Jeju Island 3-Day Itinerary
Plenty of 3 day Jeju itineraries will base you in Jeju City – because it’s a good central option for short stays. But we’d actually suggest you head straight to Seogwipo.
Its closer to the waterfalls, the stunning coastal cliffs and beautiful south-side trails. Plus, Seogwipo is far quieter and prettier to wander than Jeju City, and all the main Jeju sights are still within easy reach for day trips.
Our 3 day Jeju itinerary is built around three loops out from Seogwipo. One day exploring the city itself, one heading west, and one heading east.
To make the most of your 3 days we highly recommend renting a car. While buses will get you to the major towns, they add a lot of time to each leg and you’ll get far more flexibility with your own set of wheels.
3-Day Jeju Itinerary: Exploring the Island from Seogwipo
- Day 1: Seogwipo city and the south coast (waterfalls, Oedolgae, Jusangjeolli)
- Day 2: West Jeju loop (Sanbangsan, Yongmeori Coast, tea fields, Hallim/Hyeopjae)
- Day 3: East Jeju loop (Seongsan Ilchulbong, Udo Island or Manjanggul Cave)
Day 1: Seogwipo City and the South Coast
If you’ve just arrived on the island, and made the trip from Jeju City to Seogwipo the first day is a nice ease in. Everything we’ve suggested below is within about 15 minutes of central Seogwipo.
Morning: Cheonjiyeon Waterfall
Head here first before the crowds. It’s a short, shaded walk through forest to a waterfall that drops straight into a rock pool. It’s one of our favourite spots on the whole island, especially in the early light before it gets busy where you have it to yourself.
Midday: Jusangjeolli Cliff
A short drive along the coast brings you to these hexagonal basalt columns, formed by cooling lava, with waves crashing against them. You don’t need long here but it’s an absolutely stunning sight – and one you won’t see anywhere else.
Lunch: Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market
Head into town for lunch at the covered market. You’ll find plenty of Korean street food, like hotteok, fresh seafood, and plenty of stalls to pick something up for everyone. It’s also a good spot to pick up tangerine-based snacks, one of Jeju’s most famous products.
Afternoon: Oedolgae Rock and the coastal walk
Go for a walk to enjoy a section of one of the famous Olle trails (trail 7). Oedolgae Rock is a lone sea stack rising out of the water and the coastal path is lovely (a great way to stretch your legs!).
Evening: Lee Jung-seop Street
Seogwipo’s small arts district is full to the brim with cafés and galleries and is a great way to end your first day. It offers a relaxed atmosphere for you find somewhere nearby for dinner.
Optional swap: if you’re travelling with kids or after something even more low-key in the afternoon, check out Yeomiji Botanical Garden in Jungmun instead of Oedolgae.
Day 2: West Jeju Loop
For the second day, we recommend checking out the west coast’s volcanic landmarks and tea plantations. Aim for around 1.5 to 2 hours of driving across the day.
Morning: Sanbangsan and Yongmeori Coast
You can’t miss Sanbangsan! This striking lava dome is visible from pretty much all of the south coast. At its base, the Yongmeori Coast has layered sedimentary cliffs shaped by the sea. Make sure you check tide times before you go, as parts of the coast path can close at high tide.
Midday: O’Sulloc Tea Museum and Tea Fields
Jeju’s most famous tea plantation is VERY touristy. But it is worth stopping in for the vast tea fields which make for some very Instaggramable shots! Snagging a car park may be challenging so aim to get there before midday if you can. There’s a café on-site that offers incredible views that you can also grab lunch from. And if you’re after some of Korea’s finest skincare, there’s also an Innisfree shop available onsite too.
Afternoon: Hallim Park or Camellia Hill
Choose between Hallim Park or Camellia Hill depending on what time of year you’re visiting. Camellia Hill is at its best from November through March when the blooms are out, while Hallim Park offers lava caves that are great for exploring and vast botanical gardens that are lovely at any time of year.
Evening: Hyeopjae Beach
One of our go-to sunset spots, Hyopjae is one of Jeju’s best beaches. You’ll see Biyangdo Island sitting just offshore which makes for some beautiful sunset shots. This is a lovely relaxed way to end the day before the drive back to Seogwipo (around 50 minutes). Especially good if you’re visiting during warmer months (though still stunning and far less busy if you’re visiting Jeju in winter).
Day 3: East Jeju Loop
Day 3 means an early start but we promise it’s worth it! Today you’ll head to Jeju’s most iconic sunrise spot and one of the most popular (and our favourite) side-trip islands.
Early morning: Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak)
Sunrise Peak is a UNESCO World Heritage site and also probably Jeju’s most photographed landmark. Aim to arrive as early as you can manage – both for the light and because it’s one of the busiest spots on the island once the tour buses arrive. There’s a reason it’s called Sunset Peak – and it’s definitely worth the hike to watch the sunrise if you can swing it (can be dependent on opening times during different seasons).
Late morning: Udo Island
An easy side trip from Sunrise Peak is to catch the ferry from Seongsan Port and spend half a day on Udo Island. There are a lot of different ways to explore the island, including hiring a bike or scooter to loop the island (you’ll need an international driver’s licence to hire the motorised scooters).
We recommend stopping at Seobin Baeksa’s white sand beach (don’t forget to pack your swimmers if you’re here in summer). And make sure to try the peanut ice cream, which is something of an Udo institution.
Alternative side trip: if Udo feels like too much alongside Seongsan in one day, swap it for Manjanggul Cave instead, one of the world’s longest lava tube systems and about 25 minutes from Seongsan.
Afternoon: Gimnyeong Maze Park or Woljeongri Beach
While it’s slightly backtracking and not technically on your way back to Seogwipo, if you’ve still got energy, we recommend checking out Woljeongri’s café strip that overlooks the water as a final stop. Alternatively if your kids still have energy Gimnyeong Maze Park is a great way to wear them out!
Things to Consider For Your 3 Day Jeju Itinerary
- Best months: The best months to visit Jeju Island are usually April–June or September–November. This means you avoid the crazy summer humidity and biting winter winds. But really – every season on Jeju does have something going for it so there’s no bad time to visit.
- Car rental: Make sure you book your car rental ahead of time if you’re visiting in peak season (summer, Korean holidays) – see what you need to hire a car on Jeju.
- Pace: We appreciate this 3 day Jeju itinerary packs a lot in – so you can easily stretch it out to four days by splitting day three across two days instead.
- Where to stay: There are plenty of Jeju accommodation options available in Seogwipo to suit a wide range of tastes.
- See More Things to Do on Jeju
- Explore Jeju Eats & Drinks
- If you’re travelling with kids, check out our Best Things to Do on Jeju With Kids blog post
