Having spent an amazing month travelling through South Korea we wanted to share our recommended Jeju itinerary. Created by a massive volcanic eruption 2 million years ago, the island is lush with remnants of volcanic activity and is the perfect mix of natural beauty and unique things to do. For those of you planning your own Jeju itinerary, we wanted to share our Jeju travel guide and Jeju itinerary to help with your trip planning!
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The Ultimate Jeju Itinerary
Jeju was one of our favorite places in South Korea. From the island vibe to exploring the waterfalls, Jeju is a must-see destination in South Korea. Having spent several days on Jeju Island we’ve put together all our tips and advice to make the most of your time in this amazing place.
Jeju Itinerary Essentials
Depending on how long you have, we recommend allowing 3 or 4 nights in Jeju. We traveled all around South Korea and this Jeju itinerary, together with our Seoul itinerary, is a great starting point for planning a South Korea trip.
Getting Around Jeju
Renting a car in Jeju is the best way to explore the island plus driving is relatively easy. Having your own car gives you the flexibility to travel at your own pace and see places that are simply not possible on group tours or public transport. We find that Rentalcars.com has the best prices for Jeju Island. We rented a car during our time on Jeju and found it the best way to explore the island
Make sure to book your rental car well in advance for the best price and to ensure availability. Jeju is an island with a lot of visitors: Seoul Gimpo to Jeju is the busiest air route in the world and 26 million passengers use the tiny Jeju International Airport every year! As such, demand for rental cars on the island is high, especially during busy periods and holidays. We recommend using RentalCars.com to reserve your car as they have the best selection and prices that we’ve found–click here to book now!
Book your car now with RentalCars
Jeju itinerary tip: Jeju can be explored by public transport but it is often time consuming. If you prefer to avoid renting a car then consider taking a tour of the island, these Eastern Jejuand Western Jeju tours are a great way explore most of the island.
Where to Stay in Jeju
We recommend staying in Jeju City if you have a late arrival or early departure. The South of the island is the ideal location to explore the Jeju sights.
- Howard Johnston Hotel Jeju:We spent a night at the Howard Johnson and found it perfect for a short stay before or after a flight at Jeju International. The hotel is centrally located, close to the airport and there are lots of restaurants and facilities within a short walking distance. Parking is also available for free as part of the room rate –check prices now!
- Marriott Jeju Shinhwa World Hotels & Resorts:this resort was one of our favourite hotels in South Korea and was a good base for exploring Jeju if you rent a car. The resort itself is amazing, with stunning rooms, a beautiful pool and an incredible breakfast. There’s even a theme park attached to the hotel! – check prices now!
- Kensington Jeju Hotel: located close to Jungmun Beach on the south of the island it’s easy to see why the Kensington Jeju Hotel is one of Jeju’s highest rated hotels. The breakfast and dinner buffets are insane and the views from the rooftop infinity pools are some of the best in Jeju –check prices now!
Best Time to Visit Jeju
When visiting Jeju it is best to plan your visit to coincide with the more moderate weather months!
The warm and sunny days that often occur from March to May and October to November make these months a great time to visit South. During the summer, temperatures are consistently high and South Korea enters typhoon season while in winter its icy cold.
Sim Card and Internet
As with most countries, having mobile data during a trip is invaluable for navigation and research. There are lots of options on arrival at Seoul and Jeju airports – we reserved 4g Wifi hotspot in advance on Klook.com – check prices now!
Daily Jeju Itinerary
We’ve outlined our day to day Jeju itinerary as a starting point for planning your own Jeju experience.
Day 1: Seongsan Illchulbong, Seopikoji Coast Walk, Aqua Planet and Manjanggul Cave
Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak and Jeju Haenyeo
Start the day with a short hike up Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak. Topped by 99 jagged rocks which resemble a crown, it is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Jeju.
Seongsan Illchulbong is known as Sunrise Peak due to its incredible sunrise views so, if you are early risers, you can consider watching the sunset from its crown.
