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The Best Jeju Island Itinerary for 2-5 Days (+ Essential Tips)

ByRoseanne Ducut

The first time I went to Jeju Island I spent 3 nights in the summer and tried to fit in as many attractions as I could.

I went back to Jeju Island in 2023 and ended up staying 6 nights and was able to visit more places.

Whichever amount of days you stay in Jeju Island for, planning ahead will help you make the most of your Jeju Island itinerary.

Here are sample 2-day, 3-day, and 5-day Jeju Island Itinerary schedules to see the main Jeju Island attractions with nature trips, beaches, waterfalls, and UNESCO Heritage sites.

If you’re new to South Korea, make sure to read my travel guide to South Korea.

A collage of stunning landscapes and attractions from Jeju Island, South Korea. The top left image shows a tall, rocky islet rising from the sea, surrounded by lush greenery. The top right image captures a serene, forested area with a peaceful river flowing through rocky cliffs, near a traditional pavilion. The middle left image

How many days do you need in Jeju Island?

For most tourists who are spending two weeks in South Korea and want to see other cities too, 3 nights in Jeju Island would suffice.

2 days in Jeju:

If you’re in a rush and can only spend 2 days + one night in Jeju Island, you can get a taste of Jeju’s main attractions like Seongsan Ilchulbong, waterfalls, and beaches.

In this case I would book a Jeju Island tour to maximize time.

3-4 days in Jeju:

You’ll have time to check out additional cultural sites, beaches, and nature sites, including a quick Hallasan Mountain hike.

5 days or more in Jeju:

You can add a Hallasan Mountain hike or a trip to Udo Island to your Jeju Island Itinerary. You can also add more of the lesser-known nature and cultural sites.

Jeju Checklist: have you booked these yet?

▢ Hire a car for a private Jeju Island day tour

▢ Book your stay in Jeju (what I use for Korea)

▢ Join the most popular Jeju Island tours

▢ If you want to drive, rent a car in Jeju Island. Check rates here

Getting Around Jeju Island

I have a full guide on getting around Jeju without a car. If you’re traveling by bus like I did, it’s a must read.

If you’re only spending 1 or 2 nights in Jeju Island, taking public transit is possible and the bus rides are scenic, but if you want to save time without rushing your Jeju Island itinerary, here are some other options:

Taxi

Use the Kakao T taxi app to travel to/from from different destinations. Uber in Korea only seems to work in Jeju City.

Private Driver

You can hire a driver for a day that will take you to the destinations on your custom Jeju Island Itinerary.

Rent a Car

Car rentals in South Korea go for as low as $28 USD a day. Check the rates here.

Join a Tour

Group and private tours provide transportation to and from main Jeju attractions. Choose from dozens of Jeju Island tours.

Jeju Island Itinerary Tips

Tourists on a Viewing Deck overlooking black lava cliffs and sea

Here are tips to help you save time and make the most of your Jeju Island Itinerary:

  • Combine nearby attractions to minimize travel time between locations.
  • Use the Naver Map app to navigate the island. Google Maps is not maximized for Jeju.
  • Check the weather forecast and plan indoor activities for rainy days.
  • There is strong network signal throughout the island.
  • If you’re going to hike Hallasan Mountain, save it towards one of the last days in your Jeju trip so you’re not sore for most of your trip.
  • Bring good walking shoes!

Read more travel tips in my Jeju Island Travel Guide.

Most Popular Places to Visit in Jeju

Hyeopjae Beach - clusters of Black Lava Rocks - Jeju South Korea

Make sure to choose at least 1 or 2 of these to include in your Jeju Island Itinerary:

  1. Seongsan Ilchulbong aka Sunrise Peak
  2. Hike Hallasan Mountain
  3. Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff

Want to Mix and Match for your Jeju Island Itinerary? Here are my Jeju Island blog posts:

Sample Jeju Island Itinerary Based on Days

A blue and white sign that says Hyeopjae on shallow end of Hyeopjae Beach in Jeju Island Itinerary

Here’s a summarized sample Jeju Island Itinerary for different number of days.

2 days = 1 night, 3 day itinerary = 2 nights, etc.

These are assuming you arrive in Jeju Island in the earlier part of the day.

What you choose for your Jeju Island itinerary will also depend on where you’re staying and what time your flight out is.

2-Day Jeju Itinerary

Day 1: Seongsan Ilchulbong, Seopjikoji, Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff, Oedolgae Rock, Jeongbang Waterfall.

Day 2: Choice of beach, Yongyeon Pond, Dodu Rainbow Coastal Road.

3-Day Jeju Itinerary

Day 1: Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff, Oedolgae Rock, Jeongbang Waterfall, Saeyeongyo Bridge, Cheonjeyeon Waterfall, beaches.

