Jeju Island (제주도)
Complete Travel Guide
(everything you need to know before visiting)
Jeju Island is one of my favorite places in South Korea for a get-away that’s away from the cities. While Seoul, Busan, and Incheon are packed with skyscrapers, shopping, cafes, and endless new attractions – Jeju is a completely different vibe.
Here you’ll find a mix of volcanic landscapes like black, rocky beaches and lava tubes, waterfalls, hiking trails, tangerine farms, and some of the most beautiful scenery in South Korea. There’s a reason it’s often called the “Hawaii of Korea”.
I’ve visited Jeju a few times now, and I think it’s one of the best places to add to your itinerary if you want to experience a completely different side of what you typically see advertised as “Korea.” If you have a few extra days on your Korea trip, it’s definitely worth a stop.
Unlike other places in Korea, I recommend visiting Jeju for a minimum of 3-4 days. There’s simply too much to see in any shorter of a trip.
How Many Days to Spend on Jeju Island
I recommend spending at least 3-4 days on Jeju Island if it’s your first visit.
Three days gives you barely enough time to see some of the major highlights without spending every minute driving from one side of the island to the other.
If you have 4 or 5 days that’s even better, and for most people I’d recommend aiming for at least 5 days on the island. This way you’ll have time to explore multiple parts of the island and add activities without making your itinerary feel too rushed.
If you only have two days, you can still visit Jeju – but I’d recommend choosing either the northern or southern side of the island rather than trying to cover everything.
Best Time to Visit Jeju Island
Spring is one of the most beautiful times to visit Jeju. The island starts warming up, flowers are blooming, and you can enjoy outdoor activities without the extreme heat of summer.
Summer is a great choice if you’re primarily visiting for beaches and coastal activities, but it can be very hot and humid. It’s also the busiest time with the most travelers.
Fall is a nice time to visit, with comfortable temperatures for hiking areas around Hallasan. It’s also much less crowded compared to the summer.
Winter can be chilly but because Jeju has a much milder winter than many parts of mainland Korea you should be ok with a few layers.
Best Things to Do on Jeju Island
There are so many things to do on Jeju Island that sometimes it can be difficult to decide where to start. I still tend to get overwhelmed when choosing what to do (even after a few visits), so here’s some of my personal favorites :
Hallasan
Hallasan is the highest mountain in South Korea and one of the country’s most famous National Parks.
The mountain (technically a dormant volcano) sits right in the center of the island and there’s several hiking routes around it, from short trails to much more challenging hikes that take you to the summit. If you’re not sure about hiking on your own, this is a great guided tour on Mount Hallasan.
Jeju Stone Park
This cultural park and museum is one place I recommend to everyone visiting Jeju, as long as you’re interested in local culture and history.
Entry is just 5,000₩ (free for children), and includes access to the park, the traditional village, and the museum. You can easily spend an entire half day or full day here and it’s a great way to learn more about the island.
Jeju’s Waterfalls
Jeju is home to many beautiful waterfalls, specifically around the southern coast near Seogwipo. They’re typically right on the coast, and are surrounded by lush foliage, adding to the “Hawaii of Korea” nickname. Two of the most popular are :
Jeongbang Waterfall is one of the few waterfalls in Korea where the water falls directly into the ocean.
Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls is another popular stop, with a walking path that leads you to 3 different waterfalls.
Visit a Tangerine Farm
Jeju is famous for its tangerines, and you’ll see citrus farms (and cute merchandise) all over the island.
Depending on which season you’re visiting, in the fall/early winter you can visit farms where you can pick your own fruit or buy fresh tangerines and other citrus products (peak harvesting season on Jeju is from November to December).
Explore the Manjanggul Lava Tube Area
Like I mentioned above, Mount Hallasan is actually a dormant volcano – and is the reason the island looks the way it does. Not only are there black lava beaches and plenty of unique rock formations, but there’s also lava tubes on Jeju Island.
Manjanggul Lava Tube is one of the most popular to visit, but you’ll want to check current operating status before visiting, lately it’s been closed on and off due to conditions of the caves.
