Solo Traveling in Busan: A Weekend Outside My Comfort Zone

Solo traveling has always been a goal of mine. As a woman, it can sometimes feel intimidating, or even impossible, because of the safety concerns that come with traveling alone. But during my time in Korea, I realized that it is one of the best places to begin experiencing solo travel. I had already taken a few day trips by myself throughout the country, but I wanted to challenge myself further by spending an entire weekend alone in Busan.

Busan is a beautiful coastal city in South Korea known for its seafood, beaches, temples, and colorful neighborhoods. As someone who grew up near the beaches of Southern Georgia in the United States, I was especially curious to see how Busan’s beaches would compare to the ones I knew back home. Since I planned the trip last minute and wanted to travel in the most economical way possible, I decided to take a four-hour bus ride both ways.

I arrived in Busan at 4 a.m. and went straight to a Korean sauna and bathhouse, known as a 찜질방. Jjimjilbangs are a great place to rest after a long journey, freshen up, eat, and even sleep. As a foreigner, the bathhouse was definitely a culture shock at first, especially because being naked in front of strangers is part of the experience. At first, I felt awkward and unsure of myself, but once I got used to it, I found it to be an interesting and relaxing experience. During my trip, I stayed at two different saunas because they were the cheapest places to sleep, shower, and rest. In one of the saunas, there was a large sleeping room where people could grab a mat, blanket, and block pillow. That first morning, I slept there until around 11 a.m. before heading out to explore the city.

My first stop was the beach. I spent time walking around, taking pictures, and enjoying the ocean views. I also ate 비빔밥, which felt like the perfect simple meal during a day of exploring. One thing that made traveling around Busan easier was that the city uses the same T-money card as Seoul, so I did not have to worry about buying a separate transportation card.

Later, I visited Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a Buddhist temple located right next to the ocean. It was one of the most beautiful places I visited in Busan. The combination of the temple, the sea, and the sound of the waves made the atmosphere feel peaceful and almost unreal. It was also meaningful to observe people praying and taking part in their religious practices. I did not fully understand everything I was seeing, but I appreciated being able to witness a different religious and cultural space with respect. I would highly recommend visiting this temple to anyone traveling to Busan.

For the rest of the day, I mostly wandered through the city, explored small shops, and took in the feeling of being somewhere new on my own. That night, I stayed at another sauna, which again helped me save money while giving me a safe place to rest.

The next day, I went to Gamcheon Culture Village, one of the most iconic places in Busan. I spent most of my time there because there was so much to see. The village was full of colorful houses, murals, photo spots, shops, and cafes. One of the highlights for me was seeing the famous mural of BTS members Jimin and Jungkook. As someone who had once only dreamed of seeing places connected to BTS in Korea, standing there in person felt surreal. It was one of those moments where I realized that something I had imagined for years had actually become real.

Another memorable part of Gamcheon Culture Village was finding a huge and chaotic cafe that I can only describe as an “ADHD cafe.” It was filled with random pictures, jokes, phrases, costumes, mannequins, decorations, and objects everywhere. Every corner had something different to look at. I also tried the ice bucket challenge, where you can get your drink half off if you keep your hand in a bucket of ice for two full minutes. One of the funniest highlights was being able to feed ducks in the garden area of the cafe. I also loved looking at all the selfies and notes that visitors had posted on the walls.

Later that day, I visited Magnate, the cafe owned by BTS Jimin’s father. It was much bigger than I expected, and it felt surreal to be there. I saw gifts that fans had left behind, music awards, and collections of letters and notes written for Jimin. As a fan, it was emotional to be in a space connected to someone whose music and message have meant so much to me. It reminded me how studying abroad in Korea has allowed me to experience things I once only saw through a screen.

Overall, my solo trip to Busan was unforgettable. It was not perfect, and there were definitely a few mistakes and stressful moments along the way, but that was part of the experience. Traveling alone taught me how to trust myself more, solve problems on my own, and enjoy my own company. I learned that studying abroad is not only about academics or visiting famous places. It is also about growing as a person, making mistakes, stepping outside of your comfort zone, and discovering who you are when no one else is guiding you.

Anyone studying abroad in Korea should try solo traveling at least once. It does not have to be a long or expensive trip. Even a short weekend away can teach you a lot about independence, confidence, and who you are when you are completely on your own.