Day trips
Beyond
Busan
Busan is the gateway to Korea's southeast, and some of the best of it is an hour or two away. Seven day trips, from Silla ruins to island coasts. Our eats and sights already reach many of these towns.
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Geungnakjeon hall, Bulguksa Gyeongju 경주
The thousand-year capital of the Silla kingdom, an open-air museum of grassy royal tombs, the Bulguksa temple and Seokguram grotto (both UNESCO), and lamp-lit ponds. The classic Busan day trip.
Just outside our restaurant coverage (it sits in North Gyeongsang), but too close and too good to leave off.
About 30 minutes by KTX/SRT from Busan Station, or about an hour by intercity bus
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Gimhae Gaya Theme Park Gimhae 김해
The old capital of the Gaya confederacy, with royal burial mounds, a history museum and a hilltop fort. Also home to Busan's Gimhae airport.
The closest: on the Busan-Gimhae light rail, well under an hour
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The harbour from Dongpirang Tongyeong 통영
A southern port strung between islands, with a cable car up Mireuksan, the Dongpirang mural village tumbling down to the harbour, and some of the best seafood on the coast.
Roughly one and a half to two hours by intercity bus
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The Geoje coast Geoje 거제
Korea's second-largest island, ringed by sea cliffs and quiet coves, with the Oedo botanical islet offshore and the breezy Windy Hill headland.
About one to one and a half hours by bus
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Gongbukmun gate, Jinjuseong Jinju 진주
A riverside fortress city on the Namgang, known for its autumn lantern festival, its stone castle walls, and its own richer style of bibimbap.
Around an hour and a half by intercity bus from the Seobu (Sasang) terminal
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Daewangam Park Ulsan 울산
An industrial port with a wild side: whale heritage at Jangsaengpo, the sea-sculpted Daewangam coastal park, and the Taehwagang bamboo grove along the river.
About an hour on the Donghae-line train from Bujeon Station to Taehwagang, or by bus
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Darangyi terraced village Namhae 남해
A scenic island of terraced seaside rice fields (Darangyi), winding coastal drives and the cliffside German Village. Better as a long day or an overnight.
About two hours by bus, the furthest here
Travel times are rough guides only; bus and train schedules change, so check routes and times before you set out. Last updated August 2026.
