I have always had a soft spot for Busan. In my twenties (ESL teacher days), it was the place where I saw far too many sunrises, ate convenience store food and slept off hangovers on Haeundae Beach. Those were blurry, glorious weekends, and I regret none of them.
This trip was different. Now that we’re married and supposedly functioning adults, the mission was to find grown-up things to do in Busan. Sightseeing. Quiet corners. Experiences that did not involve soju bombs in dive bars with strangers I met a minute ago. And of course, good food, because priorities.
Jin and I visited last November and gave ourselves two nights and three days to fall back in love with the city. We took the early KTX from Seoul on Sunday, and spent the next few days wandering, eating, and trying to convince ourselves that we still had youthful energy.
Spoiler.
We did not.
This 3 day Busan itinerary is what came out of that trip. If anyone asks me how to spend three days in Busan, this is the version I will happily recommend.
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Quick Practical Info Before You Go
How to Get to Busan
- KTX: Seoul Station → Busan Station in 2-3 hours. Fast and convenient. Book your tickets here.
- Bus: Seoul Express Bus Terminal → Busan Bus Terminal in 4-5 hours. Cheaper but slower. Buy tickets here.
- Air: Busan has an international airport serving destinations like Jeju, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, Shanghai, Taipei, Bangkok, Manila, and Singapore
- Ferry: High-speed ferries between Busan and Hakata (Fukuoka) have been suspended. The only remaining ferry connection between Busan and Fukuoka is the overnight Camellia Line (12 hours sailing, daily departures, tickets)
Getting Around Busan:
- Metro and buses cover the city well.
- Use NAVER Maps for routes and real-time navigation.
- T Money card works on metro and buses. (Most buses are now cashless)
- Check-in luggage not allowed on buses. Subway is safer for suitcases.
- Group nearby attractions to minimise travel.
Where We Stayed:
- Haeundae Youngmu Parade, one block from Haeundae Beach.
- Spacious ensuite double with partial sea view for under $50. Convenient for beach, metro, and restaurants.
How We Planned & Used This 3 Day Busan Itinerary
Busan is a large and spread-out city, but public transport is excellent. When planning this 3-day Busan itinerary, Jin and I sat down with a map to understand how the city fits together and grouped each day by proximity. Jumping randomly between neighbourhoods will quickly eat into your time, especially if you only have a few days.
We arrived by KTX from Seoul at 10:30 on Sunday morning and returned on Tuesday at 20:00. That gave us almost three full days without feeling rushed.
On the first day, we focused on the east side of the city, spending time around Haeundae Beach and visiting Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. Day two was more central, with the Sky Capsule and an evening at Gwangalli Beach. On our final day we explored the west, including Gamcheon Culture Village, Songdo and Jagalchi Market.
On the last day, we checked out of our hotel and left our luggage at Busan Station for 7,000 won per day. It saved us from travelling all the way back to Haeundae just to collect our suitcase.
This itinerary balances Busan’s famous sights with beach walks, excellent food, and enough breathing room to actually enjoy the city. We think it’s perfect for first-timers who want to experience the best of Busan.
Explore More Korea Itineraries
Our 3 Day Busan Itinerary Map
Google Maps does not work well for navigation in South Korea. For getting around, use NAVER Maps. I have linked all locations directly throughout this post. This map is purely to give you a geographical overview.
Day 1 – light blue
Day 2 – red
Day 3 – navy
Day 1: Beach, Temple, Sauna & First Bites
Busan Station → Haeundae Beach → Seafood lunch → Haedong Yonggungsa Temple → Club D Oasis Spa → Haeundae Traditional Market Street food dinner
My Garmin stepcount for the day: 16,019
Arrival in Busan and Check In at Haeundae Beach
We arrived at Busan Station and headed straight for Haeundae Beach. We took a city bus from Busan Station, which took almost an hour and was a good reminder that Busan is large and spread out. It is a beautiful city, but it does not reward impatience.
