Shaped by volcanoes and ocean winds, Jeju Island blends dramatic nature with warm island life. Once a remote outpost, today it’s Korea’s favorite escape—home to Hallasan National Park, lava tubes, tea plantations, and fishing villages where haenyeo (female free divers) still harvest the sea.

Beyond postcard beaches and waterfalls, Jeju rewards curious travelers: bowl-of-sunrise vistas at Seongsan Ilchulbong, forest bathing along Saryeoni-gil, and night markets brimming with tangerine sweets and sizzling seafood. Families love the easy pacing, stroller-friendly boardwalks, and short scenic drives.

Practical notes: public buses are plentiful, but a rental car makes family logistics easier. Food is hearty and local—abalone, hairtail, mackerel, and the island’s famed black pork. Expect mild winters, windy springs, lush summers, and autumn fields the color of tea.

Jeju City

Base yourself first in Jeju City, the island’s lively north with an airport, markets, and easy access to the east coast’s lava landscapes and kid-friendly beaches. Sunsets glow over Tap-dong while noodle joints and BBQ streets hum with locals.

• Top sights: Dongmun Traditional Market, Yongduam (Dragon Head Rock), Hamdeok Beach, Manjanggul Cave, Gimnyeong Maze Park.
• Eat & drink: Black pork on BBQ Street, abalone porridge, kimbap snacks, peanut ice cream by the sea, and local craft beer tastings.
• Fun fact: Jeju’s caves are UNESCO-listed lava tubes formed by ancient Hallasan flows.

Getting to Jeju: Fly into CJU (Jeju International). Search flexible fares on Trip.com flights or compare on Kiwi.com. From Seoul, flights are ~1 hr; from Busan ~1 hr. Airport to downtown is ~10–20 minutes by taxi or bus.

Where to stay (Jeju City): For group value, browse family apartments and villas on VRBO Jeju City or budget hotels via Hotels.com Jeju City. A central, family-friendly pick is Hotel RegentMarine The Blue with oceanfront walkway and easy market access.

Seogwipo

On the island’s south, Seogwipo is waterfalls, coastal trails, and the Jungmun resort zone—close to Hallasan’s best viewpoints. It’s quieter at night, perfect for families after full days outdoors.

• Top sights: Cheonjiyeon and Jeongbang Falls, Oedolgae Rock, Jungmun Saekdal Beach, Camellia Hill, Yeongsil Trail.
• Eat & drink: Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market bites, hairtail stew, and seaside sashimi houses.
• Fun fact: Jeongbang is one of Korea’s rare waterfalls that drop directly into the ocean.

Where to stay (Seogwipo): Search multi-bedroom stays on VRBO Seogwipo or family hotels via Hotels.com Seogwipo. For a splurge night with kid-friendly pools, consider The Shilla Jeju or Lotte Hotel Jeju in Jungmun.

Getting between bases: Jeju City ↔ Seogwipo is ~1–1.5 hr. Airport Limousine Bus 600 costs ~₩5,500–6,000 per adult; intercity bus ~₩3,000–4,000; taxi ~₩40,000–50,000; rental car ₩60,000–100,000/day. There are no trains on Jeju.

Day 1 — Arrival, Market Grazing, and a Coastal Sunset (Jeju City)

Afternoon: Land in Jeju and check in. Shake out the flight with a boardwalk stroll to Yongduam (Dragon Head Rock)—an easy, stroller-friendly path with ocean spray and photo stops.

Evening: Dive into Dongmun Traditional Market. Shareable, budget bites for a group: tteokbokki, crispy fried chicken skewers, hallabong (tangerine) juice, and gogi-guksu (pork noodle soup). Try Ujin Haejangguk nearby for its famous seaweed-and-pork hangover soup—rich, comforting, and inexpensive.

Night: Walk Tap-dong promenade for street buskers and ocean air. Dessert at a local stall—peanut brittle and hallabong mochi are kid-pleasers.

Day 2 — Lava Tubes, Beach Time, and Cafe Hopping (Jeju City & East Coast)

Morning: Explore UNESCO-listed Manjanggul Lava Tube (1–1.5 hr underground). It’s well-lit and cool; bring light jackets. Follow with Gimnyeong Maze Park for a quick family challenge.

Afternoon: Head to Hamdeok Beach for shallow water and soft sand. Grab light lunch and a view at Cafe Delmoondo (sandwiches, pastries, and excellent cold brews). Kids can play on the boardwalk while adults sip coffee.

Evening: Return to Jeju City’s Black Pork Street. Pick Donsadon or Heukdonga for thick-cut heukdwaeji (Jeju black pork) grilled over charcoal; order kimchi jjigae and cold buckwheat noodles to share. Curious about “wine tasting” on Jeju? Many market stalls and specialty shops offer small samples of hallabong (tangerine) wine—a sweet local novelty to try before you buy.

Day 3 — West Coast: Hallim Park, Hyeopjae Beach, Tea Fields, and a Brewery Tour

Morning: Drive 45–60 min to Hallim Park, a beautifully landscaped botanical park with lava caves and a bird garden—very stroller-friendly. Walk across to Hyeopjae Beach for turquoise shallows and a postcard view of Biyangdo.

Afternoon: Continue to the Osulloc Tea Museum for green-tea soft serve, roll cake, and a quick gallery on Jeju tea culture. Browse affordable gifts for the whole group. Then tour the Jeju Beer Company Brewery (Hallim area; reserve ahead). Adults can sample tasting flights, while the on-site pub has juices and snacks for kids.

