Japan may be the first country that comes to mind when you think about soaking in hot springs or onsens, but South Korea’s land is actually very blessed with these delightful natural hot baths as well. Housed in ‘jjimjilbangs’, or bath houses, hot bath-soaking is a very popular activity in South Korea, and Busan is home to many of the most famous hot springs of the country.
Spa Land Centum City
Centum City is by itself an awe-inspiring structure—it is considered the world’s largest department store, and houses Spa Land, the city’s biggest spa, within its sprawling compound. Spa Land was originally intended to be a water park, but the surprise discovery of natural underground hot springs resulted in a happy change of plans. Today this ginormous spa contains numerous themed spa rooms such as a Wave Dream Room, an SEV Room that emits health-promoting electrons, and a Salt Room filled with Himalayan sea salt, all of which are fed by natural healing spring water
Address: 35, Centumnam-daero, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea
Hurshimchung
Hurshimchung spa (also known as Heosimcheong) is one of Busan’s oldest spa facilities, and contains more than 40 different baths. Be prepared to be spoilt for choice—with options like a Cave Bath, Open Air Bath, Yellow Soil Bath, or Waterfall Bath, you could spend days just soaking in different rejuvenating tubs. Besides hot baths, the spa also contains sleeping areas, lounging rooms with TVs and computers, and special healing rooms like a Charcoal Room and an Ice Room.
Address: 23, Geumganggongwon-ro 20beon-gil, Dongnae-gu, Busan, South Korea
Paradise Hotel Spa Cimer
Cimer Spa is a jjimjilbang with a difference, an interesting fusion of East meets West. This Korean spa boasts LED lights in its Aqua Spa Zone, a Virtual Spa that is dominated by LED walls, luxurious facilities and special healing areas like an Amethyst Room, Salt Room and Charcoal Room. There’s also a large pool for swimming and an area for dining and relaxing, so you can stay all day lolling in luxury.
Address: 1408-5, Jung-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea
Dongnae Outdoor Foot Bath
Don’t feel like getting totally undressed in a communal bathhouse? There’s an option for that too—this open-air foot spa. Rumored to have once been the bathing place of ancient royalty of the Silla dynasty, the water of the Dongnae Outdoor Footbath is rumoured to have healing properties that alleviate symptoms of arthritis, rheumatism, and poor blood circulation. Even better - this spa is free for public use.
Address: 21, Geumganggongwon-ro 26beon-gil, Dongnae-gu, Busan, South Korea
Aqua Palace Hotel
A hotel, a spa, an indoor water park, and the beach right outside—water is a whole lot of fun in Aqua Palace Hotel. Located right next to the famously gorgeous Gwangalli Beach, Aqua Palace Hotel is another facility that was blessed with the surprise discovery of natural hot springs within its compound in 2004. The hotel is beautiful, luxurious and highly-rated, and the hot baths in the spa delightful. Enjoy a fun day at the beach, then plonk the kids in the water park (that boasts a wave pool and even a 90-meter-long water slide) whilst you unwind in the spa—the perfect holiday for the whole family.
Address: 225 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Gwangan 2(i)-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan, South KoreaAddress:
The Vesta Spa
The Vesta Spa (also known as The Hill Spa) is located on top of the Dalmaji Hill, overlooking the beautiful Haeundae beach. The spa makes the most of its strategic location with outdoor hot baths on the 5th floor, which means bathers can enjoy amazing views over the hilltop, the beach, the Gwangan Bridge and the sea together with their hot soak. There are also heated and cooled rooms, a massage and body scrub service, as well as a sleeping area. This spa is open for 24 hours, all year round.
Address: 17-7 Dalmaji-gil 117beon-gil, Jung-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea
