GoTourist
The colourful hillside houses of Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan

No. 56 Top 100 City Destinations 2025

Busan

South Korea

Korea's big port city of beaches, seaside temples, hillside villages and fresh seafood.

Open in Maps Apple Maps

Photo: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Busan is No. 56 in Euromonitor International's Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025. South Korea's second-largest city and largest port lies on the south-east coast, between mountains and the sea.

It is known for its beaches, seafood markets, temples and colourful hillside neighbourhoods, and it hosts the Busan International Film Festival each October.

Haeundae Beach and its high-rise skyline, Busan
Haeundae Beach and its high-rise skyline, Busan. Photo: bryan..., CC BY-SA 2.0, source

Best time to go

May to June and September to October bring pleasant weather. July and August are the beach season, hot and humid, with a rainy spell.

Winters are milder than in Seoul.

Top sights

  • 1

    Haeundae Beach

    Korea's best-known beach, backed by high-rise towers, with the Dongbaekseom island walk at one end.

  • 2

    Gwangalli Beach

    A beach facing the Gwangan Bridge, which is lit up at night.

  • 3

    Gamcheon Culture Village

    A hillside of brightly painted houses, murals and art installations.

  • 4

    Jagalchi Fish Market

    Korea's largest seafood market; choose your fish downstairs and have it cooked upstairs.

  • 5

    Haedong Yonggungsa

    A Buddhist temple set on rocks right beside the sea.

  • 6

    Beomeosa

    A mountain temple founded over a thousand years ago, on the slopes of Geumjeongsan.

  • 7

    Huinnyeoul Culture Village

    A village of white houses on cliffs above the sea, in Yeongdo.

Getting there

KTX high-speed trains run from Seoul to Busan Station in about 2.5 hours.

Gimhae International Airport (PUS) is west of the city and linked to the metro by light rail.

Getting around

The Busan Metro covers the main sights and beaches; use a T-money card.

Taxis are inexpensive, and city tour buses link the main attractions.

Practical tips

Currency
South Korean won (KRW). Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Language
Korean. Signs on public transport are in English.
Safety
Busan is very safe. Dial 112 for the police and 119 for fire and ambulance; the tourist helpline is 1330.
Visa & entry
Citizens of 22 countries and regions, including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and several EU countries, are exempt from the K-ETA until 31 December 2026 and fill in an e-Arrival card instead. Other visa-free visitors need a K-ETA before boarding. Apply only at k-eta.go.kr.
Power
230 V, 50 Hz; plug types C and F.

Official information: Visit Busan (official tourism website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

Map

Open in Maps View larger map Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors