If you’re familiar with some of the most popular destinations in South Korea, you’ll have certainly heard of the wonderful Jeju Island. Known for its mouthwateringly juicy hallabong oranges, relaxed countryside, and beautiful sea views, Jeju Island is a great spot to experience the charm of South Korea without all the hustle and bustle of a big city!

Aside from its quaint island atmosphere, Jeju has plenty to offer in terms of culture. From a great range of delicious foods to a selection of natural attractions and great museums, there’s something for everyone here.

Much like the rest of South Korea, Jeju also has a great 24-hour culture, meaning that you can grab a coffee, or pop to a local convenience store at any time of day!

How long should I spend in Jeju?

Jeju City is reasonably compact and there isn’t a huge amount to do there, however it makes a good base as the attractions are quite spread out across the island. Keeping that in mind, spending around five days on Jeju will ensure you get to visit all of the major tourist points, while a week or more will give you a bit more beach time.

That said, if you’re looking for a short escape, it’s certainly possible to maximize your time on the island with just three days, provided you’re able to rent a car. Public transport is few and far between and isn’t always the most reliable or easy to navigate, so renting a car is a good idea if you're short on time and gives you some flexibility on where to stay. If you plan on using public transport , a hotel in Jeju city centre is your best option.

Day 1: Hallasan, Hamdeok Beach, and Love Land

Get your Jeju trip off to a great start with a refreshing hike up the stunning Hallasan Mountain! After this, enjoy the rest of your day relaxing at Hamdeok Beach and visiting the world-famous love land erotic museum (open to adults only).

Hike Hallasan

One excellent way to start your day is with an active trip, and taking a hike up Hallasan is certainly one way to do it! As the highest point in the whole country, this stunning volcano boasts stunning views from the summit of the whole of Jeju Island. 

That said, if you’re not an avid or expert hiker, there’s no need to attempt to reach the summit (it takes an average of around 7 and a half hours to complete this hike, even for the most expert hikers). Instead, you can opt for one of the more moderate trails around Hallasan National Park, such as Sara Oreum, or Jonjaam Hermitage Site, where you can enjoy looking at the beautiful flora and fauna that thrive here.

Hamdeok Beach

No matter how long of a hike you choose to enjoy in the morning, it can certainly be exhausting, so it’s a good idea to head to the relaxing Hamdeok beach for the afternoon.

This beach is one of the most popular with locals and tourists alike, so if you’re visiting Jeju during the height of summer or on a weekend, it’s a good idea to keep this in mind. It’s also located conveniently near Jeju City, so there are plenty of great restaurants and cafes nearby to grab dinner once you’ve enjoyed your time relaxing.

Be sure to lie back and enjoy the peaceful emerald-blue waters and soft white sands, enjoy a picnic at the nearby field, or take a leisurely walk along a coastal trail.

Love Land

If you’re looking for something to do on an evening, then this 19+ adults-only, sex-themed museum is a great choice for couples and groups of friends. 

There’s a small indoor section of the museum featuring a variety of sex toys, and model figures in all kinds of positions, but the outdoor area is truly the star of the show. Step into their spacious gardens, with plenty of interesting things to see, such as sculptures you can pose with in compromising positions, statues re-creating various Kama-sutra poses, ambient lighting at night, and plenty of silly and fun photo opportunities!

This adult museum is one of Jeju Island’s most famous attractions, drawing many tourists to the island just to visit the museum. Keep in mind though, that due to the adult nature of the museum, this spot isn’t exactly family-friendly, and it’s not for everyone.

If you’re travelling with children, or the adult themes are simply not to your taste, a great alternative destination is Snoopy Garden (a peanuts-themed garden, great for taking cute pictures with beloved characters and enjoying the outdoors).

Day 2: Manjanggul Lava Cave, Udo Submarine or Aqua Planet

The second day of your Jeju trip is one that will certainly be a hit with those who enjoy the vibe of island life and all things nature and aquatics. With a stop at the famous Manjanggul Lava Cave, a trip aboard the popular Udo Submarine, or a visit to the largest aquarium in all of South Korea, Aqua Planet.

Manjanggul Lava Cave

Temporarily closed for construction until August 2025, Manjanggul Lava Cave is one of Jeju Island’s most famous natural attractions and is listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. The Lave Tube, as it’s sometimes known, is a multilayered tunnel that runs for around 7.4km, with a width of 18 metres and a height of 23 metres, making it one of the largest lava tubes in the whole world!

Compared to many others in the world, Manjanggul Lava Cave has been extremely well preserved, despite forming thousands of years ago. Guests are permitted up to 1km inside the tunnel, but that’s more than enough to be able to enjoy some of the most beautiful formations you’ve ever seen, keep your eyes peeled for stalactites, stalagmites, lava tubes, lava rafts, lava shelves, and flowstones!

One thing you want to see whilst you’re here is the famous lava column, located just at the end of the tourist area and standing at around 7.6 metres high, it is actually the tallest lava column in the world.

Udo Submarine

After spending your time exploring the lava caves in the morning, it’s time to head off on another unique and awe-inspiring adventure - in a Submarine of course!

If you’re following this itinerary it’s important to double-check your timings, as to get aboard this submarine, you first need to take a short boat ride to the island of Udo, from where you can enjoy stunning views of the landscape. 

