Where to Stay in Busan – The 4 Best Areas For You to Stay
Busan is a huge city and travelling from one end to the other can easily take up more than 45 minutes! That is why choosing the right neighbourhood to stay in, based on your interests and preferences, can absolutely make or break your trip.
In this guide, we will go over the most popular areas and neighbourhoods in Busan and tell you exactly why you should stay there. Why listen to us? Well, we spent a few weeks in Busan and did quite some research on this topic before going. We ended up spending time in all of these areas, so we can give you first hand experience on what it is like to stay in each one!
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Where to stay in Busan?
In this post we will cover four of the more popular areas in Busan to stay at for tourists, namely, Gwangalli, Haeundae, Seomyeon and Nampo-dong. To give you a better sense of direction, we highlighted the location of each of these neighbourhoods on the map down below.
Busan does not have one single city centre like a lot of European cities do. No, the city has a number of interesting neighbourhoods that can all be considered city centres in their own way.
While they are definitely all worthwhile, they do differ quite a bit in terms of sights and vibes and finding the right one for you to stay in is quite an important task when planning your trip.
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The first area we will cover is Gwangalli Beach. Let’s get started!
1. Gwangalli Beach
Gwangalli is a bustling area that is especially popular among younger people. Famous for its beach and the iconic view of Gwangan Bridge, the area is also home to numerous stunning cafés, restaurants and bars.
Things to do in Gwangalli
- Gwangalli Beach. Spend some time on Gwangalli Beach.
- Millak Breakwater & Waterside Park. A great area to stroll around or sit down and relax, while at the same time observing the daily life and great views of Gwangan Bridge.
- Drone Show. On Saturday evenings, you can watch a drone show on Gwangalli Beach. The theme of the show varies every week!
- Café Hopping. Check out one of the many cafés located alongside Gwangalli Beach offering stunning panoramic views of Gwangan Bridge. E.g.: Cup&Cup, Café Haute, Chaseonchaeg, etc.
- Igidae Coastal Walk. Head to Yongho Starlight Park and enjoy the views while walking the Igidae coastal walk.
Why stay here?
Gwangalli is a great place to stay if you value aesthetics and having a stunning view from your hotel room or while drinking your morning coffee! There are a number of hotels located alongside the beach front of Gwangalli, offering iconic views onto the beach and Gwangan Bridge!
Another plus of Gwangalli is the number of restaurants located in the area. You definitely won’t have trouble finding lunch and dinner options while staying here.
Who should stay here?
While the nice views of Gwangan Bridge and vast restaurant choices are great, the determining factor of whether you should stay in Gwangalli or not is probably the following: Do you love a bustling nightlife?
If yes, then Gwangalli is the perfect area for you. Especially during weekends, the area can get quite crowded as people from all over the city flock here to enjoy a night out! If not, it may be better to choose a quieter area of Busan to stay at.
Where to stay in Gwangalli: Our Recommendations
📌 Gwanganli Hotel 1* (Budget). Built more like a capsule hotel, a lot of their rooms offer splendid views of the beach and Gwangan Bridge! We would mostly recommend this one for their dormitory style rooms in terms of value for money. Price: ~30€/$ per night.
📌 Hotel Central Bay* (Mid-range). Located pretty much next to Hotel 1, Hotel Central Bay is great if you want the same view but prefer a more standard hotel room. Do note that sea view rooms are often booked out. Price: ~70€/$ per night.
📌 H Avenue Hotel Gwangalli* (Mid-range). Located on the east side of Gwangalli, this hotel offers modern rooms. Plus, they have a bar where you can enjoy a stunning view over a drink! Price: ~40-50€/$ per night.
2. Haeundae Beach
You want to stay near the beach in Busan, but don’t necessarily like the nightlife aspect of Gwangalli? Then Haeundae may be perfect for you. Haeundae is one of the main tourist areas of Busan and as such, there are always people about here too. However, we found the overall atmosphere to be quite a relaxed one. Haeundae seems to moreover attract people that want to spend a few relaxing days in Busan.
And it certainly is the perfect place for doing just that! I mean, Haeundae is home to Busan’s most stunning beach. Additionally, it is a convenient starting point for visiting a lot of the awesome sights and activities in East Busan!
Things to do in Haeundae Beach & East Busan
- Haeundae Beach. Relax on the beach during the day or watch as the beach gets plunged in all sorts of colours as the sun sets in the evening.
- Haeundae Traditional Market. Visit the market and sample the local cuisine! Buy a few street food items and take them to the beach for an epic picnic! Probably our favourite activity.
- Busan X Sky*. Head up the second highest building in Korea and get an epic view over Haeundae area and beyond!
- Haeundae Blueline Park. Catch the Beach Train or Sky Capsule at Mipo Station and head to Cheongsapo Port while soaking in the stunning coastal views! Alternatively walk the Busan Green Railway walkway to get there.
- Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. Visit South Korea’s most stunning coastal temple.
- Also, Haeundae hosts a number of interesting events over the course of the year. For instance, we happened to be there during the annual Haeundae Sand Festival.
Why stay here?
The biggest reason to stay in Haeundae is its proximity to East Busan and, well, Haeundae Beach. The latter is truly stunning and you will probably find yourself spending quite some time on this beach.
It is also a great neighbourhood to stroll around in the evenings with street performers gathering on the walkway above the beach every night. We really liked spending time in Haeundae as it is probably the most relaxed area in Busan!
Who should stay here?
Haeundae is the perfect area to stay in if you wish to switch on your vacationing mode. Between its proximity to the beach, the relaxed vibe and all the great tourist attractions, spending time here can feel more like a vacation rather than a city trip.
You should be aware though that downtown Busan is a 30-minutes subway ride away from Haeundae. Also the latter is one of the more expensive areas to stay in and, due to its popularity, it can book out quite fast during the busy (warmer) season of the year.
Where to stay in Haeundae: Our Recommendations
📌 Canvas Hostel Black* (Budget). Great option if you wish to stay in Haeundae on a budget! This hostel offers dormitories as well as double rooms and has awesome reviews (9.2 on Agoda). Price: ~15€/$ for a bed in a dormitory; ~30€/$ per night for a double room.
📌 Shilla Stay Haeundae* (Upper Mid-range). For those seeking a slightly more luxurious experience, this hotel offers modern rooms with great views on either city or ocean. The hotel offers free access to its gym and has a pool and rooftop bar as well. Price: ~90-130€/$ per night.
📌 Mipo Oceanside Hotel* (Mid-range). This property is located in Mipo, right next to Haeundae Beach. All of their rooms come with a great breakfast included and access to their lovely rooftop terrace. Great reviews (9.1 on Agoda!). Price: ~50-80€/$ per night depending on the room you choose.
3. Nampo-dong & Jung-gu
If you come to Busan solely for the purpose of sightseeing, then Nampo-dong and Jung-gu are the best area to stay at from a logistics point of view. Plus, this is where you will find a more “authentic” Busan. What do we mean by that? Essentially, these neighbourhoods are a less glamorous version of what you will find in other areas of the city.
Jung-gu is considered to be the former down-town Busan, a neighbourhood that lived through many phases of Korean history. Similarly, Nampo-dong is an area filled with numerous older markets where locals and tourists alike go to sample the local cuisine and enjoy Busan’s delicacies.
Things to do in Nampo-dong & Jung-gu
- Busan Tower*. View Busan’s skyline from the cities iconic Diamond Tower.
- Yongdusan Park. Escape the bustling city and relax in this stunning park, hidden away on a hill! The escalators to get there are an attraction in itself.
- Jagalchi Market. Try seafood in Busan’s most famous seafood market.
- Gwangbok-ro Fashion Street. Explore Gwangbok-ro and Gwangbok-dong street for unique clothing shops.
- Gukje and Bupyeong Kkangtong Market. In case you haven’t visited enough markets yet;).
- BIFF Square. Korea’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There is a street food market every night.
- Gamcheon Cultural Village. Take the bus to head to Busan’s famous colourful mural village.
