10 Fun Indoor Activities In Busan When It’s Raining

Exploring a new country or city in the rain can rapidly get you down, as the temperatures dropping, being wet, cold and eventually frustrated is not what you’d like your trip to be remembered for. And even though I find rain adds a special charm to certain sites, I tend to quicly miss the golden rays of sunshine. Fortunately, and even if you’re on a budget, there are great things to do in the coastal city of Korea on a gloomy day.

So, without further ado, here are my 10 best activities to discover Busan even when it’s raining outside!

Save it for later!

1. Running Man

Address: 10F 672 Samjeong Tower, Jungang-daero, Busanjin-gu
Opening hours: 11:00-20:00 every day
Cost: 19,000 KRW ($13) (or here’s my link to a discounted ticket)

Based on the famous South Korean variety program (my favorite, by the way), enter the world of Running Man and complete the many missions that present themselves to you inside the complex. From the ball pool, to the speed test to the Pop-A-Shot basketball game, you’ll have an hour to earn as many points as possible if you want to become a real Running Man member.

You’ll have to choose between 3 difficulty levels, and although my friend and I chose the “normal” one, if you really want to get the little reward offered to the players who exceed 80 R-points, then choose the easy level!

Funny, interactive and exciting, the experience and its missions will appeal to adults and kids alike, and is a great way to pass the time when it’s raining outside.
> Don’t forget to strike the program’s famous pose in front of the cute Running Man statue (the staff will be more than happy to help you)!

> And as the game is located in one of Busan’s liveliest neighborhoods, get ready to combine this activity with others!

2. Underground Shopping

When I told you that there were other activities close to the previous one, I wasn’t lying, and who doesn’t love a bit of shopping to cheer themselves up when the weather outside is kind of depressing? I do! So, of course I had to add shopping to the list, but wait a minute, you don’t have to shop in the rain in Korea! Walk into a store, get wet, get back under cover…forget it, because here you can shop underground!

And while it may sound a little creepy at first, I actually think it’s amazing as you can even go window shopping while waiting for your next bus or subway!

Browse the many shops and find your next favorite outfit, or look for lovely key chains, your idol’s new album or buy a refill of your preferred moisturizer.

> But you don’t have to be in Seomyeon to enjoy underground shopping, because almost everywhere in Busan, you’ll find nice litlle boutiques right next to the subway stations.

3. Museum

We can’t talk about indoor activities without mentioning museums, can we? And since most museums in Busan and South Korea in general are free, it’s the perfect compromise for those of us on a budget who don’t want to spend all our savings on one trip.

Whether you’re a history buff, art lover or anything else, Busan has it all. Explore the Busan Museum of Art, the Busan Museum, the National Maritime Museum of Korea… and forget about the sea of clouds outside!

4. Spa Land

Address: 35 Centum nam-daero, Haeundae-gu
Opening hours: 10:30-20:00 (20:30 on the weekends)
Entrance fee: 23,000 KRW ($16) (here’s a link to a voucher)

Do you want to bathe in a traditional, although more sophisticated Jjimjilbang (or Korean spa) and enjoy some well-deserved rest and pampering? Then head to Spa Land and taste the authentic and relaxing spa Korean style.

I recommend you try the full experience where you’ll have to get completely naked (don’t worry, no one will judge you or stare), wash up, a little scrub if you like, before entering the jacuzzis and saunas. Then grab your sikhye (traditional rice-based drink), a couple of hard boiled eggs and have a nice rest (you can even sleep if you want).

An immersive experience in a Korean bathhouse!

5. Cafe hopping

If you’re a little familiar with the country, you’ll know that it has a strong cafe culture, so cafe hopping won’t be difficult – on the contrary.

Plus, thanks to Busan’s location, you can enjoy a beautiful view on the ocean, and if you’ve never admired the rough seas when there are strong currents and winds, I can assure you it’s breathtaking.

So order a comforting drink, sit down at one of the best tables and discover as many unique and cozy cafes in Busan as you can!

And if you’re looking for some nice options, my favorites include Oldmug and Cup & Cup!

6. Movie theater

Behind schedule on the latest movie releases? This is your chance to catch up and spend a few hours in the dark, escaping the terrible weather outside and focusing only on a different reality!

It’s always a great indoor activity, wherever you are in the world!

7. Game Arcade

You know what else is great when it’s raining outside and you’re bored out of your mind? Game arcades, of course! You’ll find them pretty much in every shopping mall in Korea and on the busiest streets too. People also love to kill time there when they’re waiting for their movie to start, but just remember to set an alarm because time flies by so fast here!

From the classic claw machines where you tend to spend a lot more than you wanted, to the Pump It Up where you dance like crazy to the famous Disco Pang Pang, you won’t forget the fun memories you’ve made from the game arcades in Busan!

Here’s a glimpe at what the Disco Pang Pang ride looks like:

8. PC Bang

What’s a PC Bang, you may ask? Well, if you’re fond of video games, going to an internet cafe in South Korea will be heaven for you. And just so you know, the country has one of the fastest internet connections in the world so there’s no risk of your game screen freezing of crashing at the most fatal moment.

The only risk is that you won’t get out of the place until the early hours of morning.

Count around 1,000-1,500 KRW (a dollar) per hour! Quite cheap, isn’t it? I’m sure you’ve just discovered a new hobby, if you’re not already a gamer!

9. Perfume making class

Would you like to make your own original perfume to give as a gift or keep as a souvenir of your trip? Try a perfume-making class! Not only will you be able to customize your final product according to your preferred scents, but you’ll also get tips from a professional aromatherapist to help you select the best ingredients for you!

You’ll also get to name your own scent! A fun, interesting and instructive experience!

And if you’re not into perfumes, you can book other activities, like a cooking or pottery class, for example!

10. Karaoke

Of course, I’ve saved the best for last: karaoke! My favorite activity in Korea, simply because it’s SO much fun! I mean, singing your hearts out with your friends, having a blast and letting off steam, forgetting all your worries, at least for one moment, that’s what karaoke is all about, isn’ it? Well, for me it is!

A popular indoor activity in South Korea, what makes it so special is the fact that here, you book a private room for you and your friends, which multiplies the fun 100-fold because you don’t have to mind others or fear of being ridiculed since you’re with people who know you!

Plus, it’s very cheap, as the average singing room will cost you between 6,000 and 15,000 KRW ($5 to $11)!

So next time you’re in Korea, do yourself a favor and try karaoke or noraebang, as the Koreans call it, and sing the night away!

Any other indoor activities you can think of when it’s raining outside in Busan? Feel free to leave them in the comments!

Love it? Feel free to share it!