One-Day Busan Itinerary: A Cultural Adventure Ending at Gamcheon Culture Village

This post continues from my previous Busan travel guide. You can read Part 1 here for the full self-guided 1-day itinerary. In this second part, after visiting Haedong Yonggungsa Temple—a majestic seaside temple in the east—we head south to Taejongdae Resort Park, stroll along the Songdo Skywalk, and finish with a colorful stop at Gamcheon Culture Village, before ending the day with fresh sashimi at Jagalchi Fish Market.

Taejongdae Resort Park – The Southern Edge of Busan

While Haedong Yonggungsa sits on the eastern shore, Taejongdae Resort Park marks the southern tip of Busan. Located at an elevation of 250 meters (820 ft) above sea level, this scenic park offers vast pine forests and dramatic cliffside ocean views. Due to its size, you’ll want to use the park’s shuttle train to save time getting around.

Start at the Busan Memorial Monument, which honors soldiers from five nations who assisted during the Korean War. Together with Oryukdo Island, Taejongdae is a symbol of Busan, famous for its rocky coastline and stunning vistas.

From the entrance, hop on the free shuttle to reach the Observation Deck, where—on a clear day—you might even spot Tsushima Island in Japan, 56 km (35 miles) away! Look down to see enormous rock formations encircling the shoreline below.

At the base of the lighthouse is the legendary Sinseon Rock, named after mythical deities who were said to rest here. It’s a magical and majestic place that’s absolutely worth your time when in Busan.

Songdo Skywalk – A Walk Over the Ocean

Located just 3 km (1.8 miles) from downtown Busan, Songdo Skywalk is a modern boardwalk extending over the sea. To get there:

Take Subway Line 1 to Jagalchi Station, Exit 2
Transfer to Bus 7, 9, 26, 30, 71, or 96
Get off at Songdo Beach

Songdo Beach was established in 1913 as Korea’s first public beach and is still a hub for ocean activities and festivals today. The Skywalk offers panoramic views of the coast and makes for a great photo spot!

Gamcheon Culture Village – Busan’s Artistic Heart

This is one of Busan’s most beloved destinations, and a must-visit on any itinerary. Nicknamed the “Santorini of the East”, Gamcheon Culture Village is built along the slopes of a hill, with brightly colored houses stacked along steep alleys and stairways.

If you don’t want to get lost in this maze-like neighborhood, just follow the school of painted fish on the walls—they act as signposts and lead the way, like clues in a giant scavenger hunt.

The village’s origins date back to the Korean War, when refugees from North Korea arrived in Busan. With the city center already overcrowded, they settled in this hillside area. Over time, they built modest homes packed tightly together, which eventually evolved into today’s Gamcheon Culture Village—a vibrant, creative community full of life and history.

The Secret to Exploring Busan in One Day

It’s no easy task to visit all four of these stunning destinations in one day—unless you have a private van with a driver who takes care of everything for you! That’s exactly what I did after comparing a bunch of self-guided travel options.

My chosen one-day cultural tour of Busan included:

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Taejongdae Resort Park
Songdo Skywalk
Gamcheon Culture Village

The tour uses a private 9-seater van. All you need to do is hop in, relax, nap, or enjoy the ride between destinations. Your driver also acts as a local guide, speaks English, and shares cultural insights throughout the journey. Plus, they’ll take you to a traditional Korean lunch spot too!

Pick-Up Points for the One-Day Busan Cultural Tour:

8:20 AM – KTX Busan Station, Exit 1
8:40 AM – Seomyeon Station (Line 1/2), Exit 12
9:20 AM – Haeundae Station (Line 2), Exit 5

Maximum 9 people per group. Most travelers gather at Busan Station. Just show up on time at the pickup point you choose after booking, and you’ll be ready to roll.

Final Thoughts

If you want to see the very best of Busan in just one day—historic temples, coastal walks, ocean cliffs, and colorful villages—this route has it all. It’s a perfect mix of culture, nature, and local charm, topped off with some delicious sashimi at the fish market. Enjoy your day in Busan!