Day 2: Seongsan Ilchulbong, Seopjikoji, Hamdeok Beach, Woljeongri Beach.

Day 3: Handam Coastal Walk, Aewol Cafe Street, Hyeopjae Beach.

4-Day Jeju Itinerary

Day 1: Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff, Oedolgae Rock, Jeongbang Waterfall, Saeyeongyo Bridge, Cheonjeyeon Waterfall, beaches.

Day 2: Seongsan Ilchulbong, Seopjikoji, Hamdeok Beach, Woljeongri Beach.

Day 3: Hike Hallasan Mountain or visit Udo Island.

Day 4: Handam Coastal Walk, Aewol Cafe Street, Hyeopjae Beach.

5-Day Jeju Itinerary

Day 1: Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff, Oedolgae Rock, Jeongbang Waterfall, Saeyeongyo Bridge, Cheonjeyeon Waterfall, beaches.

Day 2: Seongsan Ilchulbong, Seopjikoji, Hamdeok Beach, Woljeongri Beach.

Day 3: Handam Coastal Walk, Aewol Cafe Street, Hyeopjae Beach, Osulloc Tea Museum, Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road.

Day 4: Hike Hallasan Mountain or visit Udo Island.

Day 5: Seaside cafe or Yongyeon Pond & Bridge and Dodu Rainbow Coastal Road.

Make your trip easier with a day tour:

🎫 Jeju Island UNESCO site full day guided tour

🎫 Hire a private car for a flexible Jeju Island day tour

🎫 9-Hour Jeju Island highlights group tour (tickets included)

Full Jeju Island Itinerary

Day 1 of Jeju Island Itinerary: Seogwipo City (South)

Morning (2-4 hours)

1. Jeongbang Waterfall

Entrance: 2,000 won ($1.50 USD)

The image captures a close-up view of Jeongbang Waterfall in Jeju Island, South Korea. The waterfall streams down a rocky cliff face into a pool surrounded by large boulders, where several visitors are gathered, some taking photos and others enjoying the natural scenery. The lush greenery atop the cliff and the branches of a tree partially frame the top of the image, adding to the serene atmosphere of the location. The lighting suggests a late afternoon or early morning visit, with soft sunlight filtering through the trees.

Jeongbang Waterfall is the most popular waterfall in Jeju Island, sitting at 23m (75 feet) high. It’s one of the few waterfalls in the world to flow directly into the sea.

It can get crowded, so morning is the perfect time to visit.

2. Saeseom Island and Saeyeongyo Bridge

The Saeseom Island Saeyeongyo Bridge on Jeju Island, South Korea, stretches over the water with its distinct white, sail-shaped structure rising into the misty sky. The red walkway contrasts with the fog-covered hills and rocky shoreline in the background, as a few people walk across the bridge, enjoying the serene, foggy atmosphere.

Nearby is Saeyeongyo Bridge, the longest pedestrian bridge on Jeju Island.

It’s impressively shaped like a sail and connects to Saeseom Island.

Though you won’t spend too much time on the island itself, the views from the bridge are beautiful and worth visiting.

3. Oedolgae Rock

Entrance: free

Oedolgae Rock, Jeju Island, South Korea: A striking view of the Oedolgae Rock, a tall, solitary rock formation rising out of the ocean, surrounded by lush greenery and framed by trees.

Oedolgae Rock means “Lonely Rock.” This lone rock formed 150,000 years ago from a volcanic eruption.

There’s several viewing points of the rock formation and of the sea.

Noon (2-4 hours)

1. Eat lunch nearby or head more to the western part of south Jeju to Jungman Tourist Complex, where there are several cafes and restaurants.

2. Cheonjeyeon Waterfall

Entrance: 2,500 won ($1.88 USD)

A serene view of Cheonjeyeon Waterfall on Jeju Island, with sunlight filtering through the trees to the cascading water and a tranquil pond below

Cheonjeyeon Waterfall is the second-most popular waterfall in Jeju Island, which has three distinct tiers, each providing unique viewpoints.

Its name, “Cheonjeyeon,” translates to “Pond of God.” The tallest waterfall tier is 22 meters (72 feet) high.

3. Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff

Entrance: 2,000 won ($1.50 USD)

A stunning view of Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff on Jeju Island, South Korea, showcasing the unique hexagonal basalt columns formed by volcanic activity. The turquoise waters of the ocean crash against the base of the cliffs, with lush greenery and distant mountains visible in the background.

Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff is one of my favorite places to visit in Jeju Island.

It was shaped by lava cooling against the coastal rocks when a volcano erupted underwater.

There’s viewing points and bridges throughout the area.

