The most popular urban beach in South Korea can be found in the Haeundae district in northern Busan. A hub of entertainment, expensive hotels, bars and clubs and great swimming, it comes alive not only in summer.

The beautiful beach promenade and the contrasting panorama of the wild coastline with its modern skyscrapers also attracts long walks outside of summer.

Swimming and beach facilities

Haeundae Beach is over 1.5 km long and, with a width of between 40 and 60 metres, gives a spacious impression at first glance. However, expect the beach to be completely crowded on hot weekend days.

The beach is covered with fine, light sand and the entrance to the water is gradual. The sea here is open and unprotected, so larger waves may appear and you will be entering the water at your own risk.

On the beach you will enjoy all the facilities you can imagine. The modern urban area starts right by the sea, so there's really no shortage of restaurants, snack bars, patisseries or the usual mini-markets.

In the summer season, there are several places where you can rent a sun lounger and umbrella.

Of course, there are free clean toilets scattered all over the beach, changing rooms or freshwater showers.

Don't look for lockers to store valuables on the beach, but you can use the luggage lockers at all metro stations.

Sea Life Busan Aquarium

Right in the middle of Haeundae Beach, make a day by the sea with a visit to the pretty and rather large aquarium.

It boasts a huge 3 million litre tank with an 80 metre long glass tunnel running through it. You can admire 250 different marine animals, including gills.

Admission - 30 000 krw
Opening hours - 10:00-19:00, until 20:00 on weekends
Official website - www.visitsealife.com/busan

Accommodation in Haeundae

The neighborhood around the beach is one of the most touristy not only in Busan, but in all of Korea. Aside from swimming in the sea, you can enjoy a full range of entertainment here, from shopping to a wide selection of hundreds of restaurants in the pedestrian zones.

Cheaper hotels within 300 metres of the beach (prices between 44 eur and 73 eur per night for 2):

ibis Budget Ambassador Busan Haeundae **
Best Western Haeundae ***
Mipo Oceanside Hotel ** (low season and prices below 29 eur per night)

Hotels right on the beach ( 139 eur per night for 2):

Luxury hotels on the beach:

Haeundae Beach Transportation

The urban area is one of the city's tourist hubs, but it is over 35 minutes away from the real core of Busan by subway.

Metro - Haeundae station of the green line 2 (about 400 from the beach)
Buses - lines 139, 307 and 1003 run along the nearest street to the beach (about 20 metres)