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Busan is a must on any Korea itinerary, offering its own cultural and historical sights, signature dishes, and stunning beaches. But where should you stay in this massive coastal city? Busan has many neighborhoods perfect for any type of traveler, each with its unique charm and attractions. Whether you want to prioritize location, budget, attractions, nightlife, or beaches, this guide to where to stay in Busan will help you find the perfect base for your adventures in South Korea’s second-largest city.
Where to stay in Busan: Summary
| Busan neighborhood | Why stay in this neighborhood? | Best mid-range hotel |
| Seomyeon | Shopping, nightlife, central location | Urbanstay Seomyeon |
| Nampo | Street food, culture, good location | Busan CONNECT Ocean Hotel |
| Haeundae Beach | Beach, luxury options | Mipo Oceanside Hotel |
| Gwangalli Beach | Beach, more affordable, nightlife | H Avenue Gwangalli Beach |
Where to stay in Busan: Shopping, nightlife, & great location
Seomyeon
Why stay in Seomyeon?
Located in the heart of Busan, Seomyeon offers a perfect blend of shopping, dining, and nightlife, while having a central location for connecting the rest of Busan via public transportation. Located on two subway lines in the center of Busan, the location doesn’t get much better than this. Other than its optimal location, Seomyeon is an exciting neighborhood itself. With its bustling streets filled with trendy boutiques, department stores, delicious restaurants, and trendy cafes, it’s a paradise for foodies and shopaholics. The area is also known for its lively bars and clubs, making it ideal for those looking to experience the nightlife of Busan.
Seomyeon is great for:
- First-time visitors
- Young visitors
- Foodies
- Shopaholics
- Visitors wanting to experience nightlife
- Visitors who value having a central location and easy access to public transportation
- Solo travelers
Seomyeon Highlights
- Busan Citizen’s Park: sprawling green space in the middle of the city with a pond, 97 species of trees, an artificial beach, and more
- Jeonpo Cafe Street: the perfect place to go cafe-hopping; I highly recommend the cakes at Molle (몰레) (try the Oreo!) and the aesthetic vibe at Knockout (넉아웃)
- Seomyeon Shopping Street: a great place to go shopping but also a great place to find buzzing bars and restaurants
- Have fun at a photo booth, arcade, karaoke room, shooting range, or the Running Man Busan experience center
Seomyeon Accommodation
4-star: Arban Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3-star: Urbanstay Seomyeon ⭐⭐⭐
2-star: H-AVENUE Hotel Seomyeon Station ⭐⭐
Hostel: Kimchee Busan Downtown Guesthouse ⭐
Where to stay in Busan: Culture, street food, & good location
Nampo
Why stay in Nampo?
Nampo is perfect for first-time visitors interested in exploring Busan’s unique culture and history. Here, you can visit iconic cultural landmarks like the Busan Tower, Jagalchi Fish Market, and BIFF Square. It’s also in a convenient location for accessing Busan’s other major attractions. The area’s street food scene is legendary and its markets are some of the best in Korea. Staying in Nampo puts you close to the city’s iconic attractions while being an exciting (and delicious!) neighborhood itself.
Nampo is great for:
- First-time visitors
- Foodies
- Shopaholics
- Families
- Culture and history buffs
- Visitors who value a central location
- Solo travelers
Nampo Highlights
- BIFF Square: a sea of red-and-yellow street food stalls serving amazing street food, with seed hotteok (씨앗 호떡) being the signature dish
- Gukje Market: huge market selling everything from designer dupes to homeware
- Jagalchi Market: Korea’s largest seafood market, selling fresh fish and seafood you can have cooked on the spot
- Gwangbok-ro Fashion Street: walking street lined with clothing shops
- Yongdusan Park & Busan Tower: iconic tower with great views
- Lotte Department Store: free observatory on the 13th floor for panoramic views of the city and harbor
Nampo Accommodation
4-star: Stanford Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3-star: Busan CONNECT Ocean Hotel ⭐⭐⭐
2-star: Hotel Gray Nampo ⭐⭐
Hostel: Guest House Dear Moon ⭐
Where to stay in Busan: Best beach, more luxurious
Haeundae Beach
Why stay in Haeundae Beach?
