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District of Busan, South Korea
Photo: Andrewssi2, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Haeundae is a district in the east of Busan and a tourist hotspot. It is home to the nationally-renowned Haeundae Beach, and the quieter but equally impressive Songjeong Beach.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
해운대
One of the most popular summer destinations in South Korea. Haeundae beach attracts tourists from all around the country and gets really overcrowded in late July and early August. Deck chairs and parasols are available to rent for ₩10,000. Hotels including international chains are nearby, and the Busan Aquarium is on the beach front. On a clear day, Tsushima Island (Japan) can be seen. In winter the beach is much more quiet, although various events such as the Pusan Film Festival and the new year Polar Bear Swim are held here. Away from the beach in Haeundae town there are some excellent restaurants and a wide variety of shops, although many are hidden away. Explore the streets behind the beach front boulevard. The Haeundae Tourist Information Center is directly on the beach. Surfing and jetskiing is available, although most people seem happy to float in yellow inflatable rings (they can be rented).
부산 아쿠아리움
This is the largest aquarium in Korea with great facilities and excellent displays. There is also a 3D ride that is worth checking out. There are larger aquariums in Asia, and outside the facility looks rather underwhelming, but inside the displays are high quality and the tanks well maintained. Easy to spend a couple of hours with kids. The price is ₩23,000 but you can get various discount like birthday dc.
Dongbaekseom is not a real island, but a forested area with Camellia and pine trees past the Westin hotel. It offers a pleasant and short coastal walk, and the APEC Conference Center (with great views of the Gwangali area in Busan) can be visited here as well.
This is regarded as Busan's 'romantic road', and climbs a hill overlooking the sea. It is often called the Montmartre of Busan by locals, although the two locations only share the attributes of being romantic and on a hill. The majority of visitors are couples of all ages looking for a romantic experience. Along the way there are many galleries and at the top there are viewing areas, cafes, as well as an amphitheater with a dramatic ocean background.
This is a nice forested walk along the sea coast on Dalmaji Hill with an impressive lookout in the middle. At night time the path is lit up.
Contains three art galleries of modern art (one being for children). You can probably feel pretty good about spending 2-3 hours here and feel like you've seen it all. Closed every Monday and January 1st. In case Monday is a national holiday then the museum is closed on the next day instead.
The Busan International Film Festival has had this impressive open cinema built for the October 2011 festival. Go at night time to appreciate the light show displayed on the ceiling. To get there take the subway/bus to Centum City. The building is behind Shinsigae Centum City.
송정해수욕장
Further along the coast, Songjeong is a 1.2km-long stretch of golden sand in a sheltered cove. There are many hotels and restaurants directly on the beach or within an easy walk. Since it is less crowded, this beach is a better option than Haeundae beach in summer. The water is very shallow and is fully patrolled in summer. Umbrellas and day-beds are available to rent during peak season (₩8,500). This is also a surfing spot, especially in autumn and winter.
This remarkable Buddhist temple complex is situated on top of a large rock along the ocean. Since most Korean temples are in the mountains this is an unusual location with sweeping ocean views. You need to walk through a market from the car park to the complex itself.
성불사
Buddhist temple and monastery located up Jangsan mountain. Good scenic views over Haeundae.
Although not particularly remarkable compared to Heaundae and Songjeong beaches on eigher side, this village is remote and away from the crowds with some cafes and restaurants by the sea. You can walk here either along the Moontan Road (hilly), along the disused rail tracks (flat) or the Number 2 Orange/Blue minibus outside Jangsan station.
주천조각보박물관
Museum of Korean traditional art.
Art gallery with exhibitions of works by Korean and international artists. Lovely views over the Korea Strait.
Part of the Shinsigae mall, this spa is probably the most friendly/accessible spa for foreigners in Busan. It is directly on the Centum City subway station, making it very easy to get to. Signs and an Instruction leaflet are also provided in English. Unlike many other spas, there is a time limit of 4 hours here after which you would need to pay again. The quality of the spa facilities as well as the hot rooms are very high (which helps explain the relative high price to other spas), and the Korean restaurant inside serves good food. Entry price is cheaper before 08:00. Children age 7 and under are not permitted, and under the age of 18 must be under parental supervision after 22:00.
