Busan 2 Days: Beaches, Views & Neon Nights

Known as the "Santorini of Korea," this hillside village is a kaleidoscope of pastel-colored houses cascading down the mountainside. Wander labyrinthine alleys searching for whimsical wall murals, the beloved Little Prince statue, and rooftop cafés with sweeping views over Busan harbor.

Korea's largest seafood market, where you can pick live fish from the stalls and have it prepared fresh right before your eyes. Cross the street to Gukje Market and Bupyeong Kkangtong Market for Busan's best street snacks — bibim dangmyeon (spicy noodles) and ssiat hotteok (seed pancake).

A dramatic clifftop village of whitewashed houses perched above the crashing waves of the Korea Strait. Walk the Jeollyeong Coastal Trail with the deep blue sea directly below your feet, and stop at one of the ocean-view cafés clinging to the cliff edge.

Glide above the ocean on Songdo's sea cable car as the sun sets over the East Sea. Descend at Amnnam Park to walk the Songdo Yonggung Cloud Bridge and end the day with the sparkling panorama of Busan's harbor lights at night.

Busan's signature beach — 1.5km of golden sand framed by gleaming high-rise hotels and the brilliant blue of the East Sea. Walk the adjacent Dongbaekseom Island coastal trail through camellia forest for stunning views of the Gwangan Bridge and the APEC House where world leaders once gathered.

Behind Haeundae station, a former residential alleyway has transformed into "Haeridan-gil" — a charming strip of indie cafés, brunch spots, and boutiques in renovated old houses. Or head to nearby Mipo Harbour for hearty local daegutang (codfish stew) or Busan milmyeon (cold wheat noodles).

Board the colorful Sky Capsule — a glass-enclosed hanging rail car — at Mipo and glide along the old coastal railway track, taking in sweeping East Sea views as you pass through Cheongsapo and on to Songjeong Beach. Now a must-do on every Busan itinerary.

Busan's coolest beach — smaller and more laid-back than Haeundae, with a thriving café and bar scene. As night falls, the Gwangan Bridge transforms into an enormous light installation, its suspension cables glowing in ever-changing colors perfectly reflected across the water. On weekends, drone shows light up the sky above.

End the Busan night at The Bay 101 in Marine City, where Haeundae's forest of illuminated skyscrapers reflects perfectly in the bay — an almost surreal panorama. Enjoy fish and chips with cold beer, or head back to Gwangalli's lively pub strip for a final nightcap with the glowing bridge overhead.