Here is a fun and jam-packed 3-day Busan itinerary based on what my friend and I did during our trip and what we learned along the way and afterwards.
Who Is This Busan Travel Itinerary For?
Since it was our first time in Busan, this guide was made in mind for first-time travelers. That being said, if you’ve been to Busan already, there might be some things on this list that you haven’t done yet!
When you’re visiting a place for the first time, you’ll probably spend a lot of time figuring out where things are and getting a little lost. That means the actual time you have to explore is less than you might expect. You’ll also be walking around a lot, which can wear you out fast! So there’s some balance between cramming in as many places as you can and making sure you actually enjoy the day without burning out. I think this itinerary does just that.
Three days is a good amount of time to start exploring Busan. That’s how long we stayed, and we both agreed that we wanted to go back because there’s still many things to do in Busan!
If this is your first time traveling to Busan, hooray! It’s a beautiful seaside city with colorful and vibrant culture villages, numerous mountains, and an incredible variety of local food. You’re in for a real treat :).
What’s Included in This Itinerary?
- Things to do
- Restaurants (breakfast + lunch + dinner + dessert)
- Coffee shops
I’ll also sprinkle some personal thoughts and lessons we learned along the way like what was worth, what wasn’t, and what we would do differently next time.
Day 1
Here’s a little snippet showing all the locations for day 1!
Blue circles = places to visit
Black circles = food and coffee spots!
Places to Visit:
1. Going up Busan Tower
Let’s start the day off with stunning 360° panoramic views of the city at the top of Busan Tower. You’ll see everything from the seaside cityscape to the diverse architectural styles that make up Busan. There’s also a small art museum inside that I thought was pretty neat!
It’s hard to say whether going at night or day is better, but for 12,000 won ($8.40 USD), the views and experience are worth it.
There’s also a small park and small shops around the tower, so it’s nice to take a walk nearby.
2. Shopping at Gwangbok-ro Fashion Street
Into shopping (or window shopping like myself :P)? Whether it’s at big name brands like National Geographic or small niche stores, Gwangbok-ro Fashion Street has it all! It’s also just nice to walk up and down the street :).
There’s a long stairwell you can take that leads from Busan Tower all the way down to the fashion street, so it’s something you can do right after visiting the tower.
My friend and I came here both during the day and at night. It’s much prettier at night with all the lights. If you don’t mind crowded places, I’d recommend coming here at night as well. It’s more upbeat!
3. Capture the Views at Gamcheon Culture Village
So you got the high-up view vantage point of Busan at Busan Tower. What about getting up close to Gamcheon Culture Village, one of the city’s most iconic spots? The village began as a refugee settlement after the Korean War and was later revitalized in the 2000s through collaborations between local artists and the government.
The views of the colorful houses are awesome. It’s also a great spot to also see the sunset!
There’s small restaurants, coffee shops, and little souvenir stores spread throughout the village. My friend and I did a tea ceremony at Yao teahouse!
There’s a main road that wraps around the village, but if you’re feeling adventurous, wander through the narrow, winding alleyways. Some of these houses are a lot smaller when you’re up close! Like some of the doors were shorter than me!
Note: There is a bus you can take that will drive you all the way up to the village. My friend and I didn’t know that and so we walked all the way up…good cardio but terrible choice.
4. Experiencing Night Life at BIFF Square
It’s time to circle back and experience Busan’s nightlife at BIFF Square! It’s crowded, bustling, and full of life. You’ll find food stalls and tents selling everything from giant corn dogs to fried potato swirls with cheese to candied fruit skewers.
Want to go shopping? You’ll find people selling clothes and trinkets on their carts. There’s also a lot of big shops like Olive Young! We actually ended up spending most of our time there because my friend and I are obsessed with skin care products 😂.
Want a drink? There’s bars and food tents that sell soju!
Things to Eat & Drink:
1. Breakfast: Sinchang Toast
We didn’t find this place at the time, but since it’s so close to everything we were doing, this is something I’d try if I came back. It looks really good and has great online reviews.
This is one of the few breakfast places that opens early. Most of the breakfast spots we initially chose didn’t open until after 9 AM.
Cost: N/A – see online reviews and pictures
2. Coffee Shop: Aery
Fantastic coffee, decent pastries, and very friendly staff. I wrote a review of Aery, which you can read here!
Our original coffee shop was Chaedo but it didn’t open at 8AM, so we ended up going to Aery instead. This turned out to be the best coffee shop my friend and I went to in Busan. Note that a lot of coffee shops open around 9 or 10 AM. So plan accordingly if you’re starting your day earlier than 9 AM!
Cost: 6,500 won (~$4.50 USD)
3. Lunch: Sulgodang
Highly recommend this place! Food was fantastic and very reasonably priced. We got a pork bulgogi combo set. As you can see–lots of banchan dishes! My friend and I struggled to finish everything!
Cost: 12,000 won per person (~$8 USD)
4. Dinner: Dolgorae Sundubu
This place has good sundubu and is incredibly cheap!