This boat trip starts off at Haeundae’s Mipo Ferry Terminal and heads towards Oryuk-do Islets and the Igidae area. The shores of Igidae are composed of breathtaking views of fantastically shaped cliffs. This 1-hour boat trip offers great views of Busan Harbor. The boat ride can be very bumpy and there is no way off, so check the weather conditions if you feel sea sick easily!
부산국제영화제
Typically runs the first 10 days every year in October. It takes place all across Busan showcasing many international films and often some significant premieres of new Korean films. Most of the events are held on Haeundae beach where there are many tents promoting the industry as well as public interviews with stars. The Busan Cinema Center opened in 2011 to support this event. Tickets sell out quickly, and very long queues can be seen outside cinemas in the early morning for people wanting to catch the most anticipated films. (It used to be called the Pusan International Film Festival.)
BEXCO is a large exhibition center with many halls, and although most of the events are rather dry (i.e. Industrial Marine technology) there may be something of interest whilst you're in town such as computer gaming or coffee making expositions. Check out the schedule on the website. Many cafes in Busan have promotional leaflets for upcoming events held in BEXCO and sometimes offer a discount. The Busan International Motor Show is held here every year.
If you are near Haeundae, then Jangsan mountain can provide a good day's hiking. There are military bases at the summit complete with minefields (Clearly marked and fenced off), and great views over Busan and on a clear day to Japan. A hike to the summit and back should take 3-4 hours. Hiking trails are not really well marked, even if you can read Korean script.
An old mainline trainline has been repurposed into two types of tourist train - a 'sky capsule' (an elevated small tram) as well a coastal train.
A yachting club with a variety of boats for the public to try out, including tours with a yacht (₩60,000+), a dash around the harbor on a jet boat (₩40,000), Glass bottom boat (₩60,000) and jet skis (₩250,000+)
Korean sauna with separate levels for men and women. Very nice water and views over Haeundae beach. Somewhat out of the way, but if you are visiting Dalmaji road anyway then worth visiting.
Provides trips around Gwangan Bridge and beach in the neighboring area.
Gukbap is a hot bowl of rice and broth, and available in many of the old style restaurants in Heaundae market.
Delicious burgers in hand-made bao buns.
해피샐러드클럽
A great option if you're craving vegetables. 5 salad choices and a fruit salad for dessert.
Lee Jae-mo Pizza is known as one of Busan’s representative pizza restaurants, so tourists visiting Busan are encouraged to stop by and try the Lee Jae-mo crust pizza. It’s cheaper than other places, and the cheese flavor is excellent, so I highly recommend trying it.
There are several chain branches of Subyeon Choegoe Pork Soup, but this is the main branch, so you should go there to enjoy it at its best. The most famous dish is the pork jowl soup with rice, so please be sure to try it.
Hot broths with either chicken or beef cooked with rice and the special Korean ingredient of Ginseng.
Solid Indian fare in a stylish environment.
Really good fish and chips with fresh batter that you can eat outside by the sea. Very long queues on weekends. Also good coffee and ice cream.
Mexican restaurant with a good reputation. Slightly out of the way, but has vegetarian options as well.
부산에뜬고등어 해운대 본점
A Korean restaurant specializing in wood-fired grilled fish, including grilled mackerel and seasoned grilled mackerel. The fish is cooked in a wood-fired oven heated to over 500°C, and the restaurant also offers a self-service bar with a variety of Korean side dishes.
Novotel Ambassador, Haeundae. Steak, fresh seafood, premier wine. Sephia style interior design, cozy atmosphere, and ocean view.
Decent Italian restaurant at the top of Dalmaji Hill with views over the ocean.
Good if you want some familiar western food.
Nice bakery with good snacks for the beach.
In the basement of a hotel, this is an expensive Korean style booking club.
