Jeju Island, born from undersea volcanic eruptions roughly two million years ago, is Korea’s wild south: dramatic cliffs, crater lakes, and almost 400 parasitic cones called oreum dot the landscape. Hallasan, the country’s highest peak, anchors the island, while UNESCO-listed lava tubes run beneath your feet. Today, Jeju pairs ancient geology with a spirited food scene, breezy coastal bike routes, and a network of Olle Trails that wrap the shoreline.

Across two weeks you’ll base yourself in three hubs—Jeju City, Seongsan (East Jeju), and Seogwipo—to reduce backtracking and catch sunrise summits, lava caves, waterfalls, and sandy coves. Expect mid-range comforts, street-market snacking, and easy bus or taxi connections between bases (1–1.5 hours). For hikers, note that Hallasan’s main trails require a free advance reservation; start early and check weather, especially in typhoon season (July–September).

Jeju dining is a reward in itself: smoky heuk-dwaeji (black pork BBQ), silky abalone porridge, seafood hotpots brimming with cuttlefish and clams, and tangy hallabong tangerines. You’ll meet haenyeo—the island’s famed women divers—along the east coast, and sip beachside coffee with views over emerald shallows. Pack layers for coastal wind, trail shoes for oreum climbs, and a T-money card for buses.

Jeju City

Welcome to the island’s lively north, home to the airport, markets, museums, and an easy jump-off for northern oreum and beaches. Tapdong’s waterfront promenade glows at sunset, while Dongmun Market fuels mornings with kimbap, fried cuttlefish, and fresh tangerine juice.

Use Jeju City as a soft landing: recover from your flight, explore nearby oreum like Sarabong for harbor views, then venture out to Hamdeok Beach and the emerald sands of Woljeongri. This base is also convenient for Manjanggul Lava Tube and the Saryeoni Forest Road.

Days 1–5: North & Central Highlights, Easy Hikes, Markets

• Arrival and transit: Fly into Jeju (CJU). Typical domestic flights from Seoul or Busan take ~1 hour and run $30–$90 one-way. Search fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From the airport, Bus 600 reaches central Jeju City in ~15–25 minutes (~$4), taxis run ~$8–$15 depending on distance.
• Manjanggul Lava Tube: Walk one of the world’s finest lava tunnels, past rope-like lava formations and a towering lava column. Go early for cooler temps and fewer crowds.
• Hamdeok & Woljeongri Beaches: Wade into glassy shallows; an excellent spot for a coastal jog or a mellow first-day bike spin on paved paths.
• Olle Trail Sections (Urban–Coastal): Sample a short section near Tapdong to stretch your legs; Jeju’s waymarked blue/orange ribbons make it easy to follow.
• Oreum warm-ups: Try Yongnuni Oreum’s undulating grass ridges (gentle, panoramic) or Sarabong (quick harbor views at sunset).

Adventure add-on (guided): Prefer a curated day that weaves several highlights and a Hallasan foothill walk? Book the following:

Jeju island Southern UNESCO Day Tour With Hallasan MT — a full-day small-group experience that pairs coastal cliffs, temple stops, and a light Hallasan trail (great orientation while you beat jet lag).

Where to stay (mid-range to budget-friendly): Base near Tapdong for seaside walks or City Hall for dining variety and buses.

• VRBO — Jeju City stays: Find seaview apartments or family suites with kitchenettes to stretch your budget.
• Hotels.com — Jeju City hotels: Compare Tapdong waterfront hotels vs. City Hall boutiques.

Eat & drink (local picks):

• Breakfast/Coffee: Cafe NAMA near Tapdong for hand-drip and sea views; bagels at Bagdad Bagel for a quick fuel; fruit cups and hodugwaja (walnut cakes) at Dongmun Market.
• Lunch: Samseonghyeol Haemultang for bubbling seafood hotpot loaded with conch, crab, and clams; Myeongjin Jeonbok (Hamdeok) for abalone porridge and grilled abalone after the beach.
• Dinner: Neulbom Heukdwaeji (multiple branches) for charcoal-grilled black pork belly—ask for salt-and-sesame oil dip; Dombedon for “dombegi” style pork sliced thick and carved tableside, paired with kimchi stew.
• Night: Tapdong promenade food trucks (fried shrimp cones, skewers) and a coastal stroll.