The submarine departs from Udo, travelling to a depth of up to 500 meters, and changing course every 30 metres. It is the longest journey of all recreational submarine voyages in South Korea, running between 40-45 minutes per journey. This makes it the perfect opportunity to discover the underwater world of the Island, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled to spot some of the area’s stunning sea life.

Aqua Planet

If you can’t get enough of the underwater world, or would simply prefer to enjoy observing the marine life from dry land, then why not visit the largest aquarium in all of South Korea - Aqua Planet?

Aqua Planet is home to over 45,000 marine creatures from across the world and boasts a 4,500,000-gallon tank, which houses 27,000 fish, making it the largest tank in all of South Korea.

Aqua Planet is also home to some other truly amazing creatures, including otters and pelicans, and there’s plenty to see and do here if you plan on visiting. From petting sea creatures in the rock pool to watching the rays being fed, to witnessing a breath-taking underwater acrobatics show, there’s something for everyone here!

Day 3: Orange Picking, Jusangjeolli Lava Cliffs, Jeongbang Waterfall, and Jeju Folk Village

If you’re an outdoorsy type, then this day will certainly be one to remember! Full of nature and fun activities, from Orange picking to visiting some of the most beautiful waterfalls on the island, it’s the perfect way to end your stay in Jeju!

Orange Picking

 If you’re not too familiar with Jeju Island, you may be wondering why Orange picking is such a popular activity to do here - especially as a tourist. Jeju Island is famous for producing over 40 variants of orange, with their most famous known as ‘hallabong’. These are similar to regular oranges, but have a rougher surface and a higher sugar content, making them one of the most delicious citrus fruits you may ever eat!

There’s a great selection of farms all across Jeju Island for orange picking, with some of the more famous being able to cater well to English-speaking visitors. We recommend Jeju Farm for those on a budget, or Choi Nam Dan Orange Farm for those of you who are more creative, as here you can enjoy soap-making or jam-making with your oranges too!

Jusangjeolli Lava Cliffs

The Jusangjeolli lava cliffs are one of the most stunning natural formations on the volcanic island of Jeju. With a hexagonal staircase-like appearance, it closely resembles the world-famous Giant’s Causeway, in Northern Ireland.

These stones reach between 30 and 40 metres high, and were formed by lava flowing from the crater and cooling rapidly into the stunning formation. These rocks line the coast of the island for around 1 kilometre, and the sight of the waves crashing up against them is something that truly should not be missed.

Jeongbang Waterfall

One of Jeju island’s top waterfalls, Jeongbang is the only one in Korea where the water falls directly into the sea. Standing at a towering 23 metres high, the steep cliffs and flowing waters combine to create a truly spectacular view.

It’s a gorgeous spot to visit mid-afternoon, that is easy to get to, with plenty of nearby parking. It’s a good idea to take a few snacks with you to enjoy as a picnic!

Jeju Folk Village

Fans of history won’t want to miss this great little village, as it re-creates the way life used to be on Jeju island back in the 19th century. It boasts over 100 houses, local trees and flowers from across Korea, as well as themed exhibition halls, model houses, and traditional folk games, so visitors can learn about the history of life on this beautiful island during their visit.

It is also located near many great restaurants by the Pyoseonhang port, so if you’re in the mood for some delicious seafood, or Jeju traditional black pork, you’re in luck!

If you have more time in Jeju

Jeju is a stunning island, with so much to see and do, that it’s almost impossible to try to cram it all into three days. If you’ll be spending a little more time on the island, then be sure to check out some of these great attractions too:

• Jeju Arte Museum: Korea’s largest media art museum, Jeju Arte Museum is one of the island’s top man-made attractions. An immersive and colourful experience, this mesmerising museum brings together sounds, smells and sights to create a one-of-a-kind experience inspired by nature.

• Jeju Haenyeo Museum: Celebrating the female Korean divers, this museum gives an in-depth insight into Jeju’s local environment, fishing villages, folk culture, and the fishing industry, with the diver-women (or ‘Haenyeo’) culture at the heart of it all. 

• Snoopy Garden: If you’re a fan of the beloved character Snoopy, or are simply looking for a beautiful garden with a cute twist, then Snoopy Garden is a great spot for any fans of Peanuts, looking to enjoy the gorgeous outdoors whilst taking some adorable pictures (a great alternative to love land if you’re travelling with kids!)

• 9.81 Park - Go Kart Racing: If Go Kart racing is your thing, then head down to 9.81 Park, where you can reach speeds of up to 60km/h whilst you fly through the scenic routes. It’s a great spot for some adrenaline-filled family fun, as there is also a laser tag facility and bumper cars on site!

• O’sulloc Tea Museum: Jeju island is famous not just for its oranges, but also for its outstanding green tea, or matcha. That said, a whole world of Korean teas and tea culture awaits you at O’sulloc Tea Museum. Sitting beside a gorgeous tea plantation, this museum boasts stunning views, a gallery, and plenty of delicious teas and desserts to try at the on-site cafe.

• Shinhwa World: A premier resort boasting a theme park, water park, luxurious hotels, and delicious food, Shinhwa World is a great spot for an action-packed day out.