Where to Stay in Busan for the Best Experience, Busan, South Korea

In our busy schedule during the 10-day trip to South Korea, I had to squeeze Busan to see a different vibe in South Korea. So, after staying in Seoul for a few days (where we had an amazing time, so check out my 4-day itinerary for first timers in Seoul), we decided to take a train to visit Busan. First thing I did (like I always do) is planning where to stay in Busan, which usually is a much more time-consuming part of travel preparation.

So why Busan, what’s so special about it? Busan is quite special, in my opinion: salty air, neon reflections on the water, the smell of grilling seafood wafting from the port. We only stayed for 2 days and I wish we had more time.

Having so little time, I wanted to make a good and efficient plan, including well located hotel. It took me hours. If you’re wondering where to stay in Busan, you’re in the right place, this city has neighborhoods for every style: beach lovers, foodies, culture hunters, and people who want a little bit of everything.

Below I’ll guide you through the best areas, suggest hotels (from boutique to splashy new launches), and give honest pros and cons so you can pick the perfect base for your trip. Of course, I did not stay in all of them, but did a ton of research before the trip, especially carefully choosing the best areas for our style of travelling: walking a lot, using transportation and close to the action. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).