Busan/Central

• 🌍 Yongdusan Park and Busan Tower (용두산공원, 부산타워) (Line 1, Nampo station). This pleasant little park is home to Busan's one true tourist attraction, the 118-meter-tall Busan Tower. This is the fourth tallest tower in South Korea, although it is over 100 meters shorter than the Namsan Tower in Seoul. There are some decent views even without going up the tower, and you can buy some corn to feed the resident population of ravenous pigeons. The fences surrounding Busan Tower are adorned with love padlocks, which can be purchased in the souvenir shop. If you go up the Busan Tower you will get to see an awesome panorama of the entire city. You can walk or take the hillside escalator up to the tower. ₩4,000. 

• 🌍 40 Steps (40 Gyedan) (Line 1, Jungang station). A few streets of a grubby district have been 'restored' to their condition in the post-Korean War 1960s, with wooden lamppost and bronze figures illustrating scenes of hardscrabble street life. Also easy walking distance to Yongdusan Park. In June 2004, it was selected as the best street in Busan Metropolitan City's comprehensive evaluation, and in 2006, it was selected as one of Korea's 100 Most Beautiful Streets by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport. 

• 🌍 Jagalchi Fish Market (자갈치수산시장), Jagalchi (Line 1, Jagalchi station). This is possibly Korea's most famous fish market with a large selection of seafood there. You will have to opportunity to eat squid that is still wriggling when you eat it! Try and come very early to see the activity around the fish being landed. It is walking distance from the Nampo Lotte Department store or the Jagalchi station on the Busan Metro Line 1. 
• 🌍 Busan Modern History Museum (부산근대역사관), 42-2, 2Ga Daecheong-dong Jung-gu (Line1 - Jungang or Nampo), ☏ +82 51 253-3845. 09:00-20:00. This building housing the Busan Modern History Museum was used as the Busan Branch of the Oriental Development Company during the Japanese occupation and as the Busan USIS Cultural Center (a CIA post) following the Korean war. The exhibition consists of the modern history of Busan during the Japanese occupation, Busan's role in the Korean war and the history of the relationship between Korea and the United States. Although not at all impartial, this museum nevertheless provides a fascinating background to modern Busan and you could probably spend two to three hours here. 

• 🌍 Songdo Beach (송도해수욕장), Gamcheon-ro, Seo-gu (Busan Station (Line 1), Exit 7; take Bus 17, 26 or 61 and get off at the entrance of Songdo (송도입구)). Songdo beach was apparently the first official beach in Korea and the main attraction in Busan for many years until Haeundae became the main tourist center. Today the beach is small (450 meters) and quiet with some charm, surrounded by low key restaurants and cafes. It is also in easy reach of Jagalchi fish market. (Jagalchi Station - Subway Line 1, Exit 2. Turn left at the corner, go straight 50m and cross the street to the bus stop. From the bus stop (충무동교차로), take Bus 7, 26, 71, or 96 to Songdo Beach) 

• 🌍 Gamcheon Cultural Village (감천문화마을) (take Metro line 1 to Toseong Station, leave exit 6 and turn right at the intersection directly in front of you; walk a few minutes to the 'Busan Cancer Center' hospital and take the number 2 bus (Blue/Orange) outside. Get off about 10 minutes later at the top of the hill, marked 'Gamcheon Culture Village'). Gamcheon village was a Korean war refugee camp, and backwater outside of the city center. In 2008 it attracted the attention of local university students who began painting murals throughout the village as part of their social service activities. Today it has become a cultural center with photography and graffiti galleries, small museums, cafés and restaurants. 

