Free Things to Do in Busan | Seaside Parks, Beaches & Top Museums
From marvelous cliffs to down-to-earth beaches, Busan is an adventure traveler’s playground. A few free things to do in Busan include touring Haedong Yonggungsa Buddhist temple and hiking through Taejongdae Resort Park. Visitors also enjoy relaxing on Haeundae Beach, a mile-long paradise that hosts part of the Busan International Film Festival as well as the Polar Bear Club’s annual group plunge into the freezing waters of the sea.
1. Haeundae Beach
It’s fun to visit Haeundae Beach in January when members of the Polar Bear Club take their annual dips in the freezing cold water, but the beach is a must-see attraction in Busan no matter the time of year. Haeundae Beach stretches nearly one mile along the southern coast of Busan and is popular for swimming and strolling. It’s also the locale for a portion of the annual Busan International Film Festival, which generally takes place in October. Many travelers who visit Busan opt for a hotel or resort near Haeundae Beach.
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Photo credit: hyolee2 / CC BY-SA
2. Top Museums in Busan
While Busan has a reputation for being a haven for beach bums and nature buffs, the city also oozes with history. As South Korea’s second largest city, Busan has seen its fair share of growth and change. Plus, the city also sits on the southern coast and serves as a major port and fishing region for all of South Korea.
- Fisheries Science Museum – opened in 1997, this hands-on museum contains 15 exhibit areas and offers visitors a chance to operate a marine vessel. The museum highlights marine resources, as well as technology and equipment used in maritime science. Fisheries Science Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Entry is free.
- Busan Museum – history and hanboks await at this cultural museum that aims to preserve Busan’s most cherished artifacts. Guests can stroll through seven exhibits spread over three floors, plus wander through outdoor displays of historic monuments. The Cultural Experience Hall invites guests to experience a traditional Korean tea ceremony and try on a hanbok, or traditional Korean attire. Busan Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday (closed Monday) and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Entry is free.
- Trick Eye Museum – a day with the family is well spent at Trick Eye Museum, where guests become part of larger-than-life, fun 3D murals. Trick Eye Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Tickets are 8,000 KRW (6.75 USD) for adults and 6,000 KRW (5 USD) for children (younger than 18).
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3. Haedong Yonggungsa
An enchanting Buddhist temple overlooking the ocean, Haedong Yonggungsa welcomes visitors to explore elements that date to the 14th century. The cliff-side landmark features a three-story pagoda, a sanctuary inside a cave and Yongwangdang Shrine. Haedong Yonggungsa celebrates the birth of Buddha in April by decorating the temple with lanterns, and the temple often draws crowds on New Year’s Day when locals gather to pray blessings over family members for the coming year.
Hours: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Entry fees: free
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4. Taejongdae Resort Park
The views are unbelievable from the observatory at Taejongdae Resort Park, and visitors will not want to miss a tour of Yeongdo Lighthouse and Taejongsa temple. All three attractions inside Taejongdae Resort Park can be reached by the Taejongdae Danubi Train, or visitors can explore the lush landscape on foot. Taejongdae Resort Park is named after King Taejong, the 29th king of the Silla Kingdom, who supposedly loved to shoot arrows from the region. On clear days, sightseers can get a peek of Tsushima island in Japan.
Hours: 5 a.m. to midnight daily
Entry fees: free
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1. SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium
Visitors make their way to the bottom of the ocean via an underwater tunnel at SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium. This interactive underwater adventure showcases more than 10,000 sea creatures and allows guests to pet certain species in an open rock pool. Another popular thing to do at SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium is to watch the feeding times for otters, penguins and sharks. Tourists who want an extra special experience can board a glass-bottom boat and float across the main water tank of the aquarium.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Entry fees: 29,000 KRW (25 USD) for adults, 23,000 KRW (20 USD) for children
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