Jeju Island, South Korea: The Hawaii of South Korea
When we first googled Jeju Island, all it took was a collective “Wow!” to solidify its spot on our South Korea itinerary. Located 50 miles off the Korean Peninsula, this volcanic island is often called “Korea’s Hawaii,” and it’s easy to see why. With a reputation as one of the best places to visit in South Korea, Jeju’s rugged calderas, lava formations, and dramatic landscapes give the island that signature look, but the appeal goes far beyond appearances.
In Korea, Jeju Island is a favorite destination for domestic vacations and honeymoons. So much so that the Soul-to-Jeju route is considered the busiest domestic flight in the world, with an average of 225 flights daily. Although Jeju is still pretty under the radar for international travelers, it’s definitely no hidden gem of South Korea for those in the know. We arrived by plane from Gyeongju – another must-visit destination on the mainland – and couldn’t wait to explore what makes Jeju Island famous beyond its natural beauty. Spoiler: it’s not just about beaches and landscapes.
As Conde Nast Traveler put it, Jeju Island is eccentric. It’s as quirky as it is breathtaking, and the combination totally works. In this guide, we’ll share the reasons to visit Jeju by highlighting unique Jeju Island attractions so they can feature on your South Korea itinerary too.
11 Reasons to Visit Jeju Island
Dormant Volcanoes
Formed by a volcanic eruption, Jeju is brimming with diverse landscapes and unique features. From rocky coastlines and porous forest floors to craters and mountains, there are plenty of natural Jeju Island attractions to explore.
Mount Hallasan is the perfect place to start. Located right in the center of the island, it’s Korea’s tallest mountain, reaching 6,388 feet. The peak is topped with a crater lake and WWII bunkers and offers stunning views over the island. The national park that surrounds it is declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, making it one of the most important places to visit in Jeju. For a gentler ascent, take the Seongpanak trail – it’s less steep than the other popular trail Gwaneumsa, and involves less stair climbing, though it’s longer and will take all day. Note that staying on the mountain is prohibited, and advance reservations are required. Hikers must reach checkpoints within designated times to avoid being turned back, which is in place to prevent hiking after sunset.
For milder intensity yet equally spectacular sights, head to UNESCO-enlisted Seongsan Ilchulbong, also known as Sunrise Peak and Fortress Mountain, since the crater resembles a fortification. There is a little stair climbing involved, but the view of the crater of a dormant volcano surrounded by the sea is the perfect reward. As the name suggests, hiking to the crater at sunrise is one of the best activities in Jeju. This is the exact view that captivated us and secured Jeju a spot on our South Korea itinerary.
Lava Tunnels
After exploring the rooftops of Jeju, head underground to explore volcanic tunnels snaking below the surface. The Geomunoreum system is a UNESCO-declared network of lava tubes that takes home superlatives of “some of the longest and finest in the world,” decorated with stalactites, textures, and colors. But it’s important to cross-check their accessibility before you go as they occasionally close for construction. The Manjanggul cave, which stretches roughly 5.5 miles and is one of the biggest Jeju Island attractions, was under construction for nearly a year before our visit.
Waterfalls
Jeju’s incredible landscapes include waterfalls clustered on the southern part of the island, two of which you absolutely shouldn’t miss. Flowing 75 feet high, Jeongbang Falls is the only one in Asia where water flows directly into the sea. For a closer look at the sensational spray at the waterfall's base, follow the wooden stairs down and watch your step on the slippery rocks.
The other must-visit waterfall in Jeju is Cheonjeyeon, a triple cascade where every section is unique. Aptly named the “Pond of God,” the highlight of the first tier is the pond that fills up with rain water, surrounded by vertical column rock formations. There is a boardwalk, along which you’ll spot stone statues, that leads down to the other two falls – a giant of nearly 100 feet and a smaller one – surrounded by lush forest. The other highlight of Cheonjeyeon Falls is the nearby Seonimgyo bridge hanging over a gorge. It connects to a Fountain of Five Blessings, where you can make a wish before visiting the adjacent intricately decorated Cheonjeru Pavilion.
Hiking Trails
Hiking is one of the best things to do in Jeju, and dormant volcanoes are not the only place for it. In fact, Jeju has a whole trail system called Olle Trail. It consists of 27 courses over 272 miles around the island, connecting villages, beaches, parks, and tangerine orchards marked by blue and orange ribbons. Inspired by Camino de Santiago, Olle Trail is a treasure hunt of Jeju’s natural and cultural attractions. You can hike portions of it or circumnavigate the entire island if you are seeking a dose of adventure. We recommend checking out the Jeju Olle website and clicking through the trail options to make your choice. To help your decision paralysis, select a theme or a Jeju Island attraction for your hike – like beaches – and choose a coastal walk that connects beaches. Be sure to grab a Jeju Olle Passport to collect stamps along the way as souvenirs. If you are not a fan of hiking, don’t worry, you can cover the sights separately by bicycle for short distances and by car or bus if spread apart.
Beaches and Cliffs
Even if you are not into lounging, you won’t want to miss Jeju’s beaches and seaside spots. Thanks to volcanic activity, the shores of this island are mesmerizing and have much to admire in ways of unique rock formations, like the scenic Daepo Jusangjeolli cliff that reminded us of Ireland. Gusty winds, roaring water, and gurgling sea foam offer a beautiful show we could’ve watched for hours.
