What To Do On Jeju Island In Winter: Jeju Winter Itinerary 2025

There’s many good causes to go to Jeju Island in winter, and for me there was a bucket merchandise record that I’ve been ready greater than 5 years to try this I lastly achieved. I needed to hike the snowy slopes of Hallasan Mountain in winter and see the island below while knee-deep in snow up above.

I received to try this, and much more, together with visiting Udo Island, consuming a great deal of scrumptious Korean dishes, buying on conventional the markets, taking part in within the snow, seeing Jeju’s winter flowers, consuming winter fruits, and plenty extra.

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Ideas For 1 Week On Jeju Island In Winter

Please be at liberty to make use of this Jeju Island winter route as an information to plan your personal 1 week on Jeju Island in winter. This reveal exposes what I did every day, and I’ve additionally included further actions that you are able to do on Jeju Island in winter. There’s a great deal of further ideas for getting essentially the most out of Jeju Island in winter. I hope you may get some inspiration for future travels.

For these of you seeking to spend 1 week on Jeju Island in winter, right here’s some essential information that may allow you to plan your journey.

Climate On Jeju Island In Winter

Jeju Island is way south of Seoul and closer to the equator, which means that it’s hotter than the capital. Still, that doesn’t imply that it isn’t chilly. You possibly can see snow on Jeju Island in winter and the climate might be fairly random.

Temperatures can fall below zero, or be above 15 levels. After I visited Jeju in winter, the bottom temperature was -5 and the best was 18 levels. I noticed snow, rain, clouds, and sun. Typically winter is sort of dry and clear, however be ready for something.

Transportation On Jeju Island

Jeju Island is certainly loads simpler to go to when you Hire A Automobile as many sights are unfolding throughout the island. Still, it’s not inconceivable to get round by public transport and on foot, especially when you keep within the two primary cities.

I didn’t use a car after I visited Jeju Island in winter, however that didn’t cease me doing what I needed to. With planning and slightly Korean to learn the bus timetables, you may get nearly anyplace.

Reserving day excursions can be a superb choice for getting round Jeju Island in winter, as these excursions can take you to a number of locations extra convenient than a public bus would do.

Structure Of Jeju Island

Jeju Island is a story of two cities. Fairly actually, with the island being cut up horizontally into Jeju Metropolis space within the north and Seogwipo Metropolis space within the south. These two cities are nice locations to base your self to get across the island extra simply.

Within the center of Jeju Island is Hallasan – a volcano that dominates (and created) the island. On the decreasing slopes of Hallasan are lots of forests, oreums (small hills), and plenty of the non-coastal sights (museums, theme parks, and so on.).

Across the fringe of Jeju Island there are a great deal of stunning seashores to go to, in addition to different sea-front sights, close by islands, and cozy cafes to sit down in and watch the dawn / sundown.

Throughout my 1 week on Jeju Island in winter I used to be in a position to go to all these totally different areas. Learn on to search out what I did and what to anticipate in every place.

Day 1: Jeju Metropolis Sights, Conventional Market, & Native Beers

Flying into Jeju Island on a sunny day is an unimaginable expertise – passing islands & fishing boats, and seeing Jeju ‘the fried egg’ Island from above. If you happen to’re arriving on Jeju Island in winter, you may even see snowy slopes on South Korea’s tallest mountain – Hallasan.

I’d deliberate to spend a busy 1 week on Jeju Island, so I didn’t desire a robust first day. I flew in early, dropped my baggage on the lodge, and walked to the sprawling Dongmun Conventional Market. This market is full of Scrumptious Korean Road Meals to attempt, together with native specialties equivalent to abalone-wrapped gimbap and dol hareubang bread (formed just like the island’s well-known statues).

The normal markets are finest explored at evening, so after a fast snack I hopped on a bus to the Magpie Brewery & Taproom. Right here you’ll be able to expert Korean-inspired beers, such because the Kimchi Ghost, and bask in pizza & fried hen (an ideal combo). After this, I visited the close by seashore in Samyang – nevertheless it wasn’t very influential throughout winter so I took the bus again to Jeju Metropolis.

Evening was approaching, the proper time to discover Korean cities. It will get darkish early on Jeju Island in winter. Jeju Metropolis has lots of fair areas to discover within the night within the Ildoil-dong space, such because the Black Pork Road, Arario museums, Dongmun Conventional Market, streets painted with murals, and loads of seafood eating places.

