3 Days in Busan: Best Itinerary for First Timers

Looking for the best way to spend 3 days in Busan? I’ve got you covered with this itinerary!

I adored Busan, which is a laidback city on South Korea’s southeastern coast. In fact, I may have even preferred it to Seoul (shhh!). Some people say that Busan is boring, but I disagree. It’s the perfect combination of nature, coastal walks, cute cafes, and colorful villages.

If you’re also craving a slower pace after spending time in Seoul, then you’ll love this 3 day Busan itinerary. Let’s get to it!

3 Days in Busan: An Overview

Busan is a sprawling city. That’s why you need a good itinerary for your visit. If you want to spend less time in buses or taxis, and more time on fun activities like spas and temples, then it pays off to be strategic.

I’ve designed this 3 day Busan itinerary to give first time visitors the best overview of the city, whilst still incorporating some more underrated activities (like aesthetic cafes, a foot spa, and a cooking class), and all the while keeping transportation convenience front of mind.

How Many Days Do You Need in Busan?

In my experience, 3 days in Busan was a good amount of time, especially if you’re spending 10 days in South Korea like we did. Three full days gave us time to decompress from the chaos of Seoul, linger at cafes, and soak up this coastal city.

With three days in Busan, we did most of the activities on my bucket list, and we felt ready to return to Seoul. However, we did miss out on some hikes and temples I would’ve liked to see—so if you have time, you could add a day or two.

You could also spend less than 3 days in Busan, but you’d have to skip activities like the cooking class or Spa Land, and I’d be hard pressed to choose! 

In short, if you have time in your South Korea itinerary, then aim for at least 3 days in Busan.

You can read my itinerary in more detail below. I’ve designed it with general activity lists, rather than an hour-by-hour schedule, because I think that’s more helpful!

How to Get to Busan

First of all, how do you get to Busan? You have three options: train, bus, or plane.

KTX Train: The Korea Train Express (KTX) is Korea’s high-speed rail network, and this is the most popular way to reach Busan. It takes ~2.5 hours to travel from Seoul to Busan, and trains leave frequently. Book tickets here.

Bus: This is a slightly cheaper option than the train, but takes longer. The Express Bus takes ~4 hours from Seoul to Busan. Book tickets here.

Flight: You can book direct flights to Busan from Seoul or Jeju Island.

We traveled to Busan via KTX train from Seoul, and it was very easy and straightforward. I would recommend it, but definitely book your tickets in advance.

We were able to book our tickets directly with Korail. However, many people report having their foreign credit card rejected. If that happens to you, then booking KTX tickets via Klook is a very popular and legit workaround.

How to Get Around Busan

How to get around Busan is a hot topic, because Busan is a somewhat spread out city.

I read other Busan blogs and travel guides before our trip, and honestly they scared me! They made it seem like Busan was this massive city with a confusing transport system, and the only solution was to pay lots of money for a private driver.

My experience was far from that. I found it easy to get around Busan using public buses and subways. Just like in Seoul, you pay with your T-Money card (which can be topped up at any convenience store). Naver Maps works great for directions.

Uber is also easy to use in Busan, pretty affordable, and we never had to wait long for a car. We used Uber a few times to get to temples that would’ve taken much longer to reach via public transport.

Yes, Busan is spread out, but it’s nothing crazy if you’re accustomed to traveling in cities. And if you’re strategic with your Busan itinerary by targeting activities that are close together on each day, then you can maximize your time. That’s what I did, and you can use my Busan itinerary below!

Day 0: Arrive in Busan

Highlights: Arrive in Busan, check in to hotel.

I recommend traveling to Busan in the evening by the KTX train. This way, you can wake up fresh the next morning with a full day to explore!

One reason we did this is because we found accommodation in Busan to be much more affordable than in Seoul. Yes, we could’ve taken an early morning train to Busan, but we decided to save some money by spending the night in Busan instead of Seoul. 

Where to Stay in Busan

The best place to stay in Busan is near Seomyeon Station. This area is really well-connected and central, so it’s a great hub to explore the city from. Plus, the restaurant scene in Seomyeon is very buzzy!

