What is the best way to travel around Busan?

Busan is a large city, so it is efficient to plan your trip by district: East Busan (Haeundae/Gwangalli), Original City Center (Nampo/Seomyeon), and West Busan (Dadaepo).

How much does the Haeundae Sky Capsule cost?

As of 2025, a 2-person Sky Capsule costs 35,000 KRW (approx. $25 USD). Online booking 1-2 weeks in advance is highly recommended.

When can I see the Drone Light Show in Gwangalli?

The M Drone Light Show is held every Saturday night at Gwangalli Beach. Shows are at 20:00 & 22:00 (Mar-Sep) or 19:00 & 21:00 (Oct-Feb).

What is unique about Haedong Yonggungsa Temple?

Unlike most Korean temples located in mountains, Haedong Yonggungsa is built right on the coast, offering stunning ocean views.

Where is the best place to see the sunset in Busan?

Dadaepo Beach in West Busan is famous for its beautiful sunsets and the 'Sunset Fountain of Dreams' show.

Busan Travel Guide: Top Things to Do by District & Best Itineraries

The best way to enjoy travel in Busan efficiently is to plan your route by district. Since there are many places to visit and they are far apart, you may spend a lot of time moving around if you don't consider your route. In this article, we have organized major travel destinations by dividing Busan into three districts. Please refer to the recommended courses introduced at the end to plan your own perfect Busan trip.

East Busan (Haeundae·Gwangalli·Gijang)

The eastern sea of Busan is a place where you can feel the atmosphere of a sophisticated resort. Representative tourist destinations of Busan are gathered along the coastline, stretching from the glamorous Haeundae to the romantic Gwangalli and the leisurely Gijang.

Haeundae Blue Line Park (Sky Capsule & Beach Train)

Blue Line Park, which utilizes the old railway of the Donghae Nambu Line, is Busan's representative tourist facility where you can admire the coastal scenery up close, stretching from Mipo in Haeundae through Cheongsapo to Songjeong. In particular, it is very popular as you can enjoy the sea view up close from inside the Sky Capsule, which moves automatically along rails 7~10m in the air.

Sky Capsule train moving along the Haeundae coast next to the sea

Haeundae Blue Line Park

Location: 948-1 Jung-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan (Mipo Station)

Operating Hours: Daily 09:30 - 19:30 (Closing time varies by season)

Fares (2025 Standard, One-way)

Sky Capsule: 2 people 35,000 KRW (approx. $25 USD) / 3 people 45,000 KRW (approx. $32 USD) / 4 people 50,000 KRW (approx. $36 USD)
Beach Train: 1 ride 7,000 KRW (approx. $5 USD) / Unlimited pass 16,000 KRW (approx. $11.50 USD)

Sky Capsules sell out quickly on weekends and public holidays, so online booking at least 1-2 weeks in advance is essential. The Mipo-Cheongsapo section is the most popular, and if your goal is taking photos, we recommend seats on the right side in the direction of travel for a better view of the sea.

Cheongsapo 'Slam Dunk' Crossing

This is a photo spot that has recently emerged thanks to the popularity of Haeundae Blue Line Park. It is a small railroad crossing near Cheongsapo Station, and the sight of the train passing with the sea in the background resembles a scene from the anime 'Slam Dunk', becoming a big topic on social media. It is a great place to take special commemorative photos of your Busan trip.

A train passing a railroad crossing with the sea in the background

Cheongsapo 'Slam Dunk' Crossing

Location: 3-5 minute walk from Blue Line Park Cheongsapo Station towards Songjeong

Key Info: There is no separate admission fee or operating hours, but you must visit according to the Beach Train schedule to take the desired photo.

Gwangalli Beach & M Drone Light Show

Gwangalli Beach is a beach where you can enjoy the night view of Gwangan Bridge (Diamond Bridge) right in front of you. Every Saturday night, the 'M Drone Light Show' is held against the backdrop of this bridge, attracting many visitors. If you want to see a special night view during your Busan trip, it is a great place to include in your itinerary.

Fireworks show taking place over Gwangan Bridge

Gwangalli Beach

Location: 219 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan

Drone Show Info:

Time: Every Saturday, 2 shows (Summer Mar-Sep 20:00, 22:00 / Winter Oct-Feb 19:00, 21:00)
Cost: Free

Travel Tip: The drone show lasts for about 10 minutes, and performances with different themes are held every week. The best spot for viewing is the central sandy beach area. Traffic around the area is very congested on weekend evenings, so using public transport is recommended, and you should arrive 30 minutes before the show starts to watch it leisurely.

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple & Gijang Ocean View Cafes

Haedong Yonggungsa is a temple built closest to the sea, offering scenery different from typical mountain temples. After visiting the temple, we recommend a course that includes stopping by one of the large ocean-view cafes along the Gijang coastal road, which is convenient to travel by car.

Haedong Yonggungsa

Location: 86 Yonggung-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan

Opening Hours: 05:00 - 18:30

Admission: Free (Parking fee separate)

It is somewhat inconvenient to access by public transport, so using a car or taxi is convenient. If you visit early in the morning, you can look around relatively quietly, and it is also known as a sunrise spot.

Original City Center (Nampo·Yeongdo·Seomyeon)

In Busan's original city center, you can see both the history of the old port city and the bustling downtown leading the latest trends. It is a district with travel destinations that are good for foot travelers to explore.

Huinnyeoul Culture Village & Jeolyeong Coastal Walk

This is a village where small houses are gathered along the Yeongdo coastal cliff. You can see the sea from every alley, and the Jeolyeong Coastal Walk continues below the village, making it great for walking together. It is also known as a filming location for Korean movies such as 'The Attorney' and 'Nameless Gangster'.