After exploring the evening markets and getting my fill of Korean road meals, I made a decision to have an early evening. Tomorrow was going to be the hardest day throughout my 1 week on Jeju Island!

Day 2: Mountaineering Hallasan’s Snowy Slopes & Korean BBQ

Immediately was the day I achieved one of all my high Korean bucket record objects – Mountaineering Hallasan Mountain In The Snow. I’ve hiked it in September, and been rewarded with sunny views over the entire island, however now I actually needed to scale the slopes while draped in deep, fluffy snow.

After a fast breakfast I headed to the Jeju Metropolis Bus Terminal to take the bus to the beginning of the Yeongsil Course. My plan was to begin on the south-western facet of Hallasan, hike as much as Witse-Oreum Shelter close to the height, and head again down the Eorimok Course on the northern slope. Two programs in sooner or later and a few extremely snowy sights on the best way.

The snow began to point out while using the bus to the beginning, and was ankle-deep even in the beginning of the course, rising to knee-deep as I made my method up the snowy slopes. I ended up playing within the snow loads, taking a great deal of photos, and having fun with the breathtaking sights. They really had been superior and I’m so completely happy that I received to see these sights finally.

Sadly, as a result of a blizzard on the high (not meant to be there in accordance with my climate app), I needed to flip again simply earlier than the Witse-Oreum Shelter. It could have taken too lengthy to make it to the top of the course earlier than it received darkish. Happily, I used to be in a position to lie again and slide a few of the approaches to the underside because the thick snow, trodden down, makes for a fantastic human bobsleigh monitor!

Even when you don’t plan to hike far, you’ll be able to nevertheless get pleasure from taking part within the snow in the beginning of the mountaineering programs. There are ropes and flags to maintain you on the right track and loads of pristine snow to play in if it’s been snowing lately.

Exhausted, however actually proud of all I’d seen, it was time to take the bus again to Jeju Metropolis, heat up with a sizzling bath, and spend the evening indulging in one of all my favorite Korean dishes – Korean BBQ. No journey to Jeju Island in winter could be full with out attempting out Korean BBQ and washing all of it down with a few of the native soju , aptly named Hallasan Soju.

Day 3: Udo Island, Seongsan Ilchulbong, & Jeju Gogi-Guksu

The sun was shining brightly, blue skies met bluer seas, and at the moment was the proper time to leap on a ferry and head over to Udo Island on Jeju’s north-eastern coast. The ferry departs from Seongsan, residence to a different of Jeju’s unimaginable sights which I’ll return to later.

I arrived mid-morning and headed for a stroll from the ferry terminal (Haumok-dong) to the opposite facet of the island. Udo is simply 1km extensive and largely made up of farms, seashores, small buildings, and one hill on the southern tip topped with a well-known lighthouse (Udo-deungdae), which makes it fairly straightforward to stroll round.

After half-hour of mild strolling previous brief partitions produced from volcanic rocks, inexperienced fields, and even just a few haenyeo (diving girls), I made it to peaceful Hagosudong Seashore. There are just a few very nice cafes right here, so I stayed (at Cafe UDO1) to learn, watch the waves, and bask in espresso and a brownie. After some seafood pasta in a close-by restaurant (Seom Sonai), it was off to discover the coast and make my method alongside the jap shore in the direction of the lighthouse.

The solar was up and there wasn’t a cloud within the sky. It was chilly, however in a great way. Exploring Jeju Island in winter is definitely a lot nicer than in summer time, when it will get actually sizzling. The shore holds many delights and when you don’t need to stroll it, you’ll be able to lease a small electrical scooter-car (most individuals had been) to drive round and cease the place you need to.

Udo Island is legendary for a number of issues, together with peanut ice cream, stunning seashores, and being formed like a cow (the identify U-do actually means ‘cow-island’). As soon as I’d completed strolling to the lighthouse (not troublesome), I made my approach to Sanho Seashore on the west coast to check out the well-known peanut ice cream. It was okay, however nothing superb.

Finally it was time to move again to Seongsan to see the Seongsan Ilchulbong, often known as Dawn Peak. That is the very best place in Korea to look at the New Yr dawn. It’s especially a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and undoubtedly a should see throughout any 1 week on Jeju Island journey. Sadly, I arrived too late to climb up. It was despite superior to see Seongsan Ilchulbong although.

