Month guide · Busan · South Korea
Busan in December
What December is really like in Busan: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mobius6, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 11°C (52°F), lows of 2°C (36°F), about 3 rainy days and roughly 9.8 hours of daylight. Cold and dry; Christmas lights decorate Gwangbok-ro shopping street in Nampo-dong.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 11°C (52°F) / 2°C (36°F)
- Rainy days
- About 3
- Daylight
- About 9.8 hours
- Sea temperature
- 16°C (61°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in December
December is the 10th-warmest month in Busan: days average 11°C (52°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 2°C (36°F). Rain falls on roughly 3 of its 31 days. Compared with November (17°C (63°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around 8°C (46°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:25
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:13
- Daylight
- About 9.8 hours
- Sea
- 16°C (61°F)
Winter (December–February). Cold, windy and sunny with little rain; quiet beaches, Christmas lights and the lowest hotel prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes December one of the better-value months to book.
Events in December
- Busan Christmas Tree Festival in Gwangbok-ro (usually December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Aquarium · Haeundae
Sea Life Busan Aquarium
Under the promenade at Haeundae Beach, the aquarium has an underwater tunnel with sharks and rays, penguins, otters and touch pools.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Beach · Haeundae
Haeundae Beach
Walk west from the beach around Dongbaek Island's coastal path to the Nurimaru APEC House for views back to the skyline.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- After dark
Neighbourhood · Saha-gu
Gamcheon Culture Village
Built by refugees during the Korean War, this hillside village of pastel houses was revived through an art project with murals, installations and small galleries.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Photo spot
- Art
- Views
Religious site · Gijang and Osiria
Haedong Yonggungsa
Come for sunrise, which the temple is known for, before tour groups arrive.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- History
What to pack
For highs near 11°C, lows near 2°C and 3 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Busan?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and September–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Busan in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Busan?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold and dry; Christmas lights decorate Gwangbok-ro shopping street in Nampo-dong.
+How warm is Busan in December?
Average highs are around 11°C (52°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Busan in December?
Expect rain on about 3 days of the month, so it is usually dry.