It’s no secret that Busan has a lot to offer as a travel destination. No longer in Seoul’s shadow, this booming coastal city has made a name for itself as an exciting location with something to offer every traveler. Busan proudly straddles tradition and modernity. Foodies can savor South Korea’s delectable and varied range of flavors here, and the city’s coastal location has helped make it a paradise for seafood lovers and other gourmands. The city is an experience visitors won’t soon forget. These 10 Unique Activities welcome travelers to dive deep into the culture, nature, and indomitable spirit of Busan, South Korea’s blossoming second city.
10 Full-Day Busan City Tour
This full-day tour includes many of Busan’s most popular highlights, including the 600-year-old Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. Visitors can enjoy the thrill of the glass-bottomed walking paths at Songdo Beach and have a ride on the Danubi Train for exquisite views of the breathtaking Taejongdae cliff. The day wraps up with the perfect mix of kitsch and culture at the Gamcheon Culture Village, where travelers can take a glimpse into life in old Korea.
- Tour: Full-Day Busan City Tour
- Duration: 9 hours
- Cost: From $44.60 USD per adult
9 Gyeongju City UNESCO Sites Full Day Private Tour
Travel back in time on the full-day historical tour of UNESCO heritage sits in Gyeongju. Visitors can explore the many sides of life in dynastic Korea. Starting at the Museum of Gyeongju, travelers learn about the history of this magnificent city and its important sites before exploring the Royal Tombs. At the Cheomseongadae Astronomical Observatory, the long and rich scientific history of South Korea is on full display. Continue the scenic rambles and historical immersion at Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, and the idyllic Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond. This tour is a packed day of Korean history that will leave visitors with a profound appreciation for the country’s impressive ancient past.
- Tour: Gyeongju city UNESCO sites full day Private tour
- Duration: 8 to 9 hours
- Cost: From $380.00 USD per group ( up to 8)
8 Busan Night Tour Including A Cruise
Busan is an energetic and dynamic city, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The city lights up at night, and the flow of office workers ebbs and flows into a rush of nighttime revelers and foodies. Explore Busan at night with this after-dark tour. Aboard the Tiffany 21 Cruise, visitors get a stunning view of the illuminated Busan skyline from the water. There are many sites along the coast worth setting sail for, including Haeundae Beach and Busandaegyo Bridge. Back on land, travelers take in the city from above, atop Hwangnyeongsan Mountain - no hiking necessary! Finally, the tour concludes at Busan Cinema Centre, a film, theater, and concert venue complex that is a prime example of South Korea’s appetite for thrills and entertainment.
- Tour: Busan Night Tour Including a Cruise
- Duration: 4 hours
- Cost: From $109.99 USD per adult
7 Eastern Busan Small Group Photography Tour
Grab a camera and get going with this half-day photography tour. The points along this tour are curated to give visitors a chance to shoot some off-the-beaten-track locations and come home with truly unique photos – and memories. The tour starts with a visit to Ahopsan Forest to capture the stunning diversity of nature here. The lunch stop, Gijang Market, provides plenty of opportunities to snap candids and scenes of daily life. Next, get in those perfect temple shots at the 14th-century Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. Finally, travelers arrive in Cheongsapo to take photos along the scenic coastline and explore the skywalk.
- Tour: Eastern Busan Small Group Photography Tour [Max 5]
- Duration: 5 hours 40 minutes
- Cost: From $67.00 USD per adult
6 Korean Cooking Class In Haeundae, Busan
Don’t know bulgogi from bibimbap? Already an experienced cook? This Korean cooking class is open to all skill levels. The cooking class includes a lunch of the delicious meal made during the class. The host is widely experienced in cross-cultural communication and makes cooking fun, exciting, and easy to understand, no matter what language guests speak. Ideally located near Haeundae beach, visitors can enjoy a leisurely beach day following the class.
- Tour: Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan
- Duration: 3 hours
- Cost: From $70.00 USD per adult
5 Busan’s Sparkling Night Photography Tour
As the sun slips below the horizon, the time is right to snap some iconic night shots of South Korea’s second city. This small group tour begins in Hocheon Village, which showcases the recent history of the country and offers a stunning view of the shimmering city lights. Hwangnyeongsan Mountain is next, where visitors can capture the sparkle of the city from above. A nightlife hotspot, Gwanganlli Beach is a fun location to shoot portraits and merrymaking scenes. Finally, guests arrive at Bay 101, an up-and-coming entertainment destination and yacht club that comes alive at night.
- Tour: Busan's Sparkling Night Photography Tour [Max5]
- Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Cost: From $55.00 USD per adult
4 Jagalchi Fish Market And Korean Food Market Tour In Busan With Local Chef
Join up with a local professional chef to explore two destinations at the heart and soul of Busan’s vibrant food scene. Jagalchi Market is the largest seafood market in South Korea and boasts an amazing selection of the ocean’s harvest. Visitors sample fresh, local ingredients here and learn about this impressive market. Next up, BIFF Square. This veritable foodie paradise is home to a jaw-dropping variety of Korean street foods, from the sweet hotteok to the spicy tteokbokki. Travelers can let their taste buds go wild here and take home a few treats as well.
- Tour: Jagalchi Fish Market & Korean Food Market Tour in Busan with Local Chef
- Duration: 2 hours
- Cost: From $27.42 USD per adult
3 Beomeosa Temple And Hongbeopsa Temple Day Tour And Food Tasting
Travelers looking for a unique and authentic travel experience should not miss this tour. Beginning with the Beomeosa Temple, visitors can explore the main temple complex and its rarely seen hermitages. The thousand-year-old temple is a calming synthesis of nature and architecture. Visitors enjoy an authentic Korean lunch provided by the temple before moving on to the next stop, the Hongbeopsa Temple. This unique complex is quite different from typical Buddhist temples in South Korea and reflects the patroness’ generosity and creativity. From the observatory, travelers can enjoy across scenic, panoramic views.
- Tour: Beomeosa Temple and Hongbeopsa Temple Day Tour and Food Tasting
- Duration: 4 hours
- Cost: From $46.30 USD per adult
2 Special Oedo Island Day Trip From Busan
This tour reveals the little-known coastal and maritime history of the area while immersing visitors in nature. The tour includes brief stops on Rock Island before proceeding to the main attraction, Oedo Island. Here, visitors can roam the breathtaking botanical gardens against the backdrop of the shimmering ocean. Visitors will be surprised to find a European-style castle during this tour, tucked along the rocky coast. Maemi Castle was built by a private citizen to protect farmland from incoming typhoons. The return trip is by ferry.
- Tour: Special Oedo Island Day Trip from Busan
- Duration: 13 hours
- Cost: From $86.00 USD per adult
1 Indoor Fishing And Rice Beer Drinking At Busan
Eating like a local is so 2021. Try a Korean drinking experience and tour of quintessentially local nightlife on this unique nighttime tour. The evening begins at an indoor fish-catching café (yes, that’s right) that’s a great example of the quirky and creative South Korean café culture. Next, travelers sample rice beer and learn how to play Korean drinking games. A stop at a food alley is a delicious interlude amidst the revelry, and visitors can enjoy a kaleidoscopic array of delectable local options. Foodies and drink enthusiasts rejoice.
- Tour: Indoor fishing and rice beer drinking at Busan
- Duration: 3 hours
- Cost: From $50.00 USD per adult