Skywalks, beaches and (naked!) spas: A 3 day Busan itinerary

When planning a trip to South Korea, most visitors only focus on Seoul—big mistake!

Sure there’s tons to do in and around the energetic capital, but if you’re looking for more of a ‘vacation’ versus ‘sightseeing’ and want to see a slightly less commercialized side of the country then you should definitely slot in some time for Busan.

Spoiler alert: we absolutely loved it.

Busan is a coastal city on Korea’s southeastern shores boasting golden beaches, scenic waterfront walks and bustling ports.

Home to more than three million people making it the country’s second-largest city, you’ll still find glittering skyscrapers, rush hour traffic and lively street markets here, but once you’re out of the downtown core rainbow-hued villages, temples and traditional (read: naked!) Korean spas await.

It’s much easier to get around here compared to Seoul and lots of attractions are grouped together—which is especially helpful when travelling with kids—and it felt like we were a bit more immersed in Korean culture here without it being too overwhelming.

Our family spent 3 days in Busan plus a day trip to nearby Gyeongju, which was enough to see the main highlights and still have a bit of downtime.

That said, we packed our days pretty full and still didn’t see everything, so a four or five day trip is better for those wanting time to properly relax at the beach or spa, or explore sites around the outskirts of the city.

Here’s how to make the most of a 3 day Busan itinerary, from sky-high views to quirky attractions.

Day 1: Songdo Beach and Huinnyeoul Culture Village

Huinnyeoul Culture Village

Huinnyeoul Culture Village is described as ‘The Santorini of Busan’ thanks to its pastel streetscapes framed by the seemingly-endless sea, and there are some cute shops and cafes to duck into. Stroll back along the waterfront Jeoryeong Coastal Walk.

Songdo Beach

Next, head to Songdo Beach which is a 10 minute drive away. A wide promenade arches around the golden sand, and every morning you’ll see locals here bright and early for a sunrise walk, refreshing swim or SUP session.

There are a few restaurants and coffee shops lining the strip, which is peaceful and quiet in springtime but gets much busier during the summer months.

While the water is icy cold, the dazzling, soft sand on this man made beach is the perfect spot for sunbathing.

Busan Air Cruise

Songdo Beach is where you’ll find the entrance to the Songdo Sea Cable Car (also called the Busan Air Cruise), which is one of the top things to do in Busan and was one of our favourite stops.

Colourful cable cars glide along a cable suspended 86 metres above the Songdo Sea, linking the beach to Songdo Sky Park.

The views looking down at the craggy cliffs and towards the park are glorious, especially if you spring for a ride in one of the Crystal cars which has a transparent floor which I definitely recommend. Click here to book

There’s lots to see when you arrive at the park, like walking across the Songdo Yonggung Cloud Bridge, a play area for kids and peaceful forested trails leading to lookout points with city views.

There are also Frankenstein statues and giant dinosaurs, and I’m still not totally sure why they were incorporated into the site design but they sure make for some quirky photo-ops!

Keep an eye out for the Dragon of Wishes near the entrance; legend has it that there once was a dragon living in a holy place of the Songdo Sea that was believed to make your wish come true. This replica was fashioned out of 165 layers of steel plates to mimic the movement of a swaying dragon, with 10,754 holes in the body to hang the plates of the dragon scales.

The idea is that if you write your wish on the dragon scale and put it on the body, the dragon will grant your wish (or at the very least, take your money *wink*).

We had a bit of a fail here: we took the cable car in late afternoon which was amazing for photos, then spent about an hour leisurely strolling through the park. We arrived at the entrance to the cloud bridge at 5:31 PM, and found out it closes at 5:30 despite the park being open for several hours longer! So learn from our mistake, and head to the bridge straight away before exploring the park.

Globe Guide note: The Songdo Yonggung Cloud Bridge is closed on the first and third Mondays of each month.

Songdo Cloud Walk

After riding the cable car back, end the day by walking over the 365-metre-long Songdo Cloud Walk (or Songdo Skywalk) which has a clear glass floor to peer straight down at the swirling surf.

Day 2: Gamcheon Culture Village, Nampo-dong

Gamcheon Culture Village

Start the next day of your itinerary for Busan in Gamcheon Culture Village, a fascinating, picturesque neighbourhood famous for its sea of colourful homes stacked like staircases into the hillside.

Originally built for refugees of the Korean war, residents of this village live closely with and care for one another while preserving their cultural traditions.

Each home was built not to block the view of the house in front, and the result is a photo-worthy kaleidoscope of houses with oh-so-many stairs.

The top section is lined with souvenir shops, cafes, dessert bars and lookout points (hanbok rentals are popular here), which gets very busy so try to arrive first thing in the morning to beat the tour groups.

