Best Busan Drive Routes Guide: 7 Scenic Courses from Gwangalli

DRIVE IN BUSAN
7 Best Busan Drive Routes
From Gwangalli to the Sea, Night Views, Gijang, and Hwangnyeongsan
Yeon On Dam Gwangalli Beach Branch | YEON ON DAM

When you’re traveling in Busan, there’s always a moment when this thought pops into your head:

Where should we go for a drive today?

Busan is a lot more fun to explore by car than most people expect. From Gwangalli, it only takes a short drive to reach Igidae, where you can look across the water at Marine City. Head east and the route naturally flows through Haeundae, Dalmaji-gil, Cheongsapo, Songjeong, and Gijang. Go the other way toward the mountains and you’ll reach Hwangnyeongsan, one of the best places to see Busan’s skyline all at once. If you want to venture farther, you can keep going to Geumjeongsanseong Fortress for forest roads and a mountain village atmosphere. On days when you feel like driving west, you can even link together Taejongdae, Songdo, and a sunset at Dadaepo.

So instead of just listing famous attractions, I picked seven Busan drive routes that actually make sense if you’re staying in Gwangalli and getting around by car, using Yeon On Dam as the starting point. I’ve also included what to enter in your navigation app, the best time to go, how much time to set aside, and what to pair with each stop.

Busan drive routes: where should you go?

Planning a Busan drive gets much easier once you choose based on the kind of trip you want.

If you want something short and easy, start with Igidae · Oryukdo or Hwangnyeongsan. If it’s your first time in Busan, Dalmaji-gil · Cheongsapo · Songjeong is the safest bet. If you want to make a full half-day of it, look at the Songjeong · Yonggungsa · Gijang route first.

01. A Busan ocean drive close to Gwangalli

Igidae · Oryukdo
Yeon On Dam pick

This is the first Busan drive route I’d recommend if you’re staying in Gwangalli. Igidae is close by, but the atmosphere feels completely different. Along the Igidae Coastal Walk, you can look out across the sea toward Gwangan Bridge, Marine City, Dongbaekseom, and the Haeundae side of Busan. According to official tourism info, the full Igidae Coastal Walk runs about 4.7 km from Dongsaengmal through Eoullmadang and Nongbawi to the Oryukdo ferry area, and the entire walk takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes.

That said, this route is meant for driving, not full-on trekking, so there’s no need to walk the whole thing. A more realistic plan is to drive to Igidae, walk only the prettiest section for a bit, then get back in the car and continue on to Oryukdo.

What should you enter in your navigation app?
First, set your destination to Igidae Park. After that, use Oryukdo Sunrise Park or Oryukdo Public Parking Lot as your second stop. Visit Busan also recommends the Oryukdo Public Parking Lot for visitors, and from Oryukdo Sunrise Park you can enjoy views of Oryukdo, the coastal cliffs, and the Skywalk together.

Best photo spots
Igidae Dongsaengmal, Igidae Eoullmadang, Oryukdo Sunrise Park, and the area around Oryukdo Skywalk. On a clear day, you can capture both the coastline and the Marine City skyline in one frame, which feels very Busan.

How much time should you plan?
From Gwangalli, about 2 to 3 hours is perfect for an easy outing. You can simply drive and come back, or stretch it past 3 hours if you want more time for a walk.

Try this route from Yeon On Dam
Check in at Yeon On Dam · Igidae · Oryukdo · dinner in Yongho-dong or Namcheon-dong · back to Gwangalli
This is a great first-day route if you’ve just arrived in Busan and want a proper ocean view without committing to a long drive.

02. The classic Busan drive route

Haeundae · Dalmaji-gil · Cheongsapo · Songjeong
Yeon On Dam pick

If someone asked me to recommend just one Busan drive route, this would be the easiest all-around choice. Once you pass through central Haeundae and start climbing toward Dalmaji Hill, the scenery shifts from high-rises to pine trees and open sea views. Official Busan tourism materials also introduce Dalmaji-gil as one of the city’s signature coastal scenic roads, open year-round, and the route naturally continues toward Cheongsapo and Songjeong.

When is Dalmaji-gil at its prettiest?
It changes completely with the seasons. In spring, it turns into a cherry blossom road. In summer, everything is lush and green. In fall, it feels like a forest drive. In winter, the East Sea looks especially crisp and blue. Late afternoon into sunset is the time I’d recommend most.

Good places to pair with it
After Dalmaji-gil, it makes sense to continue to Haewoljeong, then Cheongsapo, and finally Songjeong Beach. Cheongsapo has that quiet little fishing village mood, and if you walk a bit farther, it connects naturally to Cheongsapo Daritdol Observatory. Official Busan tourism guides also present Mipo, Dalmaji Hill, Cheongsapo, and Songjeong as one connected East Coast travel flow.

