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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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