Last updated on March 6, 2024 by Krysti
Planning a day trip to Busan? Then look no further! Because I’ve got you covered with this ultimate one day Busan Itinerary!
Known for its stunning beaches, incredible seafood, rich culture, and unforgettable coastal scenery, Busan is one of South Korea’s top destinations – and a city that I highly recommend.
I recently traveled to Korea for the first time and spent a few days exploring Busan. While I knew little about the city prior to my arrival, I was immediately blown away by its diversity and uniqueness.
From its captivating coastlines to its rugged mountains and vibrant city landscapes, there really is something for everyone here.
And while I do believe this city deserves more than one day of your time, sometimes that just isn’t possible. So, how do you explore Busan in one day? Where should you go? What should you do?
We’ll discuss all this and more as we plan out the perfect Busan itinerary for 1 day.
Best Time to Visit Busan
For pleasant weather and clear skies, the best time to visit Busan is either in the spring or the fall.
I personally went to Busan in October and absolutely loved it!
While we arrived too early for the fall foliage, the weather was still great. It was comfortable, sunny, dry, and perfect in just about every way. And it also wasn’t too crowded – which was a definite bonus.
You can expect similar weather conditions during the spring season. However, the presence of cherry blossoms does mean you’re likely to encounter more crowds.
Cherry blossom season is peak travel for Busan, so March and April tend to be quite busy.
Summer is another great option if you’re a fan of the ocean. Temperatures are the hottest and most humid around this time of the year, so it’s perfect beach weather.
That being said, summer is when also Busan experiences the most rain. So keep that in mind if you opt to travel during this time.
Finally, winter is another option to consider, if you don’t mind a bit of cold weather. While it does get quite chilly, especially in January and February, the city sees little to no snow. So you won’t have to worry too much about weather disruptions.
Typhoon Season in Busan
It’s important to note that Korea experiences a typhoon season. And when storms hit, Busan is especially vulnerable, given its location along the country’s southern coast.
While typhoons can technically occur anytime between April and November, the most active months for storms are August and September.
If you plan to travel during the typhoon season, it’s best keep an eye on the weather and be flexible with your plans in the event of a weather disruption. It may also be worth it to purchase travel insurance, especially if you intend to visit Busan in August or September.
How to Get to Busan
The city of Busan is located along the southeastern coast of Korea, about 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
Since you’re only visiting for a day, chances are you will be traveling from another nearby destination in Korea.
If this is the case, then I highly recommend taking the Korean Express Train (KTX) to Busan Station. This is typically the fastest and easiest way to reach the city.
To give you a few examples, it only takes about 2.5 hours to travel from Seoul to Busan by KTX. Meanwhile, the travel time from Daejeon to Busan is approximately 1.5 hours and from Gyeongju it’s about half an hour – again, both by KTX.
If, for some reason, you opt to fly into the city, you’ll want to arrive at Gimhae International Airport (PUS).
This is the closest airport to Busan. It’s located about 15 minutes outside of the city center by taxi or car.
Pro Tip: Tickets for the KTX can be purchased up to one month in advance from the official Korail website. You can buy single one-way tickets or a discounted Korail Pass. This pass allows for unlimited rides on KTX trains to more than 600 stations over a specified period of time.
How to Get Around Busan
Public buses are a common mode of transportation in South Korea.
The city of Busan is quite spread out, so it can take a while to get from Point A to Point B. And since you only have one day in the city, I highly recommend relying on taxis for most, if not all, of your transit needs.
While public transportation in Busan is very convenient and reliable, it simply isn’t as fast as a taxi or a car. And in your case, it’s best to spend as little time in transit as possible.
That being said, if you opt to travel by public transport, you should have no problem getting around. There’s an extensive network of subways and buses that you can utilize to reach most of the city and surrounding areas.
Just be aware that you may not have enough time to see everything included on this itinerary, as the attractions are quite dispersed.
To ride on public transportation, you will need to obtain a T-Money Card. This is a reloadable transportation pass that provides access to most forms of public transit in Korea.
In short, this means that you can use the card for local trains, buses, and subways in cities all across the country.
T-Money Cards can be purchased from convenience stores and subway and bus stations. Likewise, they can be topped up at specified kiosks in most subway and bus stations.
Pro Tip: If you plan to utilize taxis, be sure to download the Kakao T transit app before you arrive in Busan. This Korean travel app allows users to hail taxis quickly and conveniently.
