Discover Busan's Top 10 Photo-Worthy Spots for Your Instagram Feed
Where to Take Stunning Photos of Busan to Impress Your Friends?
The most Instagrammable places in Busan include some of the top landmarks in the second biggest city in South Korea. The city offers avid photographers and social media influencers a variety of beautiful places to shoot and mail. Some are dreamy: an ancient temple by the sea, a rainbow-coloured village, and a glass bridge that crosses a rocky coastline.
If you want to capture clean shots with fewer crowds, always plan to arrive as early as possible. Read on to find out how you can grace your social feeds with stunning and unique photos of Busan’s most Instagrammable places.
1. Haedong Yonggungsa
Busan’s famous cliffside Buddhist temple
Good for: History, Photo
Haedong Yonggungsa is a 14th-century oceanside Budhhist temple in Busan. Most temples in South Korea are located in the mountains, but this particular complex is unusually perched on rocks, overlooking the sea. It is one of three sacred places in South Korea dedicated to Buddha. Locals say that your wishes will come true if you pray wholeheartedly at this shrine.
Haedong Yonggungsa’s scenic setting makes it beautiful to photograph at any time of day. The temple is illuminated in the evenings. But for something extra magical, arrive just before sunrise. Plan to visit in April when cherry blossoms are in full bloom for the most epic pictures for your feed.
Location: 86 Yonggung-gil, Gijang-gun, Busan, South Korea
Open: Daily from 4 am to 8 pm
Phone: +82 (0)51-722-7744
Haedong Yonggungsa
2. Haeundae Beach
Scenic sandy shoreline
Good for: Budget, Families, Photo
Haeundae Beach, with its over 1.5 km of golden sand and calm blue water, is one of Busan’s most famous shorelines. You can easily sit for hours at this picturesque spot enjoying a bit of bathing, people-watching, and soaking up the vibe. If you visit in winter, you can get shots of the Haeundae Polar Bear Festival, which sees people of all ages braving an icy swim.
Summer is when Haeundae Beach is at its busiest, so be prepared to share with crowds of national vacationers. However, you can avoid the crowds altogether by visiting before sunrise. For panoramic photos of Haeundae Beach and Busan’s shiny skyscrapers, head to Dongbaek Island Park at the western end of the beach.
Location: 264 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea
Phone: +82 (0)51-749-7601
Haeundae Beach
3. Taejongdae Resort Park
Lush island park that’s beautiful no matter the season
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
The Taejongdae Resort Park is a natural landscape on the island of Yeongdo, about an hour-long bus ride from Busan. With dozens of picture-perfect spots and beautiful ocean views, it’s an excellent destination for both amateur and professional photographers to spend the day.
Highlights include the Yeongdo Lighthouse, Mangbuseok Rock, Taejongdae Observation Deck, Jagalmadang (pebble beach), and the Taejongsa and Gumyeongsa temples. You can ride the Danubi Train, which stops at various sites within the park. Wear comfortable shoes as you need to walk to reach some locations.
Location: 24 Jeonmang-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, South Korea
Open: Daily from 5 am to midnight
Phone: +82 (0)51-405-2004
Taejongdae Resort Park
4. Busan Tower
Stunning night views from high above
Good for: History, Photo
The Busan Tower is the place to go for stunning bird’s-eye view photos of the South Korean city. The 120-meter-high tower has an observation deck, from which you can take in sweeping views of Democracy Park, Yeongdodaegyo Bridge, Busandaegyo Bridge, Namhangdaegyo Bridge, and Oryukdo Island.
On clear days, you can even spot Daemado Island (also called Tsushima). To enjoy the sparkling lights of Busan harbor, plan a nighttime visit. To learn about the history of the Busan Tower, visit the on-site exhibitions and check out the interactive media and VR equipment to dive deeper into the origins of the tower.
Location: 37-55 Yongdusan-gil, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea
Open: Daily from 10 am to 10 pm
Phone: +82 (0)51-601-1800
Busan Tower
5. Gamcheon Culture Village
The “Machu Picchu of Busan”
Good for: Food, Photo, Shoppers
The Gamcheon Culture Village is a former slum-turned charming destination at the foothills of a coastal mountain. It has colorfully painted Lego-like houses, vibrant murals, twisting alleyways, and steep stairs. What more could you ask for in an Instagrammable place in Busan? You can easily spend an entire day walking along the narrow paths that wind through the village.
Stop to admire walls decorated with murals and sculptures created by the residents or pop into ancient houses that house quaint cafes, shops, and art galleries. To explore the area, bring your most comfortable walking shoes and a fully charged camera.
Location: 203 Gamnae 2-ro, Saha-gu, Busan, South Korea
Phone: +82 (0)51-204-1444
Gamcheon Culture Village
6. Oryukdo Skywalk
‘Walk in the sky’ over a glass bridge
Good for: Budget, Families, Photo
The Oryukdo Skywalk is a glass, horseshoe-shaped walkway that juts out over a rocky coastline. The 15-meter-long path consists of 24 tempered glass plates supported by iron columns and side railings.
Even if you aren’t afraid of heights, watching the waves crash into the cliff directly below can be a thrilling experience. Before taking photos of the glass skywalk, snap some pics of the winding wooden walkway with the sea beyond. Admission to the walkway is free. Extend your visit by walking the nearby Igidae Coastal Trail, which leads to the skywalk and offers even more scenic views.
Location: 137 Oryuk-doro, Nam-gu, Busan, South Korea
Open: Daily from 9 am to 6 pm
Phone: +82 (0)51-607-6395
Oryukdo Skywalk
7. Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge
Where you can snap stunning photos of rock cliffs
Good for: Photo, Budget
The Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge in Busan connects Amnam Park to a small rocky uninhabited island called Dongseom Island. The bridge is 127 meters long and wraps around the island, giving you the feeling that you’re walking on the ocean.
You can see waves crashing against the rocks below when you cross the bridge. It offers 360-degree views of the island, the open sea, and Busan. Stand at the top of the bridge to capture a winning photo, looking down on the island. Take note that the bridge is closed in bad weather and on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month.
Location: 703 Amnam-dong, Seo-gu, Busan, South Korea
Open: Daily from 9 am to 6 pm
Phone: +82 (0)51-240-4087
Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge
8. Beomeosa Temple
A tranquil spot with plenty of Insta-worthy charm
Good for: History, Photo
Beomeosa Temple is an impressive Buddhist temple perched on the slopes of Geumjeongsan mountain. One of the best Instagram spots in Busan, the temple backs back to the 7th century but was later restored in the 17th century.
Highlights include the luxurious Daeungjeon Hall, a 3-storey stone pagoda, and the 3-storey Iljumun Gate at the entrance. Beomeosa Temple can get busy on weekends and vacations, so try to arrive as early as possible to enjoy the surroundings in solitude. There are also hiking trails to explore. For a memorable experience, consider booking a temple stay.
Location: 250 Beomeosa-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, South Korea
Open: Daily from 8 am to 5.30 pm
Phone: +82 (0)51-508-3122
Beomeosa Temple
9. Jagalchi Fish Market
A world-renowned market to see a collection of unusual seafood
Good for: Food, Photo, Shoppers
The Jagalchi Fish Market is Busan’s famous seafood market, which is the largest of its kind in South Korea. The market is housed in a 7-storey building near Nampo Port and has 2 sections, an indoor market and several outdoor stalls. You can see hundreds of weird and wonderful sea creatures, such as eels, octopi, giant rays, flatfish, and sea slugs.
You’ll even be able to take photos of some animals who are still alive and squirming in large tanks in the “live seafood section”. While the market officially opens in the mid-morning, you can arrive earlier to watch the vendors set up their stalls. If you’re self-catering during your stay, pick up some fresh seafood for lunch or dinner.
Location: 52 Jagalchihaean-ro, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea
Open: Daily from 9 am to 9 pm
Phone: +82 (0)51-245-2594
Jagalchi Fish Market
10. BIFF Square
Busan’s modern movie district
Good for: Budget, Nightlife, Photo
BIFF Square is a lively movie district that hosts the Busan International Movie Festival (BIFF), along with shopping, dining, and nightlife attractions. What started as no more than a pair of movie theaters is actually a street in the Nampo-dong commercial district. On a stroll there, you can feel the electric energy of Busan’s youth.
Apart from shopping and dining, you can view handprints of famous Asian and western actors and directors on the sidewalk. BIFF Square is also well-known for its street food. Try some local favorites, such as tteokbokki (spicy Korean rice cakes) or hotteok (sweet pancakes).
Location: 58-1 Gudeok-ro, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea
BIFF Square
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