So you decided to spend a few days exploring Busan and are planning your itinerary? However, you are unsure what to do in Busan at night. You have come to the right place because we saw the city on a few occasions and loved everything about it, day and night.
Busan is such a vibrant city with so much to offer, a place that will keep you entertained from the early morning to the very night. During our one year in South Korea, we loved going back and exploring all the undiscovered places.
Hosting the most popular beach in Korea – Haundae, and some of the most colorful and picturesque neighborhoods in the country, Busan will entertain you at night as well.
Here are our top things to do in Busan at night!
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What to do in Busan at night
Go on a sunset cruise
Enjoy the beautiful scenery as you sail along Busan’s tranquil waters, watching the sun set over its calm surface.
This is an ideal way to spend quality time with family and friends while taking in all that nature has to offer.
With its picturesque views, gentle breeze, and calming atmosphere, your evening will be filled with peace and relaxation.
So don’t miss out on this amazing experience – book your spot on a sunset cruise from Mipo along Busan’s beaches, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Go on a night tour
If you don’t feel like creating your itinerary, a night tour will take you to many of the most important things and places to see at night in Busan.
The night starts with a cruise along Busan’s coast as the city lights up and starts to sparkle.
Get a transfer to Hwangnyeongsan Mountain, which offers a stunning view of the city, being the second-tallest peak in Busan.
Visit Busan Cinema Centre and finish the night with a walk around the neighborhood.
See the city from above
Find and climb to the top of some of the highest points in Busan for a perfect view. There’s no wonder these kind of places are some of the most popular in every town you visit. Here are 3 of the best in Busan:
Busan Tower
Located in the heart of Busan, South Korea, the iconic Busan Tower is a must-see for any visitor.
Standing at 120 meters high, this tower offers breathtaking views of the city and surrounding ocean.
The tower also houses several restaurants and cafes that offer delicious meals with an equally impressive view.
In addition to its stunning beauty, visitors can enjoy cultural performances on the outdoor stage or take part in exciting activities such as cable car rides (Songdo Cable Car) and bungee jumping.
You can also book a night tour that will take you on a Songdo Cable Car ride, and to The Bay 101, Gwangalli Beach, and Yeongdo Seaside Park. See more about the tour here!
Busan Haeundae X the Sky
Climb to the 100th floor of one of the tallest buildings at Haeundae Beach, and admire the night view of the city, ocean, and distant islands.
Haeundae L City Landmark Tower is the second tallest building in Korea, after Lotte Sky Tower in Seoul. This observatory is not only enjoyable for the views, but it also has a number of shows, videos, and eateries making it the perfect place for an outing.
Hwangnyeongsan Mountain (황령산)
Hwangnyeongsan Mountain is an iconic sight in the city of Busan, South Korea. Rising to an impressive height of 427 meters, it stands as the second tallest peak in the Geumnyeon Mountain Range and provides hikers with a spectacular vista that stretches across three districts: Busanjin-gu, Nam-gu, and Suyeong-gu.
The hike to the summit is a great adventure that can be completed in two to three hours and the rewards for reaching the peak are many. From up here, hikers can experience breathtaking views of downtown Busan and its unique nightscape. At the foot of the mountain, one can find a citizen’s recreation area and a youth training center.
Bay 101 (더베이101)
Set on Dongbaek Island with the sumptuous skyscrapers behind, this is a fancy hot spot close to Haeundae and Gangwalli beaches.
Come here after sunset and enjoy a stunning view, shop for souvenirs at the fancy 101 Gallery, enjoy dinner at the Daedo Restaurant, or grab a bite from one of the pubs and enjoy it with a view.
Illumia Park
ILLUMIA is no ordinary park.
Spanning an impressive 153,000 acres, it’s become a beloved destination in Busan for visitors.
The park comes alive with millions of LED lights that are cleverly wrapped around its numerous features.
It’s easy to be captivated by the sheer visual spectacle of this unique night-time landscape.
From the thematic pathways to the Greek and Italian pavilions, there’s plenty to explore and admire.
The musical fountain adds an extra layer of ambience, creating shows that are accompanied by light and sound.
It si part of the LetsRun Park Busan-Gyeongnam
Address: 929, Garak-daero, Gangseo-gu, Busan
Gwangalli Bridge
Gwangalli Bridge at night is a sight to behold.
The bridge spans over Gwangan Beach and lights up the surrounding area with its vibrant colors. It features an LED lighting system that changes color with the rhythm of music during special events and holidays.
Gwangalli Bridge also has several restaurants and cafes located along it, making it a great spot for people watching or relaxing after a long day.
On top of all this, there are stunning views of Gwangalli Bay from the bridge as well as some amazing sunsets which make it truly unique and unforgettable experience.
Have dinner with a view at Haeundae Beach
Once night falls, Haeundae beach offers many options, no matter your budget.
During our one week in Busan we tried it all: eating at the food stalls along the beach, getting street food from Haeundae Market, posh drinks at Paradise Hotel, fish or Korean barbeque at one of the restaurants next to Mipo.
Just pay attention because at one of the seafood restaurants we were served silk worms as appetizer.
Go at the Busan SPA Land (Centrum City)
Ending your day at the SPA is, in our opinion, the best way to do it. And South Korea has some amazing SPA facilities, such as SPA Land in Busan.
Located in Shinsegae Department Store Centum City, close to both Gwangalli and Haeundae beaches, this place is a sauna and hot spring lover haven.
If this is your first time at a Korean SPA, make sure to read our comprehensive guide for how to make the best out of your time at the jimjilbang. We’ve seen that there are many people unsure about rules and how to use the SPA facilities and the guide will answer all your questions.
