Eastern Busan(2) The Most Scenic Walk in Busan? From Haeundae to Songjeong via Cheongsapo
Eastern Busan Guide #2: Haeundae, Songjeong by walk or beach train
Before we continue exploring Eastern Busan, I wanted to mention two local restaurants that I didn't include in my previous guide.
If you missed it, you can read my first Eastern Busan guide covering Haeundae and Gwangalli here:
👉 Eastern Busan: Haeundae or Gwangalli?
https://afterringing.blogspot.com/2026/06/eastern-busan-haeundae-or-gwangalli.html
Beyond the Beach: More Ways to Explore Haeundae
In my previous article, I compared Haeundae and Gwangalli, Busan's two most famous beaches. This time, I'd like to go beyond the beach itself and introduce a few places that are well worth visiting while you're in Haeundae.
Haeundae Traditional Market
One place you shouldn't miss is Haeundae Traditional Market.
Unlike many traditional markets in Korea that quiet down early, this one stays lively into the evening. If you've just finished dinner, taken a stroll along Haeundae Beach, and suddenly find yourself craving a late-night snack, this is the perfect place to wander.
The market isn't particularly large, but it's packed with street food stalls and small local eateries, giving visitors a chance to experience the atmosphere of a traditional Korean market.
The market's most famous snack is Seed Hotteok.
If you enter the market from the main shopping street near Haeundae Beach and walk all the way to the end, you'll find one of the best-known vendors.
Unlike ordinary hotteok, this version is generously filled with mixed seeds and nuts, giving it a satisfying crunch along with the sweet syrup inside.
One important note, though: if you have a nut allergy, this probably isn't the snack for you.
The shop also offers several topping options. I'm not entirely sure whether these toppings replace the nuts or are simply added on top, so I'd recommend watching the staff prepare your hotteok or asking before ordering if you have dietary concerns.
Even if you don't stop for a hotteok, I still recommend walking through the entire market.
It's not very long, but it captures the warm, bustling atmosphere that makes traditional Korean markets so enjoyable.
Personally, I think it's at its most charming after sunset, when the lights come on and the food stalls fill the narrow streets with delicious aromas.
Dalmaji Hill: Haeundae from Above
If you're looking for one of the best views in Haeundae, head to Dalmaji Hill.
On KakaoMap, you can follow the walking route between Dalmaji Neighborhood Park and Haewol Observatory.
The entire path is well maintained with wooden boardwalks and pedestrian walkways.
Although it's an uphill walk, I wouldn't describe it as particularly difficult. Still, there are enough slopes that I'd recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes.
As you climb, you'll pass cafés and restaurants overlooking the sea, with plenty of opportunities to stop for a coffee while enjoying panoramic views of Haeundae Beach below.
At the top, you'll reach Haewol Observatory, one of my favorite viewpoints in the area.
Standing there reminds me a little of looking out over the Mediterranean from Castle Hill (Colline du Château) in Nice, France.
Of course, the elevation isn't nearly as dramatic as Nice's famous viewpoint—and unlike Castle Hill, you won't need an elevator to reach the top—but the feeling is surprisingly similar.
Looking down at the sweeping coastline from above is a refreshing change from experiencing Haeundae solely at beach level.
If you have a few extra hours in Haeundae, I highly recommend adding Dalmaji Hill to your itinerary.
A Scenic Coastal Walk to Cheongsapo
While Dalmaji Hill offers panoramic views from above, there's another route that lets you experience Haeundae from a completely different perspective. Instead of climbing uphill, this walk follows the coastline itself.
The path to Cheongsapo is a gentle seaside boardwalk with almost no elevation, making it an easy and relaxing walk for travelers of all ages. If you enjoy listening to the sound of the waves while strolling beside the ocean, this may become one of your favorite walks in Busan.
Despite being only a short distance from some of Busan's busiest tourist areas, Cheongsapo has managed to retain a slower pace of life. Fishing boats still bob gently in the harbor, local seafood restaurants line the waterfront, and the sound of waves often replaces the noise of city traffic. For me, that's the real charm of Cheongsapo.
It's not a place packed with attractions or activities. Instead, it's somewhere to slow down, take a breath, and enjoy the sea.
The Twin Lighthouses of Cheongsapo
The most recognizable landmark in Cheongsapo is a pair of lighthouses standing at the end of the breakwater. One is painted red and the other white, creating a picture-perfect scene that has become one of the symbols of the village. A pedestrian walkway allows visitors to walk all the way out to the lighthouses. There are places to sit along the way, making it a pleasant spot to rest if you've walked here from Haeundae or Mipo.
When the weather is clear, it's worth spending a few minutes simply watching the fishing boats come and go while listening to the waves crash against the rocks. Unlike the crowded beaches nearby, the atmosphere here feels surprisingly peaceful.
Take a Coffee Break by the Sea
If you're not in a hurry, Cheongsapo is also a great place to stop for coffee. Several cafés are scattered along the coastal road, many with large windows or outdoor seating overlooking the water. One of my favorite ways to enjoy Cheongsapo is simply to pick a café that catches my eye, order a coffee, and spend some time watching the ocean.