Haeundae is famous for its beautiful sandy beach, which is often cited as the best beach in Korea. It’s a top choice for beach lovers who want both the hustle and bustle of the city and the peace and quiet of the ocean. The area is also home to luxury hotels, making it good for those who want to spoil themselves. With its lively boardwalk and annual festivals, Haeundae is an exciting yet laid-back area that guarantees you won’t get bored.
Haeundae Beach is great for:
- Beach lovers
- Families
- Luxury travelers
- Visitors who don’t mind traveling a little further to get around
Haeundae Beach Highlights
- Relax on the beach or go for a swim: the wide sand and shallow bay make it perfect for both
- Haeundae Sky Capsule: private pod running on tracks with coastal views
- Busan X The Sky: very best view of Busan and the world’s highest Starbucks
- Rendejavous (랑데자뷰 해운대점): cafe with an amazing view of Haeundae Beach and delicious drinks and pastries
- Haeundae Traditional Market: fresh seafood galore and the best hotteok I’ve ever had at Myeongpum Hotteok (명품호떡)
- Seasonal festivals: the Haeundae Sand Festival in May, the Busan Sea Festival in August, and the Haeundae Lights Festival in winter
Haeundae Beach Accommodation
4-star: Haeundae Blue Story Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3-star: Mipo Oceanside Hotel ⭐⭐⭐
2-star: MAMA Guesthouse Haeundae ⭐⭐
Where to stay in Busan: Good beach, more affordable and central, & nightlife
Gwangalli Beach
Why stay in Gwangalli Beach?
Gwangalli is renowned for its stunning beach and panoramic views of the Gwangan Bridge, which is especially breathtaking at night. This area is perfect for those who want a relaxed beach vibe while also having the option of enjoying lively nightlife. Gwangalli is lined with trendy bars, seafood restaurants, and cafes while offering plenty of low-budget options. It’s also one of the most central beaches to Busan’s center, putting you in a good location for exploring the rest of the city.
Gwangalli Beach is great for:
- Beach lovers on a budget
- Visitors who want to stay at the beach but not far from the center of the city
- Visitors wanting to experience nightlife
- Couples
Gwangalli Beach Highlights
- Relax on the beach, go swimming, try water sports
- Drone show: over 300 drones create colorful scenes in the night sky on Saturdays
- January – September at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
- October – December at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
- Yacht tour: especially magically at or after sunset
- Visit the many restaurants, cafes, and bars that line the beach: especially lively at night!
- Galmegi Brewing: Busan’s first craft brew pub
Gwangalli Beach Accommodation
4-star: Hotel Homers ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3-star: H Avenue Gwangalli Beach ⭐⭐⭐
2-star: Gwangalli Hotel 1 ⭐⭐
Busan’s diverse neighborhoods offer something for everyone. From the lively streets of Seomyeon and the cultural hub of Nampo to the skyscraper-lined shores of Haeundae Beach and the laid-back atmosphere of Gwangalli Beach, each area provides a unique experience that will make your stay unforgettable. No matter where you choose, this guide to where to stay in Busan guarantees you’ll find excellent accommodations and local attractions.
Keep reading:
- Busan itinerary: 2, 3, or 4 days in South Korea’s coastal gem
- 16 best things to do in Busan, South Korea
- 10 best day trips from Busan
- Where to stay in Seoul, South Korea: A local’s guide
- Seoul itinerary: Local’s guide to 1 week or less
- 20 best things to do in Seoul, South Korea
- 2 week South Korea itinerary & travel guide from a local
- South Korea Solo Travel Guide: Safety, tips, & what to expect
- Jeju Island itinerary & travel guide
- Top 9 things to do in Gyeongju, South Korea & 2-day itinerary
- Best things to do in Jeonju, South Korea
- Boseong Green Tea Fields: A Complete Guide
- South Korea packing list: A local’s guide to what to pack
- 25 unmissable things to do in Korea in winter
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- 22 best things to do in summer in Korea
- Fall in Korea: The 26 best things to do
- Vegetarian in Korea: The ultimate survival guide
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