🇰🇷 Busan, South Korea — Cruise Port Guide
South Korea's port city and second-largest — a huge fish market, a hillside village painted every colour, temples on the sea cliffs, and beaches right in town.
Updated September 2026
Quick facts
Getting ashore
When to visit Busan
Best in spring and autumn; summer is hot, humid and includes a monsoon and typhoon season, while winter is cold and dry.
Getting back to the ship on time
Haedong Yonggungsa temple and Haeundae are both 40+ minutes out through city traffic, so leave a wide buffer — Busan's subway is far more reliable than the roads at rush hour.
All-aboard is ship's time — check it in the daily programme, and set your watch to it.
Things to do in Busan
Gamcheon Culture Village
Hillside maze of painted houses, murals and tiny galleries.
Jagalchi Fish Market
Korea's largest seafood market; buy downstairs, eat upstairs.
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Seaside temple on the rocks northeast of the city.
Haeundae Beach
The city's famous beach, backed by high-rises and cafés.
Beomeosa Temple
Mountain temple founded in 678, up on Geumjeongsan.
Songdo Skywalk & cable car
Glass-floored pier and a cable car over the bay.
What to eat
- Dwaeji gukbap (pork soup rice)
- Milmyeon cold noodles
- Ssiat hotteok (seeded pancake)
- Raw fish (hoe) at Jagalchi
- Eomuk fish cakes
Weather by month
Best time to visit: Apr-May & Sep-Oct
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47° | 31° | 1.4" |
| Feb | 50° | 34° | 2" |
| Mar | 56° | 41° | 3.3" |
| Apr | 65° | 49° | 5.3" |
| May | 72° | 57° | 6.1" |
| Jun | 77° | 64° | 7.5" |
| Jul | 82° | 72° | 12.4" |
| Aug | 85° | 75° | 10" |
| Sep | 80° | 68° | 6.3" |
| Oct | 72° | 58° | 3.1" |
| Nov | 62° | 46° | 2.2" |
| Dec | 51° | 35° | 1.2" |
Local phrases
A little history
Busan is Korea's largest port and the country's second city.
Gamcheon Culture Village, a hillside of brightly painted houses, began as a refugee settlement during the Korean War.
Haedong Yonggungsa is unusual among Korean temples for sitting right on the sea rather than in the mountains.
The Busan International Film Festival is the biggest film event in Asia.