Jeju is an island in South Korea, located off the southern tip of the mainland. It’s a very popular holiday destination for Koreans, and (post-covid) international tourism is growing again as well. I visited Jeju for over a week and was blown away – it was totally different from Seoul and what I thought South Korea would be like, in a good way! The main reason I went was to visit my best friend, who is living on Jeju. But I’m really glad I visited! Here’s my guide for the best things to see and do on Jeju.

A huge thank you to my best friend Nate for working with me on this post. He has been living on Jeju for over two years and is an expert on all things Jeju! Unfortunately, I got covid and had to spend one week in quarantine, isolating with Nate and his girlfriend Liv (who of course both ended up getting it too – sorry guys!). As I lost so much time on Jeju, he’s offered loads of suggestions and recommendations on what to see and do on the island.

How to Get to Jeju

It’s easiest to fly to Jeju. If you’re coming from Seoul, there are numerous airlines who fly very frequently to Jeju – flights are affordable (my flights were £55 or $72 return, including one checked bag up to 20kg) and short, about 1 hour long. There are so many flights, you’ll want to make sure you’re at the right gate for the right departure time! There are also regular flights to Jeju from other Korean cities. I use Skyscanner for finding the best flight deals.

You can also take the ferry to Jeju. Various cities offer ferry connections: Yeosu, Mokpo, Goheung, Wando, and Haenam. It takes much longer – anywhere from 2 hours and 40 minutes to 5 hours. There is also an overnight ferry from Busan which takes about 11 hours. But I really recommend flying to Jeju to maximize your time.

The Best Things to Do on Jeju

Jeju felt like a world away from busy-city Seoul, with its pristine beaches and dramatic coastline. I can see why it’s such a popular holiday spot for Koreans! Here are the top things you can’t miss on a trip to Jeju.

Hit the Beach

Jeju has some truly stunning beaches – I did NOT expect South Korea to look like this!! My favorite beach was Hyeopjae Beach, which is the most popular beach on the island. But there’s a good reason for this: the water here is crystal clear and bright blue. It’s a beautiful place to spend the day! I also loved Haengwon Beach (near Hado). It might not be the best for swimming/sunbathing, but the color of the water here is insane.

Other beaches that were recommended are Hwanguchi Beach, Hamdeok, Gwakji, Pyoseon Beach, Sagye Beach, and Jungmoon Beach. Jungmoon Beach is the best spot for surfing on the island, but this is really only safe/suitable for non-beginner surfers. If you’re a beginner, check out Hyeopjae, Gwakji, or Hamdoek. If you’re not a beginner and have surfing experience, you could check out Jungmoon, Sagye, Iho, or Woljeong Beach.

Go for a Hike

There are SO many good hikes around the island. I’m so bummed that I got covid and couldn’t do all of them! The most well-known hike is the full-day trek up Hallasan mountain. You need a permit for this (there are a limited number per day), and a reasonable level of fitness. In winter, you will need crampons and hiking poles – they won’t let you hike Hallasan without them.

Sunrise Peak is another popular hike, as is Songaksan. I did a bit of the hike around Songaksan and loved it, the views over the coast and the rest of the island were beautiful!

I also loved my walk along Eongal Coast and Suwolbong Peak Walking Path. You can see the volcanic rock layers, and I also spotted dolphins not far from this walk!!!

Chase Waterfalls

Forget what TLC says, chasing waterfalls is a perfect Jeju activity. I loved my visit to Joengbang Falls, which is the only waterfall in Asia that flows directly into the ocean. There’s an admission fee of 2000 KRW (£1.20 or $1.60) for this waterfall. If I hadn’t have gotten covid/have had more time, I’d have loved to visit Cheonjiyeon Waterfall and Eongtto Waterfall, too.

Marvel at Yakcheonsa Temple

This is the largest temple on Jeju, and certainly worthy of a visit when on the island. Major construction on the temple started in 1982, but some kind of hermitage/temple has been on the site for probably over 100 years. I loved wandering around here – make sure you check out the view inside the hall from the upper levels. If you really want to immerse yourself in Buddhist culture overnight, they offer a temple stay program.

See the Lava Tubes

Unfortunately, these were closed when I went to visit them – which was so disappointing! The lava tubes on Jeju are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visiting them is one of the top things to do on the island. Manjanggul Cave is the 12th-longest lava tunnel in the world and the second-longest on Jeju – Geomunoreum is the longest lava tube on the island!