While Gamcheon is now a major tourist draw and one of the top attractions in Busan, there are many signs reminding visitors to be quiet and respectful as they walk through the neighbourhoods.

It also helps to stick to one of the recommended routes outlined on maps which are available to grab at the main entrance, since the streets are a bit of a maze.

As you make your way down the village, the streets become quieter and you’ll get a glimpse of what real life is like here while peering down narrow laneways and admiring the bright facades.

Don’t miss the Stairs to See Stars, a steep staircase with 148 stairs which got it name because villagers used to feel dizzy and ‘see stars’ in their eyes as they climbed up with heavy loads. I definitely recommend going down these, instead of up!

Globe Guide tip: Budget at least a couple of hours to explore Gamcheon, and leave the stroller at home in favour of a baby carrier if required.

Nampo-dong

Hop in a taxi for the short drive to Nampo-dong, a fun downtown district lined with Korean restaurants, food markets, a cinema and the Gwangbokro Fashion Street which has clothing and K-Beauty stores like Olive Young.

Grab lunch in BIFF Square (its name comes from the ‘Busan International Film Festival’ which is held here each year) to nosh on street eats like chicken and beef skewers, glazed strawberries and Ssiat Hotteok, a sweet pancake stuffed with seeds.

Busan Tower

From here it’s a short walk up to Yongdusan Park and its crown jewel, the Busan Tower.

Standing at 120 metres tall, the tower offers panoramic, birds-eye views of the city, bridges, harbour and Yeongdo Island from its observatory. The views are so stunning, that every single person I watched had the same initial jaw-dropping reaction when stepping out of the elevator.

There are also a few interactive experiences on the lower flowers, a cafe, gift shop, snack bar, and nightly ‘fireworks mapping show’ where graphics are projected onto the windows against the colourful night view of Busan Port Bridge.

Day 3: Haeundae

The Haeundae district is one of the city’s most touristy spots for good reason: along with its sprawling beach, lively promenade, hotels and restaurants, it hosts some of the best things to do in Busan from spas to food markets to sky-high lookouts.

Haeundae Beach attractions

Haeundae Beach gets absolutely packed in the summer months when sunbathers converge on its large swath of sand under a sea of colourful umbrellas.

There are usually a few beach volleyball games in full swing, and if you time your visit around the annual Haeundae Sand Festival you’ll get to admire the impressive sand carvings lining the coast.

Families may want to duck into the SEALIFE Busan Aquarium along the promenade, which has interactive displays to teach little ones about the underwater world while getting a close up look at the likes of sharks, turtles, otters and penguins.

CLUBD OASIS 

My sister used to live near Busan, and when she found out we were visiting the first thing she recommended is going to a traditional Korean spa. Not just for the relaxation, but for the somewhat eye-opening and definitely memorable experience.

Busan is famous for its spa culture thanks to its abundance of natural hot springs, especially in Haeundae and Dongnae where the springs date back to the Silla dynasty.

The water is rich in minerals which are said to help with skin conditions, circulation and stress relief, and Busan has some of Korea’s largest and most luxurious jjimjilbangs (Korean-style bathhouses).

Spa Land Centum City is one of Korea’s most famous jjimjilbangs, boasting 13 themed rooms, 22 hot spring baths and relaxation zones. It’s located inside the world’s largest department store called Shinsegae Centum City, which is a 10 minute drive from the Haeundae area.

However, we opted to visit CLUBD Oasis instead which is located right along the beach since it’s family-friendly: yes, we brought our baby to the spa!

The multi-level complex bills itself as an urban wellness hot spring, boasting a huge waterpark complete with an outdoor waterslide, multiple hot pools and saunas overlooking the beach. There’s also a salt room, ice room, walking foot bath and lots of relaxation areas, making it easy to spend several hours here.

There are different ticket prices depending on if you want to just visit the spa area or enjoy the waterpark too.

As a foreigner it can be a bit tricky to navigate ‘spa etiquette’ in South Korea. Here are a few tips:

• The separate change rooms for men and women each have a traditional Korean spa inside, which means you’ll have to strip down to your birthday suit if you want to enjoy a soak.
• The rest of the facilities are shared by everyone, and you’ll wear your regular swimsuit in the pools.
• Spa clothes are provided at the entrance, which everyone is required to wear unless they’re in the water.
• There’s a ‘shoe locker’ at the front entrance: lock your outdoor shoes in these, as everyone walks around barefoot past this point.

Busan Sky Capsule

One of the best things to do in Busan is found here in Haeundae: riding the Instagram-worthy Sky Capsule.