Our hotel, Haeundae Youngmu Parade, sits just a short walk from the beach and felt like a good decision almost immediately. The room was spacious, the bed was genuinely comfortable, and there was even a partial sea view, which felt generous for the price. We dropped off our suitcase, resisted the urge to lie down, and headed straight back outside.
Haeundae Beach was calm and bright, with blue November skies and seagulls circling like they owned the place. We walked along the sand, shook off the travel stiffness, and agreed that starting our 3 day Busan itinerary by the sea was the correct choice.
Haeundae Beach Naver Map
Lunch at Mipojip Seafood
While I arrived in Busan with a neatly organised list of places to see, Jin arrived with something far more important. An entire NAVER map saved with places to eat. First on that list was Mipojip, a top-rated seafood restaurant just a short walk from Haeundae Beach and the Mipo Sky Capsule station.
We arrived hungry and optimistic, which is always a dangerous combination. We ordered the signature seafood platter, which arrived looking spectacular. The table quickly filled with crab, abalone, octopus, shrimp, salmon, clams and shells, plus twelve different side dishes and a bowl of seaweed soup. It was beautiful, abundant and very photogenic.
Unfortunately, eating it was less exciting. The seafood is not cooked, but soy sauce marinated, a bit like ceviche with an Asian twist. If you love raw seafood, this might be your dream lunch. For us, the flavours and textures felt a little odd, even though we are huge fans of sashimi, and at around 80,000 won, it was a pricey way to discover it wasn’t for us.
Mipojip Naver Maps
Hours: 11:00-15:00, 17:00-21:00
Visiting Haedong Yonggungsa Temple by Bus
After lunch, NAVER Maps directed us to the nearest bus stop. The bus ride to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple took about thirty minutes, gradually trading city streets for coastal views, which felt like a fair exchange. From the bus stop, there is still a fifteen-minute walk to the temple, gently uphill on the way in.
Haedong Yonggungsa’s main claim to fame is its setting. Unlike most Korean temples, which are tucked away in the mountains, this one sits right on the rocky coastline. Sea, stone, pine trees and colourful temple buildings all compete for attention, and somehow it works. We came for the view, and it delivered exactly as promised.
The temple was founded in the 14th century during the Goryeo Dynasty and is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy, whom locals believe offers protection and good fortune. According to legend, prayers made here are answered more reliably than most, possibly helped along by the sound of waves crashing below.
- Entrance fee: Free
- Hours: 04:00-20:00
- Naver Map
Sunset Soaks at Club D Oasis Spa Haeundae
Back in Haeundae, we grabbed our swimsuits and walked eagerly to Club D Oasis Spa. I am a firm believer that any proper Korean holiday should include at least one good spa session, and this felt like the right moment to fully dive into Busan relaxation mode.
Club D Oasis is located on the fifth floor of the LCT complex and offers discounted entry after 16:00. We arrived at 15:59 and felt very pleased with ourselves. It’s connected to the huge rooftop water park with water slides, a wave pool, a lazy river and a nice infinity pool overlooking the beach. If you’re here in summer, it might be a fun day. See package prices here. We went with the sauna pass only.
What makes this spa especially appealing is that it caters to both the sauna veterans and the sauna curious. There are outdoor hot spring pools overlooking Haeundae Beach where men and women can bathe together while wearing swimsuits. This is excellent news if the idea of public nudity fills you with dread, but you still want the Korean sauna experience. Jin and I spent a long time here, soaking together and watching the sea below.
For those willing to embrace tradition, Club D Oasis also has separate bathing areas for men and women where nudity is required, just like a classic Korean jjimjilbang. After our time in the mixed pools, I headed to the men’s section for the steam room and additional hot spring pools, for the full, naked cultural experience.
We met up again in the clothed mixed areas and explored all the themed rooms: Wave therapy, Ice, Hinoki, Red Clay, Salt and Elvan rooms. Outside, the terrace offers more beach views, a large foot pool and wooden saunas where everyone remains fully dressed. For anyone spa-curious or spa-obsessed, this place is a winner.
