Jeju Island is a classic in every South Korea itinerary — and I totally get why !Located in the south of the country, Jeju is a beautiful natural destination with incredibly diverse landscapes. From lava caves to white sand beaches, traditional villages, and waterfalls, there’s so much to explore on the island.
I’ve been to Jeju twice, in two very different seasons (winter and summer), and it managed to surprise me both times. To help you make the most of your trip — without rushing — here’s my 4-day Jeju itinerary (with a bonus tip!) so you can truly enjoy the best of the island.
📍 4-Day Jeju Itinerary at a Glance
- Day 1 – North: Jeju City + Manjanggul Lava Tube
- Day 2 – East: Seongsan Ilchulbong + Udo Island
- Day 3 – South: Jeongbang & Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls + Seongeup Folk Village
- Day 4 – West: Hallim Park + O’Sulloc Tea Museum
- (Bonus Day 5 – Hallasan hike)
Day 1 – North of Jeju: Jeju City & Manjanggul Cave
Jeju City is the main hub of Jeju Island and where most people arrive, whether you’re flying in or coming by ferry. Since it’s the largest city, you’ll find plenty of hotels, restaurants, and a few museums. If you’re only planning to stay in one hotel during your trip, I recommend booking it here — it’s a convenient base for exploring the island.
That said, I’ll be honest — I don’t know Jeju City in great depth because I usually spend my days out exploring and only return in the evening. But I do have a few favorite spots to share!
The Jeju City waterfront is a great place for a peaceful stroll along the sea. It’s especially relaxing in the evening. Near Tapdong Plaza, it often gets livelier at night with street performers and vendors selling souvenirs. If you’re looking for food, head to Black Pork Street, which is packed with barbecue restaurants specializing in Jeju’s famous black pork — a local specialty that’s definitely worth trying.
Right nearby, you’ll also find Chilseong-ro, a shopping street with both Korean and international brands — great for a little browsing. And if you’re into art, the Arario Museum is worth a quick visit. The exhibition was a bit quirky, but some pieces were really interesting, and I enjoyed walking through it.
These activities can be spread out over multiple evenings if you’re staying in the city longer, but this should give you a nice first glimpse !
Manjanggul Lava Tube
In the evening, I recommend starting your sightseeing with one of Jeju’s most famous landmarks: the Manjanggul Lava Tube. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and absolutely a must-see on your Jeju itinerary. Formed by lava flows, this impressive cave allows visitors to walk through the first 1 km of the tunnel. Along the way, you’ll see formations created by cooling lava and learn about how the tube formed through informative displays. It’s a really unique and memorable experience — I personally loved it and highly recommend it!
The area around the cave has a small park, a few restaurants, and souvenir shops, so it’s a nice place to hang out after your visit.
💡Tip: Inside the cave, it’s significantly cooler than outside, so I suggest bringing a hoodie or light jacket with you!
Bonus:
If you’re traveling with kids — or if you’re a kid at heart like me — there is Gimnyeong Maze Park right next to the cave. It’s a fun stop where you can collect stamps as you try to find your way through the maze. Once you reach the exit, you can ring a bell and get a great view of the maze from above. Simple, but super fun!
Day 2 – East of Jeju: Seongsan & Udo Island
On the east side of Jeju, Seongsan is the main city. It’s home to another UNESCO site: Seongsan Ilchulbong, a 132-meter-high volcanic crater. You can hike to the top and enjoy an incredible view of both the crater and the sea — plus the town below.
The hike takes around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your pace, and it’s not too difficult. Honestly, the view from the top is one of my favorite things I saw in Jeju. On your way down, you’ll also get a side view of the crater with its steep edges dropping into the water. If you want to explore a bit more, you can head down to the nearby black sand beaches right along the crater’s base — perfect for dipping your feet or snapping some photos.
After the hike, you can either stop in Seongsan for lunch or head straight to the port. The town has a few souvenir shops and restaurants where you can rest a bit. But don’t worry — Udo Island also has food options, so it’s totally fine to go straight there.
Udo Island
Just 2.8 km off the coast, Udo is a small island known for its peaceful vibe and natural beauty. With beaches, cliffs, and little coves to explore, it’s the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the scenery. Only about 1,800 people live there, and not all tourists make the trip — so it feels much calmer than mainland Jeju.
To get there, take the ferry from Seongsan Port, which runs every 30 minutes between 9 AM and 5 PM. I recommend going early in the afternoon so you have plenty of time to enjoy the island without rushing.
Once you arrive, you’ve got a few ways to get around:
- If you’re driving, you can take your rental car on the ferry. The extra fee is reasonable.
- You can also rent a small electric cart or “golf cart” on Udo, but you’ll need to show an international driving license.
- The third option — which I did — is to rent a bike. They usually offer both regular and electric bikes, so you can choose what works for you. I had a great time biking around, but keep an eye on the time! My friend and I almost missed the last ferry — we were riding like crazy at the end 😂
Day 3 – South of Jeju: Seogwipo & Seongeup Folk Village
Located on the southern coast, Seogwipo is the second-largest city on Jeju Island. But with its smaller population and slower pace, it feels more like a peaceful town than a busy city — which makes it a really relaxing place to explore.
In Seogwipo, you can visit two of Jeju’s most famous waterfalls: Jeongbang and Cheonjiyeon. You might wonder, do you really need to see both? Aren’t they similar ? My answer is : definitely not !
Jeongbang Waterfall
Jeongbang Waterfall is a 23-meter-high waterfall located right next to the ocean — and yes, it’s as dramatic as it sounds. You can get really close to the falls, which makes it feel even more powerful, and the view is stunning since you get both the waterfall and the sea in the same frame. Great photo spot !