Pool table and cool Americans aplenty on the weekends. Pretty sleepy during most weeknights.
A chain of bars in Busan and a popular place for Koreans and Westerners to intermingle.
Has live DJs and occasional live bands on weekends. Plays requests during the weekdays. Darts, pool and Hookahs available. Though not busy on most weeknights, there are usually a good mix of foreigners and Koreans inside.
A proper pub serving a large variety of premium draft beers and western food. Great place for a mid week dinner and pint or to party on the weekends. Good mix of Koreans and westerners.
Haeundae With Guesthouse is a 5-min walk from Haeundae beach, the common area has a bright open space where you can meet other travellers and locals willing to practice their English. The breakfast is good, you can cook your eggs the style of your choice, there is also fruit juice, toast and jam. Bed rooms are a little bit narrow but comfortable. Prices are fair for the location.
15-min walk from Haeundae beach, sauna entry alone costs ₩8,000. This is a jjimjilbang and sleeping is on a large communal floor with only a limited supply of mats and pillows. It is locally famed and can get crowded on weekends. The entrance fee includes access to good saunas and baths, a variety of hot rooms and a small PC room. Facilities are not extensive, however the view over Haeundae beach from the sleeping floor and baths is stunning.
One min to the Haeundae beach, 5 min walk to the Haeundae station. Beautiful natural scenery. Women only.
Owned by Indy, who is a nice guy and very helpful. Well equipped with small pool table, free internet, free movies and free laundry.
선셋호텔
Business class hotel as the name suggests. Rooms could be bigger but in room mod cons pretty nice. Some English spoken.
Set back behind the Paradise Hotel, but only a couple of minutes walk to the sea front.
Located in a busy area just a minute's walk from the nearest bus stop, and right in front of Haeundae station, this hotel offers a cozy and relaxing atmosphere, a 20-minute walking from Haeundae Beach and SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium.
New boutique hotel with on-site restaurant, gym, rooftop pool. All rooms have views of Songjeong beach, which is a 10 minute walk away. 15 minute walk from Songjeong railway station.
An upscale hotel on the boardwalk of Haeundae beach. Has excellent hot spring facilities with a view directly over the beach. (used to be the Novotel).
This hotel has an extensive range of facilities including duty-free shops in the basement, one (rather small) outdoor pool, a full service spa, gym, outdoor hot spring (with a view of the ocean), sauna, as well as a casino inside the hotel (identification proving that you have foreign citizenship is required). All sea-facing rooms have a balcony.
A luxury hotel at the west end of Haeundae beach and next to Dongbaek Island. It's set back a bit further away (about 1 km) from the downtown Haeundae area.
Unlike the three hotels above which are on the boardwalk or on the beach, this one is off the boardwalk, however still very close to the beach (about five minutes walk). Good amenities but each (swimming pool, gym, etc.) charges separately.
A luxury hotel in the Haeundae marine city, overlooking the ocean and Gwangan Bridge. This hotel offers a variety of dining and entertainment options, a fitness center, seven spa treatment rooms, an indoor pool, and 269 guestrooms including 69 suites.
A pedestrian street full of fresh food to buy and small restaurants to try out.
신세계
A department store with an interesting (albeit expensive) food hall in the basement. It has two cinemas, an ice rink and a large public spa. It is also the biggest department store in the world according to the Guinness World Book of Records.
A smaller department store right next to the Shinsegae Department Store. Has a decent cinema as well as a small animal zoo (free) on the top floor. The Kyobo book store is very large and has a large variety of Korean and English books.
By bus
There is a direct limousine bus from Gimhae International Airport that will stop near most of the major hotels in the Haeundae area.
By taxi
A taxi into Haeundae from most parts of Busan will cost between ₩7,000 to ₩25,000.
By car
By car, you can drive east over the famous (at least for Koreans) Gwangalli bridge in order to get to the Haeundae area.
By train
Mainline train connections through the Haeundae area can be boarded at Sinhaeundae station, less than 5km from Haeundae beach.
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