• 🌍 Chinatown (near Busan Station). Home of Busan's Chinese community with cheap and delicious dumplings, though most of the Chinese have left the area, and it is today mainly home to Russians. 
• 🌍 Ibagu-gil and 168 Steps (이바구길, 168계단) (at the China Town, go straight up to the hillside; turn right at Choryangsang-ro, and walk to the Choryang Elemntary School). This is an example of old, steep residential area of Busan that was formed after Korean War. Residents used this road and enormous steps to work at the harbor. Although you can walk the steps, there is a free incline monorail that takes you uphill. (updated Aug 2021)

• 🌍 Yeongdo Bridge (영도대교) (get off at Nampo Station (Line 1)). This is a famous lifting bridge that was built in 1934. It was a meeting point for missing families during the Korean War. The current bridge was rebuilt in 2013, and the bridge lifts up at 14:00 (as of Aug 2021, it is suspended due to Covid). (updated Aug 2021)
• 🌍 Taejongdae Park (태종대공원), Yeongdo-gu Dongsam-dong San 29-1 (from Busan Station, take city bus number 88 or 101 and get off at Taejongdae Park (10-min interval, 40-min ride)). Named after King Taejong Muyul (654-661) of the Silla Dynasty who practiced archery here after unifying the Three Kingdoms. During the Joseon period, King Taejong (1400-1418) is reputed to have visited here for recreation and pleasure. The magistrate of Dongnae also came here during a major drought to offer prayers for rain. Taejongdae is a famous tourist attraction in Busan, with its white lighthouse overlooking the green sea. Many people enjoy eating fresh raw fish on the rocky shore, taking a boat around the Olyuk ('five or six') Islands, and seeing the famous 'Suicide Rock.' When the weather is nice, the Japanese island of Tsushima can be seen in the distance, 56 km away. The scene from the observation deck is beautiful and the white lighthouse together with the green sea looks very exotic. The walk from the entrance to the lighthouse is quite long, although a shuttle bus runs from the shops. There is no entrance fee, though there is a small paid trolley that circles the park. Free. 

• 🌍 Busan Citizen's Park (부산시민공원) (get off at Bujeon Station (Line 1 or Donghae Line)). This was a US military base that was turned into a large park in 2014. The parks have large playground for kids and remnants of military base. The park museum has many artifacts about the its history of US military base and the lives around it. (updated Aug 2021)

• 🌍 Busan Museum (at Daeyeon Station (Line 2), ride bus 138 or walk 15 min). 09:00-20:00. Discover the history of Busan from the Prehistoric period to the present day. Free. 

• 🌍 United Nations Memorial Cemetery (UNMCK), 93 UN Pyeonghwa-ro, Nam-gu (next to Busan Museum; at Daeyeon Station (Line 2), ride bus 138 or walk 20 min; at Kyungsung University · Pukyong National University Station(Line 2), ride Bus 10 or 남구10), ☏ +82 51-625-0625, fax: +82 51-624-2165, unmck@unmck.or.kr. Oct–Apr: 09:00–17:00; May–Sep: 09:00–18:00. This is the only United Nations cemetery in the world. Soldiers from many countries who contributed to the United Nations during the Korean War are buried here. Take bus from in front of the Memorial Park after subway exit. Please note that proper attire is required since guards will prohibit entry if you are wearing flip-flops, miniskirts, or shorts. Free. 

• Gimbap Cheongook (김밥천국) (a block to the north of Busan station, has an orange-yellow-white sign). Serves up gimbap from ₩2000 and all sorts of noodles for ₩2500-4000. No English menu or sign, but if you can say it they'll make it, and it's open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 
• welly& (Busan station 3F). This food court serves all the usual Korean favorites, with plastic food and English menus making ordering a snap. Meals from ₩5000. 
• 🌍 Seoul Kakkduggi (Nampo-dong). Specializes in beef soups and kakkduggi side dish. Meals around ₩6000. 
• 🌍 Amby's, Texas St (Russia Town). European, North American, Russian, and SE Asian dishes; try the borscht stew. Popular with sailors and their lady companions, the best time to go is after midnight. A small shop offering a limited selection of dust-covered western goods is located in the front. 
• 🌍 Eva's (near Kyeongseong University (경성대)). Turns into a bar, but they serve excellent Western food, and American-style breakfast until the afternoon. Open air bar. Thursday is ladies' bottomless drinks for ₩15000. In-Jung runs the bar and is a great hostess. 
• 🌍 Leegane Tteokbokki (이가네 떡볶), 48, Bupyeong 1-gil, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 051 245 0413. 10:00-17:00. Tteokbokki restaurant is inside the can market. Prices are reasonable at ₩5,000 for tteokbokki, ₩5,000 for fries, and ₩1,000 for a corn dog. (updated Oct 2023)