Cheonjiyeon Waterfall
Cheonjiyeon Waterfall is similar in height but feels completely different. You reach it by walking through a peaceful park, and the waterfall slowly reveals itself as you get closer. It’s surrounded by dense greenery, which gives it a more tranquil, almost hidden vibe.
Both are beautiful in their own way, and I truly recommend seeing them both if you can.
Another great stop for your Jeju itinerary is a traditional folk village — and here, you have two main options: Seongeup Folk Village and Jeju Folk Village.
Seongeup Folk Village
Seongeup is a real, historic village that dates back to the 15th century. It’s filled with traditional Jeju houses made from stone walls and thatched roofs. When you first enter, it might feel a bit empty, but that’s part of its charm — some people still live there, so you might spot a few locals going about their day.
You’re free to wander around and explore, though only a few buildings are open to the public. Just be sure to respect the signs! I personally love this place — it feels like time stands still. Everything is quiet and calm, and both times I visited, there were almost no other tourists around, which made the experience even better.
The downside? There isn’t much explanation throughout the village. A few signs here and there, but not enough to guide the visit in depth. You’re kind of “on your own,” which might feel a bit boring to some people. That’s why I also want to mention Jeju Folk Village as an alternative.
⚠️ Heads-up: I read an article warning about a scam where taxis drop visitors at a fake “folk village” to sell souvenirs. I didn’t experience this myself, but if you’re going by taxi, check on your map to make sure you’re arriving at the real Seongeup Folk Village.
Jeju Folk Village
Jeju Folk Village is a reconstruction of a traditional village — kind of like a cultural theme park. It’s more tourist-friendly and especially good for families. There are detailed explanations, recreated houses showing how people lived, and some interactive activities to make the visit more engaging.
It was a nice stop, and I enjoyed it, but if I had to choose just one, I’d still recommend Seongeup. Even though it’s less curated, it’s authentic — and that makes a big difference.
Day 4 – West of Jeju: Hallim Park & O’Sulloc Tea Museum
The west side of Jeju is often skipped in most itinerary guides. It doesn’t have as many “big” tourist attractions, and since there’s no major city in this area, it’s easy to overlook. But personally, I really enjoyed visiting this part of the island, and if you have time, I definitely recommend it.
Hallim Park
Hallim Park is a botanical garden located near Hyeopjae Beach. The park covers 100,000 m² and features many themed gardens — like the water garden, bonsai garden, and even areas that recreate iconic Jeju landscapes. There’s also a small folk village and a set of lava caves, which will remind you of the places from Day 2 and 3 !
What I loved most was the variety of plants. No matter the month or season, you’ll almost always find something in bloom. You can even check their flower calendar on the official website if you’re curious! The visit takes about 1.5 hours if you want to enjoy everything without rushing.
At the end, there’s a cute souvenir shop with some lovely gift ideas. I found a few really nice presents there!
As you leave the park, you’ll find yourself right in front of Hyeopjae Beach — it’s a beautiful spot, perfect for a short walk before heading to your next stop.
O’Sulloc Tea Museum
O’Sulloc is one of Korea’s most famous tea brands, and its tea leaves are actually grown right here in Jeju ! The museum is located next to the tea fields, so when you arrive, you’ll immediately see the rows of tea plants stretching out in front of you — a really beautiful contrast against the surrounding scenery. The fields are usually very neat and well maintained, which makes them even more impressive.
Inside the main building, it’s part museum, part café. One side tells the story of tea in Jeju and explains how O’Sulloc teas are made. Of course, you can also taste different flavors at the café, and the desserts (especially the green tea cakes!) are delicious. There’s also a store if you want to buy souvenirs. If you need a recommendation, my favorite one is Cherry Blossom !
📝 Tip: The main building can get quite crowded, so if you prefer a quieter moment, take a walk around the garden area or check out the other nearby buildings. One of them is an Innisfree shop (a Korean skincare brand), which has a cozy space where you can sit, relax, and enjoy the atmosphere.
🔁 Note : Whether you’re coming from Seogwipo or Jeju City, you can visit these two places in whichever order makes more sense based on your location — especially important if you’re not driving!
Bonus – Day 5: Hallasan
You can’t talk about a Jeju itinerary without mentioning Hallasan, the tallest mountain in South Korea at 1,950 meters. Many Koreans come to Jeju specifically to hike Hallasan and enjoy the incredible views from the top.
That said… I have to admit, I haven’t done the hike myself! I planned to, but the summit trail was closed due to heavy snow, so unfortunately, I couldn’t go. Still, I learned a few helpful things from the experience:
What to Know About Hiking Hallasan:
- There are several hiking trails, each with different difficulty levels and durations.
- The trail to the summit is considered difficult and takes around 8 hours round trip.
- You must book your visit online on the official website. It’s important to get all the necessary info (and to secure your spot).
- Hallasan can be closed at any time due to weather conditions — that’s what happened to us. So always check the forecast and confirm your reservation.
- There’s a parking area, but you’ll need to pay a small fee. You can also take a bus or taxi to the trail entrance if you don’t have a car.
So while I didn’t get to hike it, I still wanted to include Hallasan in this itinerary. If the weather is good and you’re up for the challenge, it looks like an amazing experience !
You’ve made it to the end of my 4-day Jeju Itinerary, I hope you enjoy your Jeju visit and that you’ll love it as much as I do ! You can check out my other Korean Tips here !
