When you think of Busan, the first image that occurs to you would be the sandy beach along the blue ocean (if the first thing you can think of is the soulful dwaejigukbap, I don’t blame you.) Thanks to its geographical advantage, South Korea’s second-largest city is famous and popular for its stunning beaches. Busan has a total of seven beaches and here you will see the full list of them. You can find more details about each Busan beach in linked posts.
List of Busan Beaches
- Haeundae Beach (해운대해수욕장)
- Gwangalli Beach (광안리해수욕장)
- Songdo Beach (송도해수욕장)
- Dadaepo Beach (다대포해수욕장)
- Songjeong Beach (송정해수욕장)
- Ilgwang Beach (일광해수욕장)
- Imrang Beach (임랑해수욕장)
Maps of Busan Beaches
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Haeundae Beach (해운대해수욕장)
Haeundae Beach is one of the most popular beaches not only in Busan but also in South Korea. It is famous for its wide stretches of sand but the real charm of Haeundae Beach comes from the vibe of the area. The area has the most luxurious hotels in Busan, popular restaurants, and easy access to other attractions. The beach is also home to seasonal events like Heaundae Sand Festival and Christmas Light Show.
View of Haeundae Beach from Busan X the Sky.
Annual Haeundae Sand Festival
Read more about Haeundae Beach
If you are looking for more activities when you visit Haeundae Beach, Sea Life Busan Aquarium is another great option for you (especially if the weather is not accommodating). Get a discount ticket here.
Gwangalli Beach (광안리해수욕장)
Gwangalli Beach is another popular destination for beachgoers in Busan. This beach is known for its picturesque views of the Gwangan Bridge, which is illuminated at night, creating a beautiful backdrop for evening strolls on the beach. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of water sports at Gwangalli Beach’s SUP Zone. Recently, the Gwangalli Drone Show every Saturday night has become another attraction to the beach.
Looking at Gwangan Bridge from Gwangalli Beach
Read more about Gwangalli Beach.
FYI: Gwangalli Beach holds a fantastic drone show every Saturday night, and you can enjoy the show without any trouble with a big crowd from the yacht! Busan Ultimate Night Yacht Tour with M Drone Show leads you to Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge and lets you sit back and enjoy the breathtaking drone show on the romantic yacht.
Songdo Beach (송도해수욕장)
Songdo Beach is South Korea’s first public beach. Once it lost its popularity to other beaches in Busan, the beach has been trying to come back to its heyday in recent years. Visitors can take a cable car to the beach, which offers stunning views of the coastline. The beach is also home to Songdo Cloud Trails, which extends out over the ocean and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. On the other end of the cable car, you can visit Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge.
Songdo Cloud Trails and Songdo Cable Car
Read more about Songdo Beach and Songdo Cloud Trail.
Dadaepo Beach (다대포해수욕장)
Dadaepo Beach lies along the western edge of Busan and is famous for its seemingly endless sand and spectacular sunsets. Visitors can enjoy the beach during the day and then stay to watch the sun dip below the horizon in the evening. The beach is right next to Gowooni Ecological Trail and Dadaepo Marsh, and it is also home to Dadaepo Sunset Fountain of Dream which performs daily shows.
Dadaepo Marsh and Gowooni Eco Trail
Read more about Dadaepo Beach.
Songjeong Beach (송정해수욕장)
Songjeong Beach is may not as famous as Haeundae or Gwangalli, people of Busan love this beach. The area hosts many cafes and restaurants. In addition to its natural beauty, Songjeong Beach is also a popular spot for surfing. It is one of the most popular surfing beaches in South Korea. The beach is known for its consistent waves, attracting surfers of all skill levels. There are surf schools and equipment rentals available for those who want to try their hand at riding the waves. You can take a one-day lesson (Busan Surf Lesson & Rental).
Surfers at Songjeong Beach
Read more about Songjeong Beach.
Songjeong Beach is not too hard to visit by public transportation, and yet if you want to travel to more destinations in Busan efficiently, Busan Day Tour on Beach Train + X the Sky would be a great way to visit Songjeong Beach and more activities and destinations like Haeundae Blue Line Beach Train, Haedong Younggungsa Temple, and Dongbaekseom Island.
Ilgwang Beach (일광해수욕장)
The beauty of Ilgwang Beach has a long history. People have appreciated the beach and the surrounding area since Goryeo Dynasty. Thanks to the shallower water and quieter wave, Ilgwang Beach is popular with families with young kids. Ilgwang Beach offers a variety of marine sports including Jetski, Flying Fish, Banana Boats, Wake Board, and more. If you can rent a car or drive with your friends, the nearby area is home to many amazing cafes.
Read more about Ilgwang Beach.
Imrang Beach (임랑해수욕장)
Last but not least, Imrang Beach completes the seven beaches in Busan. It is less crowded than other beaches in Busan because it is located further from downtown Busan. Although you can’t find five-star luxury hotels in the area, it would be another interesting experience to stay at minbag (민박), the Korean-style vacation stay, or Korean pensions. The beach area is also lined with numerous restaurants, cafes, and food stalls where visitors can savor local Korean delicacies and seafood dishes.
Overall, Busan’s beaches offer something for everyone, from bustling and lively beaches like Haeundae to more serene and secluded beaches like Imrang. Whether visitors want to relax in the sun, swim in the ocean, or enjoy a variety of water sports, Busan’s beaches are the perfect destination.
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