Hotels in Busan

Busan is South Korea's second city and its main port, spread along a mountainous stretch of the southeastern coast where the urban grid keeps running into hills and beaches. It is noticeably more relaxed than Seoul, and the sea is never far from view.

Haeundae and Gwangalli are the headline beaches, backed by high-rises and a night skyline framed by the Gwangan Bridge. Jagalchi is the country's largest fish market, the Gamcheon Culture Village stacks painted houses up a hillside, and Beomeosa and the cliffside Haedong Yonggungsa provide the temple counterpoint. Food here means raw fish, pork-broth dwaeji gukbap and ssiat hotteok from street stalls.

KTX trains reach Seoul in about two and a half hours, and Gyeongju — the ancient Silla capital — is under an hour away. Busan also hosts Asia's leading film festival each October, when the city fills quickly.