Huinnyeoul Culture Village

Location: 605-3 Yeongseon-dong 4-ga, Yeongdo-gu, Busan

Key Info: There is no admission fee, but since actual residents live here, quiet etiquette is required when looking around.

It is relatively convenient to use the public parking lot near the 'Huinnyeoul Information Center' at the village entrance. There are many slopes and stairs, so please wear comfortable shoes.

Gukje Market, Jagalchi Market, BIFF Square

These places can be considered the center of Busan's original downtown, and since all three are adjacent, they are great to explore on foot. You can feel the vibrant atmosphere of Busan at Gukje Market (background of the movie 'Ode to My Father'), Jagalchi Market (Busan's largest seafood market), and BIFF Square (containing the history of the Busan International Film Festival).

BIFF Square

Location: Nampo-dong area, Jung-gu, Busan

Food Recommendations: Ssiat Hotteok (sweet pancake with seeds), Bibim Dangmyeon (spicy glass noodles), Fried Tofu Pouch, Grilled Fish Set Menu

It is convenient to visit by public transport, making it one of the essential courses for travelers without cars. Please note that some street food stalls or market shops may only accept cash.

Jeonpo Cafe Street & Seomyeon Shopping Street

Jeonpo Cafe Street is a place where unique cafes, prop shops, and restaurants are gathered. It was once selected as a 'Place to Go This Year' by the New York Times, and it is directly connected to Seomyeon, the largest downtown area in Busan, so you can enjoy shopping as well.

Seomyeon

Location: Jeonpo-dong area, Busanjin-gu, Busan

Major Facilities: NC Department Store, Samjung Tower, KT&G Sangsang Madang

There are many large shopping malls and indoor spaces nearby, making it good to use as a travel course on rainy days. It is crowded on weekend afternoons, so if you want to look around relatively leisurely, we recommend visiting on weekday mornings.

West Busan (Dadaepo)

West Busan, located at the western end of Busan, is a place where you can meet calm and peaceful nature, different from Haeundae or Gwangalli. In particular, there are many places where you can admire beautiful sunsets, making it a good place to include in your schedule as the last course of your trip.

Dadaepo Beach & Sunset Fountain of Dreams

Dadaepo Beach features a wide sandy beach and shallow waters, making it a place where you can enjoy the sea relatively quietly. It is also a representative sunset spot in Busan, and after sunset, the 'Sunset Fountain of Dreams' performance, the world's largest floor music fountain, begins.

Sunset Fountain of Dreams

Location: Dadae-dong, Saha-gu, Busan

Sunset Fountain Operation: Usually operates from late April to October every year (Please check the exact schedule on the 'Busan Culture & Tourism' or 'Saha-gu Office' website before visiting)

We recommend checking the sunset time on the weather forecast website before visiting. If you want to watch the fountain show after enjoying the sunset, it is best to visit late in the afternoon. Walking along the ecological trail (Gouni Ecological Path) next to the beach is also a great idea.

Amisan Observatory

This is a place where you can see the topography of the delta and wide sand islands created where the Nakdong River estuary meets the sea at a glance. You can see the beautiful nature and sunset of West Busan from a different perspective than Dadaepo Beach.

Amisan Observatory

Location: San 223-24, Dadae-dong, Saha-gu, Busan
Operating Hours: 09:00 - 18:00 (Last admission 17:30, Closed on Mondays)
Admission: Free

It is about a 5-minute drive from Dadaepo Beach, so it is good to combine them. We recommend an itinerary of stopping by the observatory first before sunset to see the scenery, and then moving to Dadaepo Beach to watch the sunset.

Recommended by Type! Perfect Busan Travel Itineraries

If you are still wondering where to go first, check out the recommended courses below to find one that suits your travel style.

#Car-free Travelers, #Public Transport Course (1 Night 2 Days)

This is a course for travelers visiting Busan for the first time or those traveling without a car (Ttubeogi). It is centered around key travel destinations in the original city center that can be easily accessed by subway and bus.

Day 1: Arrive at Busan Station → (Bus) Huinnyeoul Culture Village → (Bus) Move to Nampo-dong, explore Gukje Market/BIFF Square and Dinner
Day 2: (Subway) Move to Seomyeon, Brunch at Jeonpo Cafe Street → Enjoy Shopping in Seomyeon → Move to Busan Station

#Packed Itinerary, #Must-Visit Spots Course (2 Nights 3 Days)

This is a course for travelers who want to explore all of East, West, South, and North Busan over 2 nights and 3 days. Since the travel distances are long, you can move more efficiently by using a rental car or taxi appropriately.

Day 1 (East Busan): Gijang Haedong Yonggungsa → Haeundae Blue Line Park (Cheongsapo) → Gwangalli Beach Night View & Dinner
Day 2 (Original City Center): Huinnyeoul Culture Village → Lunch at Nampo-dong/Jagalchi Market → Explore Seomyeon/Jeonpo Cafe Street
Day 3 (West Busan): Dadaepo Beach Walk & Sunset Viewing → Move to Airport/Busan Station

#Relaxing Trip, #Luxury Staycation & Shopping Course (1 Night 2 Days)

This is a course for travelers who want to reduce complicated movements and focus on comfortable rest and shopping. Most of the schedule is spent within the Haeundae and Centum City districts.

Day 1: Check-in at Haeundae Luxury Hotel → Shopping at Shinsegae Department Store Centum City & Museum 1 Visit → Relax using hotel facilities such as swimming pool
Day 2: Walk along Haeundae Beach after hotel breakfast → Brunch at Haeridan-gil → Leisurely Check-out

So far, we have summarized the places to visit in Busan's 3 key districts and recommended courses by travel type. Since each district in Busan has distinct characteristics, if you plan your route by referring to the introduced travel destinations, your Busan trip will be even more enjoyable.