Jeju Itinerary: 7 Amazing Days On South Korea’s Paradise Island

With its breathtaking scenery combining crystal-clear turquoise waters and volcanic craters, Jeju island is the ideal destination if you’re looking for those relaxing island vibes and want to try slow living. Want to discover a small paradise island just an hour away by plane?

Here’s my one-week itinerary, no car required!

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🎯 Would you like to go straight to my recommendations?

🗺️ Recommended Tours:
🌊 Jeju’s Eastern or Southern Tour
👩‍🍳 Self-Cooking Atelier
♨️ Yacht Cruise Experience


🛌 Budget-friendly accommodations:
Seogwipo:
Slow Citi Guesthouse
Jeju City:
Ganderak Guesthouse

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Best time to visit Jeju island

As with anywhere else in South Korea, there isn’t really a best or worst time to visit Jeju-do, but there’s still a small exception though. Like many islands around the world, Jeju is often affected by typhoons and the monsoon season, which can lasts from June to early September.

This doesn’t mean you should completely avoid this period, but you should simply be more cautious and check the weather forecast before booking your flight to the island.

You can also play it safe and opt for a visit at the end of summer, when you’ll still enjoy sunny weather, warm waters, and pleasant temperatures.

Spring and fall are also popular seasons to visit Jeju-do, thanks to the cherry blossoms and fall foliage, not to mention winter, which gives the island a one of a kind and magical atmosphere.

Visa

You probably won’t need a visa thanks to the visa waiver agreements South Korea has with over 100 countries. You can also enter the country for up to 180 days, depending on your nationality.
However, you may need to apply for a K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) before departure (~$7).

Language

Korean is the official language of the country. English is not widely spoken, but you can get by with basic English and the use of Papago.

Money

The official currency of South Korea is the South Korean won (₩/KRW). For information, $1≃1370 KRW.

Phone

I strongly recommend getting a SIM/eSIM card (you can even reserve or purchase one in advance and pick it up directly at the airport, check the link here), because you can’t really do without one in the country.

Jeju island itinerary

If this is your first time visiting Jeju-do or even South Korea, then 7 days is ideal to get a feel for the island and see plenty at the same time. I personally chose to start in the south (Seogwipo) and end my stay in the north to be closer to the airport, but you can easily do this itinerary in the opposite direction.

This itinerary is also specially tailored for budget travelers and those who don’t want to rent a car or don’t feel comfortable driving abroad. Finally, I didn’t cram too many sights or activities into a single day, which is why this route is designed to give you enough time to get from one point to another by bus, but also to give you time to relax at each spot.

Let’s go!

Day 1: Olle Trail and impressive cliffs

If you love coastal walks and exploring a place by following well-marked trails, then you won’t be disappointed in Jeju, thanks to its many Olle Trails, aka the best way to discover every corner of the island.

So, after dropping off your lugagge at your accommodation, the best way to enjoy your first day is, in my humble opinion, to check out one of the 27 Olle trails available.

Take route 7, which starts easily in Seogwipo, and make your way through the peaceful Chilsimni park to the beautiful and mysterious Oedolgae Rock, where a stunning landscape and impressive cliffs await you. If you’re not too tired, you can continue to the end of the trail or return to the city for a well-deserved dinner.

Browse the various stalls at Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market or head to 바당국수 (Badang Guksu) to sample a variety of delicious noodles, as well as their grilled mackerel.

Don’t hesitate to check out the different Olle trails during your stay: some of my favorites include routes 6, 7, 10 and 20.

Day 2: Waterfalls and serene temple

After a day spent walking, let’s focus more on relaxation on this second day of our Jeju itinerary. Start your day by visiting the serene and tranquil but oh so pretty Yakcheonsa Temple.

And after having fill your mind and heart with its beauty, you’ll probably need to fill your stomach. What better way to do that than to try one of the traditional dishes of the island: abalone porridge at 착한전복 제주중문점 ( Chakanjonbook) or, for even more seafood, head to the restaurant Manjok Hansanghwi.

The perfect way to digest after a hearty meal? Take a refreshing walk in nature (beware of mosquitoes) and admire three beautiful waterfalls and a bridge surrounded by magical tales around Cheonjeyeon Waterfall. But, wait, the day isn’t over yet, and if you’re visiting in Autumn, don’t forget to check out the cosmos flowers field at the top of Jungmun Saekdal beach.

