Things to Do in Busan
Discover 21 activities and experiences in Busan, South Korea — from outdoor adventures to cultural events. Curated from real traveler recommendations.
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Hurshimchung Spa
This massive hot spring complex claims to be the largest in Asia: Noboribetsu might disagree, but it certainly is huge, with hot, tepid, cold and strawberry milk-filled baths, saunas, pools, and an outdoor section. On the 3rd floor is a large ''jjimjilbang'' resting area, containing (among other things) a restaurant, a beauty salon, an oxygen room, and three 'igloos' heated to 81°C, 51°C and 0°C. You'll get a key when you come in, use it to open your shoe and clothes lockers and pay for any purchases inside. Men's and women's spas are segregated but the resting area is shared, so pick up a robe before you head downstairs. There's also some signage in English to guide you around. You can stay as long as you want, but it gets quite crowded and noisy on weekends.
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- The spa is closed in May for vacation and re-opens in June.
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- Entry to the spa is ₩8000, plus ₩2,000 for the ''jjimjilbang''.
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Spaland Centum City
Part of the Shinsigae mall, this spa is probably the most friendly/accessible spa for foreigners in Busan. It is directly on the Centum City subway station, making it very easy to get to. Signs and an Instruction leaflet are also provided in English. It should be noted that unlike many other spas, there is a time limit of 4 hours here after which you would need to pay again. The quality of the spa facilities as well as the hot rooms are very high (''which helps explain the relative high price to other spas''), and the Korean restaurant inside serves good food. Entry price is cheaper before 8AM. Please note that children age 12 and under are not permitted, and under the age of 18 must be under parental supervision after 22:00.
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- Busan-si Haeundae-gu U2-dong Shinsegae Centum City 1F-3F
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- 06:00-24:00
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- ₩12,000 (Weekdays), ₩14,000 (Weekends) (Discount for students)
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The Busan International Film Festival
Typically runs the first 10 days every year in October. It takes place all across Busan showcasing many international films and often some significant premieres of new Korean films. Most of the events are held on Haeundae beach where there are many tents promoting the industry as well as public interviews with stars. The Busan Cinema Center opened in 2011 to support this event. Tickets sell out quickly, and very long queues can be seen outside cinemas in the early morning for people wanting to catch the most anticipated films. (''In previous years, this has been called the '''Pusan''' International Film Festival'')
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Busan Port Boat Tour
If you are interested in the industrial side of Busan then the Port tour is hard to beat. Passengers on board can see the port facilities of Busan Port, including the passenger terminal, general piers, and container terminals. You will learn about the port facilities, and their role as a transshipment hub. Specifically you will see: Coastal Passenger Terminal → International Passenger Terminal → Jasungdae Container Terminal → UamContainer Terminal → New Gamman Container Terminal → Gamman Container Terminal → Shinsundae Container Terminal → Jo Islands → Hanjin Heavy Industry → Coastal Passenger Terminal
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- Jungang
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Haeundae Disused Rail Track
Not strictly a tourist attraction, but could be of interest. The railway line between Mipo at the east end of Haeundae beach and Cheongsapo fishing village has been decommissioned, allowing people to walk the entire length along the tracks. There are plans to turn this into a full path, however you can walk along the tracks (The warning sign in Korean does not recommend this) and see the ocean view and a Korean army base. There are a few art installations cropping up, as well as a large memorial to the victims of the Sewol ferry disaster.
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- Free
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BEXCO
BEXCO is a large exhibition center with many halls, and although most of the events are rather dry (''i.e. Industrial Marine technology'') there may be something of interest whilst you're in town such as computer gaming or coffee making expositions. Check out the schedule on the website. Many cafes in Busan have promotional leaflets for upcoming events held in BEXCO and sometimes offer a discount. The Busan International Motor Show is held here every year.
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- Subway Line 2 - Centum City
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Hiking up Jangsan Mountain
If you are near Haeundae, then Jangsan mountain can provide a good day's hiking. There are military bases at the summit complete with minefields (''Clearly marked and fenced off''), and great views over Busan and on a clear day to Japan. A hike to the summit and back should take 3-4 hours. It should be noted that hiking trails are not really well marked, even if you can read Korean script.