We were super tired from walking around all day, so we wanted something light. If you’re looking for something more filling, I’d recommend somewhere else. When we visited, they only served sundubu—and the one we got had very little meat (it was literally called sundubu with very little pork on the menu).
Cost: 8,000 won per person (~$6 USD)
5. Dessert: Yeongyeongjae
They have exquisite pastries. If you’re looking for something unique and interesting, this is the spot! I got a gateau filled with vanilla ganache, with a berry and pistachio compote at its center, all sitting on top of a rice cookie. It was very rich, but super delicious.
Cost: 8,000 won (~$6 USD)
Day 1 Additional Thoughts
Make sure you bring a lot of water wherever you go! There’s plenty of CU and GS25 convenient stores around. We walked around a lot more than we anticipated, and I got so thirsty. I only brought my 32oz water bottle, which I had already finished before lunchtime. So unless you’re super fit, don’t mind being dehydrated, or already walk a ton every day, bring more water than you think you’ll need!
Day 2
Places to Visit:
Here’s a little snippet showing all the locations for day 2! A little bit more spread out compared to day 1, but that’s how it’s got to be since we are half way into our time in Busan.
Blue circles = places to visit
Black circles = food and coffee spots!
1. Seaside Views at Huinnyeoul Culture Village + Coastal Tunnel
You’re starting your day off Huinnyeoul Culture Village!
Wait…didn’t we do a ‘culture village’ yesterday? Yep. This village shares similar aspects as Gamcheon, but the vibe here is different—less colorful and more serene.
You’ll find cozy restaurants, coffee shops, and gifts stores scattered throughout the village. If you’re into street art murals or painted staircases, this is your spot. The village offers a good mix of seaside views and cliffside charm.
Walk all the way down the cliff to reach the Jeoryeong Coastal Path (it was under construction when we went 😞). At the end, there’s a coastal tunnel that takes you to a small, quiet stretch of sand on the other side.
2. Get Fishy at Jalgalchi Fish Market
Now it’s time to head up north and over to Jalgalchi Fish Market, the largest seafood market in South Korea! This is where you can try the freshest seafood. Apparently, there’s something called Jagalchi Ajumma, which refers to the hardworking women who run the stalls here.
I originally planned to visit early in the morning to catch the fishmongers in action, but… I slept in. Oops haha. When I return to Busan, this is high on my list to revisit properly.
3. Shopping at LOTTE Department Store Gwangbok
Ready for more shopping? Head to the LOTTE Department Store in Gwangbok, just a short walk from Jagalchi Market.
Even if you’re not big on shopping, this location is worth a visit. It’s the only LOTTE department store in Korea located right by the sea and holds the Guinness World Record for the largest indoor music fountain (it wasn’t turned on when we went ><). There’s also a rooftop observation deck with sweeping views of the coast.
4. Amazing Sunset Views at Hwangryeongsan Mountain Viewpoint
If you’re looking for the best sunset view in Busan, this is the place: Hwangryeongsan Mountain Viewpoint. It’s absolutely breathtaking. Hard to describe—just check out the pictures.
You could easily spend 2+ hours here. We ended up staying for about 3 hours because we hiked part of the mountain.
We took a bus, but it only dropped us partway up. The rest was a steep hike… and let me tell you, it was brutal. I highly recommend taking the Geumgang Cable Car or grabbing an Uber/taxi to the top.
Bonus: we made a random friend up there who also happened to be from the U.S.!
Things to Eat & Drink:
1. Breakfast: EGG DROP
It’s a solid egg sandwich and reasonably priced.
This is probably as close as you’re going to get to an American-style breakfast sandwich.
Cost: 5,900 won ($4 USD).
2. Coffee Shop: Yeongyeongjae
My friend got a pour over while I got a vanilla latte. The coffee is decent, but I think what stand out more are the shop’s dessert and inner décor. Each floor has a different artistic centerpiece.
Cost: 6,500 won (~$4.50 USD) for a vanilla latte
3. Lunch: 거인왕돈까스 (Tonkatsu)
This restaurant is located on the main street in Huinnyeoul Village. The food was great. My friend and I both got a bowl of ramen and shared a plate of Tonkatsu. They have a window that opens out to the sea, and we got lucky with the window seat. It gave us the perfect ocean view while eating!
Cost: 24,500 won ($17 USD for both of us / ~$8.50 per person)
ALTERNATIVE: Jalgachi Fish Market
Seafood is something you have to try when you’re in Busan. You’re right next to the sea and you won’t get any fresher seafood then where it’s caught and prepared and sold. You can eat here after exploring Huinnyeoul Culture Village.
4. Dinner: Pohang Dwaeji-gukbap
Dwaeji-gukbap is a popular dish in Busan, and the daweji gukbap here was fantastic. Pork was tender and the broth was light but flavorful.
It was cold that evening, so the warm soup and tender pork really hit the spot. The place was busy, but we managed to get seats in the back.
Cost: ~11,250 won or ~$8 USD per person
5. Dessert: Sulbing
Korean shaved ice! It’s definitely something you need to try if you haven’t already.
Unfortunately, we got back too late and they were closed 😞. So we found an alternative: GOMANGO.