Haeundae Traditional Market Street Food Dinner
After the expensive misadventure that was lunch, we were very much in the mood for something cheap, comforting and unlikely to surprise us. Jin’s handy Busan-eating-list sorted us out no problem.
Haeundae Traditional Market comes alive after dark. The long street fills with food stalls, steam, neon signs and queues that act as a helpful guide to what is worth eating. Turned out the place Jin had in mind (상국이네 – location) had the longest line, and joined it without question.
Our reward was spicy tteokbokki, odeng fish cakes skewered on sticks and soaking in hot broth, and an impressive selection of fried things. Peppers, potatoes, squid and even octopus tentacles, all golden and crunchy. It was exactly what we needed after earlier events and restored our faith in Busan food entirely.
After dinner, we slowly trawled the street in search of dessert. Two options clearly dominated, judging by the queues. Ice cream wrapped in marshmallow and torched until dramatic, or soft serve topped with fresh honeycomb. We went with the honeycomb soft serve, which turned out to be a sticky, sweet masterpiece and a very good way to end day one.
- Hours: 9:00- 22:00 (best at night)
Day 2: A Dangerous Breakfast, Sky Cab & Gwangalli Beach
Puffer fish breakfast → Haeridangil Cafes → Sky Capsule → mackarel lunch in Mipo → Gwangalli Beach →Millac the Market → pizza and craft beer dinner → Marine City
My Garmin stepcount for the day: 19,592
A Michelin Star Breakfast at Kumsu Bokguk
Jin’s Busan food list led us to Kumsu Bokguk, a Michelin Guide-listed restaurant in Haeundae with an impressive four-star rating. She’s been here a few times before, and despite the credentials, I arrived slightly sceptical, still emotionally bruised from the seafood experience the day before.
Bokguk is a clear puffer fish soup traditionally eaten as a hangover cure. Puffer fish contains tetrodotoxin, a naturally occurring poison, which means it can be fatal if prepared incorrectly. In Korea it is only served by licensed chefs, which is reassuring, though starting the day with something that can technically kill you still felt bold.
Three types of puffer fish are available here: spotted, tiger and yellowfin. The waitress recommended the yellowfin and the tiger, so we ordered one of each. My yellowfin was tender and familiar, while Jin’s tiger puffer was noticeably chewier. Both had a strangely satisfying, textured and gelatinous skin that took a moment to get used to.
Traditionally eaten to soothe a sore head, bokguk is as much about the broth as the fish itself. The soup was clear, light and comforting, with thick chunks of fish, bean sprouts and chives. I was pleasantly surprised and genuinely enjoyed it. Not my usual holiday breakfast, but definitely one to remember.
- Hours: 24 hours
- Naver Maps
Coffee and Cafes in Haeridangil
After that slightly dangerous breakfast, we urgently needed coffee. One cannot start a day properly without it, especially after eating something that requires a government licence to prepare.
We walked over to Haeridangil, roughly one city block packed tightly with independent cafes and coffee shops. It is charming in an effortless way, with converted houses, quirky street art and just enough foot traffic to feel lively without being overwhelming.
A large black cat painted on a wall caught our attention, which felt as good a reason as any to stop. That led us to Standard Bun, a black and white cat-themed cafe that turned out to be an excellent choice. The coffee was genuinely good and exactly what we needed.
Naturally, we also ordered their signature bun with maple butter. It was slightly sweet, slightly savoury and dangerously easy to finish. Between the caffeine and the bun, the day finally felt like it had properly begun.
- Standard Bun Naver Maps
- Hours: 10:00 – 21:00
Riding the Busan Sky Capsule from Mipo to Cheongsapo
If you do one very touristy thing in Busan, make it the Sky Capsule. It is a slow, scenic ride in small retro monorail cars that somehow manages to be both relaxing and genuinely impressive. You sit in a little retro pod, move at walking pace, and spend thirty minutes staring at the sea feeling very pleased with yourself.
