Located on the southernmost tip of the Korean peninsula, Busan's fantastic beaches, great shopping and interesting history have made it popular destination for local Koreans and international tourists alike.

The largest port city in South Korea, Busan vulnerable harbor location has been watched over by the sprawling Geumjeong Fortress since 1703. Now a popular sightseeing and hiking destination, visitors to the fortress can trek almost 17 miles of its sprawling walls across the top of Geumjeongsan.

Busan is home to a number of retail landmarks in South Korea, including Shinsegae Centum City, the world's largest department store, and the country's largest and oldest seafood market, Jaglachi Market, where visitors are greeted with piles of the fisherman's freshest catch, along with piles of dried goodies.

But the real attraction of Busan - known as the "Summer Capital of South Korea" - is its half-dozen beaches. From the cliffside pebble beaches of Taejongdae Beach on Yeongdo-gu Island, to the cafe-lined sands of Gwangnali Beach, local Koreans and internationals alike flock to Busan's sands to make the most of spring and summer. Haeundae Beach, by far the city's most popular, boasts almost 7.5 uninterrupted miles of white sand, along with a host of other nearby attractions like the Busan Aquarium and Shinsegae Centum City Spaland, which keep the area popular year-round.

Once you've booked your flight and found the right hotel, peruse our pages to create an itinerary inspired by fellow travelers who've buried their toes in the sands of Busan.