10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Busan

Busan Cultural Center is the city’s comprehensive venue for music and dance performances and visual art exhibitions. The city’s major orchestras play in its elegant 1,400-seat Grand Theater, including the Philharmonic Orchestra and the Korean Traditional Orchestra. It also has 2 smaller theatres for more intimate performances. 

As the centre’s overarching aim is to promote Korean culture, it frequently stages folk music and dance performances, showcasing traditional performing arts like the Buchaechum fan dance. The centre’s Grand Gallery features a rotating selection of photography, painting and calligraphy exhibitions.

Popular Haeundae Beach takes on a whole new charm at night when the city lights up. Surrounded by the tallest buildings in Busan, the contrast between the quiet night sea and the surrounding colourful skyscrapers creates a dreamy atmosphere. Stroll on the sand while you listen to the sound of local musicians busking by the seaside.

Adjacent to the beach is Haeundae Market, a traditional market for food and shopping that stays open until 10 pm. Vendors sell fresh seafood and snacks like kimchi pancakes and spicy tteokboki rice cakes. 

The Nurimaru APEC House is a conference centre on a peninsula just west of Haeundae Beach. Naturally, you’re not looking to go inside; you’re here for the small observation deck located just next to the Nurimaru entrance. This relatively unknown spot offers one of the best night views in the city. 

Make your way from the bustling beach through charming Dongbaek Park to reach your viewing spot. If you come around sunset, you’ll catch the warm colours reflected on the sea and the tall, silvery buildings of Marine City. After nightfall, you’ve got stunning views of the Haeundae skyline and the Guangan Bridge in all their shining glory.

Spa Land Centum City is the most comprehensive Korean-style spa house in the country. The massive megaplex features 22 spring-fed spas that source mineral-rich water from 1,000 metres below ground. Add to that a sprawling open-air foot spa, plus 13 themed saunas and traditional Korean baths named jjimjilbang, and you’ve got ample opportunity to relax and rejuvenate.

Standard entry passes allow 4 hours inside, and the spa is open until 10 pm daily. In addition to the baths themselves, the complex also provides Finnish saunas, red clay rooms and other aesthetic treatments. Bathing areas are separated by gender while relaxing and dining spaces are available for couples and groups to socialise freely.

Yongdusan Park is one of the city’s leading attractions and home of the Busan Tower. Situated atop small Yongdusan Mountain in the central part of the city, the park is in an ideal position for a lookout point. The 129-metre tower offers a 360-degree view of the port, Busanhangdaegyo Bridge, Yeongdodaegyo Bridge and the surrounding city, particularly beautiful after dark. 

Reach the park by walking up its long, sloped paths or ride the escalators up from the metro station. Park paths are lined with pines and palms, and highlights include the bell pavilion, a dragon statue and a giant flower clock. 

The signal tower on Hwangnyeongsan Mountain is visible from just about anywhere in Busan, and indeed, the reverse is just as true. This is the city’s most popular night viewing spot, and for good reason, as its northeastern position offers views of the whole of Busan. The catch is that it’s only accessible by car, so you’ll need to drive up yourself or hire a taxi. 

The night views from the top are unparalleled: the city spreads out in front of you, a sea of lights interrupted only by patches of forest and the sea. It’s a dazzling sight and makes this a particularly popular destination for local couples seeking a romantic atmosphere. 

Every evening Bupyeong Kkangtong Market transforms into a foodie’s paradise, with food stands selling all manner of food from 7.30 pm until midnight. This nostalgic old market teems with hungry people every night and queues form quickly. Prices are low enough that you can sample an assortment of things without breaking the bank.

Oily mung bean pancakes are a market favourite, along with a famous tteokbokki spot and some unusual variations of kimbap. Busan is the country’s fish cake capital, and you’ll see mountains of them around the market. 

The best views from Amisan Observatory look away from the city and toward the sea, where a trail of islands forms an estuary and mountains line the horizon. Situated on Amisan Mountain, the observatory is located right where the Nakdong River meets the sea. 

Don’t arrive too late, as the landscape is best viewed with the red-orange glow of the setting sun. After dark, take a walk down to Dadaepo Beach Park to see the music-synchronised light show at its Fountain of Dreams.

The Bay 101 is the place to go for a laid-back evening by the water. This yacht club complex overlooks a bay and is surrounded by a cityscape that lights up in the evenings. There are a number of pubs and restaurants situated under the skyscrapers, with plenty of seating for dining al fresco on the wide deck. 

Restaurants here tend towards casual Western cuisine, with fish and chips and New York-style pizza being 2 popular options. Order a beer, take a seat by the waterside and soak up the view. 

Paradise Casino is one of the top gambling dens in Busan. Tucked inside the 5-star Paradise Hotel on Haeundae Beach, this small but glamorous casino serves primarily expats and international travellers and offers expansive ocean views. 

As with most casinos in East Asia, baccarat is the card game of choice here. However, if you’re not accustomed to the rules, you’ll find a small selection of more familiar options like roulette and blackjack as well. And there are always plenty of slots.