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Haeundae Cruise Boat
This boat trip starts off at Haeundae’s Mipo Ferry Terminal and heads towards Oryuk-do Islets and the Igidae area. The shores of Igidae are composed of breathtaking views of fantastically shaped cliffs. This 1-hour boat trip offers great views of Busan Harbor. The boat ride can be very bumpy and there is no way off, so check the weather conditions if you feel sea sick easily!
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- Haeundae
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- 09:00 ~ 22:00
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- ₩18,000
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Geumjeong Fortress
A popular route is to take the subway to Oncheongjang, and then a short taxi ride to the cable car station. At the top of the mountain head towards the South Gate (''Nammun'') of '''Geumjeong Fortress''' and then through the North Gate (''Bukmun'') and down to Beomeosa Temple. This has a distance of 9 km (''Taking between 3 to 4 hours'').
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Geumgang Park and Cable Car
Nice park at the foot of the mountains in North Busan. There are some small amusement rides for children as well. The highlight is the cable car that takes you to the top of the mountain near Namsam Gate. (Note that some signs call the cable car a 'rope way')
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Samjung 'The Park' Zoo
In 2014 a new zoo has been opened in Busan, with a variety of animals (Tigers, Lions, Bears, Elephants, Monkeys etc). It is very much targeted at children, and there is a very good activity center at the end, with climbing ropes and other activities.
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- Choeup-dong
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- Adults ₩19,000, Teenagers ₩17,000 for adolescents, Children ₩15,000
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Chicago Fitness Club
Is a great place to train. It has a wide range of cardio equipment, free weights (dumbbells up to 100lbs) and machines as well as golf practice facilities. It is located on the 5th floor of the Milligore Shopping Center in Seomyeon.
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Polar Bear Swim
A famous beach swim in the first week of January when the temperature is around 0°C. Hundreds of participants brave the cold to compete in the sea. This event has run annually at the Choseon Beach Hotel since 1988.
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- Haeundae Beach
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Club 101
A new yachting club with a variety of boats for the public to try out, including tours with a yacht (₩60,000+), a dash around the harbor on a jet boat (₩40,000), Glass bottom boat (₩60,000) and jet skis (₩250,000+)
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Seokbulsa temple
An impressive temple about 90 minutes hike from the cable car station. It is often overlooked, but has magnificent statues carved into the mountain itself. Great views over Busan and very peaceful.
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- Free
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Vesta Spa
Korean sauna with separate levels for men and women. Very nice water and views over Haeundae beach. Somewhat out of the way, but if you are visiting Dalmaji road anyway then worth visiting.
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- 1509-6 Joong-dong, Haeundae-gu
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- ₩6,000 (Sauna only)
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Busan International Rock Festival
Busan has been holding an annual Rock festival for 12 years now in August. Mostly Korean and Asian rock bands although some Western bands do appear.
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- Samrak Park
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Busan Sailing
Haeundae has the largest leisure marina in Korea located about 10 minutes away from the beach walking in the direction of the Chosun Beach Hotel.
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Gwangalli Hoe Festival
A raw fish festival running every year at the beginning of October. You can try making hoe bibimbop and sushi.
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Sea Art Festival 2013
An art festival held on the beach every year from mid-September to mid-October.
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- Songdo Beach
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Busan City Tour
All-day ticket available for double decker tour buses.
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- Children ₩5,000, Adults ₩10,000.
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Exploring Busan: A Traveler's Guide to Activities
Busan rewards curious travelers with an exceptional range of experiences. Whether you have a weekend or several weeks, the city's 21 documented activities cover the full spectrum — architectural landmarks and world-class museums at one end, local neighborhood festivals and underground cultural scenes at the other. The activities listed on this page come from Wikivoyage contributors who have personally explored Busan and written detailed, practical descriptions to help you plan your visit.
The most rewarding way to experience Busan's activities is with company. Solo travelers who arrive without plans often find that meeting a fellow traveler at a hostel, cafe, or through the Nomax app opens up entirely new itineraries — a museum visit becomes a half-day exploration, a street food crawl turns into an evening of discovery, a day trip to a nearby site becomes an adventure. Busan has an active traveler community, and the city is designed to reward those who explore it with open curiosity.
