Did you know that TIME Magazine named Jeju Island one of the World’s Greatest Places in 2023? If you’re not from Korea, you might not have heard of this stunning island before…but that’s quickly changing. Often called the “Hawaii of Korea,” Jeju Island has long been a favorite getaway for South Koreans, thanks to its breathtaking volcanic landscapes, family-friendly attractions, and interesting cultural heritage.
In recent years, Jeju has captured the world’s attention, thanks in part to the hit Netflix K-drama Our Blues, which showcased its dramatic coastlines, lush countryside, and vibrant local life. And now that we know it’s there, we can’t stop looking at it! It turns out we’re not the only ones, with more travellers than ever adding Jeju Island to their bucket lists.
So, why should you visit Jeju Island with your family?
Well, for starters, all of the above! Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or just a relaxing beach holiday, Jeju has something for everyone. This guide will help you plan the perfect family-friendly trip to South Korea’s most beautiful island!
Best time to visit Jeju Island
The best time to visit Jeju Island depends on what you want to experience:
- Spring (March-May): Cherry blossoms, mild weather, perfect for outdoor activities.
- Summer (June-August): Warmest season, ideal for beach lovers, but also the busiest.
- Autumn (September-November): Stunning autumn foliage, great hiking weather.
- Winter (December-February): Snow-capped Hallasan Mountain, fewer crowds, a peaceful retreat.
Yes, there are cherry blossoms on Jeju Island! Spot Jeju’s King Cherry Tree blossoms all over the island. Although the blossoms can be seen for several weeks from late March to the second week of April, the peak lasts only two to three days. So if you want to see the cherry blossoms on Jeju Island, you’ll need to time your visit to Korea just right.
Jeju Island weather
Jeju Island in Korea has mild winters and hot, rainy summers. The island is generally humid and gets a fair amount of rain, but spring and autumn are considered the most pleasant as the ‘in-between’ seasons.
Summer is both hot and humid. When the monsoon rains are not about, summer days are full of sunshine and great for days at the beach. Autumn is considered the romantic season in Jeju, as the foliage ensures it’s quite beautiful.
Jeju is still popular in the winter with locals as the temperatures rarely drop below 0 degrees, and it’s much milder than on the mainland. Although chilly at the beginning of the season, Spring brings clear days and mild temperatures.
How many days to spend on Jeju?
For a relaxed family trip, 3-5 days is ideal. A Jeju itinerary for 3 days should cover the must-see attractions, while 5 days allow for more exploration and downtime.
Things to do on Jeju Island with kids
#1. Enjoy the beaches
- Hyeopjae Beach: Shallow waters, white sandy shores, and scenic views of Biyangdo Island.
- Jungmun Beach: Great for older kids who love water sports like surfing and kayaking.
- Hamdeok Beach: Boasting clean, shallow waters and fine sands, this is a top spot to take in the blue waters of Jeju Island.
- Woljeongri Beach: Great for those with hungry kids as there is a string of trendy cafes along the shore.
- Udo Sanho Beach: Find Udo Sanho Beach on Udo Island, easily reachable by ferry just off the coast of Jeju Island. Visit Udo Beach to swim in its bright emerald to deep sapphire coloured water. As this beach was not formed by coral, but a build-up of broken red alga nodules, it’s the only beach of its kind in Asia.
- Hagosudon Beach: Also on Udo Island, Hagosudeon Beach boasts soft sand and shallow water, making it an ideal spot for those visiting with younger children.
#2. Explore Hallasan National Park
If your family loves hiking, a trip to Hallasan Mountain is a must. It’s the tallest mountain in Kora! Located in the heart of Korea’s Jeju Island, there are seven hiking trails to choose from here. Want to do the most popular? Head out on the 6.8-kilometre Eorimok Trail. Starting from the Hallasan National Park Eorimok Trail Visitor Centre, it takes around six hours to return.
