Haeundae Beach is Korea's most famous beach. I've been there several times and here are my top tips on what to do in the area (and what not to), when to visit, where to stay, and how to get the most out of your trip.
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Haeundae Beach (해운대해수욕장) is Busan's most famous beach, and widely considered one of the best things to see in Busan. Every summer, hordes of people descend on the sand to sunbathe and engage in water sports! Walking along the 1.5km long beachfront is one of the most popular free things to do in Busan.
I first visited in the summer months of 2010, but wasn't super impressed. Fast forward to 2023, and I've changed my mind- scroll down to see my list of how to make the most of your visit!
In fact, it's one of my favorite places to stay in Busan now- I've been to every 5-star hotel on Haeundae Beach!
P.S. If you're in Busan in April (Spring), click for a list of the month's highlights!
Visitor Experience
Busan is a port city, and bits of it can feel a bit rough. Haeundae doesn't feel that way!
It's one of the poshest parts of the city and where I would like to stay if I lived in Busan (or around Marine City (마린시티).) Definitely the best place in the city for a relaxing break.
Things to Do
At Haeundae Beach, there are numerous attractions to explore.
Some free things to do include:
- Walking along the beachfront (free)
- Haeundae Traditional Market: a small Korean market which is slightly more charming than the usual ones thanks to the fairy lights overhead. (free entry but you obviously have to pay if you buy or eat anything.)
- Camellia Island (Dongbaekseom Island): a small island with a coastal walk located behind The Westin where you get amazing views of the clear waters. Click through for a complete guide to Dongbaek island, including how to get there and what to do on the island. (Free admission)
- hot springs: apparently Queen Jinseong was cured of smallpox after bathing in the Haeundae hot springs! There is a public footbath next to Haeundae Beach Tourist Information Center where you can soak your feet. It accommodates a maximum of 80 people and even has wheelchair access. But please remember to only soak CLEAN feet in them! The operating hours are:
- March – June, September – October: 2 pm – 9 pm
- November – February: 11 am – 4 pm
- July – August: 8 pm – 11 pm
- Note that the footbath is closed on national holidays and Sundays.
My favorite ticketed attractions include:
- Haeundae Blue Line: whether you travel by Sky Capsule, Beach Train or take a walk or cycle along the coast (Busan Green Railway)- one of my favorite activities in Busan, besides Jeonpo Cafe Street- you'll be amazed by the beautiful coastal scenery. (The ticket booths are pretty crowded, so you may want to book the Haeundae Blue Line ticket in advance here.)
- The SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium offers an immersive experience with its diverse marine life, including captivating underwater tunnels and interactive exhibits.
- From Haeundae Cruise Terminal and Centum City, you can take a boat ride.
And don't forget eating:
- eat fresh seafood
- grab a coffee at the highest Starbucks in the world (99th floor of Busan X the Sky)
Tips for Visitors
- If you like fireworks, visit at night. You'll often see people setting off sparklers and fireworks (though you usually see more at Songdo Beach Busan then here.)
- If you're in Busan in spring, head to Dalmaji Road 해운대 달맞이길, which leads from Haeundae Beach to Songjeong Beach. This 8 km-long coastal road is lined with cherry and pine trees, perfect for admiring cherry blossoms in spring. (There are also cafes, galleries and restaurants.) At the summit, you find Dalmaji Hill, a clock, and the Haewoljeong Pavilion, from which you have a view of Cheongsa Port. The area is popular with writers and poets, who find inspiration in the moonlit scenery.
Dining Options
From traditional Korean fare to international cuisine, there's food for everyone in Haeundae Beach.
- Haeundae Market
For traditional Korean food, try one of the stalls in the market. Inexpensive and good! Remember to bring cash, as not everyone takes cards.
- Lounge at Signiel Hotel
If you're looking for good international food, with the most amazing sea views, try the lounge at the luxury hotel, Signiel Busan. (Click through for a review of my stay there.) The food at the hotel is overseen by Michelin 3-star chef Bruno Menard, and was MUCH better than the Western food I had at Lotte Seoul. (Horrible food, to be honest.)
Note: there's no Korean restaurant at Signiel, for upmarket Korean dining, your best bet in Haeundae is The Westin (but I prefer the Korean restaurant in Lotte Busan, Seomyeon.)
- Galmegi Brewing Co.
Address: 9 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro 265beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea
Opening Hours: 5 pm to 1 am, daily
If you're a beer enthusiast, Galmegi Brewing Co. is the place to go. Started in 2014, this is Busan's first craft beer, and they just happen to have an outlet in Haeundae!
About 5 minutes walk from the beachfront, located on the main Haeundae road, this microbrewery offers a selection of craft beers (about 15 on tap) that perfectly complement the anju (bar snacks), such as pizza and wings, perfectly.
Good ambience and fun music too!
Tip: Not sure what to try? The Galmegi IPA is very popular!
- Geumsubokguk (금수복국)
Address: 23, Jungdong 1-ro 43beon-gil, Haeundae-gu
For adventurous eaters, Geumsubokguk is the place to head to.
