Busan Travel Tips: How to Make the Most of Your Visit and Historic Gyeongju: A Journey Through Korea's Cultural Heritage Sites.

Today, I am taking you on an unforgettable journey through two of South Korea's most captivating destinations: Busan, the vibrant coastal city, and Gyeongju, the historic treasure trove.

We had spent five days in Seoul, and our aim for the second half of our trip was to always visit somewhere different in Korea. We looked at a map and picked out two exciting places. We had no idea what to expect or find when we headed south towards the coast.

First, we'll explore Busan's bustling streets and stunning beaches, known for their unique blend of modernity and tradition. I have stunning walks along the beach, with brunch and coffee recommendations to get your juices flowing!

The weather was sensational for our beach trip; sunscreen and a hat are necessary in this video. The colours were breathtaking as I strolled down the boardwalk along the beach.

Next, we'll step back in time as we visit Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty. Known as the "museum without walls," Gyeongju is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the majestic Bulguksa Temple and the ancient tombs of Daereungwon.

We hopped on a bus from Busan to Gyeongju for a day trip to this quaint little town, which showcases a slice of Korean history. I don't think I have ever seen the colour green like I did in Gyeongju; the colours blew me away.

Join me as I take a little trip into the unknown and try my best to showcase as much as possible in my short time on the southern coast of South Korea.

Whether planning a trip or just dreaming of one, this blog will give you all the inspiration and tips you need.

Let's go on a journey!

Watch my episode on Busan and Gyeongju today!

Top Attractions in Busan

For our few days in Busan, we tried to cram in as much as we could, and here are some of the highlights below.

1. Haeundae Beach

One of the most famous beaches in South Korea, Haeundae Beach is known for its beautiful white sand and clear blue waters. It's a popular spot for sunbathing, swimming, and various beach activities. The area around the beach also features many restaurants, cafes, and shops.

Tip: Get your sandals, sunglasses, and suncream, as you will need them walking down the boardwalk. There isn’t too much shade, so you will need to protect yourself!
Thoughts: We loved this beach and area of Busan. We even got a little picnic on the go in a shaded area in a little park next to the beach. The boardwalk is dreamy, and there are plenty of amenities for refreshments. I couldn’t believe how grand it looked, with some stunning backdrops.

2. Gwangalli Beach

Another popular beach in Busan, Gwangalli Beach, is famous for its fine sand and clear water. The area is also known for its vibrant nightlife, with numerous cafes, bars, and restaurants. The highlight is the Gwangandaegyo Bridge, which is beautifully illuminated at night.

Tip: There is a great little cafe called Casa Busano. It has seats at the front of the cafe with the blinds down, so you can sit outside with stunning beach views, a coffee in hand, and air conditioning behind you, too.
Thoughts: This little area behind the beach is trendy, with many independent shops, cafes, and brunch options. It is all very walkable, with another boardwalk that stretches to Haeundae Beach.

3. Seomyeon

Known as the heart of Busan, Seomyeon is a lively district filled with shopping malls, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment venues. It's a popular spot for locals and tourists to enjoy shopping, dining, and nightlife.

Tip: Want a super trendy coffee recommendation? Then Coffee Sugamo has to have a visit. We needed a coffee local in this area as we were doing some laundry, and when we walked in, I felt like I was upper class for the first time.
Thoughts: Seomyeon offers a whirlwind of shopping, food, coffee, nightlife, bars, malls, and so on. You can get lost here pretty easily. It took us twenty minutes to find a restaurant we wanted to go to on the same block. Lotte Mall is great for shopping and food court options. Take a wander and get lost in the craziness of lights and signage.

Casa Busano with a trendy coffee and great view

Where to stay in Busan?

Hotel Prima

Situated in the Sasang-gu area, this hotel was perfect for our needs in terms of price, quality, and access to the metro system of Busan. Staying in Busan near Downtown or the beachfront can be super expensive, as it can be popular with Korean holidaymakers in the summer. Sasang-gu is more of an industrial part of the city but has quick links to the major hubs of Busan. Oh yeah, I almost forgot: you get free Ramen all day.

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My favourite brunch in Busan?

Little Aus

Situated in the Gwangalli Beach area, this little cafe gem is a must if you want a Western-style brunch, specifically Australian. They serve the most delicious vegan, vegetarian and Australian-style meat options to cater to any brunchgoer. The eggs were cooked to perfection, and the coffee tasted great. What a great find this was in Busan!

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My top three favourite cafes for coffee in Busan

Busan has many coffee options, so here are my three favourites you should check out!

1. Coffee Nine

Award-winning coffee from an award-winning barista. Do you need any more motivation? We found this little gem walking around downtown Busan, and the price was super cheap, at 2500 WON for a cup. You can sit outside and watch the world go by while sipping seriously good-tasting coffee.