There are, of course, swimmable turquoise waters and white sand beaches too, located along the northern part of Jeju. Hyeopjae and Hamdeok Beach are some of the most popular places to visit in Jeju for a leisurely day. Iho Tewoo Beach is a sandy strip marked by two horse-shaped lighthouses in honor of Jeju’s native horses that roam the island.
Fun Fact: Jeju's horse-shaped lighthouses are the largest animal-shaped lighthouses recognized by Guinness World Records.
Art and Architecture
What you will quickly realize about Jeju is how artistic it is. Creative spaces are everywhere, from whimsical statue-studded rainbow-colored Dobu-Dong Coastal Road to the sophisticated Glass House near Seongsan Ilchulbong. Nearly every venue in Jeju, whether a hotel, eatery, or Airbnb, is a work of art that aims to blend architecture with its surroundings. Behind the Glass House, designed by Tadao Ando, a famous architect, you’ll find the Phoenix Yumin Art Nouveau Museum, also designed by him. The buildings complement Jeju’s elements – wind, sea, light, and sounds – and the art gallery and café are places to cleanse the palate before heading out for more Jeju.
Pay a visit to Bunker des Lumieres – a historic bunker turned art space with an exhibition that projects famous works of art and brings them to life. This is a modern adaptation of popular classics. If you are in the mood for something more eccentric, Arte Museum is a digital art gallery that reminded us of teamLab exhibitions we visited in Japan and China.
Cornucopia of Museums
Jeju has a museum for every taste where you can learn and be entertained. To find out more about the history of the island, head to the Jeju National Museum. Jeju Folklore Museum is dedicated to Jeju’s culture and heritage. Haenyeo Museum is a must-visit to uncover the story of the island’s female free divers.
Among the serious and educational museums, there are playful ones like Snoopy Garden, based on the comic series Peanuts that will throw you back to your childhood and offer plenty of quirky photo ops. Even risqué ones like Jeju Love Land dive into topics of intimacy and health, unconventionally spreading education and challenging the taboo.
Local Produce
Foodies, rejoice because some of the best Jeju Island attractions are local produce! Jeju is famous for its production of green tea, carrots, tangerine, black pork, seafood, and peanuts. The best part: there are themed cafes, food streets, and museums dedicated to highlighting local produce so you get to immerse into Jeju’s culinary traditions head first.
Green Tea
Osulloc Tea Museum, adjacent to a tea plantation, represents the tea culture of Korea. Not only is it educational, but it is also a beautiful piece of architecture. After your visit to the plantation and museum, stop by the café for green tea-flavored desserts. Be sure to order a matchabingsu – a Korean take on shaved ice, which is the perfect refreshing pick-me-up.
Citrus Fruit
With a history that can be traced back to 476 AD when the fruit was presented as a royal treat, citrus has taken well to Jeju’s volcanic soil and become one of the island’s greatest specialties. So much so that today nearly 100% of South Korea’s citrus fruit comes from Jeju. In particular, the superior variety of tangerines called hallabong. You’ll see this word on menus and labels, so it’s a good idea to get familiar.
Be sure to taste tangerine-inspired local treats which come in the forms of desserts, iced teas, and even lattes. Although the official picking season is in the fall, one variety or the other is always in season, so you will find tangerines available all year round. You can pick up fresh fruit at the famous Dongmun market or by heading to an orchard like Bong Bong Tangerine Farm, which has a café on site with all the goods, too. And yes, you guessed it – there is a Jeju Citrus Museum where you can learn all about the history of the revered fruit.
Jeju Black Pork
The next popular Jeju delicacy you have to try is black pork, which was actually genetically modified to perfect its sought-after characteristics and top quality. If you are very impressionable, we recommend steering clear of Jeju parks that keep these adorable piglets, as trying the meat might be difficult after that. If you think your heartstrings can handle it, head to Hueree Natural Park. Although the film apparently has nothing to do with the black pigs of Jeju, the fate of these animals reminded us of Bong Joon-ho’s film "Okja,” which should be on your to-watch list, by the way. As for trying the meat, you can’t go wrong with Black Pork Street. Located in Jeju-si, the island's capital, the street is fully dedicated to the island’s famous black pork. We love a street packed with single-themed eateries as it takes away the pressure from selecting a restaurant. You turn up and follow the queues. Make sure to order it plain to taste its authentic flavor.
Seafood
It’s no secret that Jeju’s cuisine is abundant with seafood. The sea teams with marine life, but the intrigue lies in the who and how behind the seafood on your plate. If you’ve followed our recommendation to visit the Haenyeo Museum, you’ll already know what we mean.
Haenyeo, or "women of the sea," are Jeju’s female free divers who harvest mollusks, seaweed, and other marine life from depths of up to 66 feet. The matriarchal community formed by these legendary women has earned recognition as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage for sustaining a tradition that can be traced back to 434 AD – older than the origins of Jeju’s citrus. By the 18th century, this trade became predominantly female, with seasoned Haenyeo passing their expertise to new recruits through rigorous training.
Watching the Haenyeo at work is one of the most unique activities in Jeju. You can witness them dive near Seongsan Ilchulbong, where they begin with a ritual of traditional folk songs before plunging into the sea. This happens twice daily, at 1:30pm and 3pm, followed by a tasting of their catch at the Hanyeo restaurant nearby. The definition of sea-to-plate dining. If there’s one dish not to miss, it's abalone ddukbargi, a hearty seafood hot pot featuring abalone.
So, can you see now why Jeju Island is one of the most unique places to visit in South Korea?