In a nutshell

The magic of a temple overlooking the sea, the institutional atmosphere of APEC House and vibrancy of the city markets: a jam-packed day discovering Busan’s highlights.

Main stops

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Nurimaru APEC House
Traditional Korean grilled lunch
Jagalchi Fish Market
Gukje Market

The programme

We will set off on our coach to the picturesque Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, which, unlike many other Buddhist temples that stand on the tops of mountains, was built on a cliff overlooking the sea. It is a magical place dedicated to the worship of the Goddess of Mercy who, according to tradition, lives alone by the sea and appears on the back of a dragon, which is why this sacred place is located here.
We will leave this spectacular place behind and visit Nurimaru APEC House, a modern take on the traditional Korean pavilion. It has a circular structure with large glass walls and it lies in the midst of enchanting natural landscape. It was built to host the APEC summit in 2005 and now houses a museum and exhibitions dedicated to the event.
Before continuing our busy day of visits, we will stop for a typical Korean grilled lunch.
Our excursion will continue with a visit to Jagalchi Fish Market, the largest in South Korea where the majority of traders are women. We will walk among the colourful stalls with their strong scents and simple wooden crates placed on the ground selling mackerel, octopus and whale steaks.
Before returning to the ship, we will move on to Gukje Market, the largest traditional market in Busan. In the 1950s it was given over to the refugees, who could open up shops to make a living, but it has since developed into a popular, colourful market where we can find practically everything at a reasonable price.

Good to know

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
This tour involves climbing 108 steps at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. Guests with limited mobility or difficulty climbing stairs may have difficulty participating fully.