• 🌍 Shabana Indian Restaurant, 56-1 3rd Flr Deyon-dong Namgu (Subway Station no 212 Kyungsung University and from the Century 21 building across from Kyungsung University, either take a left at Pizza Hut, and then your first left, walk to the end of the block it is on the 3rd floor across from the Seven Eleven; or walking from Vinyl to the subway, it is the second street on your right, across from Buy the Way), ☏ +82 51 621-4821. 11:00-23:00. Authentic Indian restaurant owned by Indians. US$10-20. 
• 🌍 Lee Jae Mo Pizza, Busan (이재모피자 본점), 31 Gwangbokjungang-ro, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 051 245 1478. 11:00-21:30. This is the most famous pizza restaurant in Central Busan. On both weekdays and weekends, a very large number of people line up to eat inside the restaurant. To solve this problem, a take-out only store was recently opened across the street. Prices range from \20,000 to \40,000. (updated Oct 2023)
• 🌍 Kkangdwaehu (깡돼후), 57 Bupyeong 1-gil, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 051 244 2019. 12:00-22:30. This is a pork cutlet version of the Korean fried chicken called 'Pork Ribs Fried'. It is available in large, medium, and small sizes, with prices ranging from ₩13,000 to ₩23,000 depending on the size. (updated Oct 2023)
• 🌍 Donghwa Chinese Restaurant (동화반점), 73-8 Bosu-dong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 051 253 6661. 11:30-20:30. This Chinese restaurant in Busan, Jung-gu, is famous for its Yuni-jjajang and Sweet and sour pork. Noodles and fried rice are inexpensive at ₩6,000-8,000, but other dishes cost ₩20,000-30,000. Closed every Wednesday. (updated Oct 2023)
• 🌍 Hongudan Nampo branch (홍유단 남포동본점), Jung-gu, Gudeok-ro 34beon-gil, 5, 2, ☏ +82 0507 1393 4016. 11:00 - 22:00. It's a Chinese restaurant. Typically, there are regular course meals (₩37,000-85,000 ), lunch course meals (₩23,000-35,000 ), and couple course meals (₩39,000-49,000), with a 15:30 - 16:30 break. (updated Oct 2023)
• 🌍 Dolswe Wood-fired grilling (돌쇠장작구), 19-1 Haegwan-ro, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 051 231 9281. 16:30-21:40. A Korean barbecue restaurant with a single menu item: beef outside skirt It costs ₩13,000 per bowl and has sides such as Doenjangjjigae, rice, and Naengmyeon. Closed every Sunday and last order is at 21:00. (updated Oct 2023)

