While we were cooped up in our homes during the pandemic, South Korea’s second-largest city, Busan, introduced many new establishments and attractions. Now that visiting Korea is no longer a pipe dream, here are 9 new things to do in Busan so that you can make the most out of your trip in 2023.
Image credit: @devotion_pyomily
If this is your first trip to Busan since the start of the pandemic, you definitely haven’t visited this new Lotte World branch.
Opened on 31 March 2022, Lotte World Adventure Busan is the first theme park in Busan. With 16 rides and attractions in the theme park, you’re in for a jam-packed day of adventures, indeed.
Image credit: @hhr_0505
Don’t miss out on the Giant Digger, a roller coaster with multiple 360° turns that’s not for the faint-hearted.
Admission: KRW47,000 (~USD32.81)/adult, KRW33,000 (~USD23.03)/children, KRW12,000 (~USD8.37)/infants
Address: 42 Dongbusangwangwang-ro, Gijang-gun, Busan
Opening hours: 10am-9pm, Daily
Contact: 1661-2000 | Instagram
Image credit: @godaviii
The Skyline Luge in Tongyeong, which opened in 2017, now has a newer and cooler sibling in Busan.
Skyline Luge Busan officially opened to the public in July 2021. The great news is that it is conveniently located right next to Lotte World Adventure Busan, which means that if you play your cards right, you can visit both places in one day.
Image credit: @onl_1thing
Skyline Luge Busan is a fun activity suitable for visitors of all ages, even if you are convinced that you can’t drive.
Ticket prices:
| Adults | Children | |
| 2 Rides | KRW27,000 (~USD19.04) | KRW12,000 (~USD8.47) |
| 3 Rides | KRW30,000 (~USD21.18) | |
| 4 Rides | KRW33,000 (~USD23.30) | |
| 5 Rides | KRW36,000 (~USD25.43) |
Address: 205 Gijanghaean-ro, Gijang-gun, Busan
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-7pm | Sat-Sun 10am-8pm
Contact: 051-722-6002 | Instagram
Image adapted from: B401
Millac The Market is an open plaza and building where local start-ups can set up temporary booths and stores. There are many restaurants, trendy fashion stores, and even art galleries within the compound.
Image adapted from: ichi
We highly recommend dropping by a dessert cafe called Richoya. There, you must try the Matcha Soft Serve (KRW5,500, ~USD4.40), which is a creamy high-quality matcha soft serve drizzled with matcha sauce. If you are a matcha lover, try the Matcha Latte (KRW6,000, ~USD4.80), which is whisked and made upon order.
Image credit: 체셔
Millac The Market is a trendy place suitable for young people with an interest in art. You can find artworks everywhere in Millac The Market, from pop art murals to decorative statues.
Image credit: @theway_ic
On the ground floor, there’s a seating area with floor-to-ceiling windows where you can sit back, relax and enjoy the view of the Busan port.
Address: 56, Millaksubyeon-ro 17beon-gil, Suyeong-gu, Busan
Opening hours: 10am-12am, Daily
Contact: 051-752-5671 | Instagram
Image adapted from: @cloud.o.cloud
P.ARK is a 6-storey cultural complex with multiple dining options, including a cafe, bakery, and a Chinese restaurant.
Image adapted from: 졸리, @sonoma_one
Level 6 of the building, which has an open rooftop area, is the best place to chill and absorb vitamin D. The rooftop also functions as an event space, and is a great venue for couples looking to hold outdoor weddings.
Image credit: 올댓트립
When visiting P.ARK, you have to visit P.ARK Cafe & Bakery, which is located on level 4. It serves a wide selection of pastries and desserts both sweet and savoury.
Image credit: @traveler_luna
Get the Mild Blue Dolce Latte (KRW8,000, ~USD6.43), which resembles Busan’s Yeongdo Beach with its layers of blue and brown. The drink is sweet and has a mild taste, making it great even for those who don’t normally like the taste of coffee.
Address: 180 Haeyang-ro 195beon-gil, Yeongdo-gu, Busan
Opening hours: 10am-11pm, Daily
Contact: 0507-1353-9202 | Instagram
Image adapted from: @leehyeonaaa, @leehyeonaaa
Newly opened in August 2022, Durumi Bakery Cafe is a massive cafe with a 4-storey building, as well as a large outdoor sitting area.
Image credit: @durum_22
The outdoor area is dotted with numerous white pavilions adorned with romantic fairy lights, and when the sun goes down, the whole place is transformed into something out of a fairytale. The cafe is known for having a beautiful view of pastel sunsets, so we recommend timing your visit accordingly.
Image credit: 옐미옐미
Those who get a little peckish should order the Loaf Cream Danish (KRW7,000, ~USD5.61), which has a generous amount of cream and is topped with fresh fruits such grapes and figs.
Image adapted from: @durum_22
Try Durumi Bakery Cafe’s bestselling beverages, Bungeo Chocolate Duruccino (KRW7,000, ~USD5.62) and Bungeo Green Tea Duruccino (KRW7,000, ~USD5.62).
The chocolate latte cappuccino and green tea latte cappuccino are only available iced and topped with a piece of bungeo-ppang (Korean fish-shaped pastry) each.
Address: 654-70 Gomnae-gil, Jeonggwan-myeon, Gijang-gun, Busan
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 0507-1349-7903 | Instagram
Image credit: @cassico128
Situated right next to Haeundae Beach and only a 4-minute walk from The Bay 101, a waterfront complex, Snoopy Place is a Snoopy-themed cafe selling cute desserts and merchandise. On top of that, there are multiple life-size Snoopy statues around the cafe where guests and Snoopy fans can snap commemorative photos.
