Gwangalli Beach
광안리해수욕장
The main draw is the view of Gwangan Bridge after dark. Drone shows, swimming areas and car-free street events depend on the date and the weather, so check each one before you go.
Language
Place information
- Korean name
- 광안리해수욕장
- Address
- 219 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan
- Nearest station
- Gwangan Station (광안역, Busan Metro Line 2) (Exit 5) · 13-min walk
- Opening hours
- open at all hours
- Closed
- Open year-round
- Admission
- Free
History
Gwangalli keeps the name of a Joseon-era village, Gwangan-ri in Namchon-myeon, Dongnae-gun. Suyeong District explains the name this way: the sands in front of Namchon were called Namjang, and because they held a broad (廣) bank of sand they were written Gwangan (廣岸); the character for 'bank' was later replaced with the auspicious 安, meaning peace, giving today's 廣安. The water here was long known as good, and the shore once held many fishing huts, anchovy among the catch. The beach now spans three neighbourhoods of Suyeong-gu: Namcheon-dong, Gwangan-dong and Millak-dong.
What to see
The crescent of sand
Busan City gives the beach a total area of 82,000 m², with sand 1.4 km long and 25 to 110 m wide. The fine sand, washed down from Geumnyeonsan behind the beach, curves in a gentle half-moon. A permanent outdoor stage stands on the sand and is used for performances such as sea music and dance festivals.
SUP Zone (Gwangalli water-leisure area)
An area Suyeong District set up to make Gwangalli a landmark for stand-up paddleboarding. It runs for about 500 m, from opposite the Jiwell Estate The Terrace building to the Gwangalli Marine Sports Centre, and even without a board you can use its SUP photo zone or rest under its parasols.
Food alleys and the café street
Some 300 places to eat surround the beach — raw-fish restaurants, seafood halls and alleys of Eonyang-style bulgogi and bean-sprout hangover soup — along with a café street. A waterfront park, a beach park and a marine sports centre are close by, so banana boats and windsurfing are on offer too.
The crescent of sand selected
Nearby
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Gwangalli?
After dark. In the evening, once the colour-changing lights of Gwangan Bridge are on, the beach promenade is a good place to take in the night view. Arrive about an hour before sunset and you can see the sea in daylight as well.
Gwangalli or Haeundae?
For a larger, better-known beach in the daytime, Haeundae is the better fit; if the lit Gwangan Bridge is what you are after, Gwangalli is. The two are about fifteen minutes apart by subway.
Can you swim there?
In the official season, when supervision and zoning are in place. Those dates are set annually, so check before planning a swim. Outside the season you can still go onto the beach.
Stories about this place
- Busan in 2 or 3 Days: Old City, Haeundae to Gwangalli, Beomeosa
A first-timer's Busan route. Day 1 covers the western old city — the Provisional Capital Memorial Hall, Nampo-dong and Huinnyeoul Culture Village; day 2 the eastern coast from Haeundae along Blue Line Park to Songjeong and Gwangalli; day 3 runs from Beomeosa down to the UN Memorial Cemetery and Oryukdo. Includes how to choose between two and three days, Monday closures, opening hours and bad-weather swaps.
- Eight Places to Visit in Busan: What Each One Is and When to Go
A practical guide to eight Busan sights — Haedong Yonggungsa, Gamcheon Culture Village, the Songdo cable car, Taejongdae, BUSAN X the SKY, Bupyeong Kkangtong Night Market, Haeundae and Gwangalli. What each one is, which part of the day it suits, how they group by area, and a one-day plan.