We stayed at Gem Stay Busan, and I highly recommend it! The hotel was unbelievably affordable—£30 GBP / $40 USD per night in April—and nicer than a hotel we paid 5x that much for in Seoul!

Rooms come with comfy beds, tables and chairs, a kitchen (!!), and a bathroom. There’s also an amazing free rooftop view, and the location is unbeatable right outside Seomyeon Station.

Some travelers choose to stay in Haeundae or Gwangalli Beach, which are both beautiful beachside locations. However, I personally think that these are too far removed. If you only have 3 days in Busan, it’s better to choose a more central location as your base.

Day 1 in Busan: Cultural Villages and Views

Highlights: Colorful cultural villages, viewpoints, a foot bath, and an iconic seafood market

Your first full day in Busan is a busy one, but it takes you to some of the city’s most memorable sites and best viewpoints!

What to Do

Explore Gamcheon Culture Village

I recommend starting your first day in Busan bright and early, by taking the bus to Gamcheon Culture Village, and specifically Coffee IT House for the best views.

Try to arrive when the coffee shop opens, which is 9:30am. This is what we did and we had it all to ourselves to choose the best spot! Grab a coffee and enjoy the views of Gamcheon Culture Village.

After enjoying the view, I recommend grabbing breakfast at Kkachi Kkachi, which is a cute brunch restaurant nearby. It opens at 10am, which is pretty early by Korean standards, so take advantage of this!

(Also… it has gluten free options! If you’re a celiac like me, then check out my gluten free Busan guide).

Then, take your time walking around Gamcheon Culture Village, which is not just a twisting collection of colorful houses, but has a deeper story behind it. The village began as a settlement for refugees during the Korean War. In 2009, local students and residents started painting the houses as part of the Village Art Project in an attempt to revitalize the area.

Today, Gamcheon Village is one of Busan’s most popular tourist destinations, and its transformation is taught in schools around the country. Many of the original residents and their descendents still live here, though, so keep that in mind and be respectful as you explore.

If you have time, you might want to stop by DUF Coffee in Gamcheon Culture Village, which is quite possibly the weirdest cafe you’ll ever visit (it even has resident ducks!).

Check Out the Free View From Lotte Department Store

Next up, you’ll take the bus to Lotte Department Store (Gwangbok location). Head up to the 13th floor, and you’ll get an epic free viewpoint of Busan!

Alternatively, you could use this time to go up the Busan Tower. However, I actually preferred the open air terrace of Lotte Department Store’s viewpoint. Busan is all about fresh air and sea views, and you don’t need a glass wall separating you from that in my opinion!

Lunch at Jagalchi Market

From here, it’s a short walk over to Busan’s iconic Jagalchi Market. Explore the chaotic atmosphere of the ground floor wet market, choose your seafood, and then eat it upstairs!

Dan and I shared a steamed king crab and it was sooo fun (and delicious). I recommend restaurant #36 for their seaside table views and friendly staff!

Note: Jagalchi Market closes on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesdays of each month.

Check Out BIFF Square

While you’re in the area, walk over to BIFF Square, which is Busan’s film and cultural district.

There are some street food stalls here including a very popular one that sells hotteok (Korean griddle cakes). This was Dan’s favorite street food he had anywhere in South Korea!

(And, again, if you’re gluten free like me, you can check out my guide to gluten free street food in South Korea so you don’t feel too left out).

Explore Huinnyeoul Culture Village

From BIFF Square, it’s easy to take a bus to Huinnyeoul Culture Village (this journey should take ~25 minutes!).

Spend the rest of your afternoon exploring this adorable village and walking the coastal path.

I recommend visiting the Footbath Cafe. For roughly $10 USD, you get 30 minutes of relaxation with stunning sea views, a hot foot bath, shoulder massage, and a complimentary coffee or tea of your choice! They can get booked up, so drop by here first to make an appointment.

My other tip is to stop by Yeoul Cafe and relax on their oceanfront patio with a mango bingsu (a traditional Korean shaved frozen milk dish!). Soaking up the views here was one of my favorite moments in South Korea!

Drone Show at Gwangalli Beach

As the sun sets, take the bus back over to Gwangalli Beach.

If you can, time this day on your itinerary for Saturday, so you can see the famous drone show! It’s only 10 minutes long, but a sight to see. You can see it on Saturdays at 8pm or 10pm.

Gwangalli Beach is also a popular spot for locals to eat ramen for dinner, ordered from a convenience store. If that doesn’t interest you, then there are plenty of nearby restaurants here, or back in Seomyeon by your hotel.

Day 2 in Busan: Food and Coastal Views in Haeundae

Highlights: Cooking class, a coastal walk, scenic temple and sky capsule views, and Michelin-listed noodles

Your second day in Busan takes you to the coastal neighborhood of Haeundae, and involves lots of walking and sightseeing, plus a couple activities you’ll need to book ahead.

What to Do

Coffee and Breakfast in Haeundae

Start your day by taking the subway or bus to the Haeundae neighborhood, where you’ll spend most of your day.

We grabbed coffee from Small Good Coffee Marine City. This is such an understated little spot but it has AMAZING reviews and was the best flat white I had in Busan by a mile!

Dan also got breakfast here—a delicious salt bread—and highly recommends it. (If you’re gluten free like me, pop by a convenience store for breakfast).

Take a Cooking Class in Haeundae

Next, walk over to your cooking class, which starts at 10am! I absolutely loved the cooking class we did in Busan and I think it’s a must-do if you’re a foodie traveler like me.

Min, the teacher, is a Busan local and the cooking class is actually held in her apartment! She is incredibly personable and shared lots of history and tips for visiting Busan and South Korea in general.

Go on a Coastal Walk

After your cooking class (around 1pm), it’s time for a long coastal walk! If you know me, then you know I’m a huge fan of long walks. Feel free to pick and choose among my recommended stops below, if you want a shorter walk!

In general, you’re going to head east along the coast, walking through Haeundae town and then Haeundae Blueline Park.

We walked from Mipo Station past Cheongsapo Station and continued all the way to Songjeong Station, where we got 10 won cake—a classic Korean street food—from this shop (yes, it was gluten free!). We ate it at Songjeong Beach and it was perfect!

If you want a shorter walk, then I recommend ending at Cheongsapo Station.

Visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

From the end of your walk, order an Uber or taxi to the stunning Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. It’s possible to take a bus, but it will take a lot longer. I’ve tried to make this Busan itinerary as efficient as possible, to help you avoid time in transit and leave more time for sightseeing! 

This seaside Buddhist temple was constructed in the 14th century and is one of the most breathtaking views in Busan. It’s free to enter, so take your time exploring.

Take the Sky Capsule 

Finally, it’s time to go on Busan’s iconic sky capsule! From the temple, it’s easy to order another Uber to take you to your starting station.

The best time of day to do the sky capsule is sunset, so this itinerary will work perfectly for spring and summertime visits to Busan. If you’re visiting Busan in fall or winter, when the sun sets earlier, then you may have to rearrange the activities a bit.

Now, getting tickets for the sky capsule is TRICKY! I’m going to be honest with you… we failed to get sky capsule tickets and it’s my biggest regret from my trip to Busan! So please, learn from my mistakes.

How to book Busan sky capsule tickets:

• Book your tickets four weeks in advance, when tickets are released. Tickets sell out VERY quickly, especially for desirable timeslots like golden hour.
• You can try to book tickets directly on the official Blueline website, but most non-Korean credit cards are rejected (this happened to us).
• Book tickets through a third party. Lots of people have success booking sky capsule tickets via Klook. You can also try paying a Korean resident via Fiverr to book tickets on your behalf, but this will be more expensive as you’ll have to pay their fees, too.
• Book a tour that includes the sky capsule. This is probably your easiest option to get tickets, but of course it only works if you’re up for the whole tour experience! This golden hour sky capsule and night view photo spots tour would be my pick, personally!

If you are unsuccessful in buying tickets in advance, you can try to buy tickets in person. This is what we attempted, but there were no tickets available. That’s why I highly recommend being organized and booking in advance.

Eat Michelin-Listed Noodles for Dinner

Finally, end your day eating a delicious dinner in Haeundae.

