4-Day Jeju Itinerary: Scenic Road Trip Guide For First Timers

I love Jeju Island so much! Even in winter it is so beautiful and much warmer than Seoul. My favorite memories were of the Seafood Ramen place near Woljeongri beach, after our first hike in Jeju. I was very committed to plan the perfect Jeju itinerary for us, something full of food adventures and nature encounters.

This plan does not include Jeju city museums because we wanted to spend more time outdoors. It is centred around activities in south Jeju/Seogwipo, known for scenic natural landscapes. If you are a food and nature lover, you will love this 4-day Jeju itinerary.

Phone numbers of each destination included in each section. For more tips including navigation and weather information, read till the end for more details.

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Overview of Jeju Itinerary (4 days self drive)

There are many attractions in Jeju Island, and we’ve picked out the ones that nature and food lovers would love the most. We also love romanticizing the feeling of being by the ocean and high up on the mountain, which is why we chose these places for our Jeju itinerary.

What to do in Jeju Island for 4 days

Day 1

• Feast on abalone at Myeongjin Jeonbok
• Go to Gimnyeong Maze Park

Day 2

• Cafe hopping
• Hike up to Seongsan Ilchulbong
• Enjoy seafood pancake and ramyeon by the sea
• Take a walk at Sehwa Beach or Woljeongri Beach
• Sunset at Seopjikoji
• Visit Seogwipo Maeil Market

Day 3

• Hike up Hallasan Mountain
• Sunset at Sangumburi Crater
• Indulge in Black Pork BBQ

Day 4

• Check out Jusangjeolli Cliff
• Walk along Yongmeori Coast 
• Dinner at Samseonghyeol Seafood Soup
• Shopping in Jeju City

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Day 1: Arrive In Jeju 

Arrive in Jeju Airport, collect car

We rented a Hyundai Tucson from LOTTE rent-a-car at the airport (reserve online in order to secure the car). You can also browse on Rentalcars.com or Klook. It could seat 5 people comfortably and has a large trunk space for luggages. The service was really good and we did not wait long for our car. For tips on essentials to bring a road trip, refer to this guide.

Note: Most places in Jeju require that drivers have >1 year of driving experience. Our car rental company had a minimum age of 21. You can find more tips for Jeju car rental here.

Lunch at Myeongjin Jeonbok Abalone (명진전복)

Tel: 782-9944

I will never forget this meal, it was so so good! We tucked into this restaurant at 3pm for a late lunch, and we were not disappointed. This place is famous for a good reason. We ordered grilled abalone and abalone stone pot rice, yum! 🙂

Gimnyeong Maze Park

Tel: 782-9266

This is something that would be fun to do if there is spare time after lunch.

Check in at hotel Park Sunshine Jeju

Tel: 766-1000

We decided to stay in Seogwipo (city in south Jeju) for the following reasons:

1. Proximity to the Hallasan trail that we wanted to do
2. Plenty of food options in the city, despite Seogwipo being less happening than Jeju city
3. We wanted to do a loop of the entire island

The hotel was situated near convenience stores, with a lot of available parking, and a modern interior. We also considered airbnb near the east of Jeju, but we decided that we wanted to have our rooms made daily (a family of 5 will definitely make a mess), so we picked a hotel instead. Check out the latest prices for Park Sunshine Hotel Jeju on Agoda.

The service was great and the main lounge is really glamorous, I highly recommend this hotel. If you want to experience staying near the ocean, take a look at these hotels with amazing sea view.

Dinner at Yong-I Restaurant (용이식당)

Tel: 732-7892

They served only one type of food, which was a huge serving of pan-fried pork with various vegetables. The reviews were good, and it was crowded too!

Chill in Paris Baguette Café

Tel: 763-1582

When it’s cold you just want to hide in a cafe and drink coffee. Yes, even though it is close to bedtime. This cafe was a stone’s throw away from our dinner place in the city center.

Paris Baguette cafes in Korea seem to have a different vibe from those in Singapore, it felt so inviting and they use really cute cups. We bought pastries and cake, relaxed here for a while before going back to the hotel.

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Day 2: Explore Seongsan Ilchulbong and Seopjikoji

Breakfast and coffee at Café Coji

Tel: 784-1005

We initially wanted to go to Udo Island, but due to bad weather they cancelled ferry services. It didn’t affect our plans too much as there are some nice cafes nearby around Seongsan Ilchubong. I love the cafe culture in Korea!

I wrote another blog post about the best cafes in Jeju you need to check out. These cafes are all over Jeju Island so you can plan your itinerary around them.