On the way down, make a stop at the viewing platform to try and catch a glimpse of the Jeju haenyeo, Jeju’s traditional women divers
Jeju Itinerary tip: the hike from the car park the summit takes about 30 minutes and is a mix of paved paths and wooden stairs. It’s a relatively easy hike for those of average fitness. On colder days, make sure to wrap up well as it can get chilly on the exposed trail.
Seopikoji Coast Walk
Famous for the yellow canola and its appearance in Korean television dramas, the Seopikoji Coast Walk offers beautiful coastal views
Jeju itinerary tip: The canola blooms during March and April but it is a stunning scenic walk at any time of the year
Aqua Planet
Aqua Planet is the largest aquarium in all of Asia and 50,000 animals and 500 plants live there. The stingrays, sharks, seals, penguins and otters were our highlights among the thousands of sea creatures–check prices now!
Buy your Aqua Planet tickets now
Manjanggul Cave
The final stop is the Manjanggul Lava tubes another of the three sites which make up the Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes UNESCO World Heritage Site. Considered one of the finest lava tunnels in the world, the lava tube at Manjanggul Cave stretches for 13.4 kilometres with one kilometre of the Manjanggul Cave is accessible to visitors.
The highlights are the ‘Stone Turtle’, which resembles the outline of Jeju Island, and an 8-metre tall lava column which is the largest in the world.
Jeju Itinerary tip: bring a rain jacket into the caves as it can get chilly and wet. The ground is uneven at times and can be slippery so make sure to wear proper footwear.
Day 2: Jusangjelloi Cliffs, Oedolgae Rock, Teddy Bear Museum and Waterfalls
Today’s itinerary is focused on the South of the island where some of Jeju’s most incredible sights are located within a short drive of each other. Our day 2 Jeju itinerary is jam packed so pick and choose as you please!
Jusangjelloi Cliffs
The spectacular Jusangjelloi Cliffs are comprised of hundreds of hexagonal basalt Oedolgae Rock stone. The cliffs were formed by a Mount Hallasan eruption and are one of the most beautiful sights in Jeju.
Jungmun Beach
If the weather is nice, the golden sands of Jungmun Beach are a lovely detour. With its crashing waves, Jungmun is a popular surf beach.
Teddy Bear Museum
The Teddy Museum is, unsurprisingly, a museum dedicated entirely to teddy bears! Hundreds of teddies from all over the world are displayed throughout the museum.
Our highlights were a teddy bear depiction of a scene from Gulliver’s Travels, the smallest teddy in the world, a teddy bear version of the Mona Lisa and the Vitruvian Teddy, a nod to Leonardo Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man painting–check prices here!
Click here to purchase tickets to the Teddy Bear Museum
Cheonjeyeon Falls
Known as the Pond of God, legend has it that if you stand under the three-tiered Cheonjeyeon Falls on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month then diseases will be cured.The Seonimgyo Bridge, with its beautiful carving of seven nymphs, crosses over the Cheonjeyeon Falls.
Oedolgae Rock
The towering Oedolgae Rock is a quirky rock formation visible from the Olle trail, a series of trails which stretch across Jeju.
Jeongbang Waterfall
Our favourite of the Jeju waterfalls, Jeongbang is the only waterfall in Asia to fall straight into the ocean. The 23-meter high waterfall is surrounded by giant boulders which are fun to clamber over!
Cheonjiyeon Falls
Where the sky connects with the land, Cheonjiyeon Falls is accessed at the end of a scenic walk through lush surrounds.
Jeju itinerary tip: Make sure to sample some of the squid biscuits which are sold at the entrance of the Cheonjiyeon Falls.
Seogwipo Submarine
For a unique experience, take a ride on the Seogwipo Submarine as it descends 40 feet below the sea. There’s a small shipwreck on the route and, depending on the water conditions, its often possible to see scores of colourful wish – check prices here!
