Cafes, Charming Beaches, and Oceanside Views
Experience an exciting day trip to Busan, a coastal city with stunning views, charming beaches, cultural activities, and delicious cafes. Let the city’s vibrant atmosphere and traditions enchant you as you make unforgettable memories in this South Korean ocean-side city. Explore the local cultural village art scene, visit cafes with stunning views and yummy coffee, and find unique souvenirs to take home. Busan has it all for an immersive and enjoyable day trip that will leave you with cherished memories. Here are 5 of my favorite things to do on a day trip to Busan, South Korea’s 2nd largest city by the sea.
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Day Trip: 5 Fun Things to Do in Busan, South Korea
Songdo Beach
Experience the magic of Busan’s beautiful beaches all year round. Whether spring, summer, fall, or winter, Haeundae, Gwangali, Songjeong, and Songdo Beach offer many exciting activities. I highly recommend Songdo Beach for its undeniable charm. Not only is the beach stunning, but it also maintains a pleasant and uncrowded atmosphere. You’ll be amazed by the wide range of remarkable activities and cafes available on the beach and in its surroundings.
Songdo Beach Activities
If you can’t find something to do on Songdo Beach, you aren’t trying. Aside from swimming, grabbing something to eat, enjoying watersports like jetskis, banana boats, snorkeling, or just sinking your toes in sand. Haeundae Beach doesn’t have a monopoly on festivals either.
The Songdo Skywalk is open after the massive damage it encountered after Typhoon Hinnamnor last September. Take the Songdo Marine Cable Car (or walk) to Amnan Park and hike the mountain. Walk across the scenic Songdo Yonggung Cloud Bridge. You can also hike Songdo Coastal Bolle-gil Trail for an up close and personal experience with nature.
Shinsegae Department Store (Mall)
Are you a fan of shopping? If so, you’ll be pleased to know there is a vast shopping mall across the street from DAH Museum. Shinsegae Department Store offers a vast array of goods and services conveniently housed under one roof. If you’re looking for an exceptional shopping experience, you might want to explore what used to be the largest mall in the world, Shinsegae Mall (although it has since been surpassed by the one in Daegu and possibly others). With over 600 brand shops, this mall is a shopaholic’s paradise.
But Shinsegae Mall is more than just a shopping destination. I haven’t been there in a few years, but I remember it had a lot to do there. It also boasts a variety of entertainment facilities to enhance your visit. You can relax at Spa Land (jjimjilbang), a traditional Korean spa, or catch the latest blockbuster at the movie theater. If you’re up for some physical activity, enjoy ice skating at the rink or practice your swing at the golf range. Additionally, there’s a bookstore for bookworms and a dedicated kids’ park to keep the little ones entertained. The mall offers an abundance of entertainment options to cater to various interests.
Address:
[Naver Map]
Shinsegae Dept. Store Centum City Branch
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Museum One (formerly called Museum DAH)
Formerly known as the DAH Museum, Museum One is a captivating digital sanctuary across from the iconic Shinsegae Mall in Busan. Museum One is Korea’s first media museum. While Museum is creative, it is not a museum for the serious art lover. Located in Centum City, the museum blends innovation with art. Its ever-evolving collection of immersive digital themes transforms walls, floors, and ceilings into dynamic screens, inviting visitors to explore a world where children play amid virtual flowers and spatial designs shift like a dream. From its vibrant Earth-themed exhibits to the fusion of traditional and futuristic at Café DAHnLIA, Museum 1 offers an extraordinary voyage into the heart of imaginative expression.
Before You Go
- Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a guardian to access the museum.
- For preschoolers, guardians are requested to hold their hands while in the exhibition halls.
- Running or shouting is prohibited within the premises.
- The use of selfie sticks or tripods is not permitted.
- Kindly utilize the paid lockers situated outside the museum entrance to store any luggage, with the exception of handbag-sized items.
- Museum hours are from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily.
- Free parking with museum entrance, $18 for an adult, lockers and cafe onsite.
Address:
[Naver Map]
Museum One
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Blue Line Haeundae Beach Train or Sky Capsule
Mipo to Cheongsapo
Experience the beauty of Busan’s coastal scenery by riding on the Blue Line Haeundae Beach Train or the Haeundae Sky Capsule. The train route stretches from Haeundae Mipo to Cheongsapo and onward to Songjeong, offering stunning views. For the best ocean views, board the train from Haeundae Mipo, which runs closest to the coastline.
