Most people visiting South Korea spend most of their time in Seoul and do a flyby visit to Busan, some don’t even visit Haeundae. This is such a shame as there is a lot to do in Haeundae which you will see in this one-day Haeundae itinerary. With cliffside temples, beautiful views, coastal walks, delicious cakes, hipster food street, a sunset capsule ride and a street food finale, my itinerary has all the highlights of Busan’s beach city.
If you are on limited holiday my one-day Haeundae itinerary has all the best bits in 24 hours. I warn you there is a lot to do, so slip on your comfiest shoes and set your alarm bright and early.
Tips For Making The Most Of Your One Day In Haeundae Itinerary
- Get up early, there is a lot on this itinerary so to fit it all in getting up early is essential. Anytime before 8 am would be ideal.
- If you don’t already have one consider purchasing a t-money card for seamless use of public transportation.
- Book attractions online in advance to ensure you won’t be disappointed. This is especially important for the Busan Sky Capsule
- Use Naver Maps for navigation, Google Maps doesn’t work properly in South Korea.
1 Day Haeundae Itinerary
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (1 hour)
We are starting our 1 day Haeundae itinerary with a morning visit to one of South Korea’s most beautiful temples, the breathtaking Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. Perched dramatically on a cliff overlooking the Gijang Ocean, Haedong Yonggungsa is one of Korea’s rare cliffside temples, perfect for anyone seeking a unique spiritual experience.
Although it is located 30 minutes from Haeundae it is worth the visit and will likely be the closest you will get to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple during your trip to Busan.
The temple’s history is as captivating as its location. Destroyed during Japan’s invasion of Korea, it was rebuilt in the 1930s. Its name, which translates to “Korean Dragon Palace Temple,” comes from a vision the head monk had during meditation, where he saw the Goddess of Mercy riding a dragon.
The sea breeze and the soothing sound of crashing waves create a peaceful atmosphere, making it one of the best cultural experiences in Haeundae, Busan.
Be prepared for a bit of a climb – there are 108 steep and uneven steps to navigate. While this might pose a challenge for those with mobility issues, the stunning views and serene ambience at the top make it well worth the effort for most visitors.
Getting there:
- Bus: 1003 express bus to Dongbusan Tourist complex from there it’s a 23-minute walk. The 100, 139 or 189 city bus to Yonggungsa Temple, National Institute of Fisheries Science, from there it is a 13-minute walk.
How long should I spend here? 90 minutes is plenty of time to peacefully explore the temple grounds.
Skyline Luge (90 minutes)
Following your peaceful temple visit, how about we get a kick of adrenaline? You didn’t think your 24 hours in Haeundae were going to be completely relaxing, did you? Skyline Luge is an epic toboggan ride with 4 different routes, a cable car and even a zipline. Located just a 10-minute walk from Haedong Yonggungsa it is easy to reach. This family-friendly attraction offers a unique break from the beach and foodie scenes.
You can purchase passes with 2 to 5 tracks. We found the 4 track pass was enough as your hands can get sore from holding the steering bar. range from 2 to 5 rides, with an optional zipline for extra excitement.
Don’t worry about safety – you’ll get a helmet and basic training. While you control your speed, I recommend embracing your inner child and going fast! This is a fun addition to your Haeundae trip that will leave you smiling ear to ear.
Lunch In Haeridan-gil (90 minutes)
You must be hungry now, we are going to hop on a bus to Haeridan-gil. Haeundae’s cafe street, it feels more like Hongdae in Seoul rather than the beach city of Haeundae. Located behind an old railway station, you would never expect such a vibrant area to lie across the tracks.
There are so many trendy cafes and restaurants that it’s a real issue picking where to go. I recommend GoGo Tacos, Cheeky Pie, Red Ttebokki or Hwang Sil Classic for a taste of the local flavour.
Aside from eating, Haeridan-gil is a treasure to walk around, alleys that seemingly lead nowhere are the location of boutiques, colourful murals and eclectic shop fronts. if you would like to know more about Haeundae’s Haeridan-gil Street I wrote about it in more detail here.