Evening (2-3 hours)

1. Jungmun Saekdal Beach

Cliff view of Jungmun Saekdal Beach in Jeju Island. Tealish-gray waters with coastal trees

Catch the sunset or go for an evening stroll at Jungmun Saekdal Beach, a popular beach for surfing.

There are cliffs along the beach for walking trails and beach viewpoints, as well as restaurants and bars.

Day 2 of Jeju Island Itinerary:

Morning (2-4 hours): East Jeju Island

1. Seongsan Ilchulbong aka Sunrise Peak

Entrance: Free to hike on the left side, 5,000 won or $4 USD to hike on the right side.

A scenic view from the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) on Jeju Island, South Korea, looking down a wooden staircase that winds through lush greenery. The vibrant landscape below features a coastal town, with buildings spread across the landscape and the blue ocean stretching into the horizon, dotted with small islands.

Hiking Seongsan Ilchulbong aka Sunrise Peak is in the top 5 things to do in Jeju Island, and a main attraction in the East Coast.

It’s a UNESCO Heritage Site and was formed by a hydrovolcanic eruption.

The hike is beginner-friendly and takes about an hour in total.

However, prepare for a lot of stairs. You can bring water with you and there are rest benches and viewpoints on the way up.

Optional: Close to Sunrise Peak is Seopjikoji, which a popular view point, but I didn’t have time to visit the first time.

2. Hamdeok Beach

Hamdeok Beach Viewpoint with teal water - best beaches in Jeju Island

Hamdeok Beach is located towards the north of Seongsan Ilchulbong.

It’s my favorite beach in Jeju Island, and not really for the beach but for the whole surrounding area.

There’s two beach areas along with trails that lead to gorgeous viewpoints where you can see the teal waters from above.

3. Woljeongri Beach

A sunny day at Woljeong Beach on Jeju Island, South Korea, with white sand and clear blue water. The beach is dotted with people enjoying the water, some swimming and others standing on the rocky outcrops. In the background, several large wind turbines are visible near the shoreline, along with low buildings. The sky is bright blue with a few scattered clouds, emphasizing the clean and open environment. A signpost with a phone number is visible in the foreground on the right.

Woljeongri Beach is also on the same coast as Hamdeok Beach and is located in a beach town area that’s surround by windmills.

It’s along a beautiful coastline of cafes, restaurants, and galleries.

Noon (2-4 hours): West Coast

1. Lunch: head back to Jeju City to grab lunch or continue to the West Coast for lunch.

2. Aewol Cafe Street

Right next to Handam Coastal Walk is Aewol Cafe Street, a popular area of cafes and restaurants with seaside views.

3. Handam Coastal Walk

Cement walking trail with black lava rocks and green hills - Handam Coastal Walk in Jeju Island

Within walking distance of Aewol Cafe Street is the Handam Coastal Walk, one of my favorite places to visit in Jeju Island.

It’s a paved trail along the coastline, with beautiful views of the sea, lava rock formations, and lush greenery.

If you keep walking you’ll also reach Gwakji Beach.

Evening (2-3 hours)

If you are staying in Jeju City:

1. Yongyeon Pond & Bridge

Yongyeon Pond is a short 10-minute bus ride north of downtown.

While there, you can explore the pond and water valley with its teal waters, as well as walk across the bridge, which is lit up at night.

2. Dodu Rainbow Coastal Road

The Dodu Rainbow Coastal Road follows northern Jeju’s coastline, featuring colored tile blocks.

It’s an nice spot to catch the sunset, and there are restaurants and cafes located across the street for dinner.

If you are staying in Seogwipo City:

1. Jungmun Saekdal Beach

View of Jungmun Saekdal Beach with strong waves and people on sand looking at surfers

Catch the sunset or go for an evening stroll at Jungmun Saekdal Beach, a popular beach for surfing.

There are cliffs along the beach for walking trails and beach viewpoints, as well as restaurants and bars.

2. Jungmun Tourist Complex

A white Grimm-themed building called Grimm Forest in Jeju

You can also head to the Jungmun Tourist Complex for dinner nearby which has lots of resorts, cafes, and museums.

Day 3 of Jeju Island Itinerary: Back to West Coast

Morning (2-4 hours)

1. Hyeopjae Beach

People swimming and sitting at Hyeopjae Beach in Jeju

Hyeopjae Beach is located in the northwestern side of Jeju Island.

The beach is known for its white sand, black lava rocks, and clear waters that’s safe for swimming.

Hyeopjae Beach Black Lava Rocks - Jeju South Korea: A coastal scene with black lava rocks and stacked stones on the beach, with the ocean and a distant island in the background.