After watching the solar go down, I headed again to Jeju Metropolis to discover one other well-known meals road – Guksu Geori (Noodle Road). That is residing to a number of locations serving Jeju’s well-known gogi-guksu , which is mainly a giant bowl of noodles and sliced ​​pork in a salty broth. Excellent after an extended day strolling. As soon as that was completed off, I walked all of it off exploring extra of central Jeju Metropolis at evening.

Day 4: Hamdeok Seashore, Manjanggul Lava Tube, & Recent Seafood

I’ve visited Jeju just a few occasions earlier than, and couldn’t think about 1 week on Jeju Island with out visiting Hamdeok Seashore. It’s probably the greatest seashores on Jeju Island and seeing it in winter is simply nearly as good as seeing it in another season. The sand is golden, which contrasts completely with the black volcanic rocks that appear to have been thrown alongside the coast, whereas the ocean is nearly turquoise.

There are many superb cafes, eating places (together with connoisseur burger locations), and locations to sit down and take in the attractive coastal views. My favorite place is Cafe Del Mundo, closest to the water’s located edge and with yummy freshly baked items inside. A morning spent chilling right here undoubtedly is a morning properly spent. If I didn’t produce other plans, I might have stayed all day.

The will to see extra pushed me on, and after filling up on a second chocolate croissant, I headed to the bus ceased to go to the Manjanggul Lava Tube. This is without doubt one of the world’s longest lava tubes and provides you an fascinating perception into the historical past of Jeju Island, which was borne from the ocean by the wild eruptions of Hallasan – an influential volcano. You possibly can stroll about 1km alongside the lava tube and see the world’s highest lava column.

The Manjanggul Lava Tube was good, however solely took about an hour, so I made a decision to get a bus to a different seashore – Gimnyeong Seashore. It was a pleasant place to stroll round, however the climate had begun to get unhealthy after an hour so I packed up and headed again to Jeju Metropolis.

My time in Jeju Metropolis was at an end, however I wasn’t going to go away with out testing an extremely good sushi place I’d heard about (there are various) – Sushi Tomodachi. 10+ plates of sushi later, I used to be full and able to take the bus to Seogwipo Metropolis to begin half 2 of my enjoyable 1 week on Jeju Island in winter.

Day 5: Jeju Folks Village, Cozy Cafes, & Black Pork BBQ

I awoke early grabbed a fast espresso and egg tart at a Hong Kong-style cafe (Blue Haus) and went off to the Jeju Folks Village in Pyoseon. It had begun raining a bit, which isn’t frequent on Jeju Island in winter (or different components of Korea). The Jeju Folks Village is a sprawling assortment of conventional buildings exhibiting how folks used to stay earlier than modernity got here to Jeju.

There are many totally different homes to discover, video games to play, and Korean traditions to find out about. You possibly can see scenes from some well-known Korean dramas there have been filmed right here, see an actual conventional market, feed some native animals, and plenty extra. One of many highlights was seeing the camellias in bloom. These are one of many well-known sights of Jeu Island in winter and I used to be planning to go to Camellia Hill to see them, however I didn’t have to after seeing them right here.

I used to be truly fairly stunned with how a lot there was to see and do. Strolling across the Jeju Folks Village took about 3-4 hours and, regardless of the rain, I loved my time right here. I learned some fascinating details, together with concerning the old-style bogs that fed into the pig’s feeding troughs! The place was household pleasant and ideally suited for anybody occupied with Korea’s historical past.

As soon as I’d seen all there was to see, I headed out to the coast for lunch and a relaxation in a beachside cafe (Cafe Cocotiere), looking over Pyoseon’s very extensive seashore. When the rain completed, I headed again to Seogwipo to scrub up and put together for the meal I’d most been wanting ahead to – a Korean BBQ with Jeju’s legendary black pork.

Jeju’s black pigs are stated to provide the very best meat for Korean BBQ and the very best place to attempt them is clearly on Jeju Island. On a chilly evening on Jeju Island in winter, I couldn’t actually consider something higher to eat. The meal was nice, and left me stuffed. I wanted to stroll it off, so I explored a few of the streets round central Seogwipo, together with the Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market, Myeongdong Road, Arang Joeul Meals Road, and Lee Jung-Seop Artwork Road.

I completed the evening with a few beers from the Jeju Beer Fountain – residence to beers from the very best Jeju craft beer brewers (together with Magpie & Jeju Beer). I’d actually suggest this place as they allow you to pattern three beers earlier than attempting them they usually’re all actually good. I grabbed a few bottles and a few snacks and had a peaceful evening again on the lodge.