Practical tips: Pick up a T-money card at the airport for buses; car rentals run roughly $40–$70/day for a compact (IDP often required). Hallasan summit trails (Seongpanak/Gwaneumsa) require free reservations—book several days ahead and start before dawn for the crater views.

Seongsan (East Jeju)

Base two puts you within sunrise range of Seongsan Ilchulbong—Jeju’s photogenic tuff cone—plus ferry access to Udo Island for coastal biking. East Jeju is also where haenyeo (women divers) still harvest the sea, and where Manjanggul’s lava cathedral beckons.

Expect aquamarine bays (Hamdeok, Woljeongri), wind-sculpted headlands at Seopjikoji, and laid-back villages. Food leans ocean-forward: abalone, sea urchin bibimbap, and just-caught sashimi.

Days 6–9: Sunrise Summit, Udo Biking, Lava Tube, Beaches

• Morning transfer (Day 6): Jeju City to Seongsan is ~50–70 km. By car/taxi it’s ~60–90 minutes ($40–$70); by express bus ~90 minutes (~$5–$7). Depart after breakfast to catch afternoon beach time.
• Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak): A short but steep stair climb (20–30 minutes up) rewards you with crater views and a sunrise you’ll remember for years.
• Udo Island by bike: 15-minute ferry from Seongsan Port; circle the island’s 11 km coastal road on a rental bike or e-bike. Stop at Seobin Baeksa (coral sand beach) and try peanut ice cream—Udo’s signature.
• Manjanggul Lava Tube (East access): Venture deeper into Jeju’s volcanic story; pair it with a wander through nearby Gimnyeong Maze for a fun detour.
• Beaches & headlands: Hamdeok and Woljeongri for swimming; Seopjikoji for sea cliffs and lighthouse views on an easy hike.

Guided day option (top pick for East Jeju):

East Jeju Essentials – Seongsan Ilchulbong (UNESCO) & Haenyeo—see the sunrise cone, watch a haenyeo demonstration, and enjoy a relaxed, well-paced East Jeju circuit with lunch included.

Where to stay: Look around Seongsan Port or Seopjikoji for sunrise access and ferry convenience.

• VRBO — Seongsan stays: Find sea-view villas and simple pensions perfect for early starts.
• Hotels.com — Seongsan hotels: Compare spots near the port vs. quiet Seopjikoji.

Eat & drink (East favorites):

• Breakfast/Coffee: Cafe Delmoondo (Hamdeok) for terrace coffee above turquoise water; Woljeongri’s beachfront cafes for espresso and croissants.
• Lunch: Myeongjin Jeonbok (Jocheon) for abalone porridge, grilled abalone, and abalone jjim; Haenyeo House (Seongsan) for sea urchin bibimbap and raw conch.
• Dinner: Gasi Hoetjip for sashimi sets after a Udo ride; Gozip Dol Wooluck for spicy octopus and pork stir-fry with rice balls you roll at the table.
• Snacks: Udo peanut ice cream; hallabong slushies beachside.

Good to know: Udo bike rentals (including e-bikes) cluster by both ferry docks; carry cash for deposits. The Udo loop is mostly flat—ideal for a breezy, low-effort ride with frequent swim stops.

Seogwipo

Seogwipo, Jeju’s southern soul, is all waterfalls and lava cliffs, with walking-friendly neighborhoods around the Maeil Olle Market. Jungmun’s resort coast brings palm-lined boulevards, botanical gardens, and the hexagonal pillars of the Jusangjeolli Cliffs.

This is the best base for your big push up Hallasan and for paddling at Soesokkak. Evenings are for noodle shops, beltfish feasts, and market grazing.

