Where to stay in Busan / Best Neighborhoods + Photos 2024
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Where to stay in Busan? South Korea’s second biggest city Busan is bustling, with late night entertainment districts like Seomyeon, several beautiful beachside resorts to choose from and so many things to do in Busan.
There are lots of buzzing neighborhoods in Busan, from beachside hotels to hipster hang-outs. As Busan is so spread out along the coast, deciding where to stay in Busan can be challenging (especially if you are on a tight budget or short on time).
First time travelers to Busan are also in for such a treat – friendly locals, incredible food, shopping mall heaven and coastal attractions overlooking the sea are the norm.
We’ve spent many weeks in South Korea over the years and these would be our recommended places to stay in Busan featuring some city suggestions, beachside breaks or in the midst of all the night-life.
Here is our guide to best places to stay in Busan and the best Busan neighborhoods to visit in 2024:
You might like – 80 things to do in Busan, South Korea >
South Korea checklist
We love using agoda.com and booking.com for researching and booking all our hotels, and Hostelworld for booking hostels.
For booking tours, transfers and SIM cards we recommend Get Your Guide, Viator, Trazy or Klook.
Table of Contents
Where to stay in Busan
Jump straight to the best Busan neighborhoods to stay in:
| Busan Neighbourhood | Why stay in this Busan Neighbourhood? |
|---|---|
| Seomyeon | Perfect area for first time visitors to Busan with a central location, excellent transport links, multiple affordable hotels, malls, good late night shopping and lots of restaurants/street food |
| Gwangalli Beach | One of Busan’s best beach areas famous for its weekly drone show, bars and restaurants overlooking the ocean plus lots of night-time activities |
| BIFF Square / Nampo | City location close to Jagalchi Fish Market with lots of late night street-food, cheap chicken and beer restaurants and day time markets |
| Haeundae Beach | Busan’s busiest beach area with lots of tall apartment hotel buildings overlooking the sea. This area has numerous coastal tourist attractions like Busan X The Sky and Haeundae Blueline Park |
| Songdo Beach | Busan’s slightly quieter beach area with a cable car and coastal parks – great if you have a car or prefer to use the bus (no subway stations nearby) |
| Seongjong Beach | Surf’s up in this beachside Busan neighborhood – located a little bit away from the main city but easily accessible via the Haeundae Blueline Park beach train and sky capsule |
| Jung-Gu / Busan Station | Central Busan neighborhood close to Busan Station within walking distance of attractions like Diamond Tower |
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Our first recommended best place to stay in Busan
Seomyeon, Busan (the most popular area for night-life and big malls)
Seomyeon is a perfect place in Busan to stay for
– First time visitors to Busan
– Shopping fans with lots of malls and K-beauty stores
– Foodies with lots of snacks at the night market
– Night-time bars, boozing and fun
The Seomyeon and Jeonpo districts in Busan have many things to do – from the epicenter of coffee culture and cute cafes in Busan through to superior shopping and many night delights, this is one of the coolest neighborhoods in Busan.
Offering Busan’s best craft beer bars to BTS photo spots, colorful cake shops to beautiful bakeries, Seomyeon and Jeonpo is THE place to hang out in Busan. It is also very popular with students and teens (especially along ‘Seomyeon Young Street’).
Seomyeon things to do and highlights
- Seomyeon Pojangmacha stalls – head to the night-life district of Seomyeon at night to enjoy an epicurean experience in these street-tents, open until the wee small hours.
- Seomyeon Young Street – the main outdoor shopping area in Seomyeon, this is where all the cool kids hang out day and night (like Busan’s version of Myeongdong in Seoul).
- Love shopping in Busan? This Busan neighborhood has some of the biggest malls including Seomyeon Samjung Tower and Lotte, plus several Olive Young stores too.
- Busan Citizens Park – a huge gorgeous gem of a green space towards the northern Seomyeon neighborhoods, this 100 acre site is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike and even has a famous BTS photo spot.
