Busan Without the Walking — Sauna & Jjimjilbang Picks
From Spa Land — which CNN featured as a jjimjilbang inside "the world's largest department store" — to a large local hot-spring bathhouse that has been around for over 30 years. We picked only the places that are actually popular with travelers in Busan.
As of September 2026 — please double-check prices and hours before visiting.
Even just ten years ago, foreigners had a pretty fixed image of a Korean jjimjilbang: an ochre sauna uniform and a towel twisted into a "sheep-head" turban, lined up in front of the hot room. Just posting one photo of that on social media used to get a flood of "what is this?!" reactions.
These days, the vibe has shifted a lot. In August 2026, CNN featured Spa Land at Shinsegae Centum City in Busan as a jjimjilbang inside "the world's largest department store," which got people talking, and it also covered it back in 2017 under the headline "Korea's most ingenious sauna." In fact, Busan's saunas have been drifting from "jjimjilbang" toward "spa" in recent years — think open-air baths with sea views, sleek lounges, and a quiet, relaxed mood.
A quick disclosure
This post contains KKday affiliate links. If you book through them, K-Rambles earns a commission, but the price you pay stays exactly the same. We've only included places where we could confirm a real affiliate product.
1. Spa Land Centum City
A large spa facility on the 1st floor of Shinsegae Department Store's Centum City branch — the exact spot CNN just put in the spotlight. It uses two types of hot-spring water drawn from 100m underground, sanitized 36 times a day, and doesn't allow guests under 13, which gives it a quiet, calm atmosphere.
Hours
Up to 4 hours after entry (extra charge for extension)
Under 13
Not allowed in — unusual for a Korean jjimjilbang
Highlights
Indoor themed sauna zones, an outdoor foot-bath garden, and an indoor pool
Location
Address — 35 Centum-namdae-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan, 1F Shinsegae Dept. Store Centum City (right outside Centum City Station Exit 12, Line 2)
A large hot-spring bathhouse that opened in October 1991, and something of a landmark of the Dongnae hot springs area. It is connected by a pedestrian overpass to Hotel Nongshim across the street. It has a wide variety of hot and cold baths — including a novelty "beer bath" — so variety is its biggest strength.
Location
Address — 137 Oncheon-dong, Dongnae-gu, Busan
Walk from Busan Metro Line 1, Oncheonjang Station, Exit 1 or 3
3. Hill Spa — Ocean-View Sauna on Haeundae's Dalmaji-gil
A 24-hour jjimjilbang on Haeundae's Dalmaji-gil that uses deep-sea water drawn from 410m below ground. Its biggest strength is the view — Haeundae Beach, Gwangan Bridge, and the Oryukdo Islands all at once — which is why many reviews say it feels "more like a spa than a jjimjilbang."
Note
The booking product we confirmed is a foreigner-only admission ticket — Korean nationals cannot enter using this ticket.
A seawater hot-spring sauna located right in front of Gwangalli Beach, inside Hotel Aqua Palace. It's also known as "Aqua Palace Jjimjil & Seawater Hot Spring Sauna," and its standout feature is the rooftop terrace, where you can look out over Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge.
Location
Address — 192-5 Gwangan-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan (Hotel Aqua Palace)
