Where is the best place to stay in Busan?
By Carles Barcelo. Updated October 27, 2023
Dubbed Korea’s San Francisco, modern and cosmopolitan Busan is Korea’s spirited second city spread out along the coast. You can mingle with locals at the boisterous Jalgachi Fish Market, or get into the swing of things at the glorious Haeundae Beach that caters to everyone’s taste, from the fashionable to laid-back to families. Busan’s most visited temple, Beomeosa Temple, is worth the climb, as is the Youngdusan Park and Tower for spellbinding city vistas, day or night.
While none of the areas with good accommodation are located within walking distance of the main attractions, Seomyeon is the best area to stay in Busan because of its accessibility to the key sights and vibrant atmosphere. Seomyeon embodies the authentic Korean style with its clamorous streets, busy shops and buzzing nightlife, making it a good base to get to grips with all that the city has to offer at high-gear. One of the busiest areas of Buson and a commercial hub, it has numerous hotels and has the closest proximity of all the areas to the sights as well as excellent transport connections to all the main attractions such as Jalgachi Fish Market, Beomeosa Temple, and Haeundae Beach.If you are interested in where to stay in Busan, you may also be interested in where to stay in Seoul.
Seomyeon, the best area to stay in Busan
Due to Busan’s immense size and its hilly terrain, Seomyeon is as central and convenient as you can get, making it the best area to stay in Busan. The area offers easy access to all the major sights of the city, and is also located nearby Busan’s bustling shopping and entertainment scene. The Seomyeon neighbourhood is at the point where the city’s two main metro lines meet (Line 1 and Line 2, the orange and green lines) meaning you can visit highlights of the city such as Nampo-dong, Jagalchi, Gwangalli Beach, Shinsegae Dept Store, Haeundae Beach and Dongnae, without even changing lines.
Here, as well as being able to access all the major sights of the city you will also be able to soak up Busan’s bustling shopping and entertainment scene. The chaotic and entertaining streets are awash in shopping malls, food stalls, eateries, cafes and nightlife meaning you will never get bored as you explore all that Seomyeon has to offer.
Other neighbourhoods to stay in Busan
Haeundae
Located in the east of the city, Haeundae is Busan’s glitzy beach area and offers a delightful mix of city and sea, a cosmopolitan atmosphere, lively restaurants and fun-loving nightlife, making it an excellent place to stay. Accommodation is plentiful around here owing to the fact that it is one of Seoul’s most popular beach resorts. The beach itself is about 2km of soft golden sands that gets very busy in high season. However, thanks to Busan’s sub-tropical climate, year-round this beach can be enjoyed to the max. You can also seek out Dongbaekseom Island on foot where you will discover a wooded nature reserve overlooking mesmerising views of Haeundae Beach.
For a taste of local food, head to the Haeundae Market’s Gukbap Alley. A genuine food zoo just a few minutes from Haeundae Beach, it is also the place in Busan to try one of Korea’s most celebrated dishes, gukbap (pork or beef with rice in soup). Nearby you can also fix your coffee buzz by walking up the cherry-blossom tree-lined Dalmaji Road where at the top you will find a multitude of cafes. The Haeundae area is also packed with most of the city’s best nightlife, and with something for everyone, it kicks on well into the early hours.
Gwangalli
Similar to Haeundae, the Gwangalli Beach area offers a heady mix of soft golden sand, water sports, restaurants and nightlife. The neighbourhood is conveniently closer to the city centre and main attractions than Haeundae, and because of this has a more urban feel. There are many great places to stay in this area and at night its local and international restaurants teem with life. Officially opened in 2003, Busan’s famed suspension bridge, the Diamond Bridge, forms a gracious arch that connects Haeundae-gu to Suyeong-gu and is the second longest bridge in the country after the Incheon Bridge. There is also an outdoor concert venue where the Busan Ocean Festival among other yearly events are staged.
Gwanglali Beach is also famous for its pristine waters, with which you can prepare raw fish. For a memorable lunch or dinner of tasty seafood, head to the fish market situated to the north end of the beach. Choose your fish from one of the vendors and then take it to be prepared and sliced for you upstairs in one of the many restaurants.
Gwanglali really comes into its own in the evening, when the promenade becomes alive with couples, groups of friends and families. It is a good place for an evening stroll or a cool beer while the breeze blows off the sea and the reflection in the water is ablaze with the lights from the diamond bridge.
Nampo-Dong Area
Visually exotic and tirelessly energetic, the Nampo-Dong neighbourhood is a major draw for visitors and locals alike. The area is a foodie and shoppers’ paradise, with streets laced with food stalls and shops, from malls selling branded goods to independent boutiques and markets selling jewellery and accessories. Its more central location means it´s a great place to stay as you will be well connected by public transport to Busan’s main sights. You can also take a walk down to the frenetic Jagalchi Fish Market, one of Busan’s top landmarks. You will be surprised by the many different kinds of seafood on display and there are many stands from which you can purchase the seafood of your choice before taking it to be prepared and cooked for you to your liking.
You can also enjoy a walking tour of the Yongdusan Park. It is a steep climb but for those flagging, there are escalators that can whisk you up to the top. It is particularly inviting at sunset for its stunning panoramas of the city.
Busanjin-Gu
Busanjin-Gu enjoys a perfect central location in Busan and offers a large range of accommodation options and excellent hotels. It is undoubtedly the best area to stay in the city for shoppers and is often referred to as Busan’s ‘shopping district’. Shoppers will be in their element here, as there are more shopping options than you could care to imagine! These include air-conditioned shopping malls and fantastic, authentic local markets. Bujeon Market is the most famous of these, and you can buy all sorts of items as well as observing local handicraft and art.
However, Busanjin-Gu is not just all about the shopping- there are many other things to do here. There is a lively entertainment and nightlife scene, with many great bars and clubs. You can also enjoy authentic local cuisine, take an easy day trip to the nearby mountains and also visit the famous Busan Citizens Park.
Suyeong-Gu
If you are a beach lover, Suyeong-Gu is without doubt the best place for you to stay in Busan! Home to some pristine beaches such as the immaculate Gwangalli and Gwangan Beaches, it is the perfect place to spend lounging on the sandy beaches and taking some lovely seafront walks.
There are many upmarket seafront hotels to choose from, but also many within a mid-range budget as well. This creates a really pleasant atmosphere, with nice a mix of tourists and locals in this area. With good weather all-year round, it doesn’t matter when you choose to stay in Suyeong-Gu: it will always be bustling with sun-seekers. And there are plenty of excellent beachfront restaurants and cafes to enjoy.
Despite its coastal location, Suyeong-Gu is also surprisingly close to the center of Busan, with excellent public transport connections. You can easily travel around, for example using the Line 2 Subway.
Our recommended hotels in Busan
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in BusanNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