Visit a Museum

There are some excellent museums on Jeju. I loved my visit to the Haenyeo Museum in particular. Haenyeo is the name for the female divers – some who dive into their 80s! – who dive without oxygen to gather shellfish. The Culture of Jeju Haenyeo is actually listed by UNESCO for intangible cultural heritage – I was also lucky enough to see haenyeo diving along the coast. I really recommend this museum for learning more about these inspiring ladies and their fascinating culture.

Jeju 4.3 Peace Park and Museum is another museum that’s highly recommended. It details the Jeju uprising, which occurred on April 3rd 1948, and lasted for over a year (ending in May 1949). While atrocities were committed on both sides, the violence used by the South Korean government forces against the Jeju protesters/rebels was particularly brutal. Approximately 10% of Jeju’s population were killed. The peace park and museum is designed to commemorate the losses suffered during the uprising, and for others to learn about what happened.

On a completely different note, another popular attraction on Jeju is Loveland – which unfortunately was closed when I visited! This is an outdoor sculpture park, based on sensuality and eroticism. They apparently have loads of penis statues, among others. Put it on your list if you’re visiting Jeju with a sense of humor! There is also Osulloc Tea Museum, which is located right next to Seogwang Tea Garden. This is a pretty touristy spot on Jeju and can often be quite crowded at peak times. You can learn all about green tea and the tea fields are super popular for photos!

Discover Jeju-si and Seogwipo

Jeju-si is the capital of Jeju, and home to the island’s airport. I didn’t actually spend that much time here, as I wanted to explore the more rural parts of the island. It’s the biggest city on the island, so you’ll find a good food/drink scene here with a big choice of restaurants. The 5-day markets here are a big deal – they happen once a month, so try to time your visit right!

Seogwipo is the other big city on the island. I highly recommend checking out Lee Jung-seop Street, which is dedicated to a the famous artist – he lived in Seogwipo for a short time. There is lots of street art, and beautiful blossoms along the street in spring! I also loved May-B Cafe, which is a perfect stop for lunch during the day or a glass of wine at night!

If you’re looking for a quieter experience, I went out to eat a few times in Daejeong/Mulseolpo. This is a small fishing village right on the coast, with some good options for food. I ate the best tteokbokki of my trip to South Korea here!

The Top 10 Experiences on Jeju

If you’re wanting a snapshot of the best things you can experience on Jeju, here you go! Thanks to Nate for his top recommendations for these.

• See the cherry blossoms: visit Jeju in spring for a beautiful display of blossoms! Jeonnong-ro in Jeju-si should be your first stop
• Go to a five-day market
• Hike up Hallasan
• Water activities: snorkel, surf, swim, spot haenyeo, and more around Jeju’s coast
• Walk along the coast (you might even spot dolphins!)
• Hit up a museum, like the Haenyeo Museum or Jeju 4.3 Peace Park and Museum
• See one of the island’s waterfalls
• Visit a temple
• Go underground in the lava tubes
• Take a day trip to Udo island

Planning Your Trip to Jeju

I stayed with my friend during my time on Jeju, so unfortunately I can’t personally recommend anywhere to stay. Where you stay will likely depend on whether you’re renting a car or using public transport to get around. A car will give you so much more freedom. Note that driving here is really strange – it’s some of the craziest driving I’ve seen in all my travels haha! A lot of tourists visit Jeju and haven’t driven in their home city in a while, so seem to forget normal rules of the road. Just be cautious when driving. If you’re relying on public transport, I recommend basing yourself in Jeju-si or Seogwipo. Search for accommodation in Jeju-si here, and for accommodation in Seogwipo here! If I was going to stay in either of these cities, I’d choose:

• Yesjun Guest House (hostel) in Jeju-si – super convenient for the airport!
• Backpacker’s Home hostel in Seogwipo
• Hotel Regent Marine the Blue in Jeju-si
• Lotte City Hotel in Jeju-si
• GoldOne Hotel and Suites in Seogwipo
• Lotte Hotel in Seogwipo (for a splurge!)

You can also search for accommodation on Jeju using the map below.

Booking.com

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Jeju is such a different destination to the other big cities in South Korea, in the best way. The island is home to beautiful beaches and coastline, fascinating cultural sites, and some excellent hikes. If you’re after an escape from busy Asian cities, this would be a fantastic choice. I hope this guide helps planning your trip to Jeju!

Have you visited Jeju island? What were your favorite things?

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