Songdo Beach

Overview

Songdo Beach, known as the "Naples of the East," is a beautiful coastal retreat located in the Seo-gu district of Busan. It features a fine sandy beach stretching 800 meters and a relatively shallow, calm sea. Recently, it has been transformed into a global marine tourism destination with the restoration of its maritime cable car and the addition of the scenic Cloud Trails over the ocean.

History

Opened in 1913, Songdo was the very first official public beach in South Korea. During the 1960s and 70s, it was the most popular honeymoon destination and vacation spot in the country. After a period of decline due to sand loss and urban development, a massive 5-year restoration project began in 2000, successfully bringing back its clean water and golden sands to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.

Things to see

Unique maritime attractions and natural scenery:

• The **Songdo Cloud Trails (Skywalk)**: A 365-meter-long walkway over the sea that gives you the thrill of walking on water with transparent floor panels.

• The **Geobukseom (Turtle Island)**: A rocky island connected by the skywalk, home to a romantic legend of a fisherman and a mermaid.

• The **Songdo Marine Cable Car (Busan Air Cruise)**: A 1.62km ride that offers breathtaking aerial views of the coastline, Namhang Bridge, and Yeongdo Island.

Things to do

Water sports and coastal experiences:

• Cross the **Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge**: Walk from Amnam Park to uninhabited Dongseom Island for a spectacular cliff-side ocean view.

• Enjoy **Marine Sports**: Visit the Songdo Marine Leisure Center to try kayaking, paddleboarding, or dinghy sailing.

• Visit the **Musical Fountain**: Watch the colorful light and water show at the central fountain square (operating hours vary by season).