The Haeundae Blueline Park Sky Capsule is a private tram car that sits 10 meters high, accommodating up to 4 adults. It runs parallel to the beach train, providing a unique vantage point of the Busan coastline. As you travel from Mipo to Cheongsapo, a charming fishing town with plenty of delightful coffee and dessert shops, you can also enjoy a leisurely walk along the picturesque wooden walkway.
Remember that rides start at 30,000 ₩ per couple for a two-person car. To ensure your spot, it’s recommended to make a reservation in advance, as this attraction tends to be quite busy.
Address:
[Naver Map]
Haeundae Blue Line Park Mipo Station
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Songjeong Beach to the Cheongsapo Daritdol Observatory/Skywalk
Stroll along the elevated wooden walkway beside the Blue Line Train and the ocean. It runs from Songjeong Beach to the Cheongsapo Daritdol Observatory/Skywalk. This scenic walk spans less than a mile, offering picturesque coastline views. Furthermore, you can experience the unique thrill of walking on a partially glass floor at the observatory. Although the construction is 50% complete, it’s still open to visitors, thanks to cute little booties. In other words, don’t miss the opportunity to visit this modern marvel and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
The Cheongsapo Daritdol Observatory is at 3-9 Mt., Jung-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan. Discover the gemstone of Busan’s coastal beauty and create unforgettable memories along this captivating walkway. Reservations are not required but are highly suggested.
[KakaoMap] Songjeong Beach
58-1, Songjeonggwangeogol-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
[KakaoMap] Cheongsapo Daritdol Observatory
3-9 Mt., Jung-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Huinyeoul Cultural Village
Huinyeoul Cultural Village in Busan is a must-see destination. Now imagine standing on coastal cliffs, surrounded by breathtaking views that bring pure joy to your heart. Furthermore, the village offers colorful houses with striking murals, charming cafes, quirky shops, cozy guesthouses, and delightful restaurants. It’s like a vibrant palette unleashed on the village. However, with its historical significance and urban regeneration efforts, Huinyeoul Cultural Village has transformed into a vibrant cultural hub and is one of the newest attractions in Busan.
Huinyeoul Cultural Village is located near Yeongdo Bridge. Consequently, the village provides prime vistas of the rugged coastline and blue ocean. However, as you explore its narrow alleyways, you’ll be captivated by the picturesque houses clinging to the cliffs. Many of these houses are painted in Greek blue and white, resembling the famous island of Santorini. Huinyeoul Cultural Village not only offers visual delights but also carries the whispers of its past as a refuge for those displaced by the Korean War. Experience the beauty, history, and transformation of this charming village in Busan.
Address:
[KakaoMap] 흰여울문화마을
1044-6, Yeongseon-dong 4(sa)-ga, Yeongdo-gu, Busan
Gamcheon Cultural Village
Visiting Gamcheon Cultural Village in Busan was like stepping into a vibrant storybook. Perched on hillsides overlooking the harbor, I was enchanted by the sea of brightly colored houses, each tightly packed yet bursting with individual character. There are thousands of stairs and homes built into the sides of two mountains that straddle the sea.
The Koreans have even nicknamed it “Machu Picchu”. Every turn unveiled a new surprise as I navigated the winding alleyways: whimsical murals, playful sculptures, and inviting cafes serving aromatic teas. I couldn’t help but be amazed by Gamcheon’s transformation from a once-neglected area to a celebrated haven of art and culture. With every step, I felt deeply connected to the village’s resilient spirit, and as I gazed out over the city from its vantage points, I knew this was an experience I’d cherish forever.
Address:
[KakaoMap] Gamcheon Culture Village
200, Gamnae 1-ro, Saha-gu, Busan
Taejongdae Park
Hiking Taejongdae Park in Busan was an experience I will always cherish. As I made my way to Taejongdae Resort Park (태종대), located on the southernmost tip of Yeongdo-gu, a sense of excitement bubbled within me.
The park, known for its stunning cliffside views, did not disappoint. When I reached the Yeongdo lighthouse, the sight of the imposing cliffs plunging into the azure sea was truly magnificent. On that clear day, the silhouette of Tsushima, an island of Japan, lingered faintly on the horizon, a testament to the park’s panoramic reach. The ‘light beyond limitation’ arch, which frames the lighthouse, added an artistic touch, turning the view into a living postcard.
Climbing the hundreds of stairs to reach this vantage point, coupled with the challenging 80% humidity, wasn’t easy. However, every drop of sweat was worth it for the breathtaking views I got the chance to see. I stopped by the cafe near the lighthouse for a break and a refreshing lemonade.
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Address:
[KakaoMap] Taejongdae
29-1 Mt., Dongsam-dong, Yeongdo-gu, Busan