Best photo spots
Dalmaji-gil, the area around Haewoljeong, Cheongsapo Port, Cheongsapo Daritdol Observatory, and Songjeong Beach.

Where should you stop for coffee?
You really don’t need to lock in one specific café on this route. Dalmaji-gil, Cheongsapo, and Songjeong all have plenty of ocean-view cafés, so I’d recommend choosing based on parking and wait times that day.

Suggested schedule
Leave Gwangalli in the afternoon · Dalmaji-gil · Cheongsapo · Songjeong · dinner · Gwangalli night view. If you want to see both daytime Busan and Busan after dark, this is one of the most reliable routes.

03. If you want to make a longer half-day of it

Songjeong · Haedong Yonggungsa · Orangdae · Gijang
Yeon On Dam pick

This is a half-day East Busan trip that goes one step farther than Route 2. Once you head from Songjeong toward Gijang, Haedong Yonggungsa, the Osiria coast, Orangdae, and Daebyeon Port all line up in the same direction. Even the official Haeparang Trail Busan section introduces Songjeong Beach, Haedong Yonggungsa, and Daebyeon Port as one connected East Busan coastal axis.

Haedong Yonggungsa
Haedong Yonggungsa stays popular with first-time Busan visitors because of its dramatic seaside temple setting. On this route, I wouldn’t spend the whole day at the temple itself. It works better to keep the flow moving from Songjeong to Yonggungsa to Orangdae to Gijang.

Orangdae Park
If you want a quieter ocean stop after Yonggungsa, Orangdae Park is a great choice. According to Visit Busan, Orangdae Park is open year-round, free to visit, and has a designated parking lot. The Osiria Coastal Walking Trail is also officially introduced as a scenic route where you can enjoy Orangdae, Yongwangdan, and the shoreline together.

Best photo spots
The coast around Haedong Yonggungsa, the Osiria Coastal Walking Trail, Yongwangdan at Orangdae, and the Gijang coastal road.

What about cafés and food?
If you’re already going all the way to Gijang, it’s worth adding at least one café stop. The Gijang coastal road is lined with large ocean-view cafés, plus plenty of places for seafood, kalguksu, snow crab, and anchovy dishes. Rather than forcing a list of specific businesses, I’d recommend choosing based on your route and parking situation that day.

Suggested schedule
09:00–10:00 leave Gwangalli · Songjeong · Yonggungsa · lunch · Orangdae · café in Gijang · back to Gwangalli. If you still have time, you can extend the drive toward Daebyeon Port or Jukseong.

04. For the best Busan night drive

Gwangalli · Hwangnyeongsan
Yeon On Dam pick

If you’re looking for a night drive in Busan, it’s hard to leave out Hwangnyeongsan. The biggest draw of the Hwangnyeongsan observatory area is that you’re not just looking at one neighborhood—you get a wide, sweeping view of both the city and the coastline. Visit Busan also introduces Hwangnyeongsan as one of the city’s signature night-view spots, where you can take in Busan from every direction.

What time should you go up?
My favorite timing is about 30 minutes before sunset. That way you can watch the city shift from daylight to sunset, then blue hour, then full night views.

전망쉼터
According to official tourism information, the address for Hwangnyeongsan 전망쉼터 is 391-39 Hwangnyeongsan-ro, Nam-gu, Busan, South Korea. The café inside the 전망쉼터, Blue Vang Hwangnyeongsan Branch, is currently listed as open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Best photo spots
Hwangnyeongsan 전망쉼터, Hwangnyeongsan Beacon Mound, the Gwangan Bridge-facing viewpoint, and the Busan city skyline at night.

What if you’re a beginner driver?
Unlike a flat city drive, Hwangnyeongsan has inclines and winding roads. If you’re not fully comfortable behind the wheel, it’s easier to go up before dark, enjoy the night view, and come back down, rather than attempting your first drive there in heavy rain or after it’s completely dark.

Try this route from Yeon On Dam
Dinner in Gwangalli · Hwangnyeongsan · Gwangalli night beach · Yeon On Dam. You don’t have to go far for this to completely change the mood of your Busan trip, which is why I especially recommend it as an evening plan if you’re staying at Yeon On Dam.

05. If you want to see a different side of Busan

Sanbokdoro drive
Yeon On Dam pick

If you’ve already gotten used to the Busan of Haeundae and Gwangalli, it’s worth turning toward the old downtown. Sanbokdoro is one of the best places to feel Busan’s unique urban structure, wedged between mountains and the harbor. Visit Busan introduces a route linking Yu Chi-hwan Postbox, History Diorama, and Haneulnuni Observatory as a great way to see the old downtown and coastal scenery together.