The Sky Capsule runs along the coast between Mipo and Cheongsapo stations, and when booking you need to choose both a departure station and a time slot. Mipo is the most popular option because the sea sits right beside you for most of the ride.
Mipo tickets sell out fast, so if you cannot find availability, check Cheongsapo. Cheongsapo departures are a few thousand won cheaper, which helps ease the emotional pain from not getting your first choice.
We booked about a week ahead and still only managed to get the last available slot at 13:00 from Mipo. Learn from us and plan early. Buy your tickets here.
Tickets are sold per car rather than per person, with options for one to two, three, or four people.
Prices:
1-2 people: 40,000 won
3 people: 45,000 won
4 people: 50,000 won
The 2.3 kilometre ride takes about thirty minutes, drifting past pine trees on one side and open sea on the other. It is calm, unhurried and absolutely worth it.
- Mipo Station Naver Maps
- Cheongsapo Station Naver Maps
- Hours:
Nov-Feb: 9:00-18:00
March, April, Oct: 9:00-18:30
May, June, Sept: 9:00-19:30
July, Aug: 9:00 – 20:30 - Online tickets
Lunch at Busan Tteun Mackerel
After the Sky Capsule dropped us off at Cheongsapo, you can either walk the coastal path back to Mipo, get the Blue Line Train, or get a bus. We hopped on a bus and followed Jin’s to eat list once again. This time it led us to Busan Tteun Mackerel, a restaurant dedicated almost entirely to one thing, mackerel, and very good at it.
The menu is built around grilled and braised mackerel, so ordering is straightforward. We went for the classic grilled mackerel and added an order of stir-fried pork. Both were excellent. The fish arrived crispy on the outside with a light soy flavour and tender, flaky flesh inside. The pork was smoky, juicy and just spicy enough. I’m sure I must’ve nodded after the first bite.
Then there were the side dishes. A hot and cold banchan (side dishes) buffet comes with the meal, and yes, you can build your own bibimbap if you feel so inclined. At that point any lingering lunch-related trauma from day one was officially resolved.
There is no English sign outside, so look for the Korean name 부산에뜬고등어. The restaurant is on the second floor, and once inside there is an English menu available. This one gets a very easy stamp of approval.
Hours: 10:30-21:30
Naver Maps
Sunset at Gwangalli Beach
We took a taxi over to Gwangalli Beach, which cost around 10,000 won and took about twenty minutes. We arrived just in time for sunset, which felt like very good planning, even though it was mostly luck.
Gwangalli feels like Haeundae’s slightly younger sibling. The beachfront is lined with cafes, bars and restaurants, with lights starting to glow as the sun dips behind Gwangan Bridge. There are also crane game arcades everywhere, quietly convincing young and old they are one attempt away from winning something ridiculous.
We watched the sky change colour behind the bridge as the beach filled up with evening walkers, couples and groups of friends. It is an easy place to slow down and do very little.
Once the sun was gone, we took a short walk over to Millac the Market. It has the feel of a place that gets lively, but we were there on a Monday when many stalls were closed. Even so, we enjoyed wandering through, peeking into the open cafes, takeaway bars and small shops, and soaking up the atmosphere before moving on.
- Market Hours: 10:00-0:00
- Naver Maps
Craft Beer & Pizza at Slice of Life
Slice of Life (SOL Taphouse) sits at the far end of Gwangalli Beach, which meant a long walk along the promenande to get there. The payoff was craft beer and what is often described as the best pizza in Busan.
This New York-style pizzeria is popular with both locals and visitors. Whether it is the fifteen craft beers on tap or the sourdough pizza, it is hard to say. Probably both.
The pizza lived up to its reputation. We ordered half a margherita and half pepperoni, but they also sell single slices. Good crust, balanced toppings, and the kind of food that does not need much explanation. From the dining area and small balcony, there is also a clear view over the beach and Gwangan Bridge, lit up after dark.
