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Busan: when your ship stops here

Korea's port city: the biggest fish market in the country, the painted hillside village, and a temple on the rocks by the sea; Haeundae beach is the long drive.

Facts checked Nov 3, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Busan is South Korea's great port city. Cruise ships use the Busan Port International Passenger Terminal in the North Port, which in 2026 became the first cruise terminal in Korea to run around the clock, with five overnight calls logged by September 2026; some ships berth at the Yeongdo cruise terminal instead, so check on board. A cruise port guide puts the passenger terminal 10 to 15 minutes from Busan Station on metro Line 1 by a raised walkway, with free shuttle buses to the Nampo-dong centre on ship days.

Sources: Wikipedia: Port of Busan; The Korea Times, 18 September 2026: Busan port extends operations to encourage longer stays by cruise passengers; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Busan

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. Jagalchi fish market

    The largest fish market in South Korea, on the edge of Nampo Port, famous for the women who sell there, the Jagalchi ajumma, since the years after the Korean War. The Korea tourism office lists it at 52 Jagalchihaean-ro, open 5 in the morning to 10 at night and closed on the first and third Tuesday of the month.

    Tip: Take metro Line 1 to Jagalchi or Nampo station. On a first or third Tuesday go elsewhere.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Jagalchi Market; Korea Tourism Organization (VisitKorea): Jagalchi Market; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Busan

  2. 2. Gamcheon Culture Village

    A hillside of small houses in layered streets and twisting alleys, built in the 1920s and 1930s for working people and grown by refugee families after the Korean War, painted bright colours in a 2009 public art project and nicknamed the Machu Picchu of Busan; it had 1.4 million visitors in 2015.

    Tip: Metro Line 1 to Toseong station, exit 6, then minibus 1-1, 2 or 2-2 to Gamjeong Elementary School and walk straight ahead, as the city's own directions say. People live here: keep voices down in the lanes.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Gamcheon Culture Village; Busan Metropolitan City: Gamcheon Culture Village Alley Festival 2025 (directions)

  3. 3. Haedong Yonggungsa, the temple by the sea

    One of the few temples in Korea built on the seashore, on the rocks of the north east coast in Gijang, first built, the temple says, in 1376. The Korea tourism office lists it open every day from 4.30 in the morning to 7.20 in the evening, last entry 6.50.

    Tip: It is on the far side of the city from the port, so it is a taxi or a tour, not a walk; put it with Haeundae only if the ship stays late.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Haedong Yonggungsa; Korea Tourism Organization (VisitKorea): Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

What to skip

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Busan

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Busan, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 3, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

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