Jeju Island - Our 2 Day Road Trip With No Car!

Before our two day itinerary began, we flew from Seoul to Jeju the evening before, the flight times were very frequent and inexpensive making it convenient to travel. The connection from the airport to the city was only a ten minute bus or car ride away from Jeju City which meant a late night flight got us into the city for dinner and bed before our two days began!

Day 1 Overview:

1. Jeju City

2. Dongmun Market

3. Seogwipo

4. Maeil Olle Market

5. Cheonjiyyeon Waterfalls

6. Saeseom Island Saeyeongyo Bridge

7. Korean Barbeque

Day 2 Overview:

1. Cheonjeyeon Waterfalls

2. Korean Barbeque (again!)

3. West Jeju City

4. Shopping / Photobooths

Day 1 - North Jeju to South Jeju.

1. Jeju City.

Our hotel near Yongyeon Pond provided the perfect starting point for our adventure on Jeju Island. Crossing the suspension bridge, we enjoyed the seaside views before moving westward along the coast, we marvelled at Yongdum rock and the statue of the mermaid. There were gift shops showcasing Jeju's famous Hallabong oranges and adorable black pig figurines.

After a delightful stop at ABC Bakery for some fresh croissants and juice, we then explored the lively main streets with their numerous clothing shops. This then led us to the bustling Dongmun Market!

View of Yongyeon Pond on the suspension bridge.

2. Dongmun Market.

At the heart of Jeju city, you'll discover the bustling Dongmun market, the largest market on Jeju Island! This market offers so much, from fresh fish, meat clothes and local cooked food stalls. As we wandered through the market, our eyes were treated to a colourful display of local delights that surely did tempt our tastebuds!

3. Seogwipo.

Around lunchtime we embarked on our adventure to the south of the Island, by hopping onto a bus bound for Seogwipo. The journey, lasting just around an hour, treated us to some breathtaking views of Mount Hallasan from the right-hand side of the bus (although you may not see if unless you have clear skies!).

The bus was fairly straightforward to navigate, make sure you have a T-money card (and it's topped up!), use the Naver app to tell you the best bus for you to catch.

4. Maeil Olle Market.

After settling into our hotel in Seogwipo, our stomachs were pretty much rumbling again, and they led us straight to Maeil Olle Market, the local market for Seogwipo. We indulged in some mouthwatering black pork rolls filled with kimchi and a range of sauces. For a refreshing dessert, we tried some bubble tea, and of course, couldn't leave without grabbing some juicy hallabong oranges, locally grown on Jeju Island.

5. Cheonjiyeon Waterfall.

With our appetites satisfied, we set out to explore the natural wonders of Seogwipo's west side, leading us to the Cheonjiyeon Waterfall. Paying a small fee of 2000 won for entry, we embarked on a serene walk through the trees, following a gentle path along the river to the main waterfall. The route was well maintained, with charming bridges and statues native to Jeju Island.

After visiting, there are a variety of shops and stalls offering food and merchandise outside, for more purchases or food!

6. Saeseom Island Saeyeongyo Bridge.

Continuation of our southern Jeju exploration, we made our way from the Cheonjiyeon Waterfall to the picturesque Saeyeongyo Bridge. This bridge, (we believe) is designed to resemble a boat, there were some lovely views and a refreshing sea breeze. We strolled over the bridge, reaching the charming Saeseom Island.

On Seaseom Island, it has a nice boardwalk which pretty much encircles the whole island, treating us to some lovely views of Seogwipo and the vast sea. The walk was enjoyable and took around half an hour to do the whole loop, and we were lucky to catch an overcast sunset with views over the sea.

Saeseom Island Saeyeongyo Bridge.

7. Korean Barbeque.

After the sun set, we made our way back up the hill in search of a delicious dinner. We found a delightful Korean Barbecue spot on Myeongdong-ro Road, where we go the mouthwatering black pork belly (a Jeju speciality!). This was served with an array of accompaniments, and we couldn't resist pairing our meal with some traditional soju - best enjoyed as a shot alongside your food!

Once full, we decided to cap the night off with some drinks, a combination of a local Cass beer and a highball (a mix of soju and tonic water, although the Korean tonic water was more like lemonade!). As if we didn't have enough foo.. we were recommended a deep fried seaweed dish by some locals, which went rather well with our drinks.

Day 2 - South Jeju.

1. Cheonjeyeon Waterfalls.

After a hearty breakfast, we checked out of our hotel and continued our Jeju Island adventure to Jungen, where we intended to visit the renowned Cheonjeyeon Waterfalls. The exact route was a bit unclear when we went due to boarded up paths, but with some perseverance, we found the way to the site! The waterfalls had a nice walking loop which encompassed three different waterfalls. The entrance fee was 2000 won per adult, which felt was worth it.

Despite already walking so much yesterday, we managed to visit two of the waterfalls, as the third was considerably further - however we were told it is worth visiting if you have the energy and the time!

2. Korea Barbecue. (again!)

After the Cheonjeyeon Waterfalls, we stumbled upon an incredible local Korean barbeque joint just two minutes away. Unable to resist, we induldged again in the black pork barbecue once more - it was too good not too!

Following our meal, we hopped on a bus making our way back to West Jeju City. While the west coast offered many enticing spots to explore, we opted for a more relaxed time in this part of Jeju City. Sometimes, its about savouring the moments than trying to cram it all in!

The famous Jeju Island Black Pork on a Korean barbecue!

3. West Jeju City.

Venturing into the vibrant streets of West Jeju City, we were actually pleasantly surprised to find a lively nightlife scene. We enjoyed wandering round, and soaking in the bustling atmopshere and the energy of the city after dark.

To create a more relaxd evening, we treated ourselves to some bakery items and a soothing cups of tea, perfect for unwinding.

4. Shopping / Photobooths.

But.. the fun didn't stop there! We stumbled upon some photobooth shops, and couldn't resist taking some hilarious and memorable snaps with some cute props and poses! If you ever find yourself in any major city of South Korea, don't miss the chance to experience these photobooths and create some lasting memories (and a printed souvenir)!