Gwangalli Beach

A beach that looks straight out at Gwangan Bridge, which turns rainbow-colored after dark — this is Gwangalli.

Located in Suyeong District, this crescent-shaped beach runs about 1.4km long and 25-110m wide, lined with cafes and raw-fish restaurants along the shore — locals tend to describe it as more relaxed and local-feeling than Haeundae.

Gwangan Bridge, opened in 2003, spans the bay right in front of the beach; once the sun sets, the entire bridge lights up in changing colors, making Gwangalli one of Busan's best night-view spots. The waves also tend to run better here than at Haeundae, which draws a steady crowd of surfers.

Every October, the Busan Fireworks Festival lights up the sky just off this beach, pulling in crowds of hundreds of thousands in a single night — it's one of the city's signature outdoor events for locals, not just tourists.

Honestly, though, during summer peak season and the fireworks festival, both the sand and the surrounding streets get seriously packed — for a calmer walk, aim for a weekday evening.

For night photos, the breakwater at Millak Waterside Park to the east is known as a better spot for framing the whole bridge in one shot than the beach itself.

Entry is free and it's open year-round, about a 10-15 minute walk from Gwangan Station (Line 2), Exit 3.