South Korea – particularly its capital city, Seoul – is a dream destination for many Filipinos. But these days, getting a slot to apply for a Korean visa can be difficult, and so is getting approved.
Thankfully, Filipinos can enter Jeju Island in South Korea visa-free without having to be part of a tour group. To help you DIY your trip, here are things to do in Jeju Island – from cafe-hopping to pasalubong shopping.
Table of Contents
Cafe Gyulkkot Darak.
Image credit: @cafe_gyulkkot_darak
Like Seoul, Jeju Island has plenty of cute cafes for IG-worthy food photos.
Cafe the Container.
Image credit: @0a01998
Since the island is famous for its sweet tangerines, check out cafes that offer tangerine-flavored drinks and desserts. Cafe Gyulkkot Darak is a rustic-style cafe tucked inside a tangerine farm. Meanwhile, Cafe the Container is a cafe that can be found in a cute, basket-shaped building.
Slowboat Atelier.
Image credit: @somewhere.library
You should also visit cafes by Jeju’s scenic beaches such as the artful Slowboat Atelier.
Cafe Gyulkkot Darak
Address: 34Ieodo-ro, 1027beon-gil, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Opening hours: 11am-6.40pm, Daily
Cafe Gyulkkot Darak’s Instagram
Cafe the Container
Address: 851, Wasan-ri, Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Opening hours: Thu-Mon 10.30am-6pm (Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
Cafe the Container’s Instagram
Slowboat Atelier
Address: Hagwi 1-ri 330, Aewol-eup,, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 10am-7pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Slowboat Atelier’s Instagram
Image credit: @look_hee_bboy
Snoopy Garden is a Peanuts comics-themed indoor and outdoor park in Jeju Island.
You’ll find plenty of installations featuring the comic book’s characters such as Snoopy and Charlie Brown peppered around the park.
Lucy’s Lemonade Cafe.
Image credit: @dal_ggum
Besides taking pictures with these childhood figures, you’ll have fun collecting stamps from different locations. There’s also a Peanuts-themed cafe and a souvenir store within the premises.
Admission fee costs KRW18,000 (~P756.96) for adults.
Address: 930 Geumbaekjo-ro, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Opening hours: 9am-6pm, Daily
Contact: +82 64-903-1111
Snoopy Garden’s Facebook | Instagram
Mount Hallasan.
Image credit: @crystalhwang
Jeju Island has many nature attractions so be sure to check out a couple of them during your trip.
For an adventure, hike Mount Hallasan, a now-dormant shield volcano. It takes 6 to 9 hours to hike, depending on which trail you choose.
Jeongbang Falls.
Image credit: @denise_5.19
There are also several waterfalls in Jeju. Cheonjeyeon Falls has 3 waterfalls and other beautiful views, including unique rock formations. Meanwhile, Jeongbang Falls is the only waterfall in the country that goes directly into the ocean.
Mount Hallasan
Address: Jangso-ro, Aewol-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Cheonjeyeon Falls
Admission fee: KRW2,500 (~P105.13)
Address: 2232, Jungmun-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Jeongbang Falls
Admission fee: KRW2,000 (~P84.11)
Address: 37 Chilsimni-ro, 214beon-gil, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Black pork barbecue from Jung Jong Jeju Black Pork Restaurant.
Image credit: 테린이smilehush
You should also take the opportunity to taste local delicacies when in Jeju.
K-BBQ restaurants here pride themselves for black pork barbecue. It uses meat from black-haired pigs that are native to the island and is said to be comparable to steak.
You can find many restaurants offering this at Black Pork Street in Jeju City. The highly rated restaurant Jung Jong Jeju Black Pork Restaurant has a set meal for 2 for KRW52,000 (~P2,186.78).
Grilled abalone from Myeongjin Jeonbok Abalone.
Image credit: @wooooooooodong
And don’t miss out on the island’s seafood offerings, including abalone. You can enjoy it raw, grilled, in porridge, or with clay pot rice (from KRW15,000, ~P630.80) at Myeongjin Jeonbok Abalone in Jeju City.
Jung Jong Jeju Black Pork Restaurant
Address: 39 Yeono-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, 5pm-10.30pm | Sat-Sun 12pm-3pm, 5pm-10.30pm
Contact: 064-745-8688
Jung Jong Jeju Black Pork Restaurant’s website | Facebook | Instagram
Myeongjin Jeonbok Abalone
Address: 1282 Haemajihaean-ro, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 9.30am-9.30pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Contact: +82 64-782-9944
Myeongjin Jeonbok Abalone’s Facebook
Sand exhibition.
Image credit: 아르떼뮤지엄 Arte Museum
Arte Museum in Jeju is the largest immersive media art exhibit in South Korea with 10 different nature-inspired projector art. There are also different scents and sounds in each space for a truly immersive experience.
Visiting this museum is a 2-hour indoor activity which makes the place perfect if you’re looking for something to do during a very hot or rainy day in Jeju.
Flower exhibition.
Image credit: 아르떼뮤지엄 Arte Museum
They change the exhibit every quarter so there’s always something new to check out no matter how many times you’ve visited Jeju.
Admission into the museum costs KRW17,000 (~P714.91) for adult guests.
Address: (1503 Eoeum-ri) 478 Eorimbi-ro, Aewol-eup, Jeju, Jeju-do
Opening hours: 10am-8pm, Daily
Contact: 064-799-9009
Arte Museum’s website | Facebook | Instagram
Grilled octopus tentacles.
Image credit: @tanesther
If taste-testing Korean street food is on your bucket list, Jeju’s markets have many of the street food you can find in Seoul. These include walnut cakes, hotteok (filled, sweet pancakes), and the addictive mayak gimbap (seaweed rice roll).
You’ll also find plenty of grilled seafood such as shrimp, lobster, and even octopus tentacles. Of course, don’t forget to bring home some locally harvested tangerines.
Tangerines.
Image credit: @valeriekyy
There are many markets across Jeju Island, but Dongmun Traditional Market in Jeju City is among the ones that are open 7 days a week.
Dongmun Traditional Market
Address: 20 Gwandeong-ro 14-gil, Ido 1-dong, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Opening hours: 8am-11pm, Daily
Hyeopjae Beach.
Image credit: dongkulee74
Hyeopjae Beach is one of the best places to admire Jeju’s emerald waters, white sand beach, and black basalt rocks.
But for water activities