Haeundae Beach is Busan’s most famous urban beach—a long stretch of white sand with a shallow bay, backed by hotels, cafés, markets, and an easy-to-navigate promenade. It’s popular year-round for sunsets, seaside walks, and nightlife, and in summer it becomes one of Korea’s busiest swimming beaches.
Why Haeundae Beach is worth your time ✅
- 🌊 Iconic Busan seascape: a wide sandy shore framed by modern skylines and coastal trails.
- 🎉 Festival energy: Haeundae hosts major seasonal events like the Haeundae Sand Festival (May–June) and the Busan Sea Festival (July).
- 🌙 Great at night: the area near Dongbaekseom and spots like The Bay 101 / Marine City views are a signature evening scene.
- 💸 Free to visit: the beach itself has no entrance fee.
Quick facts 📍
- Address: 264, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
- Cost: Free
- Info/contacts: numbers commonly listed include +82-51-749-5700 and +82-51-749-7611 (local listings vary by office)
What to do at Haeundae Beach 🏖️
1) Walk the full beach + promenade (best at sunrise or sunset) ⏱️
The shoreline is long enough for a proper stroll, and the vibe changes by hour:
- Morning: calm, local runners, clean light for photos ✅
- Afternoon: peak crowds in warm months ⚠️
- Sunset into night: the skyline glow becomes part of the scenery
2) Pair it with Dongbaekseom (Dongbaek Island) + coastal trail 🌿
At one end of the beach you can continue toward Dongbaekseom and its coastal walking route—an easy add-on if you want “nature + sea” without leaving the city.
3) Eat like a local around Haeundae Traditional Market 🍜
Visit Busan specifically highlights Haeundae Traditional Market for affordable local food (including gukbap/rice soup). It’s a practical stop when you want a quick, warm meal without tourist prices.
4) Build a mini evening plan 🌙
A simple, high-success itinerary:
- 📍 Late afternoon beach walk
- 🍽️ Dinner near Haeundae Market / Gunam-ro area
- 🌃 Night view near Dongbaekseom + Marine City-style skyline scenery
Best time to visit (and what “open” really means) ⚠️
Haeundae Beach is a public area you can visit year-round, but official swimming season and lifeguard service are seasonal and change by year.
- In 2025, Busan’s official guidance listed Haeundae “in service” June 21 to September 14, with listed operating hours 09:00–18:00.
- Busan publishes these dates/hours as a seasonal schedule (and they can shift year to year), so check the latest city update before planning a swim day.
Practical takeaway ✅
- If you’re coming to walk, take photos, eat, and enjoy the neighborhood, any season works.
- If you’re coming to swim, verify the current year’s beach service dates/hours first.
How to get there 🚇 🚌 🚕 ✈️
Haeundae is one of the easiest places in Busan to reach without a car.
Fast options table (typical, not guaranteed) 📋
| Starting point | Best option | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Busan Metro (Line 2) | 🚇 Get off at Haeundae Station | Common guidance: Exit 5 then walk ~15 min |
| Anywhere in Busan | 🚕 Taxi | Great late night / with luggage; use Kakao T ✅ |
| Central Busan | 🚌 City bus | Visit Busan lists bus 139, 307, 1003 for Haeundae Beach |
| Gimhae Airport (PUS) | ✈️🚌 Airport bus to Haeundae | Official airport page lists a route “To Haeundae/Gijang” with times & fare |
By metro (the default choice) 🚇
Visit Busan repeatedly points to Busan Metro Line 2 → Haeundae Station and then walking from Exit 5 to the beach area.
By city bus 🚌
If you prefer staying above ground, Visit Busan lists city buses that serve the beach area (examples: 139, 307, 1003). Use a navigation app (KakaoMap / Naver Map) for the exact stop closest to your hotel.
From Gimhae International Airport (PUS) ✈️
You have two realistic approaches:
Option A: Airport limousine / airport bus (direct to Haeundae area) ✅
The official Gimhae Airport transportation page lists an airport bus route “To Haeundae/Gijang” including:
- Fare: KRW 9,500 (credit card)
- First/last departures (airport → Haeundae/Gijang): shown as 07:10 first and 21:40 last (check the page for the full timetable)
- The page warns schedules can change, so verify close to travel.
Busan Metropolitan City also described the revamped airport bus system (from July 31, 2025), including routing via Haeundae Beach and fare/payment details (cashless, card/transportation card).
Option B: Airport rail + subway (budget-friendly, transfers) 🚇
This can be efficient, but the simplest “officially-certain” piece to rely on is the direct airport bus info above; rail/subway transfer routes vary by exact start/end, and you’ll want a live route planner.
Hours / Operating times ⏱️
Here’s the clean way to think about it:
- Beach access (walking, photos): generally unrestricted as public space.
- Swimming/lifeguard “in service” period: seasonal with published dates/hours.
Busan’s 2025 published beach schedule listed Haeundae operating hours 09:00–18:00 during the service period.
✅ Tip: If your trip is in summer, look up the latest schedule right before you go (Busan updates these annually).
Tickets / prices / passes 💳
- Haeundae Beach entry: Free
- Paid extras (variable): umbrella/sunbed rentals, nearby attractions, cafés, etc. Prices change often, so treat any third-party numbers as estimates and confirm locally.
Tips / common mistakes (what people do wrong) ⚠️✅
- Assuming swimming is allowed anytime ⚠️
Even if you can access the beach, “official swimming service” follows seasonal hours/dates. Check the latest city notice if swimming is your priority. - Getting off at the wrong station 🚇
Busan has both metro and rail stations with “Haeundae” in the name. For the beach area, Visit Busan consistently points to Metro Line 2 → Haeundae Station (Exit 5). - Not planning for crowds in peak summer 👥
If you’re visiting during the official beach service window (summer), arrive earlier for better space and smoother transit. - Skipping the “easy wins” nearby ✅
Don’t do a 20-minute beach photo stop and leave. Combine it with Dongbaekseom and Haeundae Traditional Market for a much better half-day. - Leaving trash behind 🗑️
Visit Busan explicitly asks visitors to dispose of garbage properly—easy, but important for keeping the beach clean.
FAQ
1) Is Haeundae Beach free?
Yes—official tourism listings describe it as free to visit.
2) What subway stop is best for Haeundae Beach?
Typically Haeundae Station (Busan Metro Line 2), then walk from Exit 5 toward the beach.
3) Are there festivals at Haeundae Beach?
Yes—Visit Busan highlights events like the Haeundae Sand Festival (May–June) and the Busan Sea Festival (July).
4) When is swimming officially available?
It varies by year. Busan publishes a seasonal schedule; for example, in 2025 Haeundae was listed in service June 21–September 14, 09:00–18:00.
5) How do I get to Haeundae from Gimhae Airport?
A straightforward official option is the airport bus route listed as “To Haeundae/Gijang” on the Gimhae Airport site (check current timetable and fare there).
6) Is Haeundae worth visiting at night?
Yes—Visit Busan notes the nighttime scenery and nearby spots known for city lights and views.
Conclusion
If you want one place that “feels like Busan,” Haeundae Beach is the easiest pick: a classic shoreline, strong food options nearby, and an evening atmosphere that works in any season. Use the metro to Haeundae Station, plan a simple beach + market + night view combo, and if swimming matters, double-check the latest official beach service schedule before you go.
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