- Songdo Marine Cable Car*. Ride a cable car to Amnan Park and enjoy views of Songdo Beach, Namhang Bridge, and the coastline along the way.
Why stay here?
Apart from giving you a great glimpse into Korean culture, Jung-gu and Nampo-dong are a good base for sightseeing. The area is close to several tourist attractions and has a good local public transport connection.
Another plus is the proximity to Busan Station. Busan’s main train station is located only one subway station away from Jung-gu. And then of course, last but not least, easy access to all the food markets!
Who should stay here?
Nampo-dong and Jung-gu are where you should stay if you wish to delve a little deeper into Korean culture. The area is filled with local shops, restaurants, markets and street food stalls! Plus, if you are travelling on a budget, you can find good accommodations at more affordable rates here.
Where to stay in Nampo-dong & Jung-gu: Our Recommendations
📌 K-GUESTHOUSE Premium Nampo* (Budget). Located right next to Nampo Station, this guesthouse is a great choice for anyone travelling Busan on a budget! Price: ~30€/$ per night.
📌 Urbanstay Boutique Nampo BIFF* (Budget). Located literally 80m from BIFF Square and 300m from Jagalchi Station, you cannot get any better location-wise than this! We always like Urbanstay quite a lot because their rooms are essentially small studios and not hotel rooms. Price: ~30-40€/$ per night.
📌 Maron Hotel Nampo* (Budget). Located next to Yongdusan Park and Gwangbok-ro Fashion Street, this hotel offers spacious and modern rooms at quite affordable rates. Price: ~30-40€/$ per night.
4. Seomyeon (Downtown Busan)
Seomyeon is Busan’s current down-town area. You can find a lot of financial and educational institutions here, but also a great number of commercial ones. As such, there are numerous good shopping opportunities and a lot of awesome restaurants in Seomyeon area as well.
Why stay here?
In terms of sightseeing, there is actually not much to do here. Like, truly, nothing at all. The greatest selling point is however the fact that it is probably the best area to stay in transportation-wise. In Seomyeon, Busan’s two major subway lines (Line 1 & 2) cross each other, which is why it is really easy to travel to either end of the city from here.
Who should stay here?
Seomyeon area is really great for people who wish to stay in Busan for a longer period of time (i.e. 1-2 weeks). You can stay at an AirBnB or studio (e.g. Urbanstay) and really get a feel for what it would be like to live in Busan. In general, hotels in this area are quite affordable and, again, it is a great area to easily get anywhere in the city.
Where to stay in Seomyeon: Our Recommendations
📌 Urbanstay Seomyeon* (Budget). Located only 150 meters from Seomyeon Station, you can rent rooms that feel more like small studios rather than hotel rooms, which we always like. A great way to get a feel for what living in a city like Busan would feel like! Price: ~30-40€/$ per night.
📌 Brown Dot Hotel Seomyeon* (Mid-range). Located equally as close to Seomyeon Station, this modern hotel offers everything you may need from your standard city hotel room! Price: ~40-50€/$ per night.
So, finally, where should you stay in Busan? – A quick recap
Since Busan is such a huge city, we highly recommend you put some thought into where you wish to stay in order to have the best trip possible. And, we hope that this post was helpful for you to figure out your best fit!
Of course Busan has way more neighbourhoods than listed in this post. However, the average traveller will probably end up in one of the areas mentioned here.
Now, before we let you go, here is a quick recap on where you should stay in Busan depending on varying interests, budgets and travel style:
- Do you like nightlife and staying out late most nights? Then Gwangalli Beach is perfect for you.
- Are you in Busan for the tourist experience? Do you prefer the fancier, beach and vacationing-mode location? Then Haeundae is where you’ll find your best fit. Or, do you prefer the more authentic, affordable and local experience? Opt to stay in Nampo-dong or Jung-gu!
- Are you looking for a convenient place to stay for a longer period of time? Book a place in Seomyeon!
If there are questions that remain unanswered, do not hesitate to leave them in the comments down below! Save this post for later if your trip isn’t for another while!
And finally, we wish you safe and happy travels!🍀