Yu Chi-hwan Postbox
This is one of the signature stops on a Sanbokdoro drive. Based on the current official guide, it’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00, Sunday from 09:00 to 18:00, closed on Mondays, and free to visit.

History Diorama
This is a scenic viewpoint overlooking Busan Port and the old downtown. With the harbor and the modern city layered together, it shows a completely different face of Busan from Haeundae.

Haneulnuni Observatory
If you continue all the way to Haneulnuni Observatory, you’ll get an even wider look at the hillside neighborhoods and old downtown below.

Where should you eat?
Rather than trying to finish the whole day inside Sanbokdoro, it’s better to enjoy the viewpoints first and then head down toward Choryang or Busan Station for a meal. That also makes it easy to connect your route with Chinatown, old local restaurants, and nearby markets.

Important driving tip
Sanbokdoro is not a tourist-only road—it’s a real residential road used by locals every day. Some sections are narrow, so please don’t stop just anywhere for photos. Only pull over in designated parking areas or clearly safe spots.

06. Yes, Busan has forest drives too

Geumjeongsanseong Fortress · Fortress Village · Hwamyeong Arboretum
Yeon On Dam pick

If your Busan trip has been all about the ocean so far, it’s nice to choose something completely different for a day. The Geumjeongsanseong drive is also introduced in official Busan tourism materials as a dedicated forest drive route. The official guide suggests the route in this order: Geumjeongsanseong Fortress Seongseong-ro entrance, East Gate entrance, Fortress Village, West Gate entrance, and Hwamyeong Arboretum.

Why do I recommend it?
In summer, the greenery is deep and refreshing. In fall, the mountain colors start to change. It’s a great way to step away from Busan’s ocean-focused image for a while. It also works especially well for a family trip or a trip with parents.

Latest operating info for Hwamyeong Arboretum
According to the official Busan city guide, Hwamyeong Arboretum is open from 09:00 to 18:00 from March to October, and 09:00 to 17:00 from November to February. Entry is allowed until one hour before closing. It is closed on January 1, Lunar New Year, Chuseok, and Mondays; if Monday is a public holiday, it closes the following day. Admission and parking are both free.

What should you eat in Fortress Village?
In the Fortress Village area, dishes like pajeon, dotori-muk, and duck are especially fitting. Geumjeongsanseong makgeolli is also famous, but since this is a driving trip, the driver should of course skip alcohol.

Suggested schedule
Leave Gwangalli in the morning · Geumjeongsanseong drive · Hwamyeong Arboretum · lunch in Fortress Village · back to Gwangalli. In peak summer, this route is more comfortable if you start earlier in the day.

07. A half-day route built around Busan sunset

Taejongdae · Songdo · Dadaepo
Yeon On Dam pick

This is the farthest route from Gwangalli, but if you want to properly explore West Busan for a day, it’s absolutely worth it. Official Busan tourism materials also directly introduce this as a drive course in the order of Taejongdae, Namhang Bridge, Songdo Beach, and Dadaepo Beach.

Taejongdae
This area is known for its dramatic coastal cliffs and striking rock formations. Rather than spending too long at Taejongdae itself, I’d use it as the starting point and then continue toward Songdo.

Songdo
Once you cross Namhang Bridge, you’ll reach Songdo Beach. It’s a nice place to pause in the middle of the route, whether for a beach walk or a ride on the Songdo Marine Cable Car.

Save Dadaepo for last
This is the biggest reason to choose this route. Official Busan tourism materials also describe Dadaepo as a perfect final stop for golden sunset views. Because of that, it makes more sense to plan this route backward from Dadaepo sunset time rather than leaving too early in the morning.

Suggested schedule
Afternoon at Taejongdae · Songdo · café or meal · Dadaepo sunset · back to Gwangalli

How much time should you plan?
I’d recommend at least half a day. This feels less like a quick drive and more like adding a full West Busan travel day to your trip.

7 Best Busan Drive Routes at a glance

※ These times are rough planning estimates from Gwangalli, not live navigation results.

It gets even easier if you choose by season

Which Busan drive route fits you best?

If it’s your first time in Busan, try this

Even the official Haeparang Trail travel route connects Oryukdo, Gwangalli, and Mipo, then continues toward Songjeong, Haedong Yonggungsa, and Gijang as one of Busan’s signature East Coast tourism corridors.

If this is your first visit to Busan, you’ll probably enjoy the trip more by not trying to cram in too many areas over two days. Linking Gwangalli, Haeundae, Songjeong, Gijang, and Hwangnyeongsan is usually more satisfying in real life.

How Yeon On Dam thinks about driving in Busan

Gwangalli is actually in a pretty fun location for a Busan trip.

So if you’re traveling around Busan by car, I’d recommend not spending the entire day only in Gwangalli. It’s worth considering a rhythm where you explore different parts of Busan during the day, then return to Gwangalli at night.

Yeon On Dam Gwangalli Beach Branch is about a 2-minute walk from Gwangalli Beach, which makes it an easy base for both the start and end of a Busan drive route. After a long day by the sea, you can come back and rest slowly at the hotel. After a night-view drive, you can wind down in the cinema room, then head out in a completely different direction the next day.

Busan drive route FAQ

Q. What is the most recommended drive route in Busan?
A. If it’s your first time in Busan, I recommend the Haeundae-Dalmaji-gil-Cheongsapo-Songjeong route. You get the sea, a scenic coastal road, a fishing village, and the beach all in one drive, and official Busan tourism information also presents Dalmaji-gil, Cheongsapo, and Songjeong as one connected signature route.

Q. What are the best Busan drive routes close to Gwangalli?
A. I’d recommend Igidae · Oryukdo or Hwangnyeongsan. For daytime, go with Igidae · Oryukdo. For evening, Hwangnyeongsan is the better pick.

Q. Where is the best place for a Busan night drive?
A. Hwangnyeongsan is my first recommendation. It’s one of the city’s signature night-view spots, with wide-open views over both downtown Busan and the coastline.

Q. Where is the best place for a Busan sunset drive?
A. I recommend Dadaepo. It works naturally as a half-day route if you connect Taejongdae, Songdo, and Dadaepo in that order.

Q. Are there forest drive routes in Busan too?
A. Yes. I recommend Geumjeongsanseong Fortress, Fortress Village, and Hwamyeong Arboretum. Official Busan tourism information also introduces the Geumjeongsan area as a forest drive course.

Q. How many places should you visit in one day on a Busan drive?
A. For a more satisfying trip, I recommend choosing one direction per day. For example, if you’re doing East Busan, group Haeundae, Songjeong, and Gijang together. If you’re doing West Busan, group Taejongdae, Songdo, and Dadaepo. It cuts down on driving time and makes the day feel smoother.

Things to check before you drive

• Traffic toward Haeundae, Songjeong, and Gijang can get much heavier on weekends and during peak summer season.

• If you’re a beginner driver, I’d recommend going in daylight on routes with hills and curves, like Hwangnyeongsan, Geumjeongsanseong Fortress, and Sanbokdoro.

• Coastal roads can feel completely different depending on the weather and visibility, so on days with heavy rain or strong winds, it’s better not to force the drive.

• Attraction hours, parking systems, and fees can change depending on on-site conditions, so check the official website or map listing again on the day of your visit.

If you’re looking for Busan drive routes, it becomes much easier to map out your day once you choose a direction from Gwangalli. From nearby ocean views to classic coastal roads, half-day East Busan trips, night views, old downtown, forest roads, and sunset spots, these seven Busan drive routes cover just about every mood.

The official information in this post was reviewed as of August 2026. Since operating hours, parking, and traffic conditions can change, please double-check official guidance before your visit.

Yeon On Dam will keep sharing helpful Busan travel ideas for guests planning routes like these while staying near Gwangalli.

7 Best Busan Drive Routes
From ocean views and night scenery to forest roads and sunset spots
A Busan trip starting from Gwangalli

YEONONDAM | Yeon On Dam

Busan drive routes can be divided into seven directions from Gwangalli: Igidae · Oryukdo (nearby ocean views), Haeundae · Dalmaji-gil · Cheongsapo · Songjeong (signature coastal road), Songjeong · Haedong Yonggungsa · Gijang (half-day East Busan trip), Hwangnyeongsan (night views), Sanbokdoro (old downtown), Geumjeongsanseong Fortress · Hwamyeong Arboretum (forest), and Taejongdae · Songdo · Dadaepo (sunset).

Yeon On Dam Gwangalli Beach Branch is about a 2-minute walk from Gwangalli Beach, making it a great place to stay as the starting and ending base for your Busan drive route.

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This post was organized based on official guidance from the Busan Tourism Portal (Visit Busan), Busan Metropolitan City, and related institutions as of August 2026. Event schedules, facility hours, parking, and traffic information may change depending on on-site conditions, so please check official notices again before your visit.
This post is Busan travel information compiled directly by the Yeon On Dam blog. If any sponsorship or hosted support applies, it will be disclosed separately.