It was exactly the right way to end the day, and one place we would return to without hesitation.
After dinner we took a taxi over to The Bay 101 to see the Busan Marina and night skyline. It was impressive, but the view we had earlier from Millac the Market looking towards Marine City was actually more dramatic. We still took a photo, then walked back along Haeundae Beach to end the day.
Day 3: Beach Breakfast, Gamcheon, Air Cruise, Markets & Chinatown
Breakfast on Haeundae Beach → Gamcheon Village → Songdo & Busan Sky Cruise → Jacalchi Fismarket → BIFF Square → Bupyeong Kkangtong Market → Dinner in Chinatown → Return to Seoul
My Garmin stepcount for the day: 17,570
Breakfast at Working Holiday, Haeundae
Working Holiday might physically sit on Haeundae Beach, but in spirit it is somewhere in Bondi.
The place won us over the moment we walked in. Sea views, good music, and a mix of expats, locals and tourists all having great time. The counter was stacked with baked goods, and the breakfast menu had enough options to make choosing difficult.
Jin must have felt French because she went for a croissant and coffee. I felt a bit like Crocodile Dundee, so I ordered the Aussie brekkie, which arrived loaded with eggs, bacon, avocado, salad and a croissant. Crikey, it was good. The coffee was too.
We also added one pastry for the table. The vanilla egg tart was excellent, and reaffirmed my belief that a holiday breakfast without dessert is a waste of a day.
After breakfast, we checked out of the hotel and headed to Busan Station to store our luggage before starting the day’s sightseeing.
- Working Holiday Naver Maps
- Hours: 8:00-21:30
Exploring Gamcheon Culture Village
From Busan Station, we took a bus uphill to Gamcheon Culture Village, one of the city’s most visited attractions and one that does not pretend to be subtle.
Gamcheon is a colourful sprawl of small houses, cafes and street art tumbling down a hillside, with views stretching out towards Busan Harbour. The village was originally formed in the 1950s, when refugees fleeing the Korean War settled here, building simple homes wherever they could. For decades it was a poor residential area, before an arts regeneration project in the late 2000s transformed it into the version visitors see today.
Several viewpoints dotted around the village feature Little Prince installations, with long queues of people lining up for photos at the most famous spots. Yes, it is busy. It is also undeniably scenic. Step away from the viewpoints and you will find plenty of quiet alleys, staircases and corners where the crowds thin out quickly.
Naturally, Jin had to get a snap at the BTS mural featuring Jungkook and Jimin. Busan is the hometown of both idols, and as a hardcore BTS fan, skipping it was never really an option for her.
Riding the Songdo Cable Car/Busan Sky Cruise
From Gamcheon, another bus took us back down to the sea, this time to Songdo, one of Busan’s older beach neighbourhoods.
We made an unplanned stop at Dongnyeok (Naver Map) on Jeonpo Cafe Street for a light lunch before reaching the cable car station. I had a cheese pork cutlet, Jin had udon noodles, and both were excellent. A real win from a place that was not on Jin’s list.
The Sky Cruise is another solid spot for beautiful Busan views. Two cabin types are available, one with a glass bottom and one regular. We chose the regular cabin, which turned out to be a good call, because almost everyone else opted for the glass bottom. That left us with the entire cabin to ourselves.
The ride offers wide views over Songdo Beach, central Busan and the offshore islands, all unfolding slowly as the cable car moves across the bay. At the top of Songdo Sky Park, there are more Little Prince installations, sweeping viewpoints, and a few extras aimed at families, including life-size dinosaur statues.
If this is on your list, it is worth booking tickets online in advance to avoid queues and guarantee your preferred cabin type, especially on weekends.
- Buy tickets here
- Hours: 9:00-20:00
- Naver Maps
Visiting Jagalchi Fish Market
Another bus ride later and we arrived at Jagalchi Fish Market, the largest seafood market in Korea and one of Busan’s most recognisable places.
