Busan: Where the Sea meets the City
Shoshana Malmeth
3 months ago
🌊 My Busan Travel Diary: Beaches, Villages, and Sweet Discoveries
When I think of Busan, I remember the mix of ocean views, colorful alleys, and the smell of fresh hotteok. I want to share my personal experience so other travelers can imagine walking the same paths from seaside boardwalks to hillside villages.
🚶♀️ Walking the Busan Boardwalk
One of my proudest Busan memories was walking the entire boardwalk from the lighthouse all the way through Gwangalli Beach to Haeundae Beach.
It was a long stroll, but so worth it. I passed cozy cafés with ocean views, fishermen by the rocks, and families enjoying the sea breeze. By the time I reached Haeundae Beach, the city felt alive — kids playing in the sand, couples taking photos, and the skyline glowing in the background.
At Gwangalli Beach, I stayed until evening just to see the Gwangan Bridge light up. The entire bay shimmered with color, and the atmosphere felt festive — locals sitting by the water, music drifting from cafés, and the reflection of the lights rippling across the waves.
🎨 Gamcheon Culture Village & the Stamp Tour
Another highlight was spending hours in Gamcheon Culture Village. Instead of just wandering, I tried the stamp tour. It gave me little goals — find hidden spots, collect stamps at designated art corners, and explore every alley without missing the tucked-away treasures.
The process led me to stunning viewpoints, murals, and quirky art installations. It felt like a playful scavenger hunt, and I got a small sense of pride when my stamp booklet was full.
Between stops, I slipped into cute cafés hidden in the village — each with its own character. Some were colorful and artsy, others calm with big windows overlooking the hillside houses. Sitting down with a drink after climbing steep alleys made the experience even sweeter.
🌉 Songdo Skywalk: Over the Ocean
In the evening, I visited Songdo Skywalk, where a glass path stretches over the water. With LED lights glowing underfoot, I could see the waves moving below me and hear the sound of the sea. It was short but magical, like walking above the ocean at night.
🍯 BIFF Square & Seed Hotteok
Of course, I couldn’t leave Busan without trying seed hotteok (씨앗호떡) at BIFF Square. The line was long, but the smell of frying pancakes kept me patient.
When I finally took a bite, the crispy dough gave way to warm syrup, sunflower seeds, and nuts. Sweet, nutty, crunchy, and perfectly messy — it’s Busan in a single snack.
✨ What Made Busan Special For Me
The long boardwalk walk — a journey that showed me Busan’s changing coastline, from lighthouses to sandy beaches.
The stamp tour in Gamcheon — turning sightseeing into an interactive adventure.
The mix of cute cafés — perfect little rest stops that made exploring feel cozy.
The ocean energy — from Gwangalli lights to Songdo waves under my feet.
The sweet reward of hotteok — a dessert that I’ll always associate with Busan.
💡 Travel Tips From My Experience
Wear comfortable shoes: The boardwalk is long and Gamcheon has many steep alleys.
Cash is useful: Street food stalls like hotteok are often cash-only.
Take your time: Don’t rush Gamcheon — the stamp tour forces you to slow down and explore every corner.
Visit at night too: Gwangalli Beach and Songdo Skywalk are both stunning after dark.
🌏 Final Thoughts
Busan gave me a mix of adventure, art, and sweetness. I didn’t just see the city — I walked through it, step by step, from lighthouses to beaches, from alleys to skywalks.
If you want to experience Busan in a memorable way, I recommend:
Walking the boardwalk to Haeundae
Doing the Gamcheon stamp tour
Ending your night with seed hotteok at BIFF Square
These are the moments that made Busan unforgettable for me, and I hope they inspire your own journey.
