3-Day Jeju Itinerary: Day-by-Day Guide

Only got 3 days in Jeju? Don’t worry, that’s plenty to see the island’s best spots. You’ll get beaches with turquoise water, cliffs carved by volcanoes, waterfalls that tumble straight into the ocean, and even the famous Sunrise Peak hike.

The trick is planning smart. Jeju looks small on the map, but driving from one side to the other takes about an hour. 

That’s why this 3-day Jeju itinerary loops west → south → east, so you’re not wasting time backtracking. With a rental car, you can pull over for coastal cafés, snap photos at roadside viewpoints, and take the trip at your own pace.

3-Day Jeju Itinerary Planning

Is 3 days enough for Jeju?

Yes, three days is enough if you keep it simple. You won’t see every oreum or museum, but you’ll still leave feeling like you really experienced Jeju.

Where to stay in Jeju

Picking the right base makes everything easier. 

• Jeju City is handy for the airport, Dongmun Market, and quick trips west. 
• Seogwipo is better if you want waterfalls and the southern coastline right outside your hotel. 

For a short trip like this, I usually spend two nights in Seogwipo, then the last night back in Jeju City. That way, you don’t stress about catching your flight.

Getting around Jeju

The easiest way to explore Jeju is with a rental car. Public buses exist, but they’re slow and don’t always line up with a packed 3-day plan.

I like booking ahead with Discover Car because the prices are clear, and I can skip the airport stress of shopping around.

If you’re driving, you’ll need an International Driving Permit. Navigation is simple once you download Naver Map or Kakao Map (Google Maps won’t work for driving here).

The good news? No toll roads, plenty of free or cheap parking, and fuel stations are easy to find.

Best time to visit Jeju

The best time really depends on what you want to see. 

Spring is gorgeous with cherry blossoms and canola flowers. Summer is for beach days and bright turquoise water.

Autumn in Jeju is my favorite, with silver grass fields and fiery foliage on Hallasan. Winter is quieter but still lovely, with camellias blooming and milder weather than Seoul. 

For me, pring and autumn give you the best balance of weather and scenery for a quick three-day trip.

3-Day Jeju Itinerary Overview

Here’s the quick overview of how I’d spend 3 days in Jeju. You can always swap things around, but this route (west → south → east) makes the driving smooth and keeps each day balanced.

Day 1 – West Jeju

• Pick up car at Jeju Airport
• Hyeopjae & Geumneung Beaches
• O’Sulloc Tea Museum & Innisfree Jeju House
• Handam Coastal Walk & Aewol cafés
• Overnight in Seogwipo

Day 2 – South Jeju

• Jusangjeolli Cliff
• Oedolgae Rock
• Jeongbang Waterfall
• Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market (dinner)
• Overnight in Seogwipo

Day 3 – East Jeju

• Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak)
• Manjanggul Lava Tube
• Hamdeok Beach
• Dongmun Traditional Market (dinner + snacks)
• Overnight in Jeju City (close to airport)

Day 1 Jeju Itinerary: West Jeju (Beaches + Tea Fields)

Pick up your car at Jeju Airport

Once you land, head straight to the rental desks at Jeju Airport. If you’ve already booked through Discover Car, pick-up is quick and you’ll be on the road in no time.

Hyeopjae & Geumneung Beaches

I love starting a Jeju trip with these two beaches.

Hyeopjae is the showstopper with turquoise water, soft white sand, and views of Biyangdo Island just offshore. It’s a great place to stretch your legs after the flight.

Right next door is Geumneung Beach, which feels a little quieter. If you prefer fewer crowds, walk over and enjoy the calm vibe there.

Both beaches have showers, cafés, and plenty of parking. I usually give myself at least an hour here to wander, take photos, and grab a light lunch or coffee nearby before moving on.

O’Sulloc Tea Museum & Innisfree Jeju House

From the beaches, it’s only a short drive to Jeju’s famous tea fields. The rows of green tea plants stretch out like a perfect postcard, and it’s a fun stop whether you’re into photos, shopping, or just snacks.

Inside the O’Sulloc Tea Museum you’ll find exhibits, tea tastings, and shelves full of teas to bring home. The highlight for me? Always the green tea ice cream. It’s sweet, creamy, and perfect on a sunny day.

Plan for about an hour here, maybe longer if you want to linger at Innisfree Jeju House next door for souvenirs.