Check out our things to in Seomyeon and Jeonpo guide >
Accommodation in Seomyeon and Jeonpo, Busan
Hotels and accommodation in Seomyeon include:
Budget ($)
Queens Hotel Seomyeon Busan
Simple and cosy hotel with large rooms, located a 5 minute walk from Lotte Department Store. Check out prices and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Budget ($)
Lion Hotel
Budget hotel with large rooms, minutes away from Seomyeon subway station and multiple bars and restaurants. Check out prices and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Mid Range ($$)
Hotel Kyungsung
Highly rated minimalist style hotel located 700 meters from Seomyeon Medical Street. Selected rooms feature a terrace Check out prices and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Luxury ($$$)
Lotte Hotel Busan
Luxury hotel located a 5 minute walk from the metro. Facilities include an on-site duty-free store, department store, movie theater, indoor and outdoor pool, sauna, fitness center and restaurants. Check out prices and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
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Gwangalli Beach, Busan
Gwangalli is a perfect place in Busan to stay for
– Beach fans and sunset sips over the water
– Long walks at night along the coast
– Family fun
– If you want to be in between Haeundae and downtown Busan
Our second Busan neighborhood to try is Gwangalli Beach, famous for its sandy beach, stunning sunset views plus its famous free drone shows held over the ocean every Saturday night.
One of Busan’s best beaches and top food and drink destinations, Gwangalli is also one of South Korea’s premier beach resorts.
Even if you aren’t a fan of beach fun and frolics, Gwangalli Beach is a nice Busan neighborhood to stay in. There are dozens of cool coffee shops and beachside bars with ocean views; the locals in Gwangalli Beach really know how to have a good sunset session.
Gwangalli things to do and highlights
- Gwangalli M Drone Show (Free) – Busan’s Gwangalli Beach is the place to be every Saturday night with the weekly Gwangalli M Drone display over the night sky. 300 drones fly in formation with a different theme each week.
- Gwangandaegyo Bridge / Diamond Bridge – has the world’s largest set of LED lights and sound equipment; it shines so bright it has been nicknamed Busan’s Diamond Bridge.
- Busan Craft Beers – Gwangalli has several Busan craft beer bars to enjoy (some with beach views) including Gorilla Brewing, Galmegi, Bronx Brewery and Naked Ape.
- Millac The Park and Millak Park – enjoy sunset views overlooking the ocean at Millak Park or enjoy of one Busan’s newest food markets and shopping complexes at Millac The Park.
Check out more things to do in Gwangalli >
Accommodation in Gwangalli, Busan
Hotels and accommodation in Gwangalli Beach include:
Mid-Range ($$)
Kent Hotel Gwangalli by Kensington
Highly rated hotel located on the shore of Gwangalli Beach. Rooms are modern with city views or sea views. Check out prices and availability for Kent Hotel Gwangalli by Kensington. Check out prices and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Mid-Range ($$)
H Avenue Gwanganri Beach
Affordable hotel located 200 metres from Gwangalli Beach with some rooms having a balcony and sea views. Check out prices and availability for H Avenue Gwanganri Beach. Check out prices and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Note that there is generally more Busan hotel accommodation options available in Haeundae beach than Gwangalli beach.
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BIFF Square and Nampo
Nampo and BIFF Square are the perfect place in Busan to stay for:
– Affordable hotels with lots of accommodation choice
– Many street food stalls, bars and restaurants
– Close enough to walk to the port and Jagalchi Market
– Great transport links via Jagalchi / Nampo Stations & the hop-on, hop-off Busan bus
Busan is known internationally for the ‘Busan International Film Festival’ and this area is where it all started, complete with their own ‘golden handprints’ of all the stars and directors that have attended over the years.
From shopping to street food, megastores to markets, there are lot of things to do around BIFF Square and Nampo:
BIFF Square and Nampo things to do and highlights
- Busan’s Best Hotteok: Ssiat Hotteok – the famous Busan seed hotteok stall has queues around the block. BIFF Square is home to many Korean street food vendors.
- Nampo-dong Pojangmacha stalls – enjoy an epicurean experience in colorful street-tents, open until late. All manner of South Korean street food is served in these food stalls plus soju and beer.
- Gukje Market AKA Nampodong International Market – this Busan market is well known to locals in Busan not only as one of the best markets but also as the star of the eponymous K-movie ‘Gukje Market’.
- Jagalchi Fish Market – no trip to Busan is complete without a walk around Jagalchi Fish Market, South Korea’s biggest seafood market.