These cute and colourful pods glide along an elevated track through Haeundae Blueline Park, with each curve revealing breathtaking ocean vistas, craggy cliffs and great shots of other capsules as they pass by.

The ride from Mipo Station to Cheongsapo Station takes about half an hour, and you can take the beach train back or enjoy the scenic walk along the stroller-friendly, flat boardwalk like we did and make a pit stop at the Haewol Skywalk.

Check out this post about the Busan Sky Capsule for full details including where to find the two skywalks, why you absolutely need to reserve tickets in advance, and how to get to the spectacular Haedong Yonggungsa Temple afterwards.

BUSAN X the SKY

One of the top things to do in Busan at night is head up to BUSAN X the SKY, which is housed in Korea’s second tallest skyscraper (the 411-metre-high Haeundae L City Landmark Tower) and has the country’s largest observatory.

From the 98, 99 and 100th floor observation decks, visitors have astounding views of Haeundae, the ocean, mountain ranges, port, Haeundae Blueline Park and Dongbaekseon Island through the panoramic windows and glass floor. The elevator ride up takes less than a minute, and there are also restaurants, cafes art displays, evening light shows and even the world’s highest Starbucks found on the 99th floor. Click here to book

Globe Guide tip: Some visitors say the best photo spots are actually in the bathrooms! 

Tours in Busan

I’m usually a big fan of organized tours (especially when travelling solo), but the transit and taxi system in Busan is so organized and affordable that we were able to easily sightsee on our own even with a baby.

That said, guided tours are a good way to understand more about the history and significance of certain sites, and squeeze a lot of stops into one day. Some of the most popular tours in Busan are:

Book with GetYourGuide

I highly recommend picking up a Visit Busan pass to save money on attractions, which can be purchased online or picked up in Busan at the airport, train station, select hotels or shops. Mobile and physical cards are both available: the physical ones also work as a transportation card after loading money on it. Reserve here

Day trips from Busan to Gyeongju

As mentioned, we took a day trip to Gyeongju since it’s only a 30 minute train ride between the cities. However, we kind of wish we’d stayed overnight since there’s a lot to see, sites are quite spread out which requires lots of walking, and some of the landmarks are best seen when they’re lit up at night.

With three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, temples, colourful pagodas, tombs and fortresses dating back to the Silla Kingdom in the 700s, Gyeongju is one of the best places to go in South Korea to learn more about its long history and traditions.

The city feels like a living museum, boasting the world’s only granite-carved grotto (Seokguram Grotto), rock carved and golden Buddhas, and Yangdong Village which gives visitors a fascinating glimpse into what life was like in Korean villages half a century ago.

Almost every building in Gyeongju has the traditional hanok roof, and one of its top attractions is Bulguska Temple.

The UNESCO-designated site was built in 774, serving as a centre of Silla Buddhism. After being burned down by Japanese invaders in 1593, it was painstakingly rebuilt and today holds two stone pagodas, Anyangmun gate, a seated gilt bronze Amitabha statue and the seated gilt bronze Vairocana statue. The grounds are also one of the most popular places to see cherry blossoms during spring.

Visit Yangdong Village or Bulguska Temple, then make your way back into the historic centre to see Gyeongju’s other highlights which include:

• Daereungwon Royal Tombs
• Hwangnidan-gil, where traditional hanok architecture blends with trendy shops
• Cheomseongdae Observatory
• Woljeong Bridge
• Donggung Palace, which is breathtaking in the evening when its buildings are lit up and reflect off Wolji Pond

This section of the Visit Korea site has a helpful overview of all the different landmarks.

Getting to Gyeongju from Busan

From Busan you can either drive, take an express bus or a train. Parking can be a bit tricky so most visitors opt to take public transportation, and where you’re staying in Busan will determine if you should hop on the bus or train.

The express bus station is right in the historic tourist zone; while the KTX is faster and only costs about $10 each way, the train station is on the outskirts of the city so you’ll still need to take a taxi or bus to get to the touristy areas.

Another option is to book a guided day trip from Busan, which takes guests straight to all of Gyeongju’s main sites and lasts into the evening to see the temples illuminated. The only reason we didn’t do this is because we weren’t sure our baby could handle such a long day, but I’d definitely recommend this option otherwise.

Book with GetYourGuide

Where to stay in Busan

Fairfield by Marriott Busan Songdo Beach

I truly can’t say enough great things about this hotel–and that’s coming from someone who has stayed in countless properties in nearly 100 countries around the globe.

Fairfield by Marriott Busan Songdo Beach overlooks Songdo Beach, just steps from the Songdo Cloud Trails, Busan Air Cruise and a row of cafes and restaurants. Most rooms have incredible views of the glistening bay and cable cars gliding by all day long (which are lit up at night), as do the sky-high restaurant and rooftop deck.