Seongsan Ilchubong/Sunrise Peak

Tel: 710-7923

Our first hike in Jeju was Seongsan Ilchubong, located in east Jeju. This hike is family friendly and I saw many elderly and young children on this short 30 minute hike up. You will see a bird’s eye view of Jeju as the ascend begins so don’t forget to enjoy the scenery.

Seafood ramen and pancake lunch at Haemaji Shimteo (해맞이쉼터)

Tel: 782-7875

Since we only reached Jeju in the afternoon on Day 1, we did not see much of the beach in the northeast region so we decided to go back there. When we drove past, we saw that there were many cute cafes by the beach. They had put little chairs/beanbags outside their shop for people to take pictures with.

As distracted as we were, we went to 해맞이쉼터 Haemaji Shimteo for lunch. The menu is in Korean, but just know that you should order Haemul Ramyeon (seafood ramen) and Haemul Pajeon (seafood pancake).

It might seem like I am exaggerating but TRUST ME – it was the BEST seafood ramen and seafood pancake I have ever had, and my family agreed too. I highly recommend this place, even though this is a small shop. The portions were large enough for my family to share a few bowls of soup + pancake. #noregrets

Café hop and walk along the coast 

When you come to this part of Jeju, you will find many well decorated cafes that face the sea. We enjoyed walking along the road right next to the beach, and we stopped to take many pictures.

Since Haemaji Shimteo is between Sehwa Beach and Woljeongri Beach, you can also relax at either of those destinations. Both beaches have amazingly blue water and a bunch of cafes nearby to explore.

Sunset at Seopjikoji

Tel: 782-0080

This was an easy walk through Seopjikoji with scenic views of the ocean and lovely grass plains on the side. Fun fact – the house in the pictures was featured in a Korean drama, do you know which one?

Visit Seogwipo Maeil Market and Dinner

Tel: 762-1949

The market was mostly closed by the time we got there, so we went for a fried chicken place nearby which was super good. The market had some food, some household items, etc.

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Day 3: Hike Hallasan Mountain and Sangumburi Crater Trails

Hike Hallasan Mountain, Yeongsil Trail

Tel: 747-9950

The trail that we chose was Yeongsil Trail, the easiest one that takes about 5 hours for a round trip. There are a few other trails with entrances on different sides of the mountain.

It is not a technical hike as it was well marked with ropes and signs, and stairs built on the steeper parts. My 50-year-old parents did this hike, so I would say this is family friendly 🙂

Due to the slippery ice and snow, we needed to use crampons. They look like spikes you can attach to your shoe. They cost about $30 each, so if you can find some you should buy them outside of the Hallasan area. Our rental car included snow chains, which you might need in winter when you head up in the morning.

You can park at Halla Yeongsil Service Area, which is where you’ll begin your hike. Make sure you start your hikes early in order to make it down by sunset. In winter, the latest time to start the trail is 12pm, and you’ll need to descend from Witse Oreum by 3pm.

Tips for hiking Hallasan Mountain:

• Once you start the trail, there are no bathrooms other than at the rest stops
• Bring snacks, some money to buy cup noodles at the rest stop
• Bring a raincoat in case of rain (check the weather forecast too)
• Don’t carry too much if you can, pack light!
• Do refer to the official website and maps for latest information

Lunch at Gyo Rae Handmade Noodles Soup

Tel: 782-9870

At this point you might have a late lunch, so just find the nearest place to eat. We were wet and cold from the snow, so we picked a table near the heater. Thankfully this place had very yummy noodle soup, the kind that makes you think happy thoughts.

We had chicken and seafood noodle soup, what a way to warm up and recover from the hike. After the yummy recharge, off to the next item on the agenda!

Sunset at Sangumburi Crater

Tel: 783-9900

I’d say this is a must-go, a tranquil and scenic landscape with views of a sizable crater”. There is some serious Korean drama vibe when you see the flame grass (the tall white feathery plants). We stopped to take family pictures against such a romantic backdrop. Aside from photo opportunities, you get an elevated view of the town below, and it is a great place to watch the sunset.

Black Pork BBQ Dinner

Tel: 762-8588

What better way to celebrate the end of a long day than to feast on Korean barbecue. This is a famous Black Pork barbecue place in Jeju and thankfully it was located in Seogwipo near our hotel. The service was good and they gave us large plastic bags to store our jackets, keeping out the smell.

The waiters cooked our meat for us and cut them into bite-sized portions for everyone. It was worth the money, and I understand why people say that you must try Black Pork BBQ when you visit Jeju.

As we walked around with our full bellies, we decided rest in a warm cafe and get some dessert. There are nice cafes in every corner of the city, so take a walk and see what you find.

