We finished our South Korea trip in Busan, a city in the south of the country. The city is huge, stretching between mountains and the sea. The metro system is very well developed, but it can take a long time to reach some attractions.
We chose to stay near Haeundae Beach. The main street is full of tourists and shopping stores, but the beach access is definitely worth it and it’s closed to metro station.
3–4 days in Busan are enough to explore the different parts of this sprawling city.
Day 1 – Gwangalli Beach & Igidae Trail
On our first day, we visited Gwangalli Beach. In October, this area is very relaxing, with small shops and cafés along the coast. From there, we walked to the beginning of the Igidae Coastal Trail.
On the way, we found a nice shopping center with restaurants We ate at : Yolk and Talk a healthy café and restaurant far from korean food. The Igidae Trail takes 1–2 hours to walk along the seaside, offering beautiful views of the city. We started at this point : Igidae. There are many stairs, but the trail is well maintained. To return, you can take a bus. We really loved this trail — it’s one of the highlights of Busan.
Day 2 – Songdo Bay Cable Car & Gamcheon Culture Village
On our second day, we took the bus to Songdo Bay Cable Car Station. The cable car costs about €15 round trip and offers stunning views of the city. At the top, there is a small park and a viewpoint with unobstructed city views.
After that, we took another bus to Gamcheon Culture Village, a cultural area built on a hillside. This village was once a shantytown settled by war refugees, but the government transformed it into a colorful cultural village with street art and artistic houses. The view from the top is incredible.
The main street is very touristy, but if you walk toward Jagalchi Market, you can explore quieter streets on the other side of the hill. The walk down offers typical streets and beautiful city views.
Next, we visited Jagalchi Market and Nampo-dong Dried Fish Wholesale Market, both historic sites. These markets were traditionally managed by women during the war, and you can still see them selling fresh seafood today. The sunset light there is magical, though it’s better to come in the morning if you want to try the food.
Day 3 – Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
On our last day, we visited Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a stunning seaside temple. It’s a very popular tourist spot, so it’s best to arrive early.
You can also explore the Haeundae Blueline Park at Gudeokpo Station, but we didn’t have time to try.
I think Busan is my favourite city in South Korea, with its historic setting surrounded by the sea and mountains.
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