Opening hours & fees

• Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (daily)
• Free entry
• Paid experiences: tea tasting or workshops (optional)

Handam Coastal Walk & Aewol Cafés

Late afternoon is perfect for the Handam Coastal Walk. The path hugs the sea for about a kilometer, with waves crashing against volcanic rock and golden light filtering in if you time it for sunset.

It’s short, easy, and one of those places where you’ll probably stop every few minutes for photos.

After the walk, I’d visit one of Aewol’s famous cafés. This area is known for stylish spots with ocean views, desserts, and even rooftop seating.

It’s the perfect way to wind down your first day on the island before driving to your hotel.

Overnight in Seogwipo

After your café stop in Aewol, it’s time to make the drive down to Seogwipo, which will be your base for the next two nights.

The drive takes about an hour, and it’s a nice way to see more of Jeju’s landscape as you cut across the island.

• Budget: Seogwipo JS Hotel or Hotel Yeon are simple, comfortable, and easy on the wallet.
• Mid-range: Chason Hotel The Smile and Velum Resort are great picks if you want a little more comfort without spending too much.
• Luxury: JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa and The Shilla Jeju are stunning choices if you feel like treating yourself.

Rainy-day swap

If the weather isn’t great, skip the coastal walk and head to Arte Museum Jeju instead. The immersive digital art exhibitions are perfect for a couple of hours indoors.

• Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (last entry 6:00 PM)
• Entrance: ~17,000 won (adults)

Day 2 Jeju Itinerary: South Jeju (Cliffs + Waterfalls + Market)

Jusangjeolli Cliff

Kick off your morning with something dramatic: Jusangjeolli Cliff.

It’s where you can see giant black lava columns, all lined up like hexagons, with waves crashing against them.

Jusangjeolli Cliff was actually formed when Hallasan erupted thousands of years ago. It almost looks too perfect to be natural, but that’s Jeju for you.

The viewing platform makes it easy to see the best angle, and you’ll probably find yourself just standing there listening to the ocean for a while.

I’d give this stop around 30–40 minutes. You’ll have plenty of time to walk the boardwalk, take photos, and grab a snack from one of the nearby vendors.

Opening hours & fees

• Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last entry ~5:40 PM)
• Entrance: ~2,000 won (adults), 1,000 won (children)

Oedolgae Rock

A short drive away is Oedolgae Rock, another coastal gem.

It’s a massive sea stack rising out of the water, and the Olle Trail around it is really nice.

I like coming here as it feels less crowded than some of the other spots. Plus you can enjoy the sound of the waves while strolling along the trail. There’re benches along the way as well.

If you’re lucky with the weather, the sea is a gorgeous shade of deep blue that looks amazing in photos.

Opening hours & fees

• Open year-round
• Free entry

Jeongbang Waterfall

This is one of my favorite spots in Jeju. Jeongbang Waterfall is famous for being the only waterfall in Korea that falls directly into the ocean.

The walk down from the parking lot only takes a few minutes, and then you’re standing in front of a roaring curtain of water.

I love visiting in the late afternoon when the light hits the waterfall and the sea behind it. The mix of golden light, rushing water, and sea breeze feels unforgettable.

Opening hours & fees

• Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last entry ~5:30 PM)
• Entrance: ~2,000 won (adults), 1,000 won (children)

Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market

End the day at Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market. It’s the best place to taste Jeju’s food all in one place.

Try the black pork BBQ if you’re hungry for something hearty, or grab smaller bites like tangerine juice, seafood pancakes, and abalone skewers.

This market is lively but not overwhelming, and a great way to wind down after a full day outdoors.

Rainy-day swap

If the weather doesn’t play nice, swap Oedolgae Rock for the PLAY K-POP Museum (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, closed Mondays, entry ~15,000 won) or wander along Lee Jung-Seop Art Street for galleries and cafés indoors.

Both give you indoor options with plenty of character.

Day 3 Jeju Itinerary: East Jeju (Sunrise Peak + Lava Tube + Market)

Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak)

Start your last day with one of Jeju’s most iconic sights.

Seongsan Ilchulbong, also called Sunrise Peak, is a volcanic crater that rises out of the ocean. The hike to the top only takes about 25–30 minutes, but it’s a steady climb up stairs.

Once you’re at the rim, the view over the crater and the ocean is worth every step.

If you can manage the early wake-up, sunrise here is stunning. It’s what gave the peak its name.

But even if you arrive later in the morning, the scenery is still stunning. Around lunchtime, you might also catch the haenyeo (female diver) show near the base.

