22 Things to Do in Jeju Island by Area (+ Top 5 You MUST Visit)
I’ve traveled solo to Jeju Island twice now, and each trip has been different, with endless places to visit.
You could walk around Jeju Island for hours as there’s paved trails everywhere.
My favorite things to do in Jeju Island were the calm hikes, sunset watching, and scenic walks.
While it may be more difficult to travel Jeju without a car, I enjoyed the long bus rides listening to podcasts and music, as well as the more laidback business of the cities.
Here are 22 things to do in Jeju Island, along with my top 5 must-visit Jeju attractions, as well as places to visit in Jeju for next time.
Add these sites to create the Perfect Jeju Island Itinerary for 2-5 Days.
These places to visit in Jeju will be sectioned by areas of Jeju: Jeju City (north), Seogwipo City (south), Central Jeju, East Coast, and West Coast.
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🌔 Jeju Island Photoshoot with Blue Moon
My Top 5 Things to Do in Jeju Island:
These are the top 5 things to do in Jeju Island that I recommend for first-time visitors. You’ll find more info and photos below.
🔸 Seongsan Ilchulbong aka Sunrise Peak (East)
🔸 Hike Hallasan Mountain (Central)
🔸 Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff (South)
🔸 Handam Coastal Walk (West)
🔸 Hamdeok Beach (East)
Love going to all the beaches? Read my list of the 7 Best Beaches in Jeju.
Things to Do in Jeju City (North Jeju)
Jeju City is where the airport is. Jeju City looks like your typical busy city, with lots of restaurants, hotels, shops, and buildings.
However, there are a few tourist sites and things to do in Jeju City, and a really nice coastal walk.
I personally walked more than two hours along the coast to travel to these destinations listed. (You can also take the bus or rent a bike, but it was so nice walking, with benches along the way).
⛴ New Activity: Explore Jeju City with a Rainbow Yacht Tour 😎
1. Yongyeon Pond & Bridge
Yongyeon Pond is 10-minute bus ride north of downtown. While here, you can walk around the pond and water valley with teal waters, as well as cross the bridge. The bridge also lights up at night.
2. Dodu Rainbow Coastal Road
The Dodu Rainbow Coastal Road is a scenic route along Jeju’s coastline, with colored tile blocks. It’s a great place to watch the sunset. Plus, there’s restaurants and cafes right across the street.
3. DoDuBong (섬머리 도두봉 공원 on maps)
Right after the Dodu Rainbow Coastal Road is DoDuBong Park. The short hike has lots of stairs and paved walkways, leading to a vantage point with panoramic views of the sea and Jeju City. There are better viewpoints in Jeju, but it was a nice workout!
4. Red & White Horse Lighthouse
The Red & White Horse Lighthouse in Jeju City are two large horse-shaped lighthouses, spread apart on different viewing decks. Nearby are also gravel areas where people camp, eat, and drink outside.
5. Iho Tewoo Beach
Right next door to the lighthouses is Iho Tewoo Beach. The beach is swimmable with more wet-coarse sand. There’s also restaurants and stalls at the beach. This is the nearest beach in Jeju City.
Central Jeju
6. Hike Hallasan Mountain
The main thing to do in Central Jeju is hike Hallasan Mountain. I did the easiest trail called Eoseungsaengak Trail, which is the trail closest to Jeju City by bus #240 (a one-hour journey).
The Eoseungsaengak trail takes about an hour in total to hike with lots of stairs. The other Hallasan trails are a few hours for just one way, so this trail is a good starter hike.
More Central Jeju activities are listed below under places in Jeju I didn’t get to.
If you don’t want to hike alone, you can also join a Hallasan group tour that includes other destinations.
📖 Read my Guide to Hiking Eoseungsaengak Trail (+ How to Get There).
Seogwipo City (South Jeju)
Seogwipo is the 2nd largest city on Jeju Island, though more laid back. It’s closer to greenery and natural sites, like waterfalls and cliffs.
🚌 Explore southern Jeju Island with a Group Tour (includes Hallasan Mountain)
7. Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff
Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff is one of my favorite places to visit in Jeju Island. It was formed when a volcano erupted underwater. There’s viewing points and bridges throughout the area.
8. Oedolgae Rock
Oedolgae Rock means “Lonely Rock.” This lone rock formed 150,000 years ago from a volcanic eruption.
9. Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls
Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls is a smaller waterfall in Jeju Island, but has well-maintained pathways with lush greenery throughout the area.
Tickets are 2,000 won, or $1.50 USD to enter. You can also get the adorable orange Jeju mandarin souvenir gifts here.
📖 5 Amazing Waterfalls in Jeju Island You Can Visit (2024)
10. Saeseom Island and Saeyeongyo Bridge
A 20-minute walk from Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls is Saeyeongyo Bridge, which connects to Saeseom Island (though you won’t spend too much time on the island itself).
Views from the bridge are beautiful and worth visiting. There’s also sitting areas beneath the bridge.
11. Jeongbang Waterfall
Jeongbang Waterfall is probably the most popular waterfall in Jeju, so it can get crowded, though you can sit and relax on the rocks.
The waterfall flows directly into the sea and is 23m (75 feet) high. Tickets are 2,000 won, or $1.50 USD to enter.
📖 5 Amazing Waterfalls in Jeju Island You Can Visit (2024)
12. Jungmun Tourist Complex
The Jungmun Tourist Complex is a main tourist base in southern Jeju, with lots of resorts, cafes, and museums. Some popular sites are the Teddy Bear Museum, Grimm Forest, and Alive Museum.