2. Coffee Sugamo

Situated in Seomyeon, this is a seriously classy establishment away from the hustle and bustle around Lotte Mall. We didn’t plan this one either, as we looked for a coffee near our laundromat. Emma sat down as I took some content on my phone. When I found Emma, she looked shocked.

This place serves coffee like royalty, with special pouring utensils and fancy cups. The price is pretty hefty, too. The reason for the recommendation? Fantastic service, fancy decor inside, great-tasting coffee, and one of those times you need to accept the cost for the experience.

3. Casa Busano

Want beach views with your coffee? Then this is the place to be on Gwangalli Beach. You can sit at the front admiring the views with a great-tasting coffee in a proper cup.

Our picnic spot after a day sightseeing in Busan

These are the top attractions in Busan that I wish I had visited.

Gamcheon Culture Village

Often referred to as the "Machu Picchu of Busan," this colourful hillside village is known for its narrow alleys, vibrant murals, and unique art installations. It's a great place to explore, take photos, and experience local culture.

2. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

This stunning Buddhist temple is unique for being located on a cliff by the sea. It offers breathtaking views of the ocean, particularly during sunrise, and is known for its beautiful architecture and serene atmosphere.

3. Busan Tower

Located in Yongdusan Park, Busan Tower offers panoramic views of the city and the harbor. The park itself is a pleasant place for a stroll, featuring various statues, monuments, and a beautiful night view of the city.

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Some essential tips for navigating around Busan.

Transport

Busan has a tremendous network of transport options. We got the bus from Seoul, which finished at the bus station, which was also on the last stop on the metro. We bought our metro card there and topped it off as we set off about town on the trains. They have various lines covering all the areas around downtown and the beachside. If you are driving, then there is a huge bridge connecting parts of the city, which you can see from Gwangalli Beach.

ESim or SIM card providers

In South Korea, I would stick with the ESim option, I use GigSky, which you can order here. They offer very competitive rates with popular perks such as free use of 100 in an emergency, no internet required to update your app with a new plan, and customer service options if you need to talk to someone.

Language

In South Korea, English is widely spoken, but I would commit to learning a few phrases to get by. One piece of advice here is to get any food requirements translated into Korean so you can show them on your phone when ordering food. Most of the signage was written in both Korean and English, and it was very easy to navigate around the city. We had no problems apart from trying to order vegan options.

Our day trip to Gyeongju

Gyeongju is only an hour away by bus from Busan, and a ticket costs around CAD 9 return.

We arrived and headed straight to Walk Coffee to plan our day.

Gyeongju, often referred to as "the museum without walls," is a city in the southeastern part of South Korea. It is renowned for its rich historical and cultural heritage, being the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla, which ruled much of the Korean Peninsula for nearly a thousand years (57 BC – 935 AD). Gyeongju is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Gyeongju Historic Areas and the Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto. These sites offer a glimpse into the grandeur of Silla architecture and Buddhist art.

There are some breathtaking areas of water to really relax and take it all in. You can grab a map at the entrance and walk around the well-curated walkways—a super easy and cheap activity.

There is such fantastic architecture, and I love the Korean buildings. We loved visiting the traditional villages, reading the plaques for more information and enjoying the peace around us.

What struck me as I walked around was how green the area was, especially with the backdrop of the blue sky and dreamy conditions for taking photos.

We couldn’t get enough of the traditional villages and buildings; you can sit by them in the shade and drink it all in. It reminded me of New Zealand because of the rolling green hills and mounds.

It is so peaceful with just the sound of birds and the waterways.

Be sure to visit the Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Anapji Pond, Cheomseongdae Observatory, and Yangdong Folk Village.

The best way to do this is to grab a map as you come in, pick the areas to see, put on your walking boots, and have ice cream along the way.

A lunch recommendation for the site is Bagel Bagela. They make fantastic savoury and sweet bagels, and they’re not too expensive. They also have air conditioning with views of the area.

Overall, Gyeongju was an incredible area to explore. Well-thought-out walkways visited every site, and there was terrific Korean architecture. There were also many cafes/restaurants for stop-offs along the way and a great vibe. It is a must-do in Korea.

One of the many traditional bridges you can see in Gyeongju

Summary of Busan and Gyeongju

Busan and Gyeongju were incredible for me. They made me want to stay longer in Korea or even visit again soon, as they gave me a taste of what the rest of the country had to offer.

When you look at the map, there are so many places to see, and sometimes, we get caught up in the obvious places. But next time, I want to explore more.

Busan, with its bustling coastal city, and Gyeongju, with its traditional, historic Korean feel, really added such a cool blend to our trip to South Korea.

I don’t think I have been this surprised at how awesome a country is since I first tasted proper coffee in New Zealand in 2018.

It was life-changing.

See you again soon, Korea!