Haeundae Beach
Address: 264, Haeundaehaaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
How to get there:
By subway: From Busan station, you can walk to Busan Station (subway station) and ride line 1 for 6 stops, which takes about 10 mins. Get off at Seomyeon Station and transfer to line 2. Ride for another 16 stops, which takes about 30 mins, and get off at Haeundae station. From exit 7, it will take about 11 minutes to walk to the beach.
By bus: There are few different buses that run between the station and the beach, but the quickest and easiest route is if you take the 1003 bus and ride for 20 stops, which takes about 49 mins, and get off at Haeundae Beach bus stop. From there you will walk for just 2 minutes and arrive at the beach.
The beach
Haeundae Beach is the most well-known and popular beach in Busan, so you can expect to see a lot of people enjoying what this beach has to offer. This 1.5km sandy beach attracts over 10 million visitors every summer, making it one of Korea's hottest summer destinations. Along the beach you can find necessary amenities, such as toilets, shower rooms and changing spaces, and during the summer parasols provide some well-needed shade.
Haeundae has a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere. There's always something to see, whether it's a street performer, singer, or a festival. Every year between May and June, Haeundae Beach hosts the annual Haeundae Sand Festival, transforming the beach into an open air gallery of amazing artworks created by sand artists from all over the world. Here are some of the entries from 2022.
What's nearby?
If you love a sea view but have had enough of the beach, there are a few other places you can visit in the area. If the sun is getting a little too much to bear, why not take a rest in the shade of Songnim park, which runs along the edge of the beach? Or if it's a rainy day, why not spend an hour or two in the Sea Life Busan Aquarium? If you'd like to learn more, there's a whole page dedicated to the aquarium which you can check out here. Alternatively, if you're in need of a little retail therapy, a coffee or bite to eat, head back towards the subway station and along Haeundae's shopping street. Beyond the subway station there's also a really trendy area called, 'Haeridan-gil'. Here you can find a host of cafes, restaurants, cute shops and self-photo studios. It resembles a downtown residential area which contrasts greatly with the tall buildings in the shopping district and near the beach. It's a place where you can find hidden cafes and restaurants each with their own unique theme and style. Definitely a great place to spend an afternoon regardless of the weather.
Songnim Park
Songnim Park can be found right at the edge of the beach. It's a quiet, peaceful area sheltered by trees with a woodland style trail. There are some benches and some grassy areas where visitors put their picnic blankets and enjoy the sea view from a shaded spot. In June and July, a small clearing within the park is awash with pink, purple, blue and white hydrangea flowers. The plants are separated into flower beds encircled by a low rope fence. It's a popular spot for photos as some clusters of flowers tower above you creating a beautiful background alongside the sea. It's a lovely picnic spot and great if you need a short break from the sun.
Address: 702, U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Shopping Street
Haeundae's shopping street is located between Haeundae subway station and Heaundae Beach. Between the skyscrapers that host a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants, you'll often find buskers performing somewhere along the wide street. If you'd like to try some Korean traditional street food, you can walk a short distance from the main street to Haeundae Market. Here you can try Busan's soupy tteokbokki, fried food or fish cake.
As you're near the sea, you might want to try some fresh seafood while you're here. Just off of the main street you'll find Haemok, a Michelin star Japanese restaurant offering traditional seafood rice bowls, such as Hitsumabushi (grilled eel rice bowl), Kaisen-don (mixed seafood rice bowl), Sake-don (salmon rice bowl), and Maguro-don (tuna rice bowl). The interior is designed in a traditional Japanese style, but with a clean, modern feel. If you're new to Japanese food or this particular type of dish, staff do provide you with a list of instructions on how to eat the food. It is also available in English.
Address: 542-30, U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Haeridan-gil
Haeridan-gil is an up-and-coming location filled with trendy cafes and restaurants. It's definitely a hidden gem that is fast growing in popularity. Located just behind Haeundae station, and across the abandoned train tracks of the old Donghae Nambu-line, Haeridan-gil is a place where you can experience a range of cuisines from around the world, whilst enjoying its cosy but sophisticated vibe.
Prahan is a small but cute café that offers a classic brunch menu with a modern twist. The exterior and interior are designed in a rustic but cosy European-style, with it's large windows and wooden tables and chairs. It's a popular location so be prepared to wait in line.
Address: 520-68, U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan
A short walk away, in a quiet cul-de-sac, you'll find Gojae. This hidden gem is a café that serves traditional Korean desserts and teas. Head up the narrow stairway and bear right. Once inside, you appreciate the quiet and peaceful atmosphere that the wooden interior provides. If you're looking to try something traditional, you have a choice of fruit or flower teas as well as small rice cake desserts and shaved ice.
Address: 517-9, U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan
If you're wondering what to eat for lunch or dinner, and you're missing some Western-style cooking, why not drop by Uncle Bob? This little American Italian restaurant offers some of the best comfort food your heart could desire. It has a classic menu filled with delicious pizza and pasta dishes making it almost impossible to choose only one dish. While you're waiting you can appreciate the old-fashioned but welcoming interior, as well as the American and Italian décor.
Address: 517-3, U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan
So whether you can't wait to feel the sand between your toes and breath in the fresh sea air, or you want to shop and enjoy some delicious food, there's plenty to see and do at Haeundae.
