Busan, with a coastline stretching 408.8 kilometers, boasts seven beaches: Haeundae, Gwangalli, Songjeong, Dadaepo, Songdo, Ilgwang and Imnang. Each beach offers    visitors unique experiences. Visit Gwangalli Beach for dynamic marine activities; head to Haeundae Beach to sunbathe among soaring skyscrapers; start or end a day at   Dadaepo Beach to witness amber sunrises or golden sunsets.

 While relaxing under the sun and splashing in the waves is enough for a beach holiday, Busan offers much more. Few seaside paradises can compete with the city's   magnetic mix of urban dynamism and laid-back vibes. Busan offers sand and sea and sunshine; but also food and drink, music and dancing, art and culture.

 Visit Busan to sunbathe, swim, feast, party, relax. Visit Busan to have the perfect summer holiday.

  

  Haeundae is Korea's top summer vacation destination - and for good reason. People come for the vast stretch of soft sand and gentle waves, perfect for walking,    splashing and people-watching. They stay for the five-star hotels, Michelin-rated restaurants, spirited nightlife and world-class shopping in the surrounding area.

 Haeundae is an essential summer destination for visitors of all ages, with beloved hotspots lining the beach boardwalk. After a morning swim, take a walk under the tree- lined paths of Dongbaekseom Island, enjoy a cool drink at The Bay 101, have a spa day at Club D Oasis or view the skyline from on high at Busan X the Sky.

This summer, Haeundae will offer even more amusement to visitors. From July 1 to Sept. 1, the Promotion Zone in front of Songnim Park will open as a playground for people of all ages. The new space features a VR experience zone, movie screenings, an outdoor gym and more.

 If Haeundae is the top beach destination in Korea, Gwangalli is a very close second. 

 Recent upgrades to the beach's infrastructure, including a marine sports leisure center and burgeoning paddleboard culture, combined with the neighborhood's cafes,   bars and restaurants, have made Gwangalli a favored hotspot among tourists and residents.

 In fact, the beach has become so popular that it has been expanded to accommodate the influx of visitors. Busan added 50,000 cubic meters of sand to expand the   width of the beach from 20 meters to 48 meters. Now, more beachgoers can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, playing volleyball or watching a film at the outdoor theater,   all  against the scenic backdrop of the beautiful Gwangandaegyo Bridge.

 At the southern end of the beach, the Gwangalli Ocean Leports Center allows everyone to experience marine activities like yachting, kayaking, surfing, paddleboarding,     or  ride disco, banana, bandwagon or jet boats at reasonable prices.

 Gwangalli is even better at night. From 9 to 11 p.m., Friday to Sunday, cars are banned from the area's main strip. The vehicle-free zone hosts a weekly festival, with live   performances and family-friendly activities on hand to boost the joyful atmosphere. 

 Catch the "M Drone Light Show" at 8 and 10 p.m. on Saturday nights and marvel at hundreds of drones performing choreographed special effects and light displays.     Each performance is about 12 minutes long. Check out Suyeong-gu's Instagram page for the drone show content schedule ( @busan_suyeong ).

 One of Busan's most scenic driving and walking routes begins at Haeundae Beach and travels up Dalmaji-gil and down Cherry Blossom Road. While the route is full of   stunning views, the best part is the destination: Songjeong Beach.

 People visit Haeundae for its glamour and Gwangalli for its party scene, but they go to Songjeong to escape all that. With its quiet atmosphere, Songjeong is perfect for   families with children. The 2-kilometer-long and 50-meter-wide beach offers a safe environment for fun in the sun.

 Another way to get to Songjeong is via the Beach Train from Haeundae Blue Line Park. Travel to the beach along the coast in a private rail car.

 Songjeong is also known as the mecca of Korean surfing, as the area's mild water temperature and year-round waves attract surfers of all skill levels. Several   neighborhood surf shops have everything to get you started riding waves, from private and group lessons to equipment rental and shower facilities.

 If you'd rather watch waves than ride them, relax with an aromatic cup of coffee at one of the cafes dotting the beach.

Dadaepo is at the southern end of the city, where the Nakdonggang River meets the Korea Strait. The resulting tidal flats and wetlands are defining characteristics of the area and offer natural wonders that the other beaches lack.

Dadaepo's iconic sunrises and sunsets give the beach a romantic atmosphere. The Sunset Fountain of Dreams, once listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest fountain, also draws visitors from near and far. The fountain presents 20 minutes of water play at 8 p.m. daily and one additional performance at 9 p.m. on weekends through August. 

The beach is also a main location for the Busan Sea Festival, an annual summer festival of live music, dancing, eating, drinking and other seaside activities.

This year's Sea Festival kicks off on July 26 with a fireworks show and continues until July 28.

 Songdo Beach, the nation's first public beach, has become a must-visit destination thanks to recently established attractions like the Songdo Sea Cable Car.

The Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge connects Amnam Park to the uninhabited Dongseom Island. It measures 127.1 meters long and 2 meters wide and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., except on the first and third Mondays of each month. 

Another great attraction to visit is the Songdo Cloud Trails, which offers thrilling, up-close ocean views through a safe, tempered glass bridge. The 365-meter walkway is open until 11 p.m., allowing visitors to enjoy a romantic summer night while standing above open water.

The 2024 Songdo Summer Sea Festival and Hyunin Song Festival will take place from Aug. 3 to 4, featuring singing contests and live performances. Visitors can also enjoy various hands-on activities.

For some, the perfect summer vacation is all about relaxation. The briny scent of salt in the air and the calming murmur of waves are enough to relieve everyday stresses.

If that's you, then Ilgwang and Imnang are your ideal beaches. Far from the city center, these peaceful enclaves offer quiet contemplation or calm relaxation with little ones.

Imnang Beach, located at the border of Busan and Ulsan, is the northernmost beach in Busan. It features a pine tree forest and finely sanded shores.

Ilgwang Beach, located south of Imnang Beach, is just a 5-minute walk from Ilgwang Station on the Donghae Line, so getting there is convenient. The beach is less crowded than other beaches in the city, and its calm, shallow waters are perfect for families.