Check out more things to do in BIFF Square and Nampo >
Accommodation in Nampo and BIFF Square, Busan
Recommended hotels and accommodation near BIFF Square include:
Mid-Range ($$)
Hotel Foret Premier Nampo
Highly rated hotel with modern guest rooms, located minutes walk from Jagalchi Market and BIFF Square. Facilities include an on-site restaurant and massage chairs. Check out prices and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Mid-Range ($$)
Nampo Ocean2Heaven Hotel & Spa
Boutique hotel that offers rooms with a patio and sea view. Located around a 5-minute walk from BIFF Square. Check out prices and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
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Haeundae Beach, Busan
Haeundae in Busan is the perfect place to stay for:
– Hotels and apartments that look out over the beach
– If you just want to base yourself in just one Busan beach neighborhood
– Families and those who enjoy regular festivals
– Delicious local seafood or Korean tasty tidbits (so many food places)
Busan’s biggest (and possibly best) beach resort, Haeundae is a hive of activity with numerous attractions on your doorstep plus lots of bars, restaurants and cute cafes.
If you are staying in Busan with kids and want to be next to the ocean, Haeundae may be for you as it has lots of apartment style hotels plus loads of child friendly activities like a Snoopy Cafe and gaming centers.
We’d also say Haeundae has the best night-life of any of the beachside Busan neighborhoods.
Haeundae highlights & things to do:
- Busan X The Sky – for the best views of Busan and the sea, head up to the 100th floor of Busan X The Sky, South Korea’s second tallest building. It is also home to the world’s highest coffee shop – read about the Busan X The Sky Starbucks >
- Haeundae Traditional Market – looking for superb street food or late night bites in Busan? Then head to Haeundae Traditional Market, a couple of blocks back from Haeundae Beach. Read our full guide here >
- Haeundae Blueline Park – the colorful Sky Capsules (monorail) that travel along the coast with incredible sea views are very popular on social media. Read our full guide to how to get Sky Capsule and Beach tickets here >
- Haeridan-gil – possibly the most hipster neighborhood in Haeundae Beach, Haeridan-gil is an up and coming district where an old residential neighborhood has been transformed into a hotchpotch hotpot of cool coffee shops and Korean photo booth shops.
You might like our things to do in Haeundae Beach guide >
Accommodation in Haeundae Beach, Busan
Recommended hotels and accommodation in Haeundae include:
Budget ($)
MAMA Guesthouse Haeundae
Private ensuite rooms with shared kitchen and a shared lounge, located 300 meters from Haeundae Beach. Check out prices and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Mid Range ($$)
Mipo Oceanside Hotel
Highly rated hotel offering both Western and Korean-style rooms. Some rooms have sea views. Check out prices and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Mid Range ($$)
Haeundae Seacloud Residence
Huge mid range hotel located steps away from the beach and close to the metro station. Some rooms have a sea view, plus washing machine, stove and fridge. Check out prices and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Luxury ($$$)
Signiel Busan
Luxury hotel located between the 3rd and 19th floors of the LCT Tower. Rooms have panoramic views and facilities include an infinity pool, luxury spa, kids outdoor activity garden and dim sum restaurant. Check out prices and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
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Songjeong Beach in Busan
Songjeong Beach, the best place to stay in Busan for:
– Surfing and watersports
– Cute coffee shops along the beach
– Close proximity to Lotte World Adventure Busan, Lotte Premium Outlet Busan and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Also known as the best surfing beach in Busan, Songjeong is the perfect place for watersports and all manner of aquatic awesomeness – that said, it is a little far out from all the city action but you can get the beach train to Haeundae.
Given its location a little further north of the main city, Songjeong is a stunning yet less well known beach in Busan meaning it feels a little less busy than the likes of Haeundae and Gwangalli.
Songjeong Beach things to do and highlights
- Cheongsapo Daritdol Observatory – a unique glass walkway that curves over the ocean, 20 meters up from the sea offering stunning views of the coast and Songjeong Beach itself.
- Watersports and sunbathing – this super sandy beach is a surfers paradise plus much quieter than other (possibly overcrowded) beaches.
- Haedong Yonggungsa Temple – it is described as the most beautiful temple in Korea and incredibly popular with worshippers and tourists, the original Haedong Yonggungsa temple was built in the 14th century but later destroyed by bombing and rebuilt in the 1930s.
- Blue Line Park Beach Train – Songjeong Beach is the starting point for this unique coastal train that follows the Busan Green Railway coastal walking trail.
