Haeundae Beach

A beach with a city skyline reflected right behind it — this is Haeundae, Busan's most famous stretch of sand.

Running about 1.5km long and 30-50m wide, it's Korea's best-known urban beach, known for the unusual sight of open sand sitting right next to a wall of high-rises. The name 'Haeundae' — meaning 'sea cloud' — is said to come from Choe Chiwon, a late-Silla scholar so taken with the view that he carved his pen name into a rock here.

Walk the path toward Dongbaekseom Island at the beach's western end and you'll reach Nurimaru APEC House, site of the 2005 APEC summit; head east instead and you'll find the yacht marina and the glittering night skyline of Marine City.

For Koreans, Haeundae is more than a beach — it's practically shorthand for Busan itself, and some of the Busan International Film Festival's most iconic scenes have been shot on this very sand.

Honestly, though, peak season (July-August) brings crowds of nearly a million people a day, packing the sand shoulder to shoulder, and parasol and float rentals aren't cheap.

For a quieter visit, come for an early-morning walk or during late fall and winter; the Marine City night view is at its best right after full sunset.

Entry is free year-round, and it's about a 10-15 minute walk from Haeundae Station (Line 2), Exits 3 or 5.