Map of Busan
To help you plan your trip, here’s a quick map overview of all the destinations mentioned in this 1 day Busan itinerary.
If you’d like to view an interactive version of this map, click here!
Busan 1 Day Itinerary: An Overview
Don’t have time to read the article in full? Here’s a quick recap of my suggested itinerary for one day in Busan.
- Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: Considered to be the most beautiful temple in Korea, Haedong Yonggungsa is a historic destination located right on the coast.
- Blueline Park: Spanning 4.8 kilometers along Busan’s coast, Blueline Park offers incredible vistas via its Beach Train and Sky Capsule.
- Haeundae Beach: Busan’s most famous beach, Haeundae, is a great place to swim, relax, and enjoy the views.
- Gamcheon Culture Village: Dubbed the Machu Picchu of Korea, Gamcheon is a community of brightly colored homes built into the mountainside.
- Busan’s Street Markets: Korean street food is incredible, and the best place to sample it in Busan is at the street markets.
Busan 1 Day Itinerary: Explained
On that note, let’s dive in and discuss in detail the perfect Busan itinerary for 1 day. Since you’re limited on time, I’ve jam-packed this itinerary with the city’s most popular attractions, as well as a few alternatives for you to consider. Feel free to pick and choose and adapt this itinerary as you see fit!
Pro Tip: Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is farthest from the city center, so I recommend beginning your Busan itinerary here. Then, you can work your way down the coast towards the inner city attractions.
Visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Situated along Busan’s northeastern coast, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is an incredibly scenic and historic destination.
Dating back to 1376, this Buddhist temple features a 7-story pagoda, numerous sanctuary halls, an elaborately decorated bridge, and countless statues, including that of a golden Buddha.
In addition to this, Haedong Yonggungsa is built right into the rocky shoreline and offers unforgettable vistas of the ocean and surrounding landscape. There are even a couple of lookout points spread throughout the temple complex that provide great panoramic views.
While you’re here, be sure to also check out the vendors that line the road to Haedong Yonggungsa. Many of them sell unique souvenirs and tasty street food.
Take in the Views at Blueline Park
The Sky Capsule at Blueline Park in Busan.
Haeundae Blueline Park is another great spot for views of Busan’s spectacular coastline.
Spanning 4.8 kilometers along the shoreline, this park is home to a scenic railway line that offers incredible vistas of the seaside landscape.
You can hop aboard the Beach Train, which travels the entire length of the park. Or take in the views from above on the Sky Capsule.
While the Sky Capsule travels between Mipo Station and Cheongsapo Station, the train goes farther along the coast to Songjeong Station.
Tickets for both can be purchased online up to two weeks in advance. It’s best to plan ahead and reserve your spot as early as possible, as tickets are known to sell out quickly!
Pro Tip: If you’re coming from Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, I recommend catching the train at Songjeong Station or the Sky Capsule at Cheongsapo Station. Both will end at Mipo Station, which is within walking distance to Haeundae Beach.
Discover Haeundae Beach
Encompassing 1.5 kilometers of white sandy shores, Haeundae is Busan’s most famous beach.
Of course, swimming is popular here during the summer months. But the beach is also home to numerous attractions such as the Sea Life Busan Aquarium, Brickman Exhibit, and Busan X the Sky.
In addition to this, you’ll find several restaurants, hotels, bars, and coffee shops located along the beach. There are even a number of events that take place here, including live concerts, festivals, and cultural celebrations.
Please note: Swimming at Haeundae Beach is only permitted during the summer, from the end of June through August.
Explore Gamcheon Culture Village
Situated along the slopes of a nearby mountain, Gamcheon Culture Village is one of Busan’s most popular and colorful attractions.
It was initially built as a shanty town of sorts for Korean War refugees in the 1950s. However, in 2009, the city, along with local artists, students, and residents, launched the Village Art Project.
This massive undertaking resulted in a complete transformation, as paintings, murals, and colorful statues overtook the village.
Today, the village is renowned for its colorful landscapes, cute cafes, and unique boutique stores.
Indulge at Busan’s Street Markets
Korean street food cart with fish cakes and tteokbokki.
While in Busan, you definitely want to take some time to sample your way through one or two of the city’s famous street markets.
There are several for you to choose from; however, these are some of the most popular:
- Jagalchi Fish Market: This is Korea’s largest seafood market – and one of the most popular markets in Busan. Here, you can hand-pick your seafood on the ground floor and then pay to have it cooked in a restaurant upstairs.