• 🌍 Apple Guest House (애플게스트하우스), 5F, 6-1 4ga nampodong jung-gu (1-minute walk from Nampodong station exit 2 (between the Nampo and Jagalchi subway stations, on the fifth floor)), ☏ +82 10 8020 2583, aptitude66@naver.com. Friendly atmosphere, staff speak excellent English and know their way around town. There are many restaurants, shops, and bars near the guesthouse. No curfew. They have 6-, 4-person dormitory room and twin, double bed room. ₩18,000 per person/night. 
• 🌍 Kyungsung Hostel, ☏ +82 70-4132-4003, pusanhostel@gmail.com. Offers Korean lessons for their guests. They have dinner with their guests. The hostel near the Kyungsung-Pukyong University area also features a gorgeous ocean view. ₩20,000 per person/night. 
• 🌍 Blue Backpackers, Bujeon 2dong 454-1, ☏ +82 10-5019-3962, +82 10-5019-396208, staff@busanbackpackers.com. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 11:00. Clean and cozy hostel with a reasonable price. Jin, the owner is very friendly and helpful with a lot of information for your trip. The hostel is in the center of Busan in Seomyeon, 5-10 minutes walk to lots of shops and restaurants. Blue Backpackers is very good location for the transportation to get around Busan. Breakfast free, free wifi. Dorm bed ₩20,000 per person, private rooms ₩50,000 for 2 people. Family room for ₩90,000. All rooms with a bathroom and air-con. They also have other options for your need. They have a big common room with a big screen TV, computers, tables, chairs and nice kitchen on the roof is awesome. (updated Sep 2015)
• 🌍 Kumran Hotel (Gumran), ☏ +82 51 8038800. (금란). ₩25,000 or ₩30,000/double per night. Seomyeon Station Exit 9 (5 min walk from the station). Once you take the Station Exit 9, you will face the Family Mart and a dumpling(Mandoo). Gumran Hotel is in the alley to the right of Family Mart, not the same alley Family Mart is on near the Younggwan Library (영관 도서관); ask someone, they'll know. It is about 100 m into the alley. Free parking. 
• 🌍 Platinum Hotel (부산 남포동 플래티넘 호텔), 50 Gwangbok-ro, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 0507 1440 3336. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Nampo-dong Platinum Hotel in Busan is located a 6-minute walk from Exit 7 of Jagalchi Station on Busan Subway Line 1. Nearby attractions include Gukje Market, a 1-minute walk away, and Jagalchi Market, a 10-minute walk away. Guests can also reach Haeundae Beach in a 40-minute drive.This comfortable and cozy hotel in Busan offers free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour reception and luggage storage.Other services offered at this hotel include a blind elevator, 24-hour security and a wake-up call service. There is also a private parking lot nearby for guests with cars.Rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with premium facilities such as a flat-screen TV, a rain shower and slippers. Travel adapters and a refrigerator are available in all rooms, and the private bathroom comes with bathrobes. It costs ₩30,000-40,000 per night. (updated Oct 2023)

• 🌍 K-Guesthouse Premium Nampo (K게스트하우스프리미엄남포), 40-2 Nampo-gil, Jung-gu. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Lively area with street food at Gukje Market, plus BIFF Square movies & views from Busan Tower. Accommodation costs range from ₩38,000 to ₩46,000 units per night for a single person, depending on the type of room, and ₩76,000 for two people. (updated Oct 2023)
• 🌍 Nampo-dong Hill Guesthouse (남포동힐게스트하우스 펜션), 5-5 Gwangbok-ro 85beon-gil, Jung-gu. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Located on the main street of Nampo-dong, it is easy to walk around Nampo-dong, Jagalchi, and Bupyeong Canton Market, and is centrally located for accessing Busan's famous tourist attractions. A double room costs ₩65,000, a female-only 6-person dormitory costs ₩25,000, and a male-only 8-person dormitory costs ₩22,000. (updated Oct 2023)
• 🌍 Griffin Bay Hotel (그리핀베이 호텔), 6, Jagalchi-ro 59beon-gil, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 0507 1338 2976. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. It is located within a 2-minute walk from Exit 10 of Nampo Underground Shopping Center after getting off at Jagalchi Station/Nampo-dong Station on Subway Line 1. It is located adjacent to Nampo-dong, Jagalchi Market, and Gwangbok-dong, making it convenient for tourists to shop and move around. Prices range from \60,000 - \100,000 per night. (updated Oct 2023)
• 🌍 Nampo Brosis Hotel (브로시스 호텔), 4, Gudeok-ro 48beon-gil, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 0507 1368 5818. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 12:00. Brosis Hotel is about a 4-minute walk from Exit 1 of Nampo Station on Busan Line 1. Nearby attractions, Beef Square is about a 3-minute walk away, and Jagalchi Market is about a 6-minute walk away. Gamcheon Cultural Village is about an 8-minute drive away, and Songdo Beach is about a 10-minute drive.The hotel offers unattended check-in service via a kiosk. A business lounge is also available for guests to work. Guests can enjoy views of Busan city center from the rooftop. There is a lobby & lounge bar and a bakery cafe where guests can enjoy light meals and drinks. Prices range from ₩50,000-70,000 per night. (updated Oct 2023)
• 🌍 Busan Hotel (부산 관광호텔), 23, Gwangbok-ro 97beon-gil, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 051 241 4301. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Close to Yongdusan Park, this Busan tourist hotel is a 4-minute walk from Exit 7 of Nampo Station on Busan Line 1. International Market, Jagalchi Market, and BIFF Square are a 15-minute walk away, while Gwangalli Beach is a 40-minute drive away.The hotel offers a range of facilities and services for travelers, including a spa and wellness center, a sauna, and free wireless Internet access in public areas. Free on-site private parking is also available. Comfortable and cozy guestrooms feature a refrigerator, a private bathroom, and free wireless Internet access in all rooms. Each room is air conditioned and provides cable and satellite channels. All rooms are equipped with a bathtub and bottled water.Breakfast is served in the on-site restaurant. Prices range from ₩45,000-70,000 per night. (updated Oct 2023)

