Top Beaches in Busan

With this guide, relax at some of the best beaches in the area.

2 min readMay 11, 2018By Lydia Schrandt

One of Busan's famous temples along its beachy shoreline

Hi, I'm Lydia!

Lydia Schrandt is a writer, editor, and award-winning photographer currently based in Houston. She’s a contributor for USA TODAY 10Best and serves as the first chair of the Editors Council of the Society of American Travel Writers. Her work has appeared in Draft, Time Out Beijing, Travel+, USA TODAY, San Francisco Chronicle, and others.

As Korea’s second-largest city and most important port, Busan has always maintained close ties with the sea, so visiting this stunning coastal city often means a day at the beach. For sun, sand, and sea, these are some of Busan’s best beaches.

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Haeundae Beach

Busan's most popular beach is often busy.Photo Credit: CJ Nattanai / Shutterstock

Busan’s most famous beach, Haeundae is often packed with Korean and international tourists during the summer months, making it an excellent option for people watching. Hotels, restaurants, and high-end shopping centers back the amenity-filled beach.

Gwangalli Beach

A sunny day on the beach in Busan.Photo Credit: Dmitry Rukhlenko / Shutterstock

Second to Haeundae in popularity, Gwangalli Beach sits just off Busan’s main drag and affords stellar views of Diamond Bridge (Gwangandaegyo). Numerous restaurants, craft breweries, and coffee shops in the area mean you won’t have to venture far from the sand to find refreshment.

Songdo Beach

Songdo Beach is near popular shopping areas.Photo Credit: Sanga Park / Shutterstock

In the southern part of Busan, Songdo Beach offers a convenient sandy escape within steps of the Nampo and Jagalchi shopping areas. Climb up the rocks on the northeast end of the beach for the best photo ops.

Songjeong Beach

Songjeong Beach is a quiet beach on the edge of Busan.Photo Credit: KyungJae Ahn / Shutterstock

Situated at the eastern end of Busan, the relatively secluded Songjeong Beach is perfect for a quiet day at the shore. This stretch of white sand also attracts surfers, as well as foodies who come for the fresh seafood.

Dadaepo Beach

Dadaepo Beach at sunset.Photo Credit: Myeongjee / Shutterstock

Travelers looking for an off-the-beaten-path beach day will be rewarded with seclusion after making the trek to Dadaepo Beach. Popular with locals, this beach (along with many other Busan beaches) is at its liveliest on New Year’s morning, when celebrants gather to watch the sunrise.