- Gukje Market: As one of the largest markets in Korea, Gukje is home to a variety of vendors. In addition to clothing and souvenirs, you can also purchase a wide array of delectable Korean street food.
- Bupyeong Kkangtong Market: A shopping market by day, Bupyeong transforms into a food market at night. Here, you’ll find a variety of local bites, including chicken skewers, rice cakes, grilled lobsters, kimbap, and fish cakes.
- BIFF Square: In addition to being the main venue for the Busan International Film Festival, BIFF Square is also home to an array of street food vendors. Popular dishes here include Ssiat Hotteok (sweet pancakes), Korean dumplings, and tteokbokki (simmered rice cakes).
How to Make the Most of Your 1 Day Busan Itinerary
Downtown Busan at night.
Here are a few tips and tricks to help you make the most of your Busan 1 day itinerary.
Arrive Early & Stay Late
Arrive as early as you can and stay as late as you can. Or even better, spend the night in Busan, if at all possible. This will help you maximize your time in the city and will provide you with more opportunities for sightseeing.
Don’t Overpack Your Day
There’s a lot to do in Busan. And truth be told, you won’t be able to experience it all in one day. So don’t try to. Pick a few things that really interest you and go with it. You’ll enjoy the city much more if you aren’t constantly rushing around from place to place.
Book Attractions in Advance
Some attractions in Busan, like the Blueline Sky Capsule, book up quickly. So plan ahead and get your tickets in advance. You’re only there for one day, so you only have one shot to see the sites. Don’t miss out because you forgot to purchase your tickets ahead of time.
Opt to Travel By Taxi
The city of Busan is pretty spread out, so getting around can be quite time-consuming. While public transportation is widely and readily available, sometimes it’s easier and faster to take a taxi. And, honestly, taxis aren’t very expensive. So, definitely keep them in mind as a valid option.
Pro Tip: At the very least, take a taxi to and from Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. This will save you so much time and effort!
Plan Out Meals Ahead of Time
Don’t spend precious moments of your visit trying to decide where to go and what to eat. Believe me – this can take up a lot of time, and you don’t have much to spare. Instead, look up restaurants in Busan beforehand and have a list ready to go. Better yet, make reservations in advance so you aren’t stuck waiting for a table.
Join A Busan Day Trip Tour
If you’re worried about the logistics of planning a day trip to Busan, you can instead opt to join a guided tour. There are several for you to choose from, although they don’t include transportation to Busan. So, just be aware of that.
Here are a few popular options for you to consider:
- Busan One Day Tour: Gamcheon Culture Village, Haeundae Blueline Park
- Busan One Day City Tour: Haeundae Sky Capsule, Yacht
- Small Group Full Day Busan Tour (Max 6 pax)
- Busan Private Tour: Tailored Experiences for your Group Only
- Busan Full Day City Tour
Other Things to Do in Busan
Photo of Busan Air Cruise by Ayesha Naseem via Pexels.
Interested in adjusting or even extending this Busan 1 day itinerary? You can swap in or add some of these other popular attractions.
- Hwangnyeongsan Mountain Observatory: Set 427 meters above sea level, the Hwangnyeongsan Mountain Observatory offers incredible views overlooking Busan City. The observatory is accessible by car, or you can hike up if you prefer.
- Gwangalli Beach: Another popular beach in Busan, Gwangalli is most famous for the night views it offers of Gwangan Bridge. If you time your visit right, you may even witness one of the beach’s incredible drone shows.
- Busan Air Cruise: The Busan Air Cruise is a cable car experience that travels across Songdo Bay to Songdo Sky Park. Along the way, you’ll be treated to incredible views of the city and coastal landscape.
- Songdo Cloud Walk: Spanning 365 meters, Songdo Cloud Walk is a boardwalk that travels out into the middle of Songdo Bay. The bridge features glass flooring so that visitors can catch a glimpse of the ocean below.
- Yongdusan Park: Situated on Yongdusan Mountain, this famous park is home to several attractions, including Busan Diamond Tower, Chunghontap Pagoda, and the Citizen’s Bell. In addition to this, you’ll find a number of walking trails that wind through the park’s lush vegetation.
What to Eat in Busan
Korean BBQ spread in Busan.
Food in Korea is incredible – and Busan is no exception! There are so many delicious dishes to try, but you won’t have time to sample them all. So here’s a quick breakdown of the top can’t-miss foods in Busan.
- Seafood: As the largest port city in Korea, Busan offers the best and freshest seafood in the country. You can find almost everything here, including lobster, crab, octopus, eel, and a wide variety of fish.