ALTERNATIVE: GOMANGO
This was one of the few dessert spots still open late. We had a mango sponge cake, a mango slush, and a mango macaron. Good flavors, but there’s practically no seating, so just order to go.
Cost: 10,300 won or ~$7 USD
Day 2 Additional Thoughts
I think we spent a little too much time at Huinnyeoul Culture Village, which pushed back the rest of our plans. If you’ve already been to (or are planning to visit) Gamcheon or another culture village, I’d recommend limiting your time to 1–2 hours max at each. They’re beautiful, but after one or two, they can start to feel a bit repetitive.
Day 3
Places to Visit:
Here’s a little snippet showing all the locations for the final day! We’re now exploring the northeast side of Busan.
Unfortunately, it rained until the afternoon, so we didn’t get to do most of the things on our list. The only thing we managed was Spa Land. If it hadn’t rained, here’s what we would have done.
Blue circles = places to visit
Black circles = food and coffee spots!
1. Check Out Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Unlike most Korean temples nestled in the hills or mountains, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is on the cliffside overlooking the East Sea! It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in Busan.
We couldn’t do this because it rained in the morning. It looked incredible from the pictures.
2. Go-Karting at Skyline Luge Busan
Next up is go-karting at Skyline Luge Busana. It’s a fun and low-effort activity that doesn’t involve a ton of walking, which I was looking forward to.
Again… rained out. 😭
3. Ride the Haeundae Sky Capsule
Haeundae Sky Capsule is a vibrant, retro monorail-style cart that you can ride along the coast at Haeundae Blueline Park. You get stunning ocean views and lots of cool photos of Busan. Since you are coming from Skyline Luge Busan, you would ride from Songjeong Station to Mipo Station.
Sadly, it was raining, so we didn’t get to do this either. I was super bummed—the photos looked amazing!
4. Relax at SPA LAND @ Centum City
Spas are something you have to checkout and experience because they’re an iconic part of Korean culture. And one of the best spas is Spa Land!
Spend the afternoon relaxing at Spa Land @ Centum City. This place is huge! It’s amongst the most luxurious and modern spas in Busan. It’s got 22 bathtubs and two types of thermal water. It’s got 13 different themed hot steam rooms. There’s a relaxation room where you can sleep. There’s also an outside area to soak your feet. There’s also a ramen bar. Endless amounts of amenities!
You get four hours with a single entry. If you want to stay longer, you can just pay extra.
This was my first time a Korean spa, so it was definitely a bit shocking to see other men (and my friend) fully naked. I was super nervous before going in, but honestly, I got over the whole being naked thing in like 5 minutes..
Cost: 20,000 won (~$14 USD)
Things to Eat & Drink:
1. Breakfast and Coffee Shop: Momo’s Coffee
Their coffee is great! My friend got one of their specialty coffee drinks and two buttery pastries. They also serve some small breakfast sandwiches.
Momo’s opens early. It was packed when we arrived, so try to go early!
They have several locations in Busan. We went to the one near the ocean. Their flagship store is further inland.
Cost: 15,500 won ( ~$11 USD)
2. Lunch : Shinsaegae Department Store Centum City Food Hall
The food court is massive. You have a lot of different options. I got this super flavorful steak bowl. For how much meat they gave me, I couldn’t believe this was only $9.
Cost: 12,900 won (~$9 USD)
3. Dinner: Buda Myeonoak
This is a Michelin guide recommendation known for their cold buckwheat noodles! It’s about a 10 minute bus ride from Spa Land.
We had this on our list for dinner but since it was chilly outside, we weren’t really the mood for cold noodles.
ALTERNATIVE: Shinsaegae Department Store Centum City Food Hall
After the spa, we were so relaxed that we just went back to the Shinsaegae Food Hall for dinner. It was convenient and still hit the spot.
Cost: 10,000 won (~$7 USD total)
4. Dessert: Mug Dessert Lab
We didn’t know about this spot at the time, but after seeing the photos and reviews, I wish we had. Mug Dessert Lab is close to Centum City and just down the street from Momo’s Coffee.
Cost: N/A
ALTERNATIVE: Shinsaegae Department Store Centum City Food Hall
The food hall has a bunch of small pastry shops so you can enjoy some nice desserts here.
We wrapped up dinner around 8:30 PM and grabbed some small pastries and ice cream from the dessert counters in the food hall. Easy, tasty, and perfect for a chill night.
Cost: N/A
Day 3 Additional Thoughts
Doing the spa later in the day made us feel more relaxed and sleepy than energized. If you also plan to go in the evening, don’t be surprised if you’re not in the mood to walk around much afterward!
We had originally planned to go to Haeundae Ogtap Rooftop for some drinks, but since we were feeling a little mellow, we ended up going to a random food tent instead. Had some soju and beer. It was cozy and honestly, the perfect end to the rainy day.
I hope this 3-day Busan itinerary has given you some ideas for your own trip! Busan is a super fun city to explore, and I can’t wait to go back.
If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below! I’d love to hear from you.
Have fun traveling! Cheers~