Opening hours & fees

• Hours: ~7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (varies slightly by season)
• Entrance: 2,000 won (adults), 1,000 won (youth/children)

Manjanggul Lava Tube

After the hike, head inland to Manjanggul, one of the largest lava tubes in the world.

Only a kilometer is open to visitors, but it’s enough to see lava stalactites, flow lines, and the giant lava column. It’s cool and damp inside, so I always bring a light jacket.

The path is easy to follow, and it takes about an hour to walk in and back out. If you’ve never been inside a lava tube before, it feels otherworldly and a little surreal.

Opening hours & fees

• Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last entry ~5:10 PM)
• Closed: first Wednesday of each month
• Entrance: 4,000 won (adults), 2,000 won (youth), 1,000 won (children)

Hamdeok Beach

By the afternoon, slow things down at Hamdeok Beach. The sand is soft, the water is turquoise, and the cafés along the boardwalk make it perfect for a relaxed lunch or a coffee with a view.

Since it’s close to Jeju City, it’s an easy stop before wrapping up your trip.

Even if you don’t feel like swimming, just walking the shoreline or sitting with your feet in the sand is the perfect way to end your Jeju adventure.

Dongmun Traditional Market

Finish your trip with Dongmun Traditional Market in Jeju City. It’s the island’s biggest market, packed with fresh seafood, Jeju mandarins, souvenirs, and street food.

In the evening, it comes alive with food stalls, perfect for the last dinner before you fly out.

I’d recommend black pork BBQ, seafood skewers, or even simple street food. And if you’ve got space in your bag, stock up on Jeju snacks to take home.

Opening hours & fees

• Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Best time: early evening for the night market vibe

Where to stay in Jeju City

For your last night, I’d recommend staying in Jeju City. It’s small, easy to get around, and you’ll be close to Dongmun Market for a final dinner or some last-minute snacks.

• Budget: Ventimo Hotel & Residence Jeju or Astar Hotel. Both are simple, cozy, and great value if you just need a clean place to crash.
• Mid-range: Lotte City Hotel Jeju and Ocean Suites Jeju are solid choices if you want comfort without overspending.
• Luxury: If you feel like ending your trip in style, check into Grand Hyatt Jeju or Maison Glad Jeju. Bigger rooms, sea views, and plenty of facilities make it worth the splurge.

Rainy-day swap

If Hamdeok isn’t an option, head to the Haenyeo Museum (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, closed Mondays, entry ~1,100 won) or Gimnyeong Maze Park (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, entry ~4,400 won).

Both are easy, fun indoor alternatives nearby.

Optional Add-Ons if You Have a 4th Day

Got an extra day in Jeju? Lucky you. Three days will give you a solid taste of the island, but a fourth day means you can slow down and enjoy a little more. Here’s what I’d do:

Hallasan Hike

If you’re up for some adventure, spend your bonus day hiking Hallasan.

It’s the highest mountain in South Korea, and on a clear day you can see almost the whole island from above.

I usually recommend the Eorimok or Yeongsil trails. They’re shorter, still beautiful, and you don’t need to dedicate the whole day like the summit hikes.

Start early, bring plenty of water, and you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views and crisp mountain air.

Opening hours & fees

• Hours: 5:00 AM – 5:00 PM (trail hours vary by season)
• Free entry
• Tip: Trail entrances close early afternoon, so don’t start too late.

Museums in Jeju City

Not in the mood to hike? No problem. Jeju City has a couple of museums I really like when I want something more relaxed.

The Jeju Folklore & Natural History Museum is a fun way to dive into the island’s culture and nature, while the Jeju National Museum has smaller but well-done exhibits.

Both are easy to fit into a half-day, especially if you want to pair them with a café visit or one last market stop.

Opening hours & fees

• Folklore Museum: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, closed Mondays, entry ~2,000 won
• National Museum: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, closed Mondays, free entry

Final Thoughts

Three days in Jeju might sound short, but with the right plan you can cover so much.

If you’re still in the planning stage, my guide to the best time to visit Jeju will help you decide when to go. For more practical tips, take a look at how to get around Jeju, whether you’re driving or using buses.

And since food is such a big part of Jeju island’s charm, don’t miss my guide to what to eat in Jeju, from black pork to tangerine desserts.

I hope you’ll have an amazing trip with this 3-day Jeju itinerary. Any questions? Drop them in the comments!