Best Day Trips on Jeju Island
Because Jeju is an island itself, most day trips from the island lead to other, smaller islands.
Udo Island is one of the most popular day trips from Jeju, it’s right off the eastern coast and is known for beautiful beaches, coastlines, cycling adventures, and of course fresh seafood.
Gapado is another small island that’s fairly popular for day trips from Jeju. Its famous for its green barley fields in the springtime, which turn the entire island bright green.
My Favorite Jeju Island Experience
Personally, my favorite experience so far on Jeju Island has been exploring the waterfalls along the southern coast.
There are plenty to choose from, but if you base in Seogwipo you’ll be able to visit quite a few of them in one trip.
Some of the more popular are the Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls – a set of 3 waterfalls on a walking path (admission is 2000₩ for adults) – and the Jeongbang Waterfalls (pictured here).
Best Areas to Stay on Jeju Island
Jeju City
(North Coast)
Jeju City is the most convenient area for anyone wanting to stay near the International Airport. As the largest city on the island, there’s plenty of hotels, restaurants, cafes, and shopping here. It also has some of the easiest access to public transportation.
Seogwipo
(South Coast)
If you’re wanting to explore the waterfalls, coastlines, and main lava tube on Jeju Island – then Seogwipo is the best place to base out of. You can also easily take advantage of the island’s public bus system.
Aewol
(West Coast)
Aewol is particularly popular for its oceanfront cafes, restaurants, and coastal roads. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere and want to spend time exploring top sights along the western coast.
Seongsan
(East Coast)
If you’re wanting to explore places like Udo Island and Seopjikoji, then Seongsan is a great option, especially if seeing the sunrise Seongsan Ilchulbong is on your Jeju Island bucket list.
How to Get to Jeju Island
The easiest way to get to Jeju is by plane.
Jeju International Airport has frequent flights connecting the island with Seoul and other cities like Busan, and they’re usually really cheap.
Plus flights are very short – Seoul to Jeju City will only take you about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Also, I haven’t done it myself yet, but you can also reach Jeju by ferry (which would be necessary if you plan on bringing your own car) or visit via a cruise!
How to Get Around Jeju Island
Unlike Seoul, where public transportation makes it easy to get just about anywhere you want, Jeju is much more spread out and doesn’t have a subway system.
For most travelers renting a car or booking a tour is the easiest way to explore the island.
Having a car gives you the flexibility to stop at whatever beaches, viewpoints, and cafes you want – just make sure to have your IDP with you. Here’s my full guide on driving in Korea.
If you don’t want to drive, buses are available and you can still visit many popular attractions, but you’ll need to plan your itinerary a bit more carefully and with a bit of extra time.
Where to Eat on Jeju Island
Jeju has a really unique food scene, and there’s several food items I’d recommend trying while you’re on the island.
One of the most famous is Jeju black pork, which comes from the island’s black pigs. You’ll find many restaurants specializing in black pork BBQ – and many restaurants in other areas of Korea even brag about using Jeju’s special black pork.
Fresh seafood is another obvious choice, but not quite as unique compared to other parts of Korea.
You also won’t want to leave without trying the island’s famous tangerines. You can find them just about anywhere and they’re incorporated into everything from juices, desserts, chocolates, and baked goods.
Jeju Island Travel Tips
Don’t underestimate the size of the island. Jeju looks tiny and manageable on a map, but attractions can be surprisingly far apart and it takes longer than you think to cross the island, especially if you’re traveling by bus.
Consider renting a car. If you’re comfortable driving in Korea and have your IDP, having a rental car can make exploring Jeju much easier.
Use Naver Map or KakaoMap. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, these are the two apps I use for all my navigation in Korea, specifically Naver.
Check the weather. Jeju’s weather can change quickly, so its important to check the weather – especially if you’re planning to head out on some hikes. You’ll also want to wear and bring multiple layers to adjust accordingly.
Wear comfortable shoes. Just like the rest of Korea, you’ll probably end up doing more walking than you expect, so make sure to have shoes that are comfortable.
Book popular activities ahead of time. Some experiences, restaurants, and seasonal activities are extremely popular, so I recommend booking popular attractions ahead of time.
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