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13 Free Things to Do in Busan (Popular + Underrated Spots!)

ByRoseanne Ducut

Busan is 100% worth the side trip if you’re visiting Seoul in South Korea. I’ve been twice now and can’t wait to go again.

Busan is well known for its beaches, scenic water views, and cultural sites. While Busan has many bustling areas, I found Busan very chill and homely.

If you’re on a budget, or need ideas on where to go in Busan, here’s 13 free things to do in Busan (of course, minus any bus or subway fare).

I personally visited all of these sites, some multiple times.

New to South Korea? Read my essential South Korea travel tips and Best Busan Itinerary for 2-5 Days (+ Hour Breakdown).

Busan Checklist: have you booked these yet?

▢ Busan Tour Pass for access to 30+ Busan attractions

▢ Book from the best hotels in Busan (what I use)

▢ Busan Night Tour Including a Cruise w/ Fireworks

▢ Prebook your ride from the Busan airport or Busan station

▢ Browse through the most popular Busan tours

13 Free Things to Do in Busan

If you only have one day in Busan, make sure to read my Best Day Trip to Busan Itineraries (+ Hour Breakdown).

1. BIFF Square

Address: 58-1 Gudeok-ro, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea

BIFF Square Busan South Korea: View of BIFF Square in Busan, South Korea, featuring a modern entrance archway, colorful market stalls with red and yellow umbrellas, and people walking through the lively shopping area.

BIFF Square used to be the center for an international film festival, now it’s a popular spot for street food, souvenir shops, and markets.

There’s streets and alleys filled with stores and market stands. Located nearby is also the famous Gwangbokdong Food Street

2. Lotte Mall Rooftop Observatory

Address: 2 Jungang-daero, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea

View of a white stairs leading to roofto pgarden on an Observatory Deck in Lotte Mall Busan

This free Busan observatory is not super well known to tourists, and is a free alternative to visiting the Busan Tower. Go inside the mall and go up to level 13 for a beautiful rooftop view.

You’ll see clear views of Busan, the harbor, Busan bridge, and the Busan Tower. One of the top free things to do in Busan!

Rainbow Art on Lotte Department Store Rooftop Observatory Deck, Busan, South Korea): A vibrant section of the rooftop observatory deck featuring a large, colorful painted floor mural that resembles a rainbow blending into the sea. The mural is set against the backdrop of the distant mountains and sky, adding a creative and whimsical touch to the space.

There are multiple levels that have different views including a garden and observatory deck. There’s also lots of benches to sit on.

(More photos on my Lotte Mall Rooftop Observatory blog post).

🎫 If you are visiting Busan Tower, you can buy tickets online to beat the crowds

3. Gamcheon Culture Village

Address: 203 Gamnae 2-ro, Saha-gu, Busan, South Korea

Patio at a Harry-Potter style store called Art Space Project Shop with pastel homes in the backdrop at Gamcheon Culture Village

Gamcheon Culture Village is a main highlight and must-see for tourists visiting Busan. There are different origin stories online, but this served as a village for refugees of the Korean War.

A woman sits beside the iconic Le Petit Prince statue, gazing over the colorful houses of Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan, with lush hills and the harbor in the distanc

Walk around for different viewpoints, famous art alleys, and local shops.

🚌 Join a full-day Busan tour with Gamcheon Culture Village, Songdo Skywalk and Yonggungsa Temple

Read my full post on visiting Gamcheon Culture Village and things to do there, including Gamcheon guided tours.

4. Huinnyeoul Culture Village

Address: 1043 Yeongseon-dong 4(sa)-ga, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, South Korea

The photograph captures a serene riverside view of Huinnyeoul Culture Village with a striking yellow building featuring blue awnings on the right, adding a pop of color to an overcast day. In the distance, a bridge spans the wide river, connecting the urban skyline dotted with high-rises to the lush green hillside. The juxtaposition of nature and urban development is evident, offering a peaceful yet vibrant cityscape.

Huinnyeoul Culture Village, or Hynyeoul Munhwa Maul is another colorful culture village in Busan, this time by the sea, located in southern-central Busan.

There are lots of shops, cafes, and colorful mural art. You can also walk downstairs along the coast.

A view of an alley in Huinnyeoul Culture Village in Busan, South Korea. The scene features a mix of older, weathered buildings with murals painted on the walls, contrasting with a modern white cafe building in the background. The alleyway is narrow, with steps leading up to the entrances of the houses, and various details like pipes and doors adding character to the historic area. The overall atmosphere captures the blend of traditional and contemporary elements in this cultural district.

It’s worth the bus trip!

📖 Read my full Huinnyeoul Culture Village post and how to get there.

Top Busan Tours to Book:

🎫 Busan Tour Pass for access to 30+ Busan attractions

🎫 Busan full-day sightseeing tour

🎫 Most popular tour: Haeundae Sky Capsule, Gamcheon Culture Village

5. Huinyeoul Coastal Tunnel

Address: 1043 Yeongseon-dong 4(sa)-ga, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, South Korea

Huinyeoul Coastal Tunnel inside Busan: The inside of the Huinyeoul Coastal Tunnel in Busan, featuring a curved, rocky interior with dim lighting and a person walking along the path.

If you keep walking past the coastal walk at Huinnyeoul Culture Village, you’ll reach Huinyeoul Coastal Tunnel, a long cave tunnel with wall art and photo op stations.

An artistic installation inside a cave-like setting, showcasing a luminous moon above an abstract representation of a bridge and various architectural forms. The ambient lighting accentuates the textures of the cave walls and the reflective surface below, creating a mystical atmosphere.

6. Jeoryeong Coastal Walk

Address: 650-4 Yeongseon-dong 4(sa)-ga, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, South Korea

View from a rocky walking path looking out into a sea on an overcast day at Jeoryeong Coastal Walk in Busan

At the end of the Huinyeoul Coastal Tunnel is the Jeoryeong Coastal Walk. It was so peaceful walking along the water here.

You’ll see an occasional ajumma or ahjussi taking a walk, but overall there’s not a lot of people.

I didn’t walk too far, but you can walk all around the coast. This would the perfect spot to watch the sunset on a clear day. One of my favorite free things to do in Busan!

💸 You can also save money with the Visit Busan Tour Pass for access to 30+ Busan attractions. Grab it on Klook

7. Songdo Bay Station

Address: 171 Songdohaebyeon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan, South Korea

A view of cable cars in the air over a path of oval stones in the middle of a sea at Songdo Bay Station in Busan

While you do need to buy a Songdo Bay Station ticket to take the cable car, the actual Songdo skywalk viewing deck across the street is free.

It’s a long walking path that leads to a deck with views of the sea and the Songdo cable cars above going to the Yonggung Suspension Bridge.

You’ll see large sea turtle statues, and statues of the love story between a human and the Songdo mermaid.

Bronze statues of Mermaid and Human Statue reaching out to each other - Songdo Bay Station Busan

8. Songdo Beach

Address: 100 Songdohaebyeon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan

Empty beach and flat sand next to tall buildings in Songdo Beach in Busan

To the right of the Songdo Bay Station, and a few minutes walk away is Songdo Beach, which opened in 1913.

I went on a cloudy day, but Songdo Beach was less crowded, and would be nice to sit on the sand on a sunny day, or another spot to watch the sunset.

Beaches in Busan are open 24/7, and are some of the best free things to do in Busan.

9. Bosu Dong Book Street

Address: Bosudong 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea

An alleyway with several bookstores with books in Korean laid out on tables in Bosu Dong Book Street in Busan

If you keep walking north of BIFF Square, there’s Bosu Dong Book Street, alleys filled with bookstores lined with stacks of books. This was created during the Korean War for a place to access books.

You can read my full post on what to see at Bosu Dong Book Street in Busan.

10. Millak Waterside Park

Address: 361 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan, South Korea

A view from Millak Waterside Park in Busan, South Korea, showing the Gwangan Bridge (Gwangandaegyo) stretching across the water as the sun sets. The foreground features a colorful, geometric mosaic design on the ground near the shore, with the calm sea and bridge in the middle ground. In the background, tall modern skyscrapers rise against the evening sky, creating a mix of natural beauty and urban development. The scene captures the tranquil yet vibrant atmosphere of this coastal area.

