The Best Free Things To Do In Busan

An oft-repeated phrase says that the best things in life are free, and that’s certainly true in South Korea’s bustling second city. The city is filled with fun things to do, even if you’re on the tightest of budgets — here are the best free things to do in Busan.

Check out the beaches

Busan is a coastal city, and has a number of beaches all with their own unique characteristics. The party area of Haeundae is South Korea’s most famous beach, and draws thousands of visitors from South Korea and abroad every year. Look out for the many free festivals that are held on the beaches, including arts performances, dance parties and cultural events. Weekend evenings normally see buskers appear, especially on the more popular beaches. Come summer, the water is thronged with swimmers.

Get cultured at art galleries

Explore Korea’s Santorini

For even more art, head to Gamcheon Culture Village. This once run-down neighbourhood is now one of Busan’s most popular destinations, thanks to its revival at the hands of community artists. Old-style Korean houses are painted with bright murals and sculptures, piling higgledy-piggledy down the hillside. Tiny art galleries, souvenir shops and cute cafés rub shoulders with one another. You don’t need to spend anything for a memorable day — just bring yourself, a camera, and comfortable shoes.

Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan, South Korea

See the world’s largest department store

Shinsegae Centum City is the largest department store in the world, as registered in the Guinness Book of Records. You can find pretty much anything there, including a golf course and one of the biggest spa complexes in Busan. It’s fun to walk around even if you’re not planning on buying anything — it’s also close to the previously mentioned Busan Museum of Art, as well as to the BEXCO Exhibition Centre and Busan Cinema Centre.

Go hiking

Get in touch with nature by exploring some of the many hiking trails in and around Busan. Wander the gentle paths behind Busan Children’s Park, opt for something a little more wild on the rocky crags of Igidae Coastal Park, or head up Jangsan Mountain for views out over the whole city.

Visit a temple built into the rock

Yonggungsa Temple, just past Songjeong Beach, was built in the 14th century on Busan’s rocky shores. Although it’s just a short bus ride (25 minutes) from Haeundae Beach, it can feel worlds away from Haeundae’s hustle and bustle. It’s the city’s most beautiful temple, surrounded by ocean and hardy trees, and is especially lovely during cherry blossom season and the celebration of Buddha’s Birthday, when the temple grounds are lit with hundreds of lanterns.

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Busan, South Korea

Wander round traditional markets

Busan’s many markets are well worth a visit even if you don’t plan to buy anything — although you may be sorely tempted by the delicious aromas of street food such as chicken skewers, tteokbokki and sweet ssiat hotteok. Jagalchi Fish Market is South Korea’s largest marine market, and you can see an astonishing variety of marine life on display (much of it alive) on the market’s ground floor. Gukje Market in Nampo-dong, Bujeon Market in Seomyeon, and even the small but perfectly formed street that comprises Haeundae Market, are all excellent to browse through and get a feel for everyday life in Korea.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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