You can also sit on the black lava rocks formed by volcanic eruptions, which is a highlight of Hyeopjae Beach and a popular photo op for your Jeju Island itinerary.

2. Geumneung Beach

View of Geumneung Beach with clear light blue waters surrounded by small clusters of black lava rock

Right next door to Hyeopjae Beach is Geumneung Beach. The water is quite shallow but the water is pristine with beautiful viewpoints of both beaches.

Across the road from Geumneung Beach are Hallim Park, Hyeopjae Cave, and Ssangyong Cave that you can visit while there.

Noon (2-4 hours)

1. Osulloc Tea Museum

Grab lunch while at the Osulloc Tea Museum, a popular destination in Jeju Island.

The museum offers insight into the history and culture of tea in Korea, including tea-making processes and traditions.

You can explore the tea fields and sample different tea varieties.

2. Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road

Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road, Jeju, Korea: This image captures a bridge walkway leading to a towering wind turbine along the Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road. The pathway, flanked by sturdy railings, extends over the water under a cloudy sky, highlighting the blend of nature and renewable energy in this scenic coastal spot.

Located to the west of the Osulloc Tea Museum is the Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road, where you can get directly under the windmills (or from viewing paths and bridges).

It’s a 15-minute walk away from the bus stop, but you walk through local views like garlic farms. You can also take a Kakao T taxi there.

Evening (2 hours)

1. Suwolbong Peak Summit

Catch the sunset at Suwolbong Peak Summit, which is located a quick ride south of the Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road.

Walk along the coastal paths and get panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and unique rock formations.

Day 4 of Jeju Island Itinerary: Hike Hallasan Mountain

Hike Hallasan Mountain

Hallasan Mountain should be saved towards the end of your Jeju Island Itinerary, so you won’t spend the other days of your trip sore and tired from hiking.

There are different hiking trails to take.

A breathtaking view from the top of Eoseungsaengak Trail in Hallasan Mountain, Jeju Island, South Korea. The scene overlooks lush, green valleys surrounded by towering, forested mountains under a partly cloudy sky. A small cluster of buildings can be seen nestled in the valley far below, almost hidden by the dense greenery. A rope fence in the foreground marks the edge of the viewing area, emphasizing the steep drop and expansive natural landscape.

The shortest route is Eoseungsaengak Trail closer to Jeju City, and is the trail I hiked. It takes less than 30 minutes to reach the top, but with lots of stairs.

📖 Read my Guide to Hiking Eoseungsaengak Trail (+ How to Get There)

Other shorter hikes: Eorimok Trail and Yeongsil Trail, which take 2-3 hours one way. The other trails take around 4-5 hours each way.

If you don’t want to hike alone, you can also join a Hallasan group tour that includes other popular destinations.

Post-Hike

Relax at one of the many beaches in Jeju Island and eat a restaurant with amazing water views.

Plant-based? Here are delicious vegan food in Jeju to try.

Alternative to Hallasan Mountain

Take a trip to Udo Island located off the east of Jeju Island. I have not visited Udo Island yet, but it’s definitely on my list.

Day 5 of Jeju Island Itinerary

A group of four colorful benches on a wooden path in front of a sand beach in Woljeongri Beach in Jeju Island

On your last day before you head back to the airport:

  • Shop for souvenirs
  • Eat at a seaside cafe or restaurant
  • Take a coastal walk
  • Visit a nearby beach

More Things to Do in Jeju Island

The beginning of a hiking trail with a clear view of the Seongsan Ilchulbong, also known as Sunrise Peak, on Jeju Island, South Korea. A bright blue sky complements the lush green landscape and the distinctive, craggy peak of the volcanic cone

Here are other sites in Jeju Island if you’d like to switch out or add activities to your Jeju Island Itinerary. I have not been to these places yet:

North and Central Jeju:

  • Jeolmul Natural Recreation Forest
  • Halla Arboretum
  • Jeju Love Land
  • Jeju Museum Of Art
  • Jeju Light Garden

South Jeju / Seogwipo City:

East Coast:

  • Udo Island
  • Dakmeoru Coast
  • Seopjikoji
  • Jeju Folk Village
  • Manjanggul Lava Cave
  • Suwolbong Peak Summit
  • Jeju Swiss Village

West Coast:

Jeju Checklist: have you booked these yet?

More Jeju Island Posts

🎥 Watch my vlogs for more Jeju Island tips:

🏝 Ultimate Jeju Korea Travel Guide: where to stay, things to do, attractions, hotels, bus guide 🚌

Roseanne Ducut is a solo female traveler and Filipina from the Bay Area, California. She writes practical and culture-rich travel guides and lives a not-so-secret double life as a fangirl. A veghead for over 15 years, Roseanne also writes vegan guides to help others plan their trips.