I've been to Busan South Korea several times since 2010. In fact, I'm currently planning yet another trip to Busan with my 77 year old Mom. Whilst I love visiting the coastal city, not everything is a must-do. Here's my list of the (in my opinion) worst things to do in Busan, and what I recommend instead.
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BIFF Square 광장
Address: 부산광역시 중구 비프광장로 20 (남포동6가) 일대 | 20, BIFF gwangjang-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
BIFF Square (BIFF stands for Busan International Film Festival) is famous for its links to the well-known Asian film festival: you can find the handprints of Korean celebrities here.
Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is one of the largest film festivals in Asia, and it takes place annually in Busan in September/ October. (In 2025, it will be held between 17-26 September.)
The festival attracts filmmakers and film enthusiasts from all over the world, and it is an opportunity to see some of the latest and greatest films from Asia and beyond.
However, if you're not a K-groupie, you may not find BIFF Square particularly worth visiting. (Many BIFF-acitivities have moved to the more posh Haeundae area too.)
BIFF is always on the list of "top things to do in Busan" so I guess you're checking something of your Asia bucket list but if I only had 1 day in Busan, I'd skip it. (It is, however, close to other Busan attractions, such as Gukje Market Food Street, Lotte Department Store (Gwangbok Branch) and Jagalchi Market, so you can do them all on the same day.)
Just don't expect too much: it's not very fun or exciting, and the atmosphere is quite lacklustre (especially compared to Hongdae and Myeongdong in Seoul.
If you do stop by, don't forget to try the Ssiatt Hotteok- honestly, it's not that tasty-I prefer regular hotteok- but it is one of Busan's food specialties!
Visit instead: if it's food and shopping you're after, I prefer the Seomyeon Shopping District and Jeonpo Cafe Street.
Busan Tower
While Busan Tower does offer great views of the city, the admission price is not low. (It is, however, included in some of the Busan Pass packages.) Moreover, the view isn't significantly better than what you can see from other vantage points in the city.
Alternative: Lotte Mall (Gwangbok) - it's free to take in the view from the observatory deck (go to Level 13) and less crowded than Busan Tower so a more pleasant experience.
Address: 2 Jungang-daero, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea
Make sure you go to the right Lotte Mall as there are a few in Busan!
Haeundae Market
I actually like Haeundae Market- it feels different from the typical Korean market with its fairy lights in all.
However, it is small, the prices can be inflated, and the quality of the products is not always great. Hence, if you only have time to visit 1 traditional Korean market, you may want to consider visiting one of Busan's many other traditional markets, such as Gukje Market or Jagalchi Market instead.
SEALIFE Busan Aquarium
While the Busan Aquarium does have a wide variety of marine life on display, the exhibits are not particularly impressive for adults and it can get very crowded. Moreover, the admission price is quite high compared to other attractions in the city. It's more like a theme park than an aquarium and there are several shows (which kids usually enjoy.)
Unless you're traveling with kids- or in Busan on a hot day (the aquarium is a good place to cool down)- I'd skip this!
Alternative: if it's nature you're after, why not go for a hike in Taejeongdae? The cute and colourful Danubi train is included with 1 of the Busan Pass packages!
Shinsegae Centum City (World's Largest Department Store)
Yes, it’s technically the world’s largest department store, but unless you’re into luxury shopping and malls, there’s not much here that you can’t find in a smaller, more convenient mall. It feels more like a marketing gimmick than a must-see attraction.
For a mall of its size, the tax refund process can also be quite unprofessional and unpleasant.
By the way, I'm not saying don't go to Shinsegae- I'm just saying it's not a must-see as it's a bit out of the way, especially if you only have 3 days in Busan city (or less)! My favorite things to do at Shinsegar are visiting the Korean bathouse Spaland Centum City (jjimjibangs are must-do in South Korea) and the ice skating rink. (You often see couples going skating in the older Korean romance dramas.)
Note: Spaland is also included with 1 of the Busan Pass packages.
Alternative: For shopping with a more Korean flavor, head to Nampo-dong or Seomyeon, where you'll find quirky boutiques, underground shops, and authentic Korean street style.
Gwangalli Beach Fireworks Festival (If You're Not Prepared)
This is a controversial pick because the show is spectacular—but it’s massively overcrowded, and the logistics can be a nightmare if you're not extremely well-prepared.
People arrive 10+ hours early to claim a good spot, and leaving afterward can take hours due to traffic and packed public transit. So whilst I think the display is amazing, you definitely need to prep well for it!
Alternative:If you want a calmer fireworks experience, watch from a rooftop bar in the area. You’ll still get a great view without the full crush of the crowd.
Songdo Marine Cable Car (Busan Air Cruise)
- Songdo Bay Station at Songnim Park (near Songdo Beach / Songdo Cloud Trails):
부산 서구 송도해변로 171 | 171, Songdohaebyeon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan - Songdo Sky Park at Amnam Park: 부산 서구 암남공원로 181 | 181 Amnamgongwon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan
While cable cars can be a fun way to see a city, the Songdo Cable Car (부산 송도해상케이블카) is not cheap (prices are available if you click on the link. Alternatively, it's included with 1 of the Busan Pass tiers.) During peak season, you may have to wait in line for a while And it's obviously weather dependent, so it doesn't run every day.
Moreover, the 1.62km long ride is located at Songdo Beach, and not super close to other top Busan attractions. (I do like Songdo Beach and stayed there for 2 weeks in 2023. However, it's a more quaint and local beach compared to the more posh Haeundae. If you want to find out about the must-visit beaches in Busan, click here.)
If you do take the ride, the glass-floor bottom cabins are worth checking out for the amazing views.
Alternative: Take the Haeundae Blueline Park Sky Capsule—a super cute, scenic experience in which you travel along the coast in charming retro-style cars and stunning sea views. (One of my favourite Busan activities, yu'll have seen videos of the cars all over Instagram and TikTok.)
Any questions about the top things to do in Busan? Let me know in the comments!
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