9 Must-Visit Places in Jeju Island

After spending almost two weeks exploring South Korea, I knew there was one place I couldn't leave off my itinerary - Jeju Island.

I'd seen Jeju featured in countless Korean dramas and documentaries over the years, and every time I watched, I fell a little more in love with its dramatic coastline, volcanic landscapes and slower pace of life. It felt completely different from the busy streets of Seoul, and I couldn't wait to experience it for myself.

One thing that had been on my bucket list for years was seeing the famous haenyeo - Jeju's incredible sea women divers. Watching these women continue a tradition that's been passed down through generations was something I genuinely hoped I'd get to experience, and I was lucky enough to see them during my visit. It was one of those moments that made me stop and appreciate just how unique Jeju really is. Next time, I'd love to spend even longer watching them work and learn more about their fascinating history.

Although I only spent a few days on the island, these are the places I think are absolutely worth adding to your Jeju itinerary.

1. Iho Tewoo Horse Lighthouses

📍 Location: Jeju-si, Jeju-do

One of Jeju's most recognisable landmarks, the colourful horse-shaped lighthouses sit on either side of the harbour and make the perfect first stop after arriving on the island. The surrounding coastline is peaceful, making it a beautiful place for a leisurely walk while taking in the ocean views.

I actually walked for almost an hour from my hotel to reach the lighthouses, and it ended up being one of my favourite afternoos in Jeju. There was something so calming about strolling along the coastline, listening to the waves and enjoying some quiet time to myself before arriving at such a unique landmark. Sometimes it's the journey, not just the destination, that becomes the most memorable part of a trip.

2. Dongmun Traditional Market

📍 Location: Jeju-si, Jeju-do

One of my favourite things to do whenever I travel is visit local markets, and Dongmun Traditional Market didn't disappoint. It's packed with fresh seafood, local produce, Jeju mandarins, Peanut ice cream, street food and souvenirs, making it the perfect place to experience everyday life while sampling some of Jeju's local flavours.

One of the highlights for me was watching the 'Jeju Shrimp Dancers' dancing and singing along to the music while preparing and cooking fresh seafood. It created such a fun, energetic atmosphere and made the whole market feel like an experience rather than just a place to eat.

3. Yongduam Rock (Dragon Head Rock)

📍 Jeju-si, Jeju-do

One of Jeju's most iconic natural landmarks, Yongduam Rock is a dramatic volcanic rock formation that resembles a dragon's head rising out of the sea. Sitting right along the coastline, it's a beautiful place to slow down, take in the ocean views and experience a quieter side of the island.

This stop was incredibly special to me because it was where I finally got to see the famous haenyeo (Jeju's sea women divers). We stood there for quite a while, simply watching them in awe as they disappeared beneath the waves before resurfacing with their catch. It was one of those travel moments that made me stop and truly appreciate the culture and traditions that make Jeju so unique.

4. Sangumburi Crater

📍 Location: Jocheon-eup, Jeju-do

One of Jeju's most unique natural attractions, Sangumburi Crater is a volcanic crater surrounded by walking trails, native grasslands and sweeping countryside views. It's peaceful, scenic and offers a completely different side of Jeju compared to the island's coastline.

We visited Sangumburi as part of a private day tour that also included several other places on this list, and I'm so glad we did. It wasn't somewhere I knew much about before arriving, but it ended up being one of those hidden gems that really surprised me. The fresh air, open landscapes and beautiful views made it the perfect place to slow down and appreciate Jeju's natural beauty.

5. Jeju Folk Village

📍 Location: Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo-si

If you're interested in learning more about Jeju's history and culture, I highly recommend visiting Jeju Folk Village. Walking through the traditional homes and village streets feels like stepping back in time, giving you a fascinating glimpse into what everyday life on the island was like hundreds of years ago.

I found this stop really interesting, especially learning about Jeju's unique traditions and way of life. One of the things that surprised me most was discovering where Jeju's famous black pork got its name and the history behind it. It was one of those places where I left knowing so much more about the island than when I arrived.

6. Seopjikoji

📍 Location: Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si

One of the most scenic coastal spots on Jeju Island, Seopjikoji is known for its dramatic cliffs, rolling green grasslands and breathtaking ocean views. It's easy to see why this beautiful location has featured in so many Korean dramas.

We visited Seopjikoji as part of our private driver day, and it ended up being one of my favourite coastal walks on the island. We spent quite a while wandering along the walking paths, taking in the views and simply enjoying the fresh sea air. It's one of those places where you don't need to rush - the scenery is the main attraction.

Tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes, as you'll be doing a bit of walking, and if you're visiting during the warmer months, don't forget a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. There isn't a lot of shade, and the sun can get surprisingly hot, even with the ocean breeze.

7. Bomnal Café

📍 Location: Aewol-eup, Jeju-si

If you've read any of my café blogs, you'll know I can never resist finding beautiful cafés while travelling, and Bomnal Café was right at the top of my Jeju list.

Perched right on the coastline, this charming little café offers incredible ocean views and the perfect place to slow down for a while. The day we visited was a little rainy, but honestly, I think it made the experience even more magical. Sitting inside with a warm coffee, listening to the rain and watching the waves crash against the shore created such a cosy atmosphere.

Sometimes the weather doesn't go to plan when you're travelling, but this was one of those moments where the rain actually made the experience even more memorable.

8. Noraba

📍 Location: Aewol-eup, Jeju-si

If you're visiting Jeju, don't leave without trying the island's famous seafood ramen, and Noraba is one of the best places to do it.

This cute little local restaurant quickly became one of my favourite food stops on the island. Their generous bowls of seafood ramen are packed with fresh ingredients and full of flavour, making it the perfect meal after a day of exploring Jeju.

There was something so authentic about the whole experience - from the cosy atmosphere to the fresh seafood served straight to your table. It's one of those places that feels like a true local gem rather than just another tourist stop.

9. O'Sulloc Tea Museum & Café

📍 Location: Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si

If you're a tea lover - or simply appreciate beautiful cafés - O'Sulloc Tea Museum is a must-visit while in Jeju. Surrounded by endless green tea fields, it's the perfect place to learn about Korea's tea culture while enjoying some of Jeju's most famous matcha desserts and drinks.

I absolutely loved spending a few hours here. After wandering through the museum and browsing the gift shop, we stopped for a coffee and dessert overlooking the rolling green tea fields. It was such a peaceful way to spend the afternoon. We also visited the nearby Innisfree Jeju House, where I couldn't resist picking up a few skincare products to take home. The whole area has such a calm, relaxing atmosphere and is definitely worth adding to your itinerary.

Tip: Allow plenty of time to explore both O'Sulloc and the nearby Innisfree store - they're only a short walk apart and make for a really enjoyable half-day outing.

A Few More Things Worth Mentioning

If you have a little extra time while exploring Jeju, here are a few more experiences I'd recommend adding to your trip.

• Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road – A beautiful coastal drive lined with giant wind turbines overlooking the ocean. It was the perfect, relaxing way to finish our private driver tour of the island.

• Jeju Jungang Underground Shopping Centre – A great place to browse local shops, pick up souvenirs and escape the weather for a while.

• Try Jeju Black Pork BBQ – One of Jeju's signature dishes and an absolute must while you're on the island. After learning the history behind it at Jeju Folk Village, it made trying it even more memorable.

A Little Honest Travel Story...

Not every trip goes exactly to plan, and ours certainly didn't.

The day we arrived in Jeju, we were so excited to pick up our rental car and start exploring the island. Unfortunately, not long after leaving the rental company, we accidentally hit a curb and ended up with a flat tyre.

It definitely wasn't the start we'd imagined.

We lost almost an entire day trying to sort everything out, and at the time it felt pretty overwhelming. Thankfully, by this stage I'd already spent nearly two weeks travelling around South Korea, so I felt much more confident navigating unexpected situations.

Using the taxi app, I was able to organise a ride back to the rental company. With the help of the Papago app, I explained what had happened, and the staff were incredibly helpful. They arranged for someone to collect the car, replace the tyre and get everything sorted for us.

After waiting several hours, we were told the car was ready to be collected. By that point, though, our group decided we'd rather return the rental car altogether and explore Jeju using taxis instead.

Before travelling, I'd read countless blogs saying that hiring a car was essential because taxis were difficult to find. Honestly, that wasn't our experience at all.

We found taxis easy to book, affordable and surprisingly convenient. We also hired a private driver for one full day, which turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. It took all the stress out of driving, navigating unfamiliar roads and finding parking, allowing us to simply sit back, relax and enjoy Jeju's incredible scenery.

Being Australian, we're used to driving on the opposite side of the road to Korea, so there was already a little extra concentration required. After the tyre incident, though, we were more than happy to let someone else do the driving for the rest of our trip.

So, if you're feeling nervous about whether you need to hire a car in Jeju, don't stress. While many people recommend it, our experience showed that taxis and private drivers are also a fantastic option. Sometimes unexpected travel mishaps end up leading you to an even better way to explore.