Day 6: Yakcheonsa Temple, Olle Path 8, & Jungmun Saekdal Seashore

I had an early evening on the finish of day 4 in order that I might get up and benefit from the early morning dawn. I wasn’t disenchanted. I sat and watched it from my lodge window while munching just a few oranges. The solar was out after yesterday’s rain and it felt divine to be basking within the gentle, so I made a decision to go to probably the most intriguing Korean Buddhist temples I’ve been to – and I’ve been to many.

Yakcheonsa Temple, bedecked with palm bushes, tiny elephant statues, and looking over the southern shore under, felt prefer it must be in Bali or Thailand, not on Jeju Island. Visiting this place throughout my 1 week on Jeju Island in winter felt surreal. I used to be shipped to SE Asia, with contemporary fruit hanging on the bushes, palm bushes in all places, and the sun, sky, and sea all dazzling. The climate was additional round 15 levels (up from -5 every week in the past!), which added to the phantasm.

This temple is a must-visit place on Jeju Island for two causes. Firstly, it’s superior – stunning structure, huge 3-layered roof, a hidden cave-temple, juicy oranges ready to be picked, and you may even do a temple-stay right here! Secondly, it’s the beginning of the Jeju Olle Path Course 8, which is what I used to be about to begin now.

The Jeju Olle Path goes all the best way across the island and is supposed to be trekked over 3 or 4 weeks. It takes you to all the very best websites and offers a ready-made course to observe, with a number of signposts and stamps that you will be able to acquire as you go. Course 8 is without doubt one of the finest, main you alongside the coast, previous fishing villages, Jusangjeolli Cliffs (distinctive hexagonal rocks), all the best way to the Jungmun Saekdal Seashore space.

It was an extremely peaceful approach to spend the day and with the proper climate I used to be in heaven. It’s not troublesome and solely took just a few hours to achieve the Jungmun Saekdal Seashore – an extremely fashionable place for locals and vacationers who need to keep on the luxurious resorts, see one of all Jeju’s different unimaginable seashores, and watch the sundown from the cliffside bar (my plan).

While strolling alongside the seashore, I noticed some native children training ssireum (Korean wrestling – like sumo), a great deal of folks browsing, and dropped onto the sand to learn for some time. Within the late afternoon, I headed to The Cliff – a cocktail bar / lounge with unimaginable views over the seashore and the proper place to look at the sundown.

A few beers and a sundown later, I headed again to Seogwipo to discover extra of the town and seize some extra craft beer from the Jeju Beer Fountain. Sadly the top of my 1 week on Jeju Island was coming to an end, so I walked till fairly late, exploring the harbor and watching the squid-fishing boats head out to sea at evening.

Day 7: Seogwipo Sights, Walks & Waterfalls, & Maeil Olle Market

Seogwipo has a stunning variety of sights to get pleasure from for artwork lovers, nature fans, or buying addicts. I began off visiting the Lee Jung-Seop Artwork Road, which incorporates the well-known Korean artist’s home and a museum. This can be a good spot to choose up some cute Jeju souvenirs, and to take a look at the varied artwork and murals alongside the road as you stroll.

This led me all the way down to Yudong Espresso, run by one of all Korea’s most awarded baristas – Cho Yu Dong. If you happen to like espresso, I’d extremely recommend this place. For lunch I had some scrumptious black pork tacos from b.pork bistro – they had been so good and I might have eaten half a dozen!

From right here I walked east in the direction of the ocean and the mighty Jeongbang Waterfall. This 75 foot waterfall over black rocks presents an enjoyable spot to take waterfall selfies as you’ll be able to stroll all the way down to the seashore and get near the falls. One waterfall wasn’t sufficient, although, so I walked again alongside the coast and headed to the Cheonjiyeon Falls – a smaller however spectacular scene hidden away in thick forests and a surprisingly giant variety of geese.

The Cheonjiyeon Falls are on the best way to Oedolgae Rock on the Olle Path 7 course (one other fashionable part of the Jeju Olle Path). I adopted the Olle Path 7 from the falls to the viewing space round Oedolgae rock, which was solely half-hour by foot. The Oedolgae rock stands alone like a tall sentinel within the rocky surf away from the cliff.

After strolling again to the center, through the Geolmae Eco Park, I made a decision to do some last minute buying on the Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market. This huge conventional market is nice for vacationers to get some souvenirs, attempt the native delicacies (cherished the black pork croquettes), and witness the various sides of conventional Korean markets. If you happen to stay in Korea, you’ll be able to order meals from the market despatched to your own home wherever you’re in Korea.