#3. Watch the sunrise at Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak)
For fantastic sunrise views, head to one of Jeju’s most iconic spots, Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak. At 180 metres high, it takes around 30 minutes to reach the top where, if you’ve time it right, you’ll witness a magical sunrise. This is a popular hike on Jeju Island in Korea.
#4. Discover the Manjanggul Lava Tube
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this nearly nine-kilometre-long lava tube is reportedly the longest in the world. Manjanggul Lava Tube has three entrances, but visitors enter by the second and can view around one kilometre of the tube. This experience offers a fascinating underground adventure, perfect for curious kids who love science and nature.
#5. Experience Jeju’s unique culture at the Haenyeo Museum
Teach your kids about the famous Haenyeo (female divers), who have been free-diving for seafood for centuries. If you’re lucky, you might see them in action!
#6. Visit Jeju’s Teddy Bear Museum
A fun stop for young children, this Teddy Bear Museum showcases teddy bear exhibits from around the world, including famous historical reenactments.
#7. Walk through Camellia Hill
If you visit Jeju in winter, Camellia Hill is a stunning botanical garden with beautiful camellia flowers in full bloom, making for a peaceful family outing.
#8. Pay a visit to Aqua Planet Jeju
Home to over 5,000 marine animals, Aqua Planet Jeju is the largest Aquarium in Korea. Kids will love the touch pool, where they can touch and feel some of the sea creatures, and all ages will love the 50-minute Ocean Arena Performance. Don’t miss “The Morning of Haenyeo”, where female divers or Haenyeo, dive without equipment to demonstrate how they gather seafood.
#9. Tour a primeval Gotjawal Forest by train at Eco Land Theme Park
Jump on board a charming train and tour the vast primeval Gotjawal Forest at Eco Land Theme Park. This is the only place in the world that serves as a home to both tropical and polar plants. The train departs at the entrance and makes various stops, each offering a different attraction.
Don’t miss the 300-metre-long floating deck at Eco Bridge Station. Here, a walk is like strolling on water. Lakeside Station boasts an exotic landscape, and Picnic Garden Stations offer the chance to see animals, insects and plants of the Gotjawal Forest. There are plenty of cafes here, so don’t worry if you forget to pack morning tea.
#10. Check out Sangumburi Crater from a telescope at the observation deck
This uniquely shaped volcano features an oversized crater compared to the size of the actual mountain. Although humans can no longer enter the crater, you can check it out with the scenic telescopes mounted on the observation deck. A peek through the telescopes shows excellent views of Sangumburi Crater, the ocean around Seongsan and Hallasan Mountain Peak.
#11. Visit Yakcheonsa Temple
At 30 metres high and with a total area of 3,305m2, Yakcheonsa Temple on Jeju Island in Korea is the largest temple in Asia. The architectural style is that of Buddhist temples of the early Joseon dynasty, and visitors are greeted with a five-metre-high statue of Vairocana upon entering. The temple features a main temple, a giant temple bell weighing 18 tons and a three-story residential structure for the Buddhist monks.
#12. Visit a tea museum
Tea lovers rejoice at O’sulloc Tea Museum, Korea’s first and largest tea museum. In addition to being in a scenic location overlooking Hallasan Mountain and vast expanses of green tea fields, the museum exhibits Korea’s old tea vessels and tea cups worldwide. Grab some quality green and blended tea here for gifts to take home, and enjoy the onsite cafe with pastries, beverages and ice cream, all made with green tea.
#13. Go souvenir shopping at Jeju Dongmun traditional market
Dongmun Market was established just after the liberation of Korea in 1945 and, as such, was once the centre of all commercial activities on the island. This historically significant market sells fruits, vegetables, fresh fish, medicinal herbs, grain, clothing and a variety of Jeju Island specialties and souvenirs to bring home from your time in Korea.
#14. Step back in time at Jeju Folk Village
Travel back in time at Jeju Folk Village and observe the unique culture that has been retained through over 100 houses. Here, you can see household goods, fishing gear and farming tools and even watch master craftsmen make traditional items.