I have always had a soft spot for fish markets. The smell, the noise, and the sheer variety of strange sea creatures make them endlessly interesting, especially from a photography point of view.
On previous visits, vendors were usually happy to be photographed, often posing proudly with their fish, crabs or the more unusual residents of the market, including penis worms. This time was different. Many vendors were clearly tired of cameras and quick to shout NO PHOTO if they thought they might even appear in the background. Some simply covered their faces. It is understandable. If you are carrying a camera here, it is best to be discreet and respectful.
Jagalchi is split between a large indoor market with restaurants housed in warehouse-style buildings and the outdoor stalls. I much prefer the outdoor section. Octopus lie upside down on the pavement, cockles and clams sit under colourful umbrellas, and enormous eels are coiled up like garden hoses. It is chaotic, fascinating, and very much still working, which is exactly how a fish market should feel.
- Hours: 05: 00-22:00
- Naver Maps
BIFF Square and Bupyeong Kkangtong Market
From Jagalchi, we walked to BIFF Square (location). The area is famous for its pojangmacha, usually shortened to pocha, the street food tents that pop up at night serving simple dishes, plenty of alcohol, and an easy excuse to stay out longer than planned. Soju and beer are standard, and once the tents are full, things tend to get lively.
During the day, BIFF Square was underwhelming. Most of the pocha were still closed, tents folded away and waiting for nightfall. These stalls are firmly a nighttime experience, and coming during the day means missing the point.
Jin explained that the area’s reputation is tied closely to the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). During BIFF, it is not unusual to find yourself sitting at a pocha, drinking soju shots with some Korean movie star or film director.
A few blocks away, we wandered into Bupyeong Kkangtong Market (location), another sprawling market area. It originally developed during the Korean War, when refugees sold surplus goods and canned food from nearby US military bases, which is where the name kkangtong, meaning tin can, comes from. Today it is packed with street food stalls, casual eateries, clothing shops and general clutter, and feels more lived in than polished.
We had planned to walk up to Busan Tower for one last view of the city, but our legs protested loudly and refused to go any further. We took the hint, ducked into the nearest coffee shop, ordered coffee and churros, and sat until the idea of climbing anything no longer felt necessary.
One Last Dinner in Busan Chinatown
Our KTX back to Seoul was scheduled for 19:00, which gave us just enough time for one final meal in Busan.
Busan’s Chinatown sits directly across the street from Busan Station, making it an easy last stop. We headed to Sinbalwon (신발원 – location), one of the area’s most popular spots, and found a line already forming outside. Always reassuring. We joined it and were seated about twenty minutes later.
We ordered steamed shrimp dumplings, fried dumplings, mara noodles and a cucumber salad. Everything was excellent. The mara noodles were as good as the ones we had in Chengdu, and lit a slow burning fire down my throat. The fried dumplings were good enough that we ordered a second round without much discussion.
After dinner, that was it. We crossed back to the station, collected our suitcase from left luggage, and boarded the KTX back to Seoul.
Busan Trip FAQ
- Is 3 days enough for Busan?
Yes. Three days is enough to see Busan’s highlights without rushing, especially if you group sights by area as we did. - Is this Busan itinerary suitable for first-timers?
Yes. This itinerary focuses on Busan’s most well-known sights, neighbourhoods and food spots, with realistic travel times. - Can you visit Busan for a day trip from Seoul?
Technically, yes, but we wouldn’t. If you’re coming on a daytrip you need to be very selective about what you want to see and move around fast, - Is Busan easy to get around?
Busan is spread out, but has an excellent metro and bus system. Planning by area makes a big difference. - When is the best time to visit Busan?
Spring and autumn are ideal. We visited in mid-November and had clear skies and mild weather. Summers are hot and sticky, BUSY but perfect for the beach. Winters can be freezing.
Aaaaand that’s exactly how we spent our 3 days in Busan. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below, and we’ll try our best to help
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