City Info
Our Jeju Island Travel Essentials lays out the essential information you need to help you plan your trip to one of the most popular destinations in South Korea. No matter how frequently you travel, some questions will always need answers: What’s the weather like? How can I get from Jeju International Airport to my hotel? What currency and type of plug do I need?
We have all these answers plus other basic info about the best time to go, getting there, getting around, and a few useful travel tips. You’ll also learn about the most popular landmarks on Jeju Island such as Mount Halla, Jeju Folk Village Museum, and Manjanggul Lava-Tube Cave. It’s all compiled in this Jeju Island Travel Essentials. After reading this short and easy-to-read guide, you will be a little more prepared to start your trip to Jeju Island, South Korea.
What are the main towns and villages on Jeju Island?
Jeju is the largest island in South Korea. The volcanic island lies 90 km south of the mainland and is about 1,830 sq km in size. At its centre is Mount Halla, a shield volcano that rises 1,950 metres above sea level – the highest summit in South Korea. The island has 2 main cities: Jeju City in the north and Seogwipo in the south. Other interesting towns include Gimyeong and Seongsan.
Jeju City
The capital of the island, Jeju City is in the north-central part of the island and has a population of over 480,000. Served by the second busiest international airport in the country, Jeju City is the main arrival hub on Jejudo. It features a large choice of hotels, casinos, and tourist attractions.
Seogwipo
Seogwipo is the second-largest city on Jeju Island. It lies in the central area of the south coast of the island and has a population of over 155,000. Seogwipo is famous for its food market, the O’Sulloc tea museum, waterfalls, and volcanic caves.
Gimnyeong
Gimnyeong has one of the most popular beaches on the northeast coast of Jeju. Water activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, and kayaking are extremely popular in Gimnyeong, as well as fishing and dolphin watching. In the hinterland, the highlight of the area is Manjanggul Cave.
Seongsan
Seongsan is a small fishing village on the southeast coast of Jeju Island. It’s renowned for its ‘sunrise peak’ Seongsan Ilchulbong, a 182-metre-high volcanic tuff cone that offers panoramic views. The village is also one of the last places where you can meet the haenyo (women of the sea) who catch urchins, abalone, and other seafood without scuba diving equipment.
When is the best time to travel to Jeju Island?
Jeju has a mild subtropical climate, with a yearly average temperature of 16°C. The island, being right between the subtropical and moderate climatic zones, gets a little cold during winter, with snowfall in some areas towards the north.
You won’t find extreme weather conditions due to Jeju’s warm sea currents. During the summer months, temperatures can go up to 28°C. Jeju also enjoys rather warmer autumns than other areas in South Korea.
It rains up to 7 days per month in October–December. Rainfall increases from January to May with an average of 10 wet days per month. It reaches its peak in June–September with up to 13 rainy days per month. Occasional typhoons are expected around this time of the year.
Spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November) are the best times to visit Jeju Island, due to the mild and dry weather. Winter being relatively clement is also a good time to visit.
Summer is busy but not as popular due to unpredictable weather that can bring torrential rains. More affordable hotel prices make June–September an attractive time to visit, though.
Source: https://kr.hotels.com/go/south-korea/information-about-jeju