Visiting Busan - Cherry Blossom Season in Korea

March 25, 2021, I headed down south to Busan to finally see some cherry blossoms outside of Seoul. Typically I wait for spring to come to my neck of the woods, but this year I am trying to end winter as fast as possible.

I took the KTX to Busan Station and immediately hopped on a bus to the Oryukdo Skywalk. Next to the park is a stunning field of daffodils that look over the water - water which you can walk over thanks to the glass skybridge!

After that, I had a late lunch at Goof, a little cafe in the trendy Jeonpo area, then checked into my AirBnb. Highly recommend this studio apartment run by two sisters - it was perfect!

I was tired but I managed to get myself down to Gwanganri Beach for the sunset, then met friends for tacos as Rio Verde which was amazing and much needed. Real horchata in Korea? Yes please!

Day two started bright and early with a stop at Cafe Itti. This little out-of-the-way spot was PACKED because the rooftop has an incredible view of two cherry trees. You had to wait in line for a photo with it :’) I had a strawberry juice and pastry, said hello to the trees, and hopped on another bus.

This bus took me to Samnak, or Nakdong Cherry Blossom Road. It’s a bike and walking path lined with trees and they were all at peak bloom. There was a steady stream of people but it didn’t feel crowded and I managed to snag an empty bench and just soak it all in for a while.

I took another bus back to my AirBnb area and got a grilled cheese and sandwich at OLE Coffee which was so cozy. A bit later I went to Dalmaji - the opposite side of the city - and met up with my friend Adrienne for tea with a view. We watched the sun set over the cherry blossoms and then I needed dinner!

Haeundae was inexplicably covered in Christmas lights but it made the night walk on the beach lovely, then I went to sleep.

My last day was a lazy one. I only had one thing left on my agenda, so in the morning I took the subway over to the Samik Beach Town Apartments. My breath was taken away. The trees lining the apartment’s street were unlike anything I’ve ever seen and I can’t recommend them enough. There were even carts selling waffles and other treats! Heaven!

Next to the apartments is Gwanganri beach, so I popped into a cafe there for a little breakfast, grabbed one last drink at Naive Brewers by my AirBnb, and headed back to Seoul :)

I really can’t recommend Busan highly enough for a spring trip - the blossoms were out of this world!