대해수욕장 Haeundae Haesuyokjang

    Korea's most famous beach, wide and pale, about a 10 minute walk from Haeundae Station on subway Line 2. It is packed in summer; in autumn it is perfect for a sunset walk.

  3. Jagalchi Market

    자갈치시장 Jagalchi Sijang

    Busan's most iconic fish market. On the ground floor you pick live fish, and on the second floor they prepare it for you. The rooftop deck looks over the harbor and Yeongdo Island.

  4. Taejongdae Park

    태종대 Taejongdae

    Colorful rock cliffs and thick forest at the southern tip of Yeongdo Island. A little train loops through the park, and on clear days the lookout shows Japan's Tsushima Island. Below stands Yeongdo Lighthouse, lit since 1906.

What to eat

  1. Dwaeji-gukbap Pork and rice soup

    돼지국밥 dwaeji-gukbap

    A thick, milky broth of pork bones with sliced pork and rice. You season it at the table with salted shrimp and chives. It is the dish that best represents Busan.

  2. Milmyeon Cold wheat noodles

    밀면 milmyeon

    Wheat flour noodles in cold broth or spicy sauce. They are said to have been born when refugees from the north adapted their cold noodles to the flour available during the war. Perfect in summer.

  3. Eomuk Fish cake

    어묵 eomuk

    Fried fish paste, on skewers or in a hot broth. Busan is famous for its eomuk, and you find it in almost every market.

Best time to go

Late spring to autumn. Summer is beach season, and between September and October the city usually holds several festivals, including the Busan International Film Festival.

Tip

Jagalchi Market opens from 5:00 to 22:00 and closes on the first and third Tuesday of each month, and the Danubi train at Taejongdae does not run on Mondays (verified in October 2026). For Gamcheon, take subway Line 1 to Goejeong Station, use Exit 6 and ride the Saha 1 or Saha 1-1 village bus to Gamjeong Elementary School.

Sources