Busan

The Gamcheon Culture Village (감천문화마을) is a labyrinth of pastel-colored houses cascading down a steep hill — often described as "Korea's Santorini" or "Machu Picchu of Busan." What was once a poor refugee neighborhood from the Korean War has transformed into a vibrant open-air museum with over 140 murals, sculptures, and art installations.

Follow the colored arrows on the ground through the maze of narrow alleys and steep stairs. Every corner offers a new artwork or photo spot: the Little Prince with the Fox (the most famous photo point), a Fish House, a Star Guardian, and dozens of murals. The rooftop cafés offer panoramic views over the colorful rooftops to the sea.

At the Gamcheon Art Village Information Center, you can get a stamp card: collect stamps at various art stations and exchange the full card for a postcard. A clever system that guides you through the hidden corners of the village.

The village is a real residential area — about 10,000 people live here. Respect privacy, keep noise levels low, and do not enter marked private areas.

Haeundae Beach (해운대해수욕장) is South Korea's most famous beach — 1.5 km of white sand, lined with skyscrapers and hotels, with crystal-clear water and a promenade full of restaurants and bars. In summer, up to one million visitors in a single day — a spectacle in itself.

Haeundae is more than just a beach: The Haeundae Blueline Park Sky Capsule are colorful gondolas that travel along a former railway track on the coast — with spectacular sea views (₩35,000, often sold out, book online in advance). The Haeundae Beach Train runs the same route on the ground.

At the eastern end of the beach, the Haeparang Trail leads over the cliffs to Dongbaek Island (Camellia Island) — a small peninsula with a coastal hiking trail through camellia forests, the APEC Nurimaru House (venue of the 2005 APEC summit), and breathtaking viewpoints over the coast.

In the evening, the Haeundae Promenade comes alive: street food stalls, karaoke, craft beer bars, and Busan's famous Soju-and-Chimaek culture right on the beach. In October, the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) takes place — Asia's most important film festival.

The Jagalchi Fish Market (자갈치시장) is South Korea's largest fish market and one of the largest in Asia — a huge, multi-story complex plus an open-air market at the harbor, where everything that swims, crawls, and glistens from the sea is available.

On the ground floor of the main building, tanks and stalls with live seafood are lined up: giant octopuses, abalone, sea urchins, crabs, shrimp, clams, squid, and fish you've never heard of. Point to what you want — it will be slaughtered, filleted, and served either raw (Hoe/Sashimi) or grilled right before your eyes. Upstairs, restaurants prepare the freshly purchased fish for you (preparation fee: ₩5,000–10,000 per dish).

Outside the building, the open-air market spreads out: older market women (Jagalchi Ajumma) squat between their bowls, selling dried fish, seaweed, fermented shrimp, and all sorts of things. The atmosphere is rough, loud, and absolutely authentic.

A sashimi feast for two with various types of fish, abalone, and side dishes costs ₩40,000–60,000 (28–42 €) — a fraction of what you would pay in Europe. The quality is top-notch: freshly caught literally means "was swimming 5 minutes ago" here.

The Haedong Yonggungsa (해동용궁사) is one of the few Buddhist temples in the world located directly on the seashore — perched on rocks above the surf, with the Pacific as a backdrop. While most Korean temples are hidden in the mountains, this one spectacularly sits on the cliffs of Busan's east coast.

Founded in 1376, the temple was destroyed in the Imjin War (Japanese invasion 1592) and rebuilt in 1930. The descent over 108 stone steps (one for each earthly suffering in Buddhism) leads down to the buildings by the water. Once at the bottom, a breathtaking view awaits: the golden-red temple buildings, the rugged cliffs, the turquoise sea, and often fishermen on the rocks below.

On the grounds stand a 12-meter-high gilded Buddha, a dragon figure at the stairway, and the "Haesugwaneumdaebul" — a Buddha said to grant wishes. Legend has it: Whoever prays sincerely here will have at least one wish fulfilled.

The temple is especially magical at sunrise — the sun rises directly from the sea behind the temple. On New Year's Day, thousands of Koreans come here to witness the first sunrise of the year.

Taejongdae (태종대) is a natural park on the southernmost tip of Yeongdo Island — dramatic karst cliffs plunging steeply into the deep blue sea, surrounded by a dense coastal forest. The park is named after King Taejong, who was so impressed by the beauty of this place that he practiced archery here.

A 4 km circular trail leads through the park — on foot or with the Danubi Train (₩3,000), a small train that stops at the viewpoints. The highlight is the Yeongdo Lighthouse on the cliffs: on a clear day, you can see as far as the Japanese island of Tsushima (49 km away). Below, the waves crash against the rugged rocks — a dramatic sight.

On the way to the lighthouse, you pass Sinseondae — a rocky outcrop that, according to legend, was a meeting place of the gods. The brave can take the steep stairs down to the rocks by the water, where fishermen cast their lines.

At the entrance to the park, there are freshly grilled clams and seafood at the stalls — the perfect snack after the hike. The Ajummas (market women) grill scallops, oysters, and abalone right in front of you.

BIFF Square (Busan International Film Festival Square) is Busan's liveliest street food district — named after the film festival that has been held here since 1996. The street between Nampodong and the Jagalchi Market is one big culinary party.

The signature dishes of BIFF Square:

• Ssiat Hotteok (씨앗호떡) — Busan's most famous street food: sweet, filled pancakes with a mix of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, brown sugar, and cinnamon. The filling is warm, sticky, and addictive. ₩2,000. The line at the most famous stall (recognizable by the longest queue) is worth it.
• Eomuk (어묵/Odeng) — Fish cakes on skewers in hot broth. Busan's soul food. ₩1,000 per skewer, the broth is free to drink.
• Tteokbokki — The Busan version is slightly different from Seoul: often combined with fish cakes.
• Gimbap — Korean rice rolls, freshly prepared. ₩3,000.

In the vicinity of BIFF Square lies Nampodong — Busan's shopping district with Gwangbok-ro (main shopping street) and the Gukje Market (International Market), a huge market for clothing, household goods, souvenirs, and of course, more food.

In the evening, the area transforms into a night market atmosphere: string lights, live performances during the film festival (October), and the handprints of Korean film stars in the ground — Busan's Walk of Fame.

Busan is Korea's undisputed seafood capital — as the country's largest port, the city has the freshest fish, the best seafood, and some culinary traditions that can only be found here.

Busan's Signature Dishes

• Dwaeji Gukbap (돼지국밥) — Pork rice soup, Busan's most famous local dish. A thick, milky-white broth with tender pork and rice — the ultimate comfort food for ₩7,000–9,000. Best enjoyed in the 24-hour restaurants in Dwaeji Gukbap Alley (Bujeon-dong).
• Milmyeon (밀면) — Busan's cold wheat noodles, a local variant of Naengmyeon. Refreshing in summer, with broth or in spicy sauce (Bibim). ₩7,000–8,000.
• Hoe (회) — Sashimi, freshly caught from the Jagalchi Market. Busan style: wrapped in a lettuce leaf with Gochujang (chili paste), garlic, and perilla leaves. From ₩20,000 for a generous platter.
• Ganjang Gejang (간장게장) — Raw crabs marinated in soy sauce. An addictive dish (nickname: "Rice Thief" because you endlessly eat rice with it). ₩15,000–25,000.

Busan's Fish Markets

Besides the large Jagalchi Market, the Millak Hoecentar at Gwangalli Beach is worth a visit — a multi-story seafood market where you buy fish on the ground floor and have it prepared on the 2nd floor. Dine in the evening with a view of the illuminated Gwangan Bridge.