Seoul and Jeju Island are popular vacation destinations in Korea, but few people head to Busan after a day trip. Personally, I think it’s a waste, as Busan has magnificent coastal scenery, rich local culture and a bustling downtown area that actually has a lot to do.
Think of Busan as a unique blend of Seoul and Jeju – definitely not as boring as I thought it would be!
Walk along Taejongdae – Busan Itinerary
The best part? Busan is only a two-hour train ride from Seoul, so it’s easy to add it to your Korea itinerary. Fun fact: Busan is also where Marvel’s Black Panther was filmed!
Pre-trip Essentials
Korail Card on Korean Trains – Things to do in Korea
Train to Busan: The most convenient way to travel from Seoul is by KTX train (₩59,800, ~S$66). If you plan to take a round-trip train from Seoul, please purchase a Korail pass.
Connectivity: Korea offers free public WiFi in some areas, but we also have 5GB 4G SIM cards (~S$25) delivered to our doorstep prior to travel.
Local Transportation: As long as you have a local transportation card, T-money (which you can also use to pay for cabs and goods!) ), you can easily take the subway in Seoul and Busan. You can buy it for ₩5,000 (about $5) at any convenience store in Korea.
App: Naver Map is the Korean version of Google Maps – but better. It’ll plan the most efficient route to your destination, making travel a breeze! (iOS / Android).
Hotel Ssorgente’s bedroom – Busan Itinerary
Photo credit: Hotel Ssorgente
Busan Accommodation: For this trip, we booked a hotel near Sasang subway station in Gyeonghwa-dong area. Booking online through Klook was convenient and it gave us peace of mind knowing that our accommodations were taken care of before we flew to Korea. Not to mention, it even included free breakfast!
Day 1: Experience the local culture
Jagalchi Market
Jagalchi Market – Busan Itinerary
Busan is probably best known for its fresh seafood, and every Busan itinerary takes you to the Jagalchi Market, one of the few places worth visiting. The real attraction? The ability to buy live seafood and cook it at a nearby restaurant. However, be prepared to spend between ₩20,000 (~S$22) and ₩40,000 (~S$44)!
If this is out of your budget, just explore the market. As you stroll through the indoor and outdoor markets, you’ll get a fascinating and authentic look at local life. ajummas are very friendly and will even offer you free samples!
Opening hours: 5am to 10pm (restaurant open from 9am)
Address: 52 Jagalchi-bin-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
Kick off the authentic Busan Korean cuisine
Things to do in Korea for Girls
For those who prefer a more hands-on experience, what better way to learn about Busan food culture than by cooking it yourself?
In the Busan Cooking Class, you will be guided by an experienced local chef who will teach you how to make a variety of dishes such as dongrae onion pancakes (seafood onion pancakes), mee-ye soup (seaweed soup with clams), and beoseot mixed vegetables (stir-fried vermicelli).
Homemade Busan Korean Food – Things to do in Korea
Each class takes about three and a half hours, and at the end of the class, you will enjoy four different dishes prepared with local ingredients and served with local rice wine.
As a special souvenir, you can also take home recipes to recreate these Korean dishes for your family and friends!
Cost: 85,000 KRW/adult (approx. S$93)
Class time: 10am to 1:30pm
Address: 2F, 15, 186 Gudeok-ro, Seogu, Busan
International Market and Gwanghwa-ro Fashion Street
International Market – Busan Itinerary
Don’t be fooled by the reference to another “market”! This one is a bit different from the hodgepodge of street food, housewares, snack bars, etc. Gukje Market is connected to Gwangbokro Fashion Street – my personal shopping haven for vintage stores, indie brands, and cheap basics (hello, my new S$9 “Stussy ” sweatpants ?).
Hours: 9am-8pm (closed on the first and third Sunday of the month)
Address: 25 Gwanghwon-dong International Temple 2-ga, Jung-gu, Busan
*Tip: Come in the afternoon when it’s not crowded and try bargaining for a cheaper price!