Getting there: the 1001 express bus goes outside Skyline Luge to Haeundae Station, from there it is just a 3-minute walk to Haeridan-gil. It is a total journey of 25 minutes.
Dongbaek Island (1 hour)
After lunch, you are going to walk through Haeundae’s main street, gunam-ro towards the beach and take a right to Dongbaek Island.
Dongbaek Island (also called Dongbaekseom) is a peaceful 450-metre wooden boardwalk with stunning sea views and fresh ocean air. Don’t miss the 8-foot Princess Hwangok Mermaid Statue along the way – it’s a local legend!
At the end of the walk is Dongbaekseom Lighthouse. This picturesque white spot could easily be mistaken for a Greek island! It’s the perfect end to your trail walk and doubles as an observation platform with views of the Diamond Bridge.
We are going to back the way we came as the views are better.
Haeundae Beach (20 minutes)
The main attraction of Haeundae is of course its stunning 1.5 km (.9 miles) beach with soft white sand, shallow waters and minimal waves. We are going to walk the beach promenade towards our next activity.
The beach’s promenade is lined with skyscrapers, giving it a glamorous vibe. The atmosphere is calm throughout the day but during the weekend the area truly comes alive when people head to the beachfront bars to wind down.
Make sure to take a photo at the famous “Haeundae” sign.
Busan X the sky (1 hour)
Next up on this one-day Haeundae itinerary is a visit to Busan X theSKY, Korea’s second-highest building at 411.6 meters.
The 100th-floor observatory offers spectacular views of Gwangan Bridge, Haeundae Beach, and the city skyline. For thrill-seekers, there’s a glass platform bridge where you can look down at the ant-like people below – not for the faint-hearted!
If that’s not enough, stop by the world’s highest Starbucks right in the building. It’s the perfect way to pick up your energy levels before the last part of the itinerary.
Cheongsapo (train or coastal walk) (1 hour)
I have saved the best for last, the next part of the itinerary involves the iconic sky capsules. We need to get to where they depart from first. The best way to experience them is at sunset, the views being nicer from Cheongsapo to Mipo station. To get to Cheongsapo you have 2 options.
- Walk 30 minutes along Greenline Park, a wooden boardwalk with coastal views and a glass platform observatory.
- Take the Haeundae Beach train to Cheongsapo station. You will need to book this online in advance.
Which one you choose depends on your energy levels. The Greenline is a beautiful walk with Sky Capsules moving on an elevated platform above your head and the ocean to your right. On the other hand, the train will also give you beautiful views but can work out expensive. You can book a combo ticket with the Sky Capsules which will reduce the cost.
Whatever you decide, both will lead you to Cheongsapo, a small coastal village with cafes and twin lighthouses. They are known for their baked shellfish, the perfect snack if you are feeling peckish. For a perfect photo op, stop by the Cheongsapo Sakuragi Level Crossin and wait for the train to pass.
Sunset Ride On The Sky Capsule (30 mins)
No one day Haeundae itinerary is complete without a ride on the famous Busan Sky Capsule at Blueline Park. These eco-friendly, vintage-style pods are an online viral sensation for good reason – they’re just as mesmerizing in person!
The best time to ride them is at sunset but tickets book up fast so make sure to book when the reservations open, 2 weeks in advance. Starting in Cheongsapo gives you the best views of the sun setting over the ocean with the Haeundae skyline in the background.
It is a leisurely 20-minute journey along the coast on a 2.3-metre platform to Mipo Station.
I wrote about these Sky Capsules in more detail here.
Haeundae Traditional Market
Ending this one-day Haeundae itinerary with a feast at the lively Haeundae Traditional Market.
Taste a selection of Korean flavours from hot and sweet hotteok, crispy pork belly kimchi hotdogs, spicy tteokbokki to fresh honeycomb ice-cream and sweet tanghulu to name a few. There are also a large number of fish restaurants with Busan’s famously fresh seafood.
Where To Stay In Haeundae
If you are spending a night in Haeundae, the best place to stay is beside the beach. There are many restaurants, bars, and cafes along with a short walk to the centre of town (gunam-ro) and excellent transport links.
Here are a few hotels I highly recommend.
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