- Ssiat Hotteok: Hotteok is a sweet Korean pancake that is typically filled with a mix of sugar and cinnamon. In Busan, however, it’s known as ssiat hotteok, and it’s filled with a variety of seeds, such as pine nuts, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds.
- Korean BBQ: At Korean BBQ restaurants, you’ll have the opportunity to grill your own meat. Typically, gas or charcoal grills are built into tables, and patrons can order from an extensive menu that features different cuts of beef, chicken, and pork. Alongside this, you’ll also be offered a variety of traditional sides and vegetables.
- Tteokbokki: A popular street food in Korea, tteokbokki is essentially chewy rice cakes that are cooked in a red sauce. Eggs and fish cakes are also sometimes added in.
- Fish Cakes: Served on sticks, fish cakes are a mixture of minced fish filets combined with vegetables and spices. They are boiled, steamed, or fried and can be found at most street food markets.
Where to Stay in Busan
Haeundae Beach is a popular place to stay in Busan.
If you have the time to do so, I highly recommend spending the night in Busan. Not only will it provide you with more time to explore the city, but you’re also likely to feel less rushed. For those interested, I’ve included below some of the most popular places to stay in Busan for one night.
- Haeundae Beach: Perfect for those who love the beach, Haeundae is a lively, upscale neighborhood that offers a variety of amenities. From restaurants to department stores, cafes, bars, clubs, and popular attractions, you can find just about everything here.
- Nampo: Known for its shopping and street food, Nampo offers a vibrant, bustling atmosphere. It’s also situated close to Busan’s old downtown area, so it offers more of a historic vibe.
- Gwangalli Beach: A more affordable option than Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli is home to a number of budget-friendly hotels, cozy cafes, and comfortable restaurants. Popular among families and backpackers alike, the neighborhood offers a more laid-back vibe.
- Seomyeon: While the neighborhood of Seomyeon is a bit out of the way for this itinerary, it’s still a great spot to consider if you’re interested in seeing the urban side of Busan. Located in the heart of the city, Seomyeon is home to countless shops, restaurants, bars, hotels, and other urban amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Planning an Itinerary for Busan
Here are my thoughts on some commonly asked questions about planning a Busan itinerary for 1 day.
Is Busan Worth Visiting?
Without a doubt, Busan is definitely worth visiting! As Korea’s second largest city and its main port city, Busan has so much to offer. From its incredible scenery to its stunning beaches, entertaining attractions, vibrant urban atmosphere, and delectable seafood, Busan is as diverse as it gets. No Korea itinerary would be complete without a visit to this iconic destination!
Can I Do Busan in 1 Day?
It’s certainly possible to visit Busan for a day. Just keep in mind that you’ll be a bit more limited in what you can see and do. Busan is a large city with a lot to offer, so you’ll really need to pick and choose the attractions that most interest you. Ideally, I recommend spending 2 to 3 days in the city, but one day is still enough time to hit up Busan’s most popular highlights.
Is Busan Walkable?
Busan can be walkable if you also utilize public transportation. But you won’t simply be able to walk around from place to place. Generally speaking, the city is very spread out, so getting around on your own can be difficult. I recommend that you plan to make use of public transportation and/or taxis during your time in the city.
How Far Is Busan From Seoul?
Busan is located approximately 202 miles southeast of Seoul. It takes about 4 hours to reach the city by car, 2.5 hours by express train, and an hour to fly (not counting check-in and arrival). If you’re planning a day trip to Busan from Seoul, I highly recommend utilizing the Korean Express Train (KTX). It’s typically the easiest, fastest, and most convenient method of transportation when traveling between the two cities.
Is Busan or Seoul Better?
I personally really enjoyed both cities! They each have unique experiences to offer and equally deserve a place on your Korea itinerary. That being said, they do have their differences. As the capital city, Seoul is much bigger and, therefore, home to more urban amenities and attractions. However, Busan is located right on the ocean in a mountainous region. So it tends to be a bit more laid back and offers more opportunities for outdoor excursions.
Final Thoughts: Busan Itinerary 1 Day
So there you have it – my top recommendations for one day in Busan! Hopefully this guide is helpful in planning your own trip to Korea’s largest port city.
Regardless of what you decide to do, you’re sure to have an incredible time. After all, Busan is a unique and diverse destination, one that is sure to never disappoint!
Planning your own Busan itinerary for 1 day? What are you most excited to do? Let me know in the comments below!
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