Before you head to the Gwangalli Beach, one of the most popular beaches in Busan, make sure to start at Millak Waterside Park nearby.

There’s sets of steps to sit and relax on and look at the waterside and bridge views. Many locals go here to eat and drink on the steps.

11. Gwangalli Beach

Address: Gwangan 2-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan, South Korea

People sitting on benches watching young man perform on a guitar with lit up white Gwangan Bridge and beach behind him

Gwangalli Beach is especially beautiful and busier at nighttime. Walk down the cement path or along the beach on the sand.

A nighttime view of the Sunflower Walking Path at Gwangalli Beach in Busan, South Korea. The path, decorated with large sunflower designs, curves along the sandy beach and is illuminated by the glow from the nearby city lights. In the background, the brightly lit high-rise buildings of Busan's skyline stand against the twilight sky, with people walking and gathering along the beach. The scene captures the lively atmosphere of the beach at night.

You can also catch music performances at night. The beach is bordered by bustling buildings and restaurants.

Related post: Things to do at Gwangali Beach at night

🌌 Busan Night Tour Including a Cruise w/ Fireworks

12. Haeundae Beach

Address: 264, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea

White sand beach in gray weather with red Haeundae Beach sign

Haeundae Beach is one of my favorite beaches in Busan to visit during the day. (Gwangalli beach for nighttime).

This beach gets quite busy, but there’s long stretches of clean sand to sit on. You can also swim here during the day.

Lit up colorful heart installation on ground surrounded by flowers - Haeundae Beach Busan Korea

You can watch street performers along the promenade leading to the beach, and look at the growing number of street art there. At night, the promenade lights up.

13. Seomyeon District

Address: 지하 730 Jungang-daero, Busanjin-gu, Busan, South Korea

Seomyeon District in Busan Korea: A bustling street in the Seomyeon district of Busan, Korea, lined with colorful signs, shops, and a few people walking along the path.

Seomyeon District has been called the “Hongdae of Busan.” This area has lots of newer cafes, shopping spots, and restaurants.

There’s also the popular Jeonpo Cafe Street to check out. If you’re looking to shop in Busan, go to Seomyeon (or just walk around to stick with the free things to do in Busan route).

Is Busan Worth Visiting?

A sunset view of Gwangalli Beach in Busan, South Korea, featuring the brightly lit skyline of high-rise buildings against a darkening sky. The lights from the buildings and signs reflect on the wet sand and shallow water along the beach, with people walking along the shore and the beachfront promenade.

Busan is the second largest city in South Korea, and similar to Seoul, there’s always things to do in Busan, from cultural sites, to coastal areas and beaches.

You’ll see a different side of South Korea than if you were to only visit Seoul. A bustling, but more laid back city that’s just as interesting and easy to get around as well.

Plus there’s tons more free things to do in Busan beyond this list.

Don’t skip Busan if you’re able to visit!

Top Busan Tours to Book:

🎫 Busan Tour Pass for access to 30+ Busan attractions

🎫 Busan full-day sightseeing tour

🎫 Most popular tour: Haeundae Sky Capsule, Gamcheon Culture Village

More Busan Posts

The Best Busan Itinerary for 2-5 Days (+ Hour Breakdown)

5 Best Beaches in Busan (+ Events to Look Out For)

5 Things to do in Gwangalli Beach at Night

Don’t Miss This Free Busan Observatory Deck at Lotte Mall

The Must-Visit Huinnyeoul Culture Village by the Sea in Busan

Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan: Travel Tips & How to Get Here

🎥 Watch my Busan vlog:
Top 13 Free Things to Do in Busan Korea in 2024 🇰🇷 (popular + underrated!)

Roseanne Ducut is a solo female traveler and Filipina from the Bay Area, California. She writes practical and culture-rich travel guides and lives a not-so-secret double life as a fangirl. A veghead for over 15 years, Roseanne also writes vegan guides to help others plan their trips.