The hotel’s location is absolute perfection for sightseeing around Busan, since it’s only a 10-20 minute drive to landmarks like Busan Tower, the Gamcheon and Huinnyeoul culture villages, BIFF square and the main train/bus stations.

While some people might recommend staying in the livelier, touristy Haeunde area, it requires more travel time to get everywhere else and we were happy to return to the peace and quiet of Songdo Beach after a day of sightseeing instead.

Our jaws absolutely dropped when we checked into our room: the views from the floor-to-ceiling windows are absolutely incredible and made it feel like we were right on the water.

The sprawling suite was sleek and modern, with luxe touches like a deep soaker tub, separate shower and cozy king size bed. This room type is an incredible setup for families like ours, with a primary bedroom and ensuite bathroom, and a separate living room (where our daughter slept) with a couch, table, mini-bar, small fridge, closet and second half-bathroom.

Both rooms have their own TV and fabulous views, and I loved the oversize lounger built into the primary bedroom. It was the perfect spot to relax while our baby safely played on the soft cushions, while enjoying the view of the cable cars and beach without feeling like we were missing any of the action.

The Fairfield is ideal for longer stays as well with laundry facilities, a fitness centre and on-site parking, including complimentary valet service. Staff were lovely and accommodating anytime we had questions, and lightning-fast the few times that we ordered room service.

Speaking of dining, the on-site Songdo Kitchen is fantastic and located on the highest floor of the hotel which makes for dramatic views.

Every morning a buffet-style breakfast with a good mix of American and Asian cuisine is served (don’t miss the signature long-boiled ‘Seolleongtang’ and traditional Bibimbap), and Marriott Bonvoy members can enjoy complimentary breakfast for one child when breakfast is reserved for two adults per room.

Lunch, dinner and cocktails are also served, and we were also lucky enough to enjoy a fantastic dinner there during the soft glow of sunset, indulging in a juicy tenderloin steak sliced tableside by the chef.

Overall, our exceptional stay at the Fairfield was one of the top highlights of our trip to Korea, with the laid-back vibe and scenic surroundings really making it feel like a vacation. Click here to book

How to get from Seoul to Busan

While Busan is on the opposite end of the country from Seoul, Korea’s lightning-fast bullet train system means it only takes a few hours to get between the cities. Busan is well-connected by land, sea and air, and options include:

KTX High-Speed Train

• Duration: Around 2.5 to 3 hours
• Cost: ₩59,800 for standard class, one-way (about $50)
• Frequency: Departs every 15-20 minutes from Seoul Station to Busan Station
• Best for: Speed and comfort; direct and scenic ride

SRT (Super Rapid Train)

• Duration: About 2 hours 30 minutes
• Cost: From ₩52,600, one-way
• Departs from: Suseo Station in southern Seoul
• Best for: Southern Seoul residents looking for slightly cheaper tickets

Driving

• Duration: 4.5 to 5.5 hours depending on traffic along the Gyeongbu Expressway (No. 1)
• Cost: Approx. ₩30,000 each way for tolls, plus gas
• Best for: Road trips with stops along the way

Domestic flight

• Duration: 1 hour flight time
• Cost: From ₩30,000–₩80,000 depending on airline and season
• Airports: Depart from Gimpo Airport (Seoul) to Gimhae Airport (Busan)
• Transfers: 30-40 minutes from Gimhae Airport to central Busan by train
• Best for: Those catching a connecting international flight

Intercity bus

• Duration: 4-5 hours
• Cost: From ₩23,000 for standard seat; ₩35,000 for premium
• Frequency: Buses leave hourly from Seoul Express Bus Terminal and Nambu Terminal
• Best for: Budget travelers, or those stopping in Gyeongju en route

Cruise ship

There are a couple of areas that cruise ships dock in: the Busan International Cruise Terminal is in Yeongdo-gu with easy access to the city via taxi or public transport, while the other is close to downtown near the main bus and train station.

There are also sightseeing tours catering to cruise ship guests on tight timelines to maximize time in Busan.

Book with Viator

Tips to note for a Busan travel itinerary

Despite being a highly-developed country, there are some key differences when it comes to tech that may trip up even the most seasoned travellers. First, Google Maps and Apple Maps barely work here; instead you’ll need to download and use an app called Naver for navigation.

While credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants and by most taxis, they won’t work on public transit like buses. Instead, you’ll need to buy and load up a T-Money card at a transport hub or convenience store.

These are just a couple of examples of little quirks you’ll need to know before your visit to Busan: check out this article about helpful things you need to know before travelling to South Korea for all the details.

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