Meta description: Learn how to use Naver Map in Busan to find subway routes, buses, walking directions, restaurants, cafés, and tourist attractions.
Last updated: August 2026
If you are planning a trip to Busan, Naver Map is one of the most useful apps to install before you arrive.
Google Maps is still helpful for finding international reviews and saving places, but Korean map apps generally provide more detailed local transportation information, business listings, subway exits, and walking routes.
Naver Map supports English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. However, not every restaurant name, menu, or review will be fully translated.
Download and Set Up Naver Map
Search for NAVER Map, Navigation in the App Store or Google Play.
After installing the app:
- Open Naver Map.
- Open the main menu.
- Go to Settings.
- Select your preferred language.
- Allow location access.
To change the app’s display language, open the main menu and go to Settings, then scroll to the App & Display section and tap Language. You can choose from Korean, English, Simplified Chinese, or Japanese. On iOS, if the Language option isn’t showing, go to your device’s Settings > General > Language & Region and add your preferred language so Naver Map can offer it.
Location access allows the app to show nearby subway stations, bus stops, restaurants, and attractions.
You can use many basic features without signing in. However, creating a Naver account can be useful if you want to save places, create travel lists, or use supported booking features.
In June 2026, Naver introduced passport verification for eligible foreign users. This allows some visitors to access supported bookings, orders, and payments without a Korean mobile phone number. Availability still depends on the individual business and service. (NAVER Corp.)
How to Search for Attractions
Many famous Busan attractions can be searched for in English.
Try searching for:
- Haeundae Beach
- Gwangalli Beach
- Gamcheon Culture Village
- Jagalchi Market
- Busan Station
- Taejongdae
- Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
- Songdo Beach
For smaller cafés, restaurants, and independent shops, an English search may not always find the correct result.
In that case, copy the Korean business name from its website, Instagram page, reservation page, or Google listing and paste it into Naver Map.
Useful Korean place names include:
- Haeundae Beach: 해운대해수욕장
- Gwangalli Beach: 광안리해수욕장
- Gamcheon Culture Village: 감천문화마을
- Jagalchi Market: 자갈치시장
- Busan Station: 부산역
Searching with the original Korean name usually produces more accurate results.
How to Get Directions
Select your destination and tap the directions button.
Depending on the route and version of the app, you may see options for:
- Public transportation
- Walking
- Driving
- Cycling
Public transportation is usually the most useful option for international visitors.
Naver Map may display:
- The nearest subway station
- Bus numbers
- Estimated bus arrival times
- Subway transfers
- Station exit numbers
- The number of stops
- Estimated walking time
- Total travel time
Always check the recommended subway exit.
Some Busan stations have several exits located far apart. Using the wrong exit can add a significant amount of walking to your journey.
How to Use Bus Information
Busan has an extensive bus network, and buses can be useful for beaches, hillside neighborhoods, temples, and places that are not close to subway stations.
When checking a bus route, pay attention to:
- The exact bus-stop name
- The direction of travel
- The bus number
- Estimated arrival time
- The number of stops
- Your destination stop
Two bus stops on opposite sides of the road may have similar or identical names. Check the map carefully before boarding.
When using a transportation card, tap it when boarding. You should also tap when leaving, especially if you plan to transfer to another bus or the subway.
How to Find Restaurants and Cafés
You can search in English or use simple Korean keywords.
Useful search terms include:
- Café: 카페
- Restaurant: 음식점
- Popular restaurant: 맛집
- Korean barbecue restaurant: 고깃집
- Pork soup: 돼지국밥
- Seafood: 해산물
- Raw fish restaurant: 횟집
- Bakery: 베이커리
- Vegetarian restaurant: 채식 식당
Restaurant listings may include:
- Opening hours
- Break times
- Last-order times
- Closing days
- Menu photos
- Prices
- Reviews
- Reservation buttons
- Telephone numbers
Check recent reviews and official social-media accounts before traveling a long distance. Small businesses sometimes change their hours without immediately updating every platform.
Save Places Before Your Trip
Create separate lists for different parts of Busan, such as:
- Haeundae
- Gwangalli
- Seomyeon
- Nampo and Jagalchi
- Yeongdo
- Cafés
- Restaurants
- Rainy-day activities
Busan is a large city. Two attractions that appear relatively close on a map may require a long journey because of mountains, bridges, coastlines, or limited direct transportation.
Grouping saved places by neighborhood will help you avoid unnecessary travel.
Useful Tips
Save your hotel in Korean before leaving the airport or train station.
Take screenshots of:
- The hotel’s Korean name
- The Korean address
- The nearest subway station
- The correct station exit
- The hotel telephone number
These screenshots can help when taking a taxi, asking for directions, or returning to your accommodation without internet access.
Final Thoughts
Naver Map may feel unfamiliar during your first few minutes of use, but it is worth learning before visiting Busan.
Use Naver Map for local navigation, Papago for translation, and Google Maps for international reviews and initial trip research.
Note: App features, booking options, language support, and account requirements may change. Check the latest version of the official app before your trip.