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Day 4: Jusangjeolli Cliff and Yongmeori Coast

This is the day we head north towards Jeju city and the airport, passing by some attractions in the west.

You could spend the morning having a nice warm cup of ramen as you enjoy the breeze and the view. We had breakfast on the hotel rooftop as we had the area all to ourselves.

Jusangjeolli Cliff

Tel: 738-1521

I’ll let the photos do the talking, it is such a photogenic place and the park itself is so calming.

This is another must-see, and it was only 10 minutes drive away from our hotel. Plan about 30 minutes to walk through the park and view the unique rock formations by the coast.

Yongmeori Coast

Tel: 794-2940

This trail leads you along a rocky coastal path with great ocean views and unique rock formations. You will also meet some men fishing and women selling the fresh raw seafood. Yes, you can try the food right there! There are some tide pools with marine life too and we saw octopus, mussels and clams. This trail would take about 2 hours at a leisurely pace, including photo-taking.

Sunset at Monsant Cafe (몽상)

Tel: 799-8900

Did you know that G-Dragon opened this cafe? Although we would have loved to visit Monsant Cafe on the way back to Jeju city, we ran out of time. Also, do expect a crowd and head there at least 1 hour before sunset.

Check in at Leo Hotel

Tel: 754-7000

This hotel was situated right in the heart of Jeju city, and near the airport. Proximity to food was again an important factor when planning our Jeju itinerary.

Book Leo Hotel on Agoda

Dinner at Samseonghyeol Seafood Soup

Tel: 745-3000

This place was packed, just look at the photo! Value for money, lots of fresh seafood in one family sized pot. They de-shell, cut, and cook it for you. Gotta love Jeju.

Shopping at Jeju City

My mum bought cosmetic and facial care products, and she loved the variety of products. Everyone’s favorite is Innisfree, which comes from Jeju so this is one more thing to be excited about. Typically when you see one beauty shop, you will see a whole street lined with such shops.

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Additional tips for planning your Jeju Island itinerary

Can I send you a FREE Jeju Mini-Guide?

Save time on trip planning with our 53 top picks of Jeju’s best attractions, cafes, and restaurants + our Google Maps summary + 4 days of Jeju travel tips!

Yes – Give it to me now!

We won’t send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

How many days should you spend in Jeju?

How many days are enough for Jeju? You will need at least 4 days to enjoy Jeju’s nature at a relaxing pace, to check out the best restaurants, cafes, and to experience different parts of the island.

Visiting Jeju Island’s less touristy places involves a bit of driving, besides seeing the main attractions. It’s best to allocate more time there if you want to take your time cafe hopping and exploring various beaches.

In fact, my second trip was 7 days long, which I found was perfect for a couple trip or mini honeymoon where we went all over the island. The best part is – visiting Jeju Island doesn’t hurt the wallet, so why not!

Best time to visit Jeju Island

The best time to visit Jeju Island is in either spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November) because of mild temperatures and blooming landscapes.

The rainiest time of year in Jeju Island is between June to August. If you’re hoping to do lots of outdoor activities you may want to avoid those months.

Is it worth going to Jeju Island in winter?

If you’re looking to save some money, Jeju Island is worth visiting during winter season. This is what we’ve always done, and find that hotel and flight prices are such a steal. You get to enjoy a premium experience by the sea at a fraction of the price. The mountains are so beautiful with snow on the trails, and you’ll find bright red camellia flowers all over the island during winter.

Does it snow at Jeju Island?

Believe it or not – yes! You’ll find snow on Hallasan mountain starting from November all the way to March. It might snow for a few days at sea level, though the snow melts quite quickly so it’s a rare thing to see and difficult to time. Having seen gorgeous photos of cafe backyards covered in snow, I would love to witness a snowy Jeju Island one day.

Jeju Itinerary Navigation Tips

If you’re planning to rent a car, make sure to also check out my tips on driving in Jeju and other car rental tips. This way you can plan in advance and be prepared for a smooth self-driving experience.

Use Naver Map

If you tried to plan your driving routes for your Jeju itinerary, you might notice that google maps is not useful at all. You do not need to know how to type Korean, simply type in phone numbers into Naver maps.

Get GPS from the car rental company

If your rented car comes with GPS, the rental company can teach you how to input phone numbers as destinations.

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And that concludes our Jeju itinerary. I really enjoyed the food, especially the seafood ramen that filled our bellies after hiking. Overall, it is such a romantic place though, no wonder Koreans call this island the Hawaii of Asia. I hope this Jeju itinerary has helped you plan your trip.

If you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to leave a comment.

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