I stocked up on just a few candy treats and acquired another bag of oranges as they’re in season on Jeju Island in winter (and likewise actually candy). My flight residence was at sundown, which appeared an applicable finish for my 1 week on Jeju Island in winter. I soared away from Jeju Airport (solely an hour from Seogwipo) because the sun set on my winter adventures on Jeju.

I’ll undoubtedly be again quickly as there’s a lot to do on Jeju Island in winter (and any season).

The place To Go to On Jeju Island In Winter

If you happen to plan to spend 1 week on Jeju Island in winter, then hopefully my 7 day itinerary has given you some meals for thought. Still, not everybody desires to go mountaineering, otherwise you may be traveling with kids, or need to go to completely different sights.

Right here’s a few of the different locations I’d suggest to go to on Jeju Island in winter. There’s certain to be one thing to fit your personal private route:

There are dozens of museums, scenic spots, coastal walks, and cozy cafes – too many for me to say all of them. If you need some further concepts, I’d suggest visiting the Go to Jeju Web site.

And right here’s a listing of 20 of the Finest Issues To Do On Jeju Island any time of yr.

The place To Keep For 1 Week On Jeju Island

I cut up my 1 week on Jeju Island between Jeju Metropolis and Seogwipo Metropolis. These are nice cities to discover and work completely as a base to journey out to different sights on the island.

I stayed at The Jade Resort in Jeju Metropolis. It’s a small however comfy lodge in central Jeju Metropolis that’s near the standard market, mountaineering routes, and coast. It options an open rooftop with bar, excellent for wanting on the dawn or sundown.

In Seogwipo I stayed on the Ocean Palace Resort. This was a financial lodge and is an older construction, however has been recently renovated to provide an apartment-like keep. The room was huge and included a kitchen and eating space, which was excellent for cooking and late evening snacks.

These had been each very nice resorts, with central areas and affordable costs. I used to be near the markets in each cities and the lodge in Seogwipo had unimaginable views of the coast.

In fact, these aren’t the one choices out there. If you happen to favor being closer to nature and need to expertise seashore life, I’d suggest staying in Hamdeok on the north coast or on the resorts within the Jungmun Saekdal Seashore space (however these are dearer).

Recommendation For Visiting Jeju Island In Winte

For individuals who need to spend 1 week on Jeju Island in winter, right here’s just a few ideas to assist

1: Test the climate earlier than and as you journey . Be sure to know what to anticipate, however watch out because the climate can change rapidly.

2: Plan a versatile schedule . Typically rain will arrive while you’d deliberate to go to the seashore. Attempt to embrace just a few actions that can be indoors and never weather-sensitive.

3: Discover ways to learn Korean metropolis names . You don’t have to grasp Korean, however understanding the placement you need to go to will assist loads on public transport.

4: Jeju Island in winter might be each hot and cold . The temperatures ranged from a freezing chilly blizzard on Hallasan to heat, sunny climate the place I didn’t want a jacket. Pack appropriate.

5: Care for your pores and skin . Winter in Korea can be very dry and your pores and skin wants care. Pack some hand cream and moisturizer.

6: Benefit from the seasonal delights . Jeju Island in winter is the very best time to get pleasure from contemporary citrus, particularly red- hyang and hallabong .

7: Test the time limits of sights . Many locations in Korea, equivalent to museums and galleries, shut on Mondays.

8: Use Naver or Kakao map apps that will help you get round, however use Google Maps for eating places and cafes. For some reason, Korean map apps solely present me western meal choices, however Google covers all of them.

If you happen to’re traveling to Korea in winter, you need to undoubtedly try my information to essentially the most scrumptious Korean winter dishes. You’ll discover a number of inspiration for genuine, coronary heart warming Korean meals and snacks you’ll be able to check out throughout Jeju. Additionally, my article about the very best locations to see snow in Korea will provide you with tons of extra route concepts to your winter travels in Korea.

Jeju Island has a visa-free entry system that isn’t out there on the mainland, so even when you would usually have to use for a vacationer visa for Korea, you’ll be able to nevertheless journey to Jeju Island. That is nice for people who find themselves unable to use for a Korean journey visa or get denied a Korean visa for no matter cause. Sadly, it doesn’t permit entry to the mainland.

1 Week On Jeju Island In Winter FAQs

Finally, right here’s just a few FAQs about spending 1 week on Jeju Island in winter, in case the above info didn’t cowl sufficient for you.