Evening: Early dinner at a nearby seafood spot—try sashimi sets or grilled mackerel at local eateries around Hallim. Optional golden-hour stop at the Handam Coastal Walk (Aewol), dotted with sea-view cafes; grab a final espresso or hot chocolate before driving back.

Day 4 — Transfer to Seogwipo, Folk Village, and Twin Waterfalls

Morning: Check out and travel south (1–1.5 hr). If driving, stop at Seongeup Folk Village to see thatch-roofed homes, basalt walls, and hear stories of haenyeo culture. It’s a great hands-on history lesson for kids.

Afternoon: In Seogwipo, visit Jeongbang Waterfall (walkway and steps) followed by Cheonjiyeon Waterfall (gentle, lamp-lit path through gardens). Both are easy for families with frequent benches.

Evening: Eat your way through Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market. Split plates of hotteok, abalone kimbap, grilled hairtail, and tangerine macarons. For sit-down options nearby, Olle Guksu ladles hearty bowls of noodle soup that won’t break the bank.

Day 5 — Hallasan Views and Jungmun Coast (Seogwipo)

Morning: Tackle a short, family-friendly hike. The Yeongsil Trail to the orum viewpoints offers sweeping vistas of Hallasan’s ridges without committing to the full summit. Another easy option: Eoseungsaengak Trail (a quick cone hike) for panoramic island views.

Afternoon: Relax at Jungmun Saekdal Beach where waves meet dramatic cliffs. Pop into Camellia Hill for garden paths and seasonal blooms; shaded walking makes this gentle for kids and grandparents alike.

Evening: Dinner in Jungmun: if you missed black pork, there are additional branches of popular BBQ houses; or go seafood—hairtail stew, grilled abalone, and seaweed salads are local staples. Cap the night with a stroll by the Jungmun cliff walk.

Day 6 — Sunrise Peak and Udo Island Day Trip

Morning: Depart early to the east for Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak). Even if you miss sunrise, the crater rim views are breathtaking. Nearby, time a visit to the haenyeo performance (check day-of schedule) to see Jeju’s legendary divers share their craft.

Afternoon: Ferry 15 minutes to Udo Island (bring IDs). Rent e-bikes or hop the local bus to tour coral-sand beaches, lighthouse viewpoints, and peanut fields. Don’t miss Udo peanut ice cream. On the return drive, stop at Seopjikoji for wind-swept coastal paths and a quick photo stop.

Evening: Back in Seogwipo, share steaming pots of haemultang (seafood hotpot) or stone-pot abalone rice. If adults want an easy nightcap, pick up a bottle of local hallabong wine or Jeju makgeolli from a convenience store—budget-friendly and restful after a big day.

Day 7 — Forest Bathing, Tangerines, and Departure

Morning: Take a gentle walk along the Saryeoni Forest Path, a beloved cedar forest where birdsong replaces traffic. If in season (roughly Nov–Feb), book a tangerine (gamgyul) picking session at a local farm around Seogwipo; kids love tasting the island’s iconic fruit right off the tree.

Afternoon: Depending on your flight, head north toward the airport, stopping for a simple lunch in Jeju City—try gogi-guksu on Guksu Alley or a casual kimbap cafe for quick bites. Depart from CJU with a suitcase of tea, tangerine snacks, and sandy flip-flops.

Evening: —

Where to Eat & Drink (handy shortlist)

• Black Pork BBQ: Donsadon, Heukdonga (thick-cut, charcoal-grilled; share platters keep costs down).
• Seafood & Abalone: Myeongjin Jeonbok (east coast; abalone rice and porridge), assorted sashimi houses near Hallim and Seogwipo harbors.
• Noodles & Comfort: Ujin Haejangguk (iconic, budget-friendly), Olle Guksu (Seogwipo).
• Cafes: Cafe Delmoondo (Hamdeok, sea views), coastal cafes along the Handam boardwalk (Aewol) for sunset lattes.
• Tastings: Osulloc Tea Museum (green tea desserts), Jeju Beer Company Brewery (tours and flights), market samples of hallabong wine.

Budget Tips for a Group of 8 (Adults 7, Kid 1)

• Split two mid-size rental cars or a single 9–11 seater; parking is generally easy and inexpensive.
• Plan 1–2 sit-down meals daily and fill in with market snacks or bakery/cafe lunches to keep average meal costs ~₩12,000–18,000 per adult/day.
• Choose a VRBO apartment or pension with a kitchenette to do simple breakfasts; stock up at large supermarkets.
• Use the Airport Limousine Bus 600 if you skip cars; it directly connects the airport, Jungmun, and Seogwipo.

Getting Around & Bookings

• Flights: Compare prices to CJU on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Frequent sales from Seoul, Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju.
• Stays in Jeju City: VRBO, Hotels.com, or oceanfront Hotel RegentMarine The Blue.
• Stays in Seogwipo/Jungmun: VRBO, Hotels.com, or splurge at The Shilla Jeju or Lotte Hotel Jeju.

Estimated Local Costs (group-aware): Airport bus ₩5,500–6,000 adult; city–Seogwipo bus ₩3,000–4,000; taxi airport–Seogwipo ~₩40,000–50,000; car rental ₩60,000–100,000/day; parking often free or a few thousand won. Most sights ₩0–6,000 per adult; kids discounted or free.

With two easy bases (Jeju City and Seogwipo), this plan covers Jeju’s greatest hits—Hallasan overlooks, lava wonders, sunrise coasts, tea fields, markets, and beaches—without rushing. It’s paced for a multi-generational group, light on the wallet, and big on island flavor. You’ll head home rested, full, and already plotting a return.