Jeju itinerary tip: if you are planning a family trip, the Seogwipo submarine is one of the best things to do in Jeju with kids!
Click here to book Seogwipo submarine tickets
Day 3: Love Land, Suwolbong Peak, Cactus Village and Beaches
Day 3 is also action packed so be sure to squeeze in your favourites!
Love Land
The sex-themed outdoor sculpture park is by far the quirkiest of the things to do in Jeju. Sensual and erotic sculptures in various sex positions are dotted throughout Love Land and it’s a fun place to visit!
Jeju itinerary tip:visitors must be 18 or over to enter Love Land
Mysterious Road
Located close to Love Land, Dokkaebi Road in Jeju is known as the Mysterious Road due to the baffling ability of objects to climb the hill instead of moving down it!
Jeju itinerary tip:the gravity defying happenings at Mysterious Road are actually an optical illusion created by the road and its surroundings!
Iho Tewoo Beach
Iho Tewoo Beach is a popular Jeju hangout and it is ramed by a red and white horse shaped lighthouse at either end.
Hypeopjae Beach
The stunning white sands and turquoise waters of Hypeopjae Beach make it one of the most beautiful in Jeju.
Jeju itinerary tip: if Hypeopjae is teeming with people, the Geumneung Eutteumwon Beach is a great alternative. Located next to Hypeopjae, it is home to some awesome stone statues and is equally as beautiful as its neighbor.
Wollyeongri Cactus Village
A boardwalk leads visitors through a huge field of cactii which is spectacular against the ocean backdrop. The cactii are a Jeju specialty and a variety of products including face masks, juice and chocolate are stocked in the village.
Suwolbong Peak
Located at the most western point in Jeju, Suwolbong Peak is now an inactive volcano.Suwolbong Peak is the perfect spot to wrap up the day and watch the sunset over the beautiful landscape.
Day 4: Optional Days
Depending on your interests, you might like to add a full day Hallasan hike or a fun theme park outing to the Jeju itinerary.
Jeju itinerary tip: if you want to squeeze both a theme park and a hike then opt for one of the shorter Hallasan trails.
Theme Park: Jeju Shinhwa World
Jeju Shinhwa World is an entertainment complex consisting of a theme park and a water park. Shinhwa Water Park is the latest addition and has a variety of waves, slides and pools including a 230-meter high slide – check prices now!
Jeju itinerary tip: when we visited it seemed that development had stalled at Shinhwa World. The theme park was very quiet and there are were no waits for rides.
Hiking: Mount Hallasan
If you love hiking then make sure to set aside a day for Mount Hallasan and its summit views of the incredible crater lake. Hallasan is South Korea’s tallest mountain and its distinct peak can be seen from all over Jeju.
The Hallahan hiking trails range from a 30 minute jaunt to an epic 5 hour adventure.There are two summit trails known as the Gwaneumsa and Seongpanak trails:
- Gwaneumsa Trail: 8.7km summit trail which takes approximately 5 hours one way.
- Seongpanak Trail: 9.6km summit trail which takes approximately 4.5 hours one way.
Jeju itinerary tip: Although longer, the Seongpanak trail is slightly easier than Gwaneumsa. Some parts of the trail are on a gentle slope and allow some breathing space between the stair climbs. It also has a rest stop with refreshments just before the final push for the Hallasan summit. It’s for these reasons that many visitors hike up the Seongpanak trail and descend via the Gwaneumsa trail.
The Eorimok and Yeongsil are Hallasan’s other popular trails. Although these trails don’t have views of the Baengnokdam Crater Lake, they are both great options to experience Hallasan and its stunning landscape.
- Eorimok Trail: 6.8km trial which takes approximately three hours one way.
- Yeongsil Trail: 5.8km trail which takes approximately three hours one way.
Jeju itinerary tip:the weather changes fast on Hallashan so make sure to bring warm clothes and rain jackets.
