Busan Travel Guide: Why Korea’s Seaside City Is Worth Visiting – Beaches, Food, Hot Springs, and Day Trips - Bits of Korea _ " Life in Busan, Culture in Korea"

 A Seaside Escape: Travel to Busan

Gwangalli Beach at sunset, with the lights of the Gwangan Bridge shimmering on the water.

When people think of traveling to Korea, most imagine starting in Seoul, the bustling capital. And that makes sense — sometimes your schedule barely allows enough time to explore Seoul and its surroundings.

But I’d like to recommend adding Busan, Korea’s second-largest city, to your itinerary. It’s just as lively as Seoul yet offers a very different vibe: a vibrant port city famous for the Busan International Film Festival, the Fireworks Festival, and so many other exciting events.

Here, you can enjoy both the sea and the mountains — go surfing or paddleboarding in summer, or soak in warm, relaxing hot springs in winter. Busan really is a city worth exploring in every season.

Why I Recommend Busan

Hop on a fast, comfortable train to Busan and start your trip right at Busan Station.

I’ll admit it first: Busan is my hometown. (HaHaHa 😆

This blog may look like a travel guide, but at its heart, it’s really a love letter to my home city. Don’t worry, though — I’ll keep things objective and share honest tips.

Head to Nampo-dong to taste some of Busan’s most beloved street-food classics.

1. A City Full of Energy and Nature

Busan offers the excitement of a big city alongside peaceful natural scenery.

As I write this in early autumn, the swimming season has ended, but you can still sit on the soft sand of beaches like Haeundae or Gwangalli and enjoy the crisp sea breeze. At night, the view of Gwangandaegyo Bridge lit up over the water is breathtaking.

The city is also surrounded by easy hiking trails — perfect for autumn foliage walks — and tranquil temples like Beomeosa and Haedong Yonggungsa, which sit in harmony with the surrounding mountains and coastline.

2. Pleasant Weather Year-Round

Located in Korea’s south and right on the coast, Busan tends to be cooler than inland cities in summer and milder in winter.

While the summer sun can be intense, it’s easy to retreat under a beach parasol or into one of Busan’s many cafés — the city is well-known for its vibrant coffee culture and even produced a World Barista Champion.

Winter rarely drops below freezing, so while you won’t see streets blanketed in snow, the mild temperatures make sightseeing on foot, by bus, or by car very comfortable. And if you do feel chilly, you can always warm up with a relaxing soak in one of the local hot springs.

3. Not Just Seafood — Surprisingly Good Meat, Too

In this seaside city, don’t miss the chance to enjoy the freshest sashimi with an ocean view.

Busan is a paradise for seafood lovers — fresh and affordable dishes straight from the ocean are everywhere.
But don’t overlook the city’s excellent meat dishes. Nearby Juchon Livestock Market and Gijang Cheolma Hanwoo Town are famous for high-quality, reasonably priced pork and Korean beef.

And here’s a surprise — Busan also has a bustling livestock market where you can enjoy top-quality Korean beef and pork at surprisingly reasonable prices!

If you’re feeling adventurous, try dwaeji duitgogi (pork “back meat”), a local specialty, or savor the rich, buttery flavor of premium Hanwoo beef.

4. Perfect for Repeat Visitors to Korea

If you’ve already explored Seoul and its surroundings, Busan makes a fantastic next stop.

In spring, nearby Yangsan is famous for its plum blossom festivals; in summer, you can cool off at Naewonsa Valley; in autumn, enjoy the vibrant colors at Tongdosa Temple; and in winter, visit cozy Korean saunas (jjimjilbangs) or hit the ski slopes and snowboarding parks.

A short trip to Gyeongju offers serene historical sites and, for thrill-seekers, the rides at Gyeongju World amusement park.

Or head to Geoje Island, with its smooth pebble beaches, fishing villages, and scenic coastal walks.

How to Get to Busan

Unfortunately, direct international flights to Busan are still limited.
However, it’s very easy to reach from Seoul:

✈️ By plane : about 1 hour
🚄 By high-speed train (KTX/SRT) : about 2.5–3 hours
🚌 By (late-night) express bus : about 4.5–5 hours

I’ll share more detailed tips on each option in my next post. 🙂

Ready to Plan Your Next Trip?

So, what do you think — are you starting to picture yourself in Busan?

If you’re still on the fence, I invite you to drop by this blog often. I’ll keep sharing local tips, hidden gems, and real stories from a Busan native’s perspective to help you plan an unforgettable visit.

Have questions about Busan? Leave a comment!
If it’s something I can answer quickly, I’ll reply right there.
For bigger questions, I’ll write a dedicated post to give you a more detailed guide.