You might like our guide to the 5 best beaches in Busan >
Accommodation in Songjeong Beach, Busan
Recommended hotels and accommodation in Songjeong include:
Budget ($)
Songjeong Blue Castle Hotel
Spacious and modern hotel located close to the beach. Rooms come with a fully equipped kitchen and dining table. Check out prices and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Mid-Range ($$)
Hotel Laon
Located right in front of the beach with the blue line beach train just a 2 minutes walk away. Many rooms have sea views. Check out prices and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
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Songdo Beach, Busan
Songdo is the best place to stay in Busan for:
– A quieter beach experience
– Coastal attractions like cable cars and walk-ways
– Morning walks and beachside strolls
The first public beach in South Korea, Songdo Beach doesn’t often get that many visits from overseas visitors, as it isn’t close to any Metro stations and requires a bus to get here – with that in mind, this might be the place for you if you have a rental car or don’t mind relying on buses.
Perfect for sunbathing, Songdo Beach is also surrounded by cute coffee shops, restaurants and bars all which look toward the ocean (although not many are directly on the beach).
Songdo Beach things to do and highlights:
- Songdo Marine Cable Car / Busan Air Cruise – around 40 cabins run over the ocean from Songdo Beach (Songrim Park) to Amnam Park with lots of themed attractions. Book your discounted Busan Air Cruise tickets here >
- Songdo Gureum Cloudwalk – a 350+ meter glass walkway that allows you to get up close to the ocean. It is the longest skywalk in Korea plus also the very first curve shaped walkway in the country.
Accommodation in Songdo Beach, Busan
Recommended hotels and accommodation in Songdo include:
Budget to Mid-Range ($$)
Grab The Ocean Songdo
4 star beach facing hotel with many rooms having sea views and a balcony. Check out prices and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Mid-Range to Expensive ($$$)
Fairfield by Marriott Busan Songdo Beach
Clean and modern hotel a minute walk away from Songdo Beach. Facilities include an onsite restaurant on the 22nd floor and fitness centre. Check out prices and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Try this – Busan One Day Tour: Gamcheon Culture Village and Haeundae Blueline park >
Jung-Gu / Busan Station
Busan Station and Jung-Gu, the best place to stay in Busan for:
– A quick-trip or flying visit, close to all the major Busan public transport line
– Within walking distance of malls, Busan Port and attractions like Diamond Tower
– Good choice of business style hotels and chain restaurants
A Busan neighborhood and downtown district near to Busan Station, Jung-Gu is the area that we chose when we first stayed in Busan. It is a fairly safe area at night (mainly because there isn’t that much going on, other than the bars near Busan Station).
If you are only in Busan for a limited amount of time and want a base in the middle (as it takes a while to get to and from the beaches), this might be the best Busan place to stay for you.
Jung-Gu things to do and highlights
- Busan Diamond Tower and Yongdusan Park – one of Busan’s most beloved viewing towers is Busan Diamond Tower in Yongdusan Park. Open until 10pm every evening for blissful Busan sunset views.
- Bosu-Dung Book Street – this busy Busan thoroughfare has the highest concentration of booksellers and bookshops of anywhere in the city. A couple of the stores here have been painted to look like giant novels.
- Trick Eye Museum / Museum of Movies – two of Busan’s kid friendly museums, the Museum of Movies and Trick Eye Museum are available as a combo ticket. Book tickets to the Trick Eye Museum & Museum of Movies with Klook >
Accommodation in Jung-Gu, Busan
Recommended hotels and accommodation near Busan Station / Jung-gu include:
MId-Range ($$)
Crown Harbor Hotel
Popular hotel located close to Jungang Subway Station and Busan station. Check out prices and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Mid Range ($$)
ASTI Hotel Busan Station
Located a minute’s walk from Busan Train Station, this new hotel has cosy rooms and city views. Check out prices and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
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Save money on Busan attractions with the visit Busan Pass
Newly launched in 2023 and very similar to the highly successful Discover Seoul Pass, the Visit Busan pass provides ‘free’ access to a selection of 30 tourism attractions in Busan for either 24 or 48 hours.
Visit Busan tourist attractions included on the pass include Lotte World Busan, Busan Tower, Skyline Luge Busan, Busan X the Sky admission, Songdo Cable Car and free hanbok rental.
Incredibly good value for money, buy your Visit Busan Pass here via Klook >
Alternatively, read our review of the Visit Busan Pass and how we achieved used it ‘tactically’>
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