There are certainly famous cafés here, but honestly, the best one is often whichever has the view and atmosphere that appeal to you most at that moment. Sometimes the most memorable travel experiences come from slowing down rather than rushing to the next attraction.
Cheongsapo Daritdol Observatory
If you continue walking toward Songjeong Beach, you'll eventually reach one of Cheongsapo's newer attractions: Cheongsapo Daritdol Observatory.
This observation deck extends out over the sea, giving visitors the feeling of standing above the waves. Part of the floor is made of glass, allowing you to look straight down at the water below. If heights make you uncomfortable, you may find yourself walking a little more carefully than usual! The observatory is not open around the clock and may close during bad weather or rough sea conditions for safety reasons.
Generally, it operates between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM, though schedules can change depending on local conditions. If you happen to be passing through during opening hours, it's definitely worth a short detour.
Haeundae Beach Train
At the eastern end of Haeundae Beach, you'll find Mipo Station, the starting point of the Haeundae Beach Train. From here, the train follows Busan's beautiful coastline, stopping at places such as Cheongsapo before reaching Songjeong Beach.
Although many visitors ride the train simply for the ocean views, I think combining the train with a leisurely walk makes for an even better experience.
If your goal is only to visit Cheongsapo, you can easily walk there from Mipo Station while enjoying the coastal scenery along the way.
However, if you have a little more time, here's the itinerary I'd recommend:
Ride the Beach Train from Mipo Station to Songjeong Beach.
Spend some time exploring Songjeong.
Take the return train back to Cheongsapo.
From Cheongsapo, walk all the way back to Haeundae along the coastal boardwalk.
This route lets you experience Eastern Busan from several different perspectives—you'll enjoy the scenic train ride, explore two very different beaches, and finish with one of the city's most pleasant seaside walks.
Choose whichever option best fits your schedule, energy level, and the weather.
Tip: The Beach Train is extremely popular, especially on weekends and during peak travel seasons. It isn't always possible to board your preferred departure immediately.
I'd recommend reserving your ticket through the official website in advance whenever possible. If you're buying tickets on the day of your visit, you can always spend some time exploring Haeundae Beach while waiting for your scheduled departure.
Songjeong Beach
Although Songjeong Beach is only a short distance from Haeundae, the atmosphere feels completely different.
Haeundae may be Korea's most famous beach, but its waves can be surprisingly strong. The seabed also becomes deep quite suddenly in some areas, and rip currents occasionally occur, requiring lifeguards to monitor conditions carefully during the swimming season.
Songjeong, by comparison, has a much gentler character. The water becomes deeper more gradually, and the waves are generally calmer, making the beach feel more relaxed overall.
For me, Songjeong is also a place filled with childhood memories.
Long before I started writing travel blogs, I remember visiting this beach with my grandmother and my mother. We'd spread out a picnic mat beneath the pine trees that lined the shore and spend the afternoon listening to the waves.
Every time I return, those memories come back to me.
Sometimes a destination isn't memorable because it's the most famous place on the map. Sometimes it's simply because it reminds you of the people you once shared it with.
One restaurant I always think about recommending is located near Jung-dong Station, just one subway stop from Haeundae.
It's called Kim Young-ran Gaori Hoe Guksu (김영란가오리회국수).
Interestingly, the restaurant used to be called Lee Mi-gyeong Hoe Guksu (이미경회국수) several years ago. I'm not entirely sure what happened—perhaps the business was passed down to another family member or simply changed ownership—but the restaurant now operates under its current name.
The word "gaori" refers to skate (a type of ray fish), which is served raw in the dish.
If you've never heard of hoe guksu, think of it as Korea's version of a spicy seafood noodle salad. Cold wheat noodles are tossed with fresh vegetables, slices of raw fish, and a sweet-and-spicy gochujang dressing before everything is mixed together.
Unlike many restaurants around Haeundae Beach, this isn't really a tourist destination.
Instead, it's the kind of neighborhood restaurant where you'll see plenty of local residents stopping by for lunch. Sometimes those are exactly the places worth seeking out.
Another Great Milmyeon Spot
Also within walking distance of Jung-dong Station is Haeundae Gaya Milmyeon (해운대가야밀면).
There are countless milmyeon restaurants throughout Busan—including several famous ones around Haeundae Station—but this place has built quite a loyal following of its own. During lunch and dinner hours, it's common to see people lining up outside.
One thing I've noticed after eating milmyeon several times is that, while it's refreshing and satisfying, a bowl of cold noodles alone can sometimes leave you feeling like something is missing.
That's why I'd recommend ordering one of the side dishes if you're visiting with friends or family. Most milmyeon restaurants offer mandu (Korean dumplings) or suyuk (slices of boiled pork), both of which pair wonderfully with the cold noodles. Sharing a side dish makes the meal feel much more complete.
Of course, if you have a big appetite, there's nothing stopping you from finishing both a bowl of milmyeon and an entire plate of dumplings by yourself. For lighter eaters, though, that's probably a challenge better left unattempted!
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