Visitors can experience traditional Korean games such as arrow throwing and top spinning. If you fork out a few extra dollars, you can even take part in a traditional wedding ceremony.
#15. Stroll through a nutmeg forest over 500 years old
Bijarim Forest has the largest colony of nutmeg trees in Korea, with over 2,800 trees between 500 and 800 years old. As such, this grove is one of the world’s largest colonies of a single strain of nutmeg trees. Right at the centre, you’ll find a tree that’s a whopping 820 years old.
If nutmeg trees don’t float your boat, the forest is also home to many rare orchid species. However, of interest is the theory that because the trees emit a lot of phytoncide, a stroll through the forest strengthens the immune system and boosts the body’s natural healing ability.
#16. Lose yourself in nature at Maze Land
Maze Land boasts the world’s longest stonework maze, measuring around 5.3 kilometres in length. Made primarily using stone and wood found on Jeju Island, Korea, the design reflects the island ‘Samda’, which describes the things abundant on Jeju Island: rocks, wind and women.
Enjoy the maze as a fun family activity. As a bonus, it’s said to provide health benefits because the stones emit high levels of far-infrared radiation, and the woods produce large amounts of phytoncides. People come to the park for a spot of ‘forest bathing’ and to surround themselves with nature.
There is also a maze museum on-site detailing the history of mazes from the 14th century.
Best places to stay in Jeju for families
- Somerset Jeju Shinhwa World – Luxury family suites with a kitchen, family-friendly facilities and an indoor water and theme park.
- Lotte Hotel Jeju: A luxury option with kid-friendly pools and entertainment.
- Hotel Alice & Trunk – Spacious two-bedroom suites for families.
- Elin Hotel – Twin rooms at a budget price.
- Grand Hyatt Jeju – Luxury international hotel with extra large double bed and sofa.
- Jeju I’ve Hotel & Resort – Wood cabins in a variety of sizes and beds.
How to get around Jeju Island without a car
While renting a car is the most convenient option, families without a car can still explore Jeju using:
- Jeju City Bus Tour: A hop-on, hop-off option covering major attractions.
- Taxis: Affordable for short distances.
- Guided Tours: Great for hassle-free day trips to multiple attractions.
Jeju Island map
Looking for a map of Jeju Island? Download an English version as a PDF file here.
Must-try foods in Jeju Island
- Grilled Black Pork: A Jeju specialty, best enjoyed at traditional Korean BBQ restaurants.
- Jeju Tangerines: Sweet, juicy, and perfect for snacking.
- Abalone Porridge: A nutritious meal made with abalone and rice.
- Hallabong Juice: Made from Jeju’s famous citrus fruit, refreshing on a warm day.
- Udo Island peanut ice cream: Despite their small size, Udo Island peanuts have a robust nutty flavour and many sprinkle these local peanuts on a cup of vanilla ice cream.
- Grilled and stewed beltfish: Many restaurants serve galchi gui (grilled beltfish) and galchi jorim (stewed beltfish). Stewed beltfish is a sweet, yet spicy dish and grilled beltfish is seasoned with salt when cooking.
Is Jeju Island worth visiting with kids?
Absolutely! Jeju offers a great blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation, making it a fantastic family-friendly destination. From stunning nature spots to interactive museums and delicious food, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
How to get to Jeju Island
Ferry to Jeju Island
Catching the ferry is a popular way to get to Jeju Island. Although you arrive by plane, the ferry makes for a scenic trip with ocean views. Find more information on catching the Ferry to Jeju Island on the Visit Korea Website.
Flying to Jeju Island
Of course, those who suffer from seasickness may prefer to fly. Regular flights depart from the mainland. Grab a bargain here.
Plan your perfect Jeju Family Holiday!
With so much to see and do, Jeju Island is an unforgettable destination for families. Start planning your trip today and create lasting memories on this beautiful Korean island!
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