Image adapted from: @9_danmi
One of the most popular items at Snoopy Place is the Snoopy Red Velvet Cake (KRW7,500, ~USD6.02). Its spongy red velvet cake, thick cream cheese frosting, and cute Snoopy design make it irresistible, yet almost too cute to eat.
The Snoopy Place carries a wide range of Peanuts merchandise, including mugs, tumblers, and bags.
Fans of Peanuts should get the Peanuts Tumbler Set (KRW24,000, ~USD19.25), which comes in a set of 5. Each cup has a different Peanuts character and design, making it great as gifts for your family and friends.
Address: 197, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Opening hours: 10am-9pm, Daily
Contact: 0507-1328-0790 | Instagram
Image credit: 노홍례
YAKI-YA specialises in okonomiyaki and other Japanese street food such as yakisoba and chicken karaage. It also sells several Korean cuisines, including nurungji Soup (scorched rice soup) and jjamppong (seafood noodle soup).
Image adapted from: @gahee1219
Opt for the bar seats, which grant you access to teppanyaki grill pans so you can be your very own chef.
But don’t worry if you have no confidence in cooking – the kitchen staff prepares the food in advance and the dishes ready to eat. However, you can choose to stir fry it further to your liking, which is where the fun part comes in.
Its signature dishes are the Pork Belly Okonomiyaki (KRW16,000, ~USD12.90) and Shrimp Okonomiyaki (KRW16,000, ~USD12.90). The portions are enough to share between 2 diners, though if you’re hungry enough, you’ll be able to polish it off alone.
Image credit: @yorijori_do_it
If you enjoy eating gopchang (cattle intestines), you should try Horumon Yaki (KRW18,000, ~USD14.52), which is a dish made with spicy stir-fried beef large intestines.
Image credit: @ryon._.32
After all the sweet, spicy, and savoury food, get the carbonated Highball (KRW7,500, ~USD6.05) cocktail to cleanse and refresh your palate.
Address: 29 Seojeon-ro 10beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan
Opening hours: 5pm-3am, Daily
Contact: 051-949-1088
Image credit: @wooslhl0831
Opened in May 2022, Mongjak is a Korean BBQ house designed with “camping” as the concept.
Image adapted from: 머거본자
Located on level 1 is Mongjak Market, where you can purchase everything you’ll need for a BBQ. It sells alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as a wide selection of ramyun, meat, and vegetables.
Basic side dishes such as lettuce, kimchi, and garlic are provided for free. Sauces including ssamjang (spicy soybean paste), sesame oil, and soya sauce are also provided.
Image adapted from: 캠미
Mongjak offers 2 types of seating options – the Glass Zone and Dream Zone. Glass Zone is located on level 1 and has floor-to-ceiling glass windows where you can watch the sunset. In order to use the Glass Zone, you’ll have to book a dining session for a fee of KRW30,000 (~USD24.11).
Each dining session is limited to 3 hours on weekdays and 2.5 hours on weekends.
On weekdays, there are 2 dining sessions: 5pm-8pm and 8.30pm-11.30pm. On weekends, there are 3 dining sessions: 1pm-3.30pm, 4.30pm-7pm and 8pm-10.30pm.
On the other hand, the Dream Zone is an area with big tents and dining tables on level 2. You can either rent a 4-pax tent or a 6-pax tent.
The rental fee for the 4-pax tent is KRW40,000 (~USD32.14), while the 6-pax tent costs KRW60,000 (~USD48.21). The duration and timing of the dining sessions are the same as Glass Zone.
Address: 36, Namhangseo-ro, Yeongdo-gu Busan
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 5pm-11.30pm | Sat-Sun 1pm-10.30pm
Contact: 010-5758-1470 | Instagram
Image credit: Yeongdo Marino Auto Campground
As camping has become one of the favourite pastimes in South Korea, there has been an increase in the number of camping sites in the country.
One of the latest camping sites in Busan is the Yeongdo Marino Auto Campground. As its name suggests, Yeongdo Marino Auto Campground is an automobile campsite mainly used by those who have cars, caravans, or recreational vehicles.
The auto sites cost KRW30,000 (~USD24.22)/night on weekdays, KRW35,000 (~USD28.26)/night on weekends and KRW40,000 (~USD32.30)/night during peak season.
Each auto site can accommodate 4 to 6 pax. The site is ready for use at 2pm, and you’ll have to clean up and leave by 1pm the next day.
Image adapted from: 쿨피스야
Visitors can experience the life of a nomad by renting a caravan, which comes equipped with a mini kitchen, bathroom, refrigerator, microwave, air conditioner, television and beds.
There are 2 caravan sizes to choose from: 4-pax or 6-pax.
Caravan rental price/night:
| Weekdays | Weekends | Peak Season | |
| 4-pax | KRW100,000 (~USD80.71) | KRW120,000 (~USD96.85) | KRW140,000 (~USD112.99) |
| 6-pax | KRW120,000 (~USD96.85) | KRW140,000 (~USD112.99) | KRW160,000 (~USD129.15) |
The check-in time for the caravan is at 3pm, and the check-out time is at 12pm.
Image credit: @joongkyoung.kim
However, you can still book an auto site even if you don’t have or don’t want to rent a vehicle. Simply pitch a tent on the camping platform and go about your day.
Address: 13-16 Haehae-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan
Opening hours: 24 hours, Daily
Contact: 051-419-5661
When travelling in Seoul gets boring, hop onto a train to Busan and enjoy these 9 new things you can do in the port city.
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Cover image adapted from: @devotion_pyomily, @onl_1thing, @joongkyoung.kim
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