13. Jungmun Saekdal Beach
Jungmun Saekdal Beach is a popular beach for surfing and is walkable from the main Jungmun Tourist Complex. There are cliffs along the beach for walking trails and beach viewpoints, as well as restaurants and bars.
East Coast, or Seongsan
A main site missing from this list that I did not go to but is a popular place to visit in Jeju is Udo Island. More East Coast activities are listed below under places in Jeju I didn’t get to.
🚌 Explore East Jeju with a Group Tour (includes Sunrise Peak & Jeju Stone Park 🌅)
14. Seongsan Ilchulbong aka Sunrise Peak
Hiking Seongsan Ilchulbong aka Sunrise Peak is in my 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.
It takes around 20 minutes to walk up one way (mostly stairs). The views at the top and throughout the hike make it worth visiting.
15. Hamdeok Beach
Hamdeok Beach may be my favorite beach in Jeju Island, and not really for the beach but for the whole surrounding area.
There’s a smaller private beach to watch sunsets, and trails that lead to beautiful viewpoints of Hamdeok Beach where you can see the teal waters from above.
16. Woljeongri Beach
Woljeongri Beach is located in a beach town area that’s surround by windmills. The beach has clear blue waters and is along a coastline of cafes, restaurants and galleries. You’ll see a lot of people camping on the beach as well.
West Coast
The West Coast is more known for all the cafes and beaches in Jeju that are along the northwestern coastline.
🚌 Explore the West Coast with a Group Tour (6 locations included)
17. Handam Coastal Walk
The Handam Coastal Walk is one of my top 5 places to visit in Jeju. It’s a paved trail along Jeju’s coastline, with beautiful views of the sea and rocky shores of lava rocks and specks of lush greenery.
18. Aewol Cafe Street
Right next to Handam Coastal Walk is Aewol Cafe Street, a popular area of cafes and restaurants with views of the sea.
19. Gwakji Beach
In the same area is Gwakji Beach, known for its calm, emerald waters. The water is swimmable but limited to the shallow part. It’s a perfect beach to relax on the sand and watch the sunset.
20. Hyeopjae Beach
Hyeopjae Beach is a popular beach in Jeju, so it can get crowded. The beach is known for its white sand and clear waters that’s safe for swimming. A highlight for Hyeopjae Beach is the black lava rocks formed by volcanic eruptions.
21. Geumneung Beach
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.
22. Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road
Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road is where you can get directly under the windmills (or from viewing paths and bridges). It’s surreal to feel all the wind right next to the windmills.
It’s a 15-minute walk away from the bus stop, but you walk through local views like garlic farms.
More Things to Do in Jeju Island
Below are additional things to do in Jeju Island, that I will save for next time. They are separated by area of Jeju.
One thing I want to try next time is the popular Jeju Island Photoshoot with Blue Moon and dreamlike blue night photos.
🎫 Choose from 112 Jeju group & private tours from Viator
North and Central Jeju:
- Jeolmul Natural Recreation Forest
- Halla Arboretum
- Jeju Love Land
- Jeju Museum Of Art
- Jeju Light Garden
South Jeju / Seogwipo City:
- Kayak on Soesokkak
- Seogwipo Forest of Healing
- Namwon Keuneong Promenade
- Other waterfalls in Jeju Island
- Hello Kitty Island
East Coast:
- Udo Island
- Dakmeoru Coast
- Seopjikoji
- Jeju Folk Village
- Manjanggul Lava Cave
- Suwolbong Peak Summit
- Jeju Swiss Village
West Coast:
- Arte Museum Jeju
- Osulloc Tea Garden
- Hyeopjae Cave
- Suwolbong Peak Summit
Final Thoughts: Is Jeju Island Worth Visiting?
Jeju is often called the “Hawaii of Korea” mostly for being the getaway destination. I’ve been to both and they’re special in their own ways.
But because of the comparisons I kept seeing between Jeju Island and Hawaii, my first trip to Jeju was a little underwhelming.
The beaches were not like the swimmable beaches I was used to, but the water was beautiful and uniquely surrounded by black lava rocks.
Jeju’s sunsets and coastal views were some of my favorite sights in South Korea.
Since there are so many things to do in Jeju Island, I also treated my first trip to Jeju as a check-off list: hopped on bus, saw site, quickly moved onto the next.
I really enjoyed my second trip to Jeju when I took my time, made the most of the long bus rides with podcasts and music (there’s wifi on the buses), and just wandered around aimlessly, walking along coastal trails and scenic views.
Short answer: yes, Jeju is worth visiting to see what makes the island unique, and you’ll have a better time taking in the view and traveling in the moment.
Jeju Travel Quick Links:
🚕 Hire a private chartered car for a Jeju Island day tour
🏢 Book discounted hotels in Jeju on Agoda
🎫 Browse through dozens of available Jeju tours
🚌 Buy a Jeju Bus Hop On & Hop Off Day Pass here
🚙 Rent a car in Jeju Island for as cheap as $28 USD a day
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The Perfect Jeju Island Itinerary for 2-5 Days
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5 Amazing Waterfalls in Jeju Island You Can Visit (2024)
7 Best Beaches in Jeju to Visit (with Photos & Reviews)
Guide to Hiking Eoseungsaengak Trail (+ How to Get There)
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