When planning what to do in Busan, consider mixing well-known attractions with neighborhood-level experiences. The city's most photographed sights are popular for good reason, but Busan's character lives in its quieter corners too — the local markets, the parks where residents spend their weekends, the small performance venues where the next generation of artists and musicians are finding their voice. The 21 activities on this page include both categories, ordered by the richness of their traveler-written descriptions.
How to Get the Most from Busan's Activities
Timing matters in Busan. Many of the city's best attractions have shorter queues and better atmospheres on weekday mornings. Major cultural sites — museums, galleries, historic monuments — often run free admission windows on certain days or evenings; check before booking. Outdoor activities and walking tours are best enjoyed in the morning before the city heats up or fills with tour groups.
Budget-conscious travelers will find that Busan has a strong free-to-access layer. Public parks, open-air markets, architectural walking routes, and many community events cost nothing. The price information included with activities on this page (where available) helps you plan a realistic daily budget. A mix of free and paid activities across a week in Busan is entirely feasible for most traveler budgets.
For travelers who want to do more than just sightseeing, Busan offers organized activities through local guides, tour companies, and traveler apps like Nomax. Group activities — cooking classes, cycling tours, kayaking excursions, photography walks — are a natural way to meet people while experiencing the city. Many travelers who use Nomax in Busan coordinate these types of group experiences together, splitting costs and building memories that last beyond the trip itself.
Activities for Different Travel Styles
Not every traveler wants the same experience. History enthusiasts will gravitate toward Busan's museums, heritage sites, and guided historical walks that reveal the layers of the city's past. Outdoor and adventure travelers will focus on the parks, cycling routes, climbing areas, and day trips to surrounding natural areas. Food travelers will treat Busan's markets, restaurants, and food tours as the primary activities of each day. Culture seekers will fill evenings with concerts, theater, gallery openings, and street performances.
The 21 activities documented on this page span all these categories. Use the numbered list above to browse in order of description quality — longer descriptions generally mean more detailed, firsthand traveler knowledge. For each activity, the address and opening hours (where available) give you everything you need to plan your visit without needing to search elsewhere.
Connecting with Travelers in Busan
One of the best things about traveling to Busan is the community of international travelers already there. Backpackers, digital nomads, long-term expats, and short-trip tourists all share the same city at any given moment. Nomax makes it easy to find who is in Busan right now, see what activities they are joining, and coordinate plans. Whether you want a hiking companion, someone to split museum entry with, or a group for an evening out — the app connects you to people with the same itinerary in minutes.
Download Nomax before your trip to Busan to set your travel dates and start discovering who else will be there at the same time. The app is free, requires no subscription, and works across all the major traveler destinations worldwide — meaning the community you build in Busan often extends to your next destination too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Busan?
Busan offers 21+ activities and experiences for travelers. Top highlights include Hurshimchung Spa, Spaland Centum City, The Busan International Film Festival, and much more. This page lists every documented activity in order of description quality, so you can find both the major attractions and the hidden gems.
Are there free things to do in Busan?
Yes — Busan has a strong selection of free activities. Public parks, open-air markets, walking routes through historic neighborhoods, and many cultural institutions offer free admission on specific days. Scroll through the list above and look for activities marked with free or no price information — these are often the city's most authentic experiences.
How do I meet other travelers while exploring Busan?
Download Nomax — a free travel companion app that shows you other solo travelers currently in Busan. You can join group activities, chat with travelers at the same spots, and plan outings together. Many travelers in Busan use Nomax to find companions for day trips, museum visits, and evening activities.
What activities can I do with travel companions I meet in Busan?
Busan has activities for every interest — guided tours, food experiences, outdoor adventures, cultural events, and nightlife. Use Nomax to coordinate with other travelers: join a group for a walking tour, split a day-trip cost, or simply explore the city together. The app makes spontaneous plans easy.
Explore Busan with fellow travelers
Download Nomax — find travel companions, join group activities, and chat with solo travelers in Busan right now. Free forever.
Travel tips by Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA 3.0). Content may have been updated since publication.