You’ll probably want to head back after that, so take a break at your accommodation before enjoying some pork bone soup at 태평식당 (Taepyongsikdang).

Day 3: Tea plantations and volcanic craters

Let’s begin this day a little differently by having breakfast or brunch, (depending on whether you feel like getting up early or not) at Cafe Gyulkkot Darak before visiting the famous tea plantations around Osulloc Tea Museum. Get lost in the green alleys, taste the best green tea ice cream you’ve ever had, and stock up on beauty products at Innisfree Jeju House.

Since Jeju island is actually a volcanic island, let me take you next to two of my favorite volcanoes and craters: Sanbagsan and its nearby Sanbanggulsa Temple, as well as the magnificent and historic Songaksan, which offers unparalleled views of the coast and neighboring islands.

And as I’m also a foodie traveler, let me give you another address to end this beautiful day, where you can taste another popular and traditional dish from Jeju island: black pork at Jeju Korea black pork BBQ Nammaene.

Day 4: Water activity and endless stretches of sand

That’s it, we’re already halfway through our trip to Jeju island, and for this fourth day, I’ve decided to plan a light schedule. First, let’s start with a nice breakfast in a pleasant setting at lavarr, before making your way to Soesokkak estuary for a bit of exercise by gliding peacefully across the greenish waters in a kayak.

If you’re not visiting the island during the sunniest and hottest months, you can still check out Soesokkak and other spots such as Socheonji pond, Lee Jung-Seop street… by taking the Olle trail n°6, for example.

Enjoy some seafood for lunch at Gongcheonpo Sikdang and spend the afternoon relaxing at Pyeoseon beach with its endless stretch of sand, or visit Jeju Folk Village to get a glimpse of the islanders’ old way of life if the weather is less favorable.

Day 5: Hallasan summit

If you’re an avid hiker, chances are you will not want to miss one of South Korea’s most beautiful hikes. And for good reason, as the hike to the summit of Hallasan is nothing short of enchanting, to say the least.

However, I should point out that the famous little lake at the top isn’t always present, especially if you’re hiking in winter or if it hasn’t rained for a while. But with or without it, this 8 to 10 hours hike (in general, or longer, depending on your fitness level) is well worth it.

You’ll also need to book a time slot to be able to hike Hallasan! For more tips and a more comprehensive guide, check out my post on the subject here!

Alternative:

If you’re not a hiker, you can spend this fifth day on Jeju island in a different way: visit Arte Museum, have brunch at Josik and admire wonderful views from Saebyeol Oreum!

Day 6: Direction Jeju City and the northern beaches

If you’re like me, you won’t ever get tired of discovering beautiful beaches with turquoise waters. So here’s an ideal day for beach lovers.

Hop on the bus to Hyeopjae and Geumneung beaches for a day of sunbathing and swimming (if it’s summer) or simply sightseeing as you walk along Olle trail course 14, before heading to Aewol Handam Coastal Walk and having a drink at Bomnal or Haejigae Cafe. You can also spend some time window shopping in the few boutiques that line the beginning or end of the coastal walk (whether you start from Gwakji beach or Aewol port).

Return to town for dinner at Dongmun Traditional Market and satisfy your sweet tooth at Alice Cafe with a bingsu (popular Korean dessert)!

Day 7: More beaches and the Sunrise Peak

Here we are: the last stage of our itinerary on Jeju island. On the agenda for this last day: two more beaches and the famous Sunrise Peak.

Enjoy an early lunch at Jeju Gommak Restaurant for some raw fish, noodles, spicy rockfish stew… before following Olle Trail n°20 to the beaches of Gimnyeong and Woljeongni.

Next, learn more about the brave women of the sea, professional freedivers, at the Haenyeo Museum and finish your tour of the island at Seongsan Ilchulbong, also known as Sunrise Peak, not for sunrise but for sunset. You can climb to the top or enjoy a more peaceful view of this volcanic cone from the nearby Gwangchigi beach.

Lastly, savor a hearty final dinner of spicy pork, stew, and soy sauce marinated crab at 장모식탁 (Jangmo Siktak).

Useful links & Apps

Navigation and bus/subway timetable: NAVER Map

Translator: Papago

Taxi: Kakao T

And that’s it for this Jeju itinerary! I hope you’ll fall in love with the island as much as I did and that this short week will make you want to come back to discover more of Jeju’s beauty!

Want more things to do on Jeju-do without a car? Here are 30!