Most of Busan's luxury hotels are in Haeundae, however there are a couple centrally located:

• 🌍 Commodore Hotel, 743-80, Youngju-dong, Jung-gu (within walking distance of Nampo-dong), hotel@commodore.co.kr. 
• 🌍 Lotte Hotel. Attached to one of the largest shopping centers in Busan. All of the staff speak very good English, and the rooms are quite large with great views of the city surrounding it. The hotel also offers a casino on the second floor, an Irish pub, and an expensive restaurant. The shopping center has a grocery store and a variety of restaurants at reasonable prices, and a movie theater on the top level. The shopping center is like any typical western-style mall, with name-brand and high-end consumer items and clothing for sale. 
• 🌍 Crown Harbor Hotel (크라운하버호텔 부산), 114, Jungang-daero, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 0507 1431 1045. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. From Busan Station, take Subway Line 1 for one stop and get off at Jungang Station, then walk 200 meters to Exit 14, opposite Jungang Police Station. It costs ₩130,000-150,000 per night. (updated Oct 2023)
• 🌍 Tower Hill Hotel (타워힐 호텔), 20, Baeksan-gil, Jung-gu, ☏ +82 051 250 6100. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Next to Yongdusan Park, Tower Hill Hotel is 200 meters from Exit 1 of Busan Subway Line 1 Central Station. Busan KTX Station is one subway stop away. The 40 Steps Street and Gwangbok-dong Fashion Street are within a 5-minute walk, while Jagalchi Market, BIFF Square, and Gukje Market are two subway stops away.The hotel has a conference room for seminars and meetings, and a fitness center on the ground floor where guests can work out. Tower Aesthetics is located on the ground floor of the hotel, where guests can enjoy a relaxing massage for an additional fee. There is also free parking available.There are 116 rooms in total, all of which are equipped with free Wi-Fi. In-room amenities include a refrigerator, a coffee pot, and a safe. The bathrooms are equipped with a bidet, toiletries and a hairdryer, and toothbrushes, toothpaste and razors can be purchased for a surcharge. There are also heated rooms available.The hotel's restaurants include Steak Factory, which serves steak with pasta dishes, and Tuna Sara, which serves tuna and sushi dishes.Breakfast is available for a surcharge. Guests can also enjoy coffee at Café Hill. It costs ₩130,000-160,000 per night. (updated Oct 2023)
• 🌍 Stanford Inn Busan (스탠포드 호텔 부산), ☏ +82 051 795 7700. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. The hotel is about a 5-minute walk from Exit 12 of Nampo Station on Busan Subway Line 1. Jagalchi Market is just a 3-minute walk away, Gukje Market is about a 10-minute walk away, and Songdo Beach is a 15-minute drive away. It's also a 25-minute drive to Seomyeon 1 Street, known for its art scene.The hotel has a 24-hour reception and offers currency exchange, a tour desk and luggage storage. Prices range from ₩110,000-160,000 per night. (updated Oct 2023)