This is a 46-year-old restaurant- considered old for Asia- whose main outlet is in Haeundae and serves pufferfish guk (pufferfish soup or fugu soup- a popular hangover soup in Korea.) Wild pufferfish are poisonous if not prepared correctly, by the way! (The skin and liver are deadlier than cyanide so try at your own risk! 😛 Apparently, they've found ways to farm this fish without the toxic skin.)
If you don't like soup, there's also pufferfish sashimi and tempura.
- The Party Haeundae
Address: South Korea, Busan, Haeundae-gu, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro 298beon-gil, 24 팔레드시즈 B1F
For those who've worked up an appetite, try The Party Haeundae, a famous buffet restaurant.
This restaurant offers an extensive menu that includes Korean dishes, sushi, and international cuisine. It's popular with locals, so best you book before going. If you don't like crowds, like me, try one of the buffets at the hotels along Haeundae beach instead, such as Grand Josun and Signiel Busan.
Note: there's a 2-hour and 3-hour maximum dining time on weekends and weekdays respectively.
- Bay 101
Slightly further away is Bay 101, where you can find seafood dishes such as amazing fish and chips. You can even take a yacht ride and enjoy a breathtaking view of Haeundae Beach and bridge.
Tip: the view is so much nicer at night than during the day, so head over before sunset for dinner!
Annual Events
Haeundae Beach is a vibrant spot that hosts various events.
One of the most anticipated events is the Haeundae Sand Festival (해운대 모래축제), a mesmerizing display of intricate sand sculptures on the beach.
This festival is free to attend and typically held in May. A local Busanite that I met on couchsurfer first brought me to the festival back in 2010 and I couldn't believe how big some of the sandcastles got!
Another highlight is the Haeundae Lights Festival, where the beach comes alive with a spectacular light show in the winter evenings.
Thousands of lights illuminate the night sky and creating an enchanting, festive atmosphere along Haeundae Beach and Gunamro Square, usually from November to mid January. (Similarly, Gamcheon Village will be decorated with fairy lights and look absolutely magical!)
Then there's Busan Sea Festival (부산 바다축제) which is held to promote Busan as a beautiful harbour city. The celebration is held across 5 different beaches in Busan: Haeundae, Gwangalli, Songdo, Dadaepo, and Songjeong.
Where to Stay
- Signiel Hotel Busan: I did extensive research before deciding to stay at Signiel Hotel Busan for four days. It wasn't a perfect stay- you can read my full review by clicking on the link- but I would return, for the amazing infinity pool. (Also for the working AC- at some of the other 5-star hotels, the thermostats are centrally controlled! Deal breaker for me.)
- LCT Residences, Landmark Tower @Haeundae LCT The Sharp: If traveling in a group of 3-4 people, you can consider staying at the LCT Residences, which is right next to the Signiel. As the second tallest building in South Korea and the tallest in Busan, this iconic serviced apartment provides breathtaking views of Haeundae Beach and has a 24-hour front desk. Note that prices at LCT aren't much cheaper than Signiel but the apartments are bigger.
- Paradise Hotel Busan is famous for its outdoor hot springs and you also get a great ocean view from the rooms. However, I decided not to stay at Paradise Busan because the reviews of the hotel weren't great. (Apparently, you can't change the temperature of the AC in the rooms- but this isn't uncommon in Korea. At Ananti at Busan Cove, some reviews said the AC isn't even switched on in November!!!)
- Felix by STX Hotel & Suite: This hotel is one of the most popular choices at Haeundae Beach. Felix by STX Hotel & Suite is conveniently linked to Haeundae Station (near exit 7) and just a 9-minute stroll to Haeundae Beach. Featuring a fully-equipped kitchen and work desk in each room, the hotel also offers a fitness center, lounge, and coin-operated laundry. The building houses cafes, restaurants, and a convenience store, providing easy access to essentials. The Felix hotel holds an impressive 8.7 Review Rating and offers the largest observatory in Korea. However, note that you share the elevator with the parking of the mall so it can be quite a wait. (There are 3 lifts for over 50 floors.)
- There are also other cheap hotels such as Best Western along the main road.
For the pros+cons of all the 5-star hotels in Haeundae Beach, click here.
Who Would Enjoy Visiting
Haeundae Beach is a good place for you if you:
- like beaches!
- want to see a Busan icon
- like a bit of luxury (It's the posh-est part of Busan, if you ask me, although there are many affordable eateries and shops too.)
- don't want to struggle with Busan's notorious hills
Haeundae is my favorite place to bring seniors in Busan, as it's VERY flat, in comparison to the rest of the city!
How to Get There
From Gimhae International Airport
There are several ways to get from Gimhae International to Haeundae New Town:
- taxi or private airport transfer
- airport limousine (my top choice, as it makes it so much easier to travel with luggage)
- bus 307 (takes about an hour, stops in Namcheon-dong, Gwangan-dong, and at Suyeong Junction.)
- subway (also takes an hour but you will need to change lines)
By Subway
For those arriving by train/ KTX at Busan Station or just traveling by subway, transfer to Line 2 of the Busan Metro system to get to Haeundae Station. It's a short walk from the train station to the beach.
By Bus
There are also many buses that go to Haeundae beach, but the bus is my least favorite way of getting round Busan, especially if I have luggage!
Any questions about visiting Haeundae Beach and its cultural events? Let me know in the comments, or feel free to share your own experiences there!
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