The Majestic Volcanic Island Most Americans Still Don’t Know About

Where to stay on Jeju Island

If you’re on a tight schedule, Jeju Shinae makes for a convenient home base on a visit to Jeju. Restaurants, bars, shopping, and entertainment are all within a short walk or taxi ride. Plus, its intercity terminal is the central hub for buses running to other parts of the island.

But the true beauty of the island lies east, south, and west. If you can swing it, rent a car or take a cab (the Kakao T app makes it easy to hail one), and work your way around Jeju’s perimeter.

In the east, some standout spots include Woljeong-ri (“ri” means village), Seongsan-ri, and Udo, a tiny island, accessible by ferry, known for its peanut farms and signature peanut makgeolli. If you want to spend the night, book a room at a villa like Robin Blue. Gasi-ri, a mountainous village in southeastern Jeju, is a bright shock of yellow come April, when it hosts the annual canola flower festival. It’s also one of the best places to check out Jeju’s art scene and ranching culture.

For a traditional resort vacation, do as the honeymooners do and head to the island’s southern coast. But do be sure to explore the more rural areas of Pyoseon (where you can stay in a log cabin), Namwon, Jungmun, and Andeok. There, Sun Moon offers seaview rooms, a rooftop pool, and an outdoor barbecue setup. Out west, check out Hyeopjae and Hallim, where a nice hotel option is Built in Garage.