The18 different hot springs and 13 theme spas you can choose from, all use hot spring water with sodium bicarbonate, which is pulled up from a thousand meters underground.
Busan Cinema Center (부산 영화의 전당)
The Busan Cinema Center is an awe-inspiring film culture complex that presents a plethora of cinematic performances and screenings.
Its facilities include a variety of theaters, such as large and small theaters, cinematech, sky theater, indie plus, as well as the majestic outdoor theater which can seat up to 4,000 people.
This venue plays host to the opening and closing ceremonies of Busan International Film Festival, one of the most renowned film festivals in the world.
At Busan Cinema Center you can indulge in a variety of cultural activities related to movies. In addition to screening new releases from around the world, they also hold interactive workshops and classes for aspiring directors, actors, or writers.
Address: 120, Suyeonggangbyeon-daero, Haeundae-gu, Busan
부산광역시 해운대구 수영강변대로 120
Eat at the Busan night market
Bupyeong (Kkangtong) Market (부평시장(깡통시장)
A vibrant and exciting place to visit at night. As the sun sets, the market comes alive with street vendors selling a wide variety of food, trinkets, and souvenirs. Here you will find traditional Korean food and products, but also international options, such as Japanese and Filipino produce.
The smells of freshly cooked seafood mingle with the sounds of laughter as people haggle over prices or take time out for a snack.
Colorful LED lights illuminate the area while locals and tourists alike soak up the atmosphere.
It’s an experience that can’t be found anywhere else – you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world.
Address: 48, Bupyeong 1-gil, Jung-gu, Busan 부산광역시 중구 부평1길 48
BIFF Square
Located in Jung-gu, the area is famous for its annual Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).
It is a bustling hub of activity and culture, with many restaurants, cafes, bars, shopping centers, and movie theaters all around.
There are also many stores in the area selling all kinds of items related to film festivals like DVDs, posters, and more.
At night, BIFF Square comes alive with a vibrant atmosphere. The lights from the movie theaters cast a magical glow, while the shops stay open late for visitors to explore their wares.
People come out to enjoy dinner and drinks in the restaurants and cafes nearby, while couples stroll around taking in the beauty of the square.
Go shopping
Busan is a vibrant city with plenty of night markets and night shopping opportunities. From the bustling Jagalchi Market to the trendy Nampo-dong area, Busan has something for everyone who loves to shop after dark.
Koreans like to shop and there’s no wonder you will find plenty of department stores. Lotte Duty-Free is conveniently located close to Jagalchi Market, thus you can go on a shopping spree before visiting the market.
Shinsegae Centrum City features in the Guinness World Records as the largest department store in the world, so you should pay it a visit. It closes at 8 PM during the week, and at 9:30 from Friday to Sunday and on public holidays. It is also where you will find SPA Land, thus you can mix the 2 together on your Busan itinerary.
Address: 부산광역시 해운대구 센텀남대로 35 (우동) | 35, Centumnam-daero, Haeundae-gu, Busan (Busan Centrum City subway station, line 2)
Other night markets worth checking out for shopping are:
Gukje Market – is one of the most vibrant and lively markets in South Korea. Located near the city’s port, it has been a major trading hub since its establishment in 1949 after the Korean War.
This market offers an amazing range of goods from fresh produce to clothing items, including some of the best street food found anywhere in the country.
Not only that, but Gukje Market also provides shoppers with a unique cultural experience as well; it’s filled with stalls selling traditional Korean handicrafts and souvenirs as well as plenty of vendors offering interesting stories about their wares.
Address: Area of Sinchang-ro 4-ga, Jung-gu, Busan
부산광역시 중구 신창로4가 일원
Bujeon Market – another lively, bustling local market in Busan you should not ship when you have more time in the city and want to go off the beaten path. Come here not only for fresh fish but also for other local products. Bujeon Market is less known to tourists.
Address: 부산진구 중앙대로 748, 부산광역시, 부산광역시, 대한민국
Busan Paradise Casino
Located in the heart of the city, Busan Paradise Casino is a premier destination for gaming and entertainment.
With over 1,500 slot machines and table games spread across two floors, there’s something for everyone at Busan Paradise.
The casino also boasts an impressive selection of restaurants featuring international cuisine as well as a luxurious spa and wellness center.
For those looking to take their luck to the next level, the VIP rooms offer high-stakes gaming with exclusive access to private suites and lounges.
Dongbaek Park & Island 동백공원
Located just behind Westin Josun Hotel at Haeunda Beach, this is the perfect place for a night stroll.
The place is not actually an island, but more of a small peninsula, that will allow you to walk along the sea. We went after sunset and it was still charming and relaxing.
You can take one of the two trails: the shorter one along the coast, only 450 m long, or the longer one, almost 1 kilometer long.
Busan Cultural Center
Attend a concert or visit one of the exhibitions at the Busan Cultural Center.
Busan Cultural Center is a cultural hub located in the heart of the city. It was established in 2007 to promote and preserve Korean culture and tradition through various exhibitions, performances, lectures, and other activities.
The center has become an important landmark for both locals and tourists alike with its stunning architecture that blends modern design with traditional elements.
Inside visitors can explore interactive exhibits on Korean history and culture as well as attend workshops or take part in special events such as dance classes or traditional music concerts.
Amisan Observatory
An astronomical observatory that offers amazing views of the night sky, but also of its unique location where Nakdonggang River meets the ocean.
The observatory houses telescopes used to observe Nakdonggang River’s and its unique natural landscape. Come here during sunset for the most stunning views.
It also has a cafe and gift shop for visitors to enjoy while taking in the sights of the night sky.
Address: 77 Dadaenakjo 2-gil, Saha-gu (Dadae-dong)
Other Busan Travel Resources
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