My top recommendation is Buda Myeonoak, which is a Michelin-listed traditional North Korean noodle restaurant. They serve a cold noodle soup made from 100% buckwheat, with rich brothy, umami flavors.

The atmosphere is authentic and lowkey, and the buckwheat noodles are DELICIOUS!

After dinner, explore and grab dessert from Haeundae Market, which is just steps away. Then, head back to your hotel!

Day 3 in Busan: Unwind with Spas and Cafes

Highlights: Spa Land, aesthetic cafes, and a lantern-filled temple

Your third and final day in Busan is very slow paced. Think: spas and cafe wandering. I’ve strategically planned a more relaxed itinerary for this day, so you can save some energy for your return to Seoul (or catch up on any activities you missed on the previous days!).

What to Do

Relax at Spa Land

Begin your last day in Busan with a relaxing session at Spa Land!

Spa Land is Korea’s largest jjimjilbang (bathouse), and you honestly must experience it.

Entry is only £11 GBP / $15 USD, and includes 20+ hot springs and 13 themed saunas. You can buy tickets ahead of time here, or upon arrival.

Dan and I spent a very relaxing four hours dipping into different pools, testing out various sauna rooms (Infrared! Charcoal!), being pummeled by massage chairs, and enjoying our complimentary soft serve ice creams.

If you get hungry for more than ice cream, there’s a make-your-own ramen bar that’s super popular.

Explore Shinsegae Department Store

Spa Land is located inside Shinsegae Department Store, which is actually listed in the Guiness Book of World Records as the largest department store in the whole world!

I’m not much of a shopper myself, but it was still impressive to wander around the shopping complex and marvel at how massive it was (I especially enjoyed the food hall).

Jeonpo Cafe Street

In the afternoon, take the subway back to Seomyeon, and do some foodie explorations. I recommend popping into the aesthetic cafes along Jeonpo Cafe Street.

If you’re looking for a bigger meal, then I recommend TAE TAE TAE for Asian fusion cuisine (gluten free options!), or Kyochon Chicken for an authentic Korean fried chicken dinner (Dan loved this).

Visit the Samgwangsa Temple

Finally, if you have the energy then I recommend visiting Samgwangsa Temple! This is a Buddhist temple that’s open 24 hours a day and has free entry. It’s a short bus journey or Uber from Seomyeon.

Samgwangsa Temple is a must-see during the Lotus Lantern Festival, when it’s filled with thousands of colorful lanterns.

The Lantern Festival happens every year in the weeks around Buddha’s birthday, meaning it usually falls on dates during April or May. The exact dates change year-to-year.

Is it worth visiting Samgwangsa Temple outside of the Lantern Festival? This is what we did and I still thought it was beautiful and peaceful! 

Final Day: Leaving Busan

It’s time to leave Busan! I recommend catching a morning KTX train back to Seoul (or perhaps a flight to Jeju Island? It’s up to you!). 

As I mentioned earlier in this article, we really liked our hotel in Busan and found that the accommodation in Busan was significantly more affordable than in Seoul. So, spending 3 days / 4 nights in Busan was a little budget hack for us!

What to Do in Busan if You Have More Than Three Days

I think that 3 days in Busan is a great balance of time. It’s enough to hit the main activities plus a few more unusual ones, but not too long that you risk getting bored (or miss out elsewhere in your South Korea itinerary).

Saying that, there were some things I wanted to do in Busan that we didn’t have time for. If you want to add an extra day in Busan, these are some things to add to your list:

• Oryukdo Skywalk
• Igidae Coastal Trail
• Seokbulsa Temple
• Yeongdo Lighthouse
• ARTE MUSEUM Busan (this is great for a rainy day)
• Bujeon Market
• Sunrise or sunset at Hwangnyeongsan Beacon
• Simmian, an aesthetic Japanese cafe in Haeundae

I could go on! 

Final Thoughts on How to Spend 3 Days in Busan

I hope that this Busan itinerary was helpful for your planning, and set your mind at ease about public transport and getting around this city. Please let me know in the comments below if you have any questions for me!

Check out my other South Korea blog posts…

8 South Korea Wellness Experiences to Have

Gluten Free Busan: The Complete Guide for Celiacs

Gluten Free South Korea: What You Need to Know