Days 10–14: Hallasan Summit, Waterfalls, Coastal Cliffs, Kayaking

• Morning transfer (Day 10): Seongsan to Seogwipo is ~1.5 hours by car/taxi ($50–$80) or ~2 hours by bus with a simple transfer. Arrive by late morning to catch a waterfall walk before dinner.
• Hallasan summit day: Choose Seongpanak (longer, steadier ascent) up and Gwaneumsa down (steeper, more rugged) if your knees are strong; total 18–19 km, 8–10 hours. Reserve a slot in advance, start by sunrise, and carry layers—weather swings fast near 1,950 m.
• Waterfalls trio: Cheonjiyeon for lantern-lit evening ambiance, Jeongbang for a rare falls that plunge straight into the sea, and Eongtto for a wild-feeling detour after rains.
• Soesokkak Estuary: Paddle a transparent kayak over jade water between pine-fringed lava walls; pair with a short section of Olle Trail 6 along the coast.
• Jungmun & Jusangjeolli Cliffs: Marvel at the perfect hexagonal basalt columns; continue to Camellia Hill (seasonal bloom) and the O’Sulloc tea fields for a green-tea ice cream break.
• Bike idea: Cruise the coastal road between Jungmun and Daepo with stops at viewing decks; mostly flat with wide shoulders and regular convenience stores for water.

Guided options in the south/west (great for mixing hiking and sights):

Jeju WEST&SOUTH One Day Tour with MT.halla & UNESCO — a broad sweep of Hallasan foothills, lava cliffs, and coastal viewpoints with minimal logistics.

Jeju Island Popular Sightseeing Private Car Charter Tour (5/9 hours) — customize your own day: sunrise start for Seongsan or a late start after the Hallasan summit; perfect if you want flexibility around hikes and swims.

Where to stay: In Seogwipo proper for market and waterfall walks, or in Jungmun if you prefer a beachy resort vibe.

• VRBO — Seogwipo stays: Family-friendly homes and ocean-view condos near Olle Market.
• Hotels.com — Seogwipo hotels: Compare central guesthouses, boutique stays, and Jungmun resorts.

Eat & drink (south-side stalwarts):

• Breakfast/Coffee: A morning pour-over at Bomnal-style coastal cafes in nearby Aewol is famous, but in Seogwipo try small roasters around Maeil Olle Market; grab hallabong juice and gimbap for trail snacks.
• Lunch: Ollae Guksu for rich beef bone noodle soup beloved by locals; Noraeong Galchi-jjim for spicy braised beltfish over rice.
• Dinner: Don Sa Don (Jungmun) for black pork grilled over hardwood; Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market grazing—abalone kimbap, mandarin macarons, skewers, and crispy hotteok.
• After-dark: A stroll by Cheonjiyeon’s lit pathways, then makgeolli at a neighborhood pojangmacha (tent bar).

Optional second guided day (UNESCO focus):

Jeju Southern UNESCO Full Day Tour with Mt.Halla — efficient for seeing Jusangjeolli, waterfalls, green tea fields, and Hallasan viewpoints in one go.

Logistics Overview for a Smooth 14 Days

• Base plan: Days 1–5 Jeju City; Days 6–9 Seongsan (East); Days 10–14 Seogwipo (South).
• Transfers: Each base-to-base move is ~1–1.5 hours by car/taxi. Buses are frequent, inexpensive (~$5–$8), and accept T-money.
• Gear & safety: For Hallasan, take 2–3 liters of water, sun/ wind layers, and trail snacks. Trails may close for weather—check the evening prior. For biking, e-bikes make Udo’s loop a breeze if it’s windy.
• Budget notes: With a 50/100 budget, mix market meals and mid-range grills, use buses for intercity moves, and splurge on one or two guided days to cover hard-to-link sights efficiently.
• Departure flights: Return to CJU Airport from Seogwipo via Airport Limousine Bus 600 (~1 hr 30 min, ~$6–$8) or taxi (~1 hr, ~$35–$60), and compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Another flexible touring option (works from any base):

Jeju Private Taxi Tour with a Licensed English Guide-Driver — tailor the day to your pace, from oreum hikes to market grazing, ideal if you’re mixing hiking, biking, and photography.

Two weeks on Jeju gives you space to hike high, bike slow, and savor the coastline between. With three well-placed bases, you’ll catch the island’s big-hitting UNESCO wonders and its quieter forest roads and village tables. Come for Hallasan and Udo; stay for the black pork, the sea wind, and the glow of a Seogwipo evening walk.