A Surprise Weekend Getaway to Busan — Ocean Views & Reconnecting with Friends
This past weekend, our family took a short trip down to Busan!
While Busan is famous as a top summer vacation destination, this wasn’t quite our official summer holiday—we actually had some business nearby. But since we were heading down anyway, we decided to make the most of it by meeting up with a close friend’s family who lives in Busan and staying an extra day!
No matter when you visit, Busan never fails to charm. Just standing by the shore, soaking in the endless blue ocean, and feeling the fresh sea breeze was enough to melt away all the fatigue from the week.
Avoid the Crowds: Head to Marine City!
Busan travel posts have always been super popular on my blog!
–Best Cafes in Busan: From Incredible Ocean Views to Traditional Hanok Charm
-The Best Seafood in Busan : A Guide to Jagalchi Market and Beyond
–Best Foods to Eat in Busan:What I Ate on My Trip from Seoul
So this time, I’m excited to share some of the wonderful spots we visited during our recent trip. To start things off, today I’m featuring a fantastic cafe with a sweeping, wide-open ocean view.
Our accommodation was located in Marine City, right near Haeundae. Naturally, I was eager to sip a cup of coffee while gazing out at the sea, so I looked into several popular beachfront spots. However, my friend who actually lives in Busan gave me some very realistic advice:
“If you try going to those famous cafes right on Haeundae Beach on a weekend, it’ll be so packed you won’t even find a place to sit!” 😂
I’m so glad we listened to her and changed our course right away!
Local’s Secret Hotspot: Cafe ALMA with Gwangan Bridge Views
Stepping slightly away from the bustling main strip of Haeundae Beach, we visited a cafe called ALMA, recommended by my local friend and situated right in Marine City with direct views of Gwangan Bridge and the vast ocean.
It turns out ALMA is a newly opened spot that’s been gaining huge popularity through word-of-mouth among Busan locals lately.
Thanks to taking a local’s insider tip, our visit was beyond satisfying! It delivered everything we could have wished for: an unobstructed, crystal-clear ocean view, a wonderfully serene atmosphere, and delicious desserts to match.
The moment we opened the door and stepped inside, we were instantly captivated by its sophisticated, vintage-inspired atmosphere.
The interior had an undeniably classy charm that felt both regal and warm. Even the display of baked goods looked as though it belonged in a high-end French pâtisserie, with every pastry meticulously crafted with obvious care and detail.
Filled with excitement, we took our time browsing the stunning dessert display before heading further inside to find our seats ; )
When we arrived shortly after 11:00 AM, the indoor seating was already almost completely full! Since ALMA functions as a vibrant brunch spot as well as a cafe, quite a few guests were enjoying early lunch meals alongside their coffee.
With no available tables inside, we decided to step out toward the terrace.
Sun-Drenched Terrace: Finding Perfect Light
The moment we walked onto the terrace—enclosed by towering glass windows—we were greeted by an abundance of radiant sunlight streaming in, which instantly lifted our spirits and made the whole morning feel so fresh and lively!
The terrace wasn’t completely open-air; instead, it was fully enclosed like an indoor room with the air conditioning running pleasantly inside. It seems they keep it sealed during extreme summer heat or cold winter days to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Sitting side by side facing the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, we were treated to a breathtaking view of Gwangan Bridge stretching across the sparkling blue ocean.
Since it isn’t positioned directly on the bustling sandy beach, the surrounding area felt wonderfully peaceful and relaxed while still offering an impressively wide, unobstructed horizon—which I actually preferred!
However, as the midday sun grew stronger, the heat began to catch up with us. (They say countries all around the globe are suffering from extreme heatwaves this summer, and Korea is certainly no exception—it’s been intensely hot! ㅠㅠ) As the temperature near the glass kept rising, a table conveniently opened up inside, so we ended up moving indoors to stay cool! Haha.
We were actually supposed to meet our friends for lunch right after this, so the initial plan was just to sip coffee and relax for a bit… but somehow, we ended up surrounded by a table full of fresh bread and rich pastries first thing in the morning! Haha… ^^;
The Perfect Coastal Walk Course
If you decide to enjoy brunch here at Cafe ALMA, I highly recommend combining it with a leisurely walk!
A wonderful itinerary would be enjoying your meal here, taking a gentle stroll through nearby Dongbaekseom Island, and then making your way toward Haeundae Beach—or doing it in reverse! Starting with a morning stroll around Dongbaekseom Island and wrapping up with a relaxing cup of coffee at ALMA is equally amazing.
It was a cafe where you could completely escape the heavy weekend crowds and soak in pure relaxation. While the bustling, energetic resort vibe of Busan in peak summer is always fun, spending time in Marine City—where you can enjoy Busan’s sophisticated, calm, and polished charm—was so satisfying for me. I couldn’t stop thanking my local friend for such a fantastic recommendation! .
Thanks to my friend’s wonderful recommendation, I’m so happy I could introduce such a lovely, hidden-gem cafe to all of you!
In my next post, I’ll be sharing an incredible barbecue restaurant we visited in Busan! The meat was so delicious that even after returning to Seoul, I still can’t stop thinking about it—in fact, I’m already planning a trip to a famous samgyeopsal spot here in Seoul this week just to satisfy the craving! ; )
Stay tuned, and I’ll be back soon with another mouthwatering update~
✨Ta-da! I’m back with a brand new post as promised! 😊 Sworn to keep my word, and here I am!
If you’re planning a trip to Busan or just love a sizzlin’ plate of thick, juicy Korean barbecue, you definitely don’t want to miss this one. Check out the link below to discover one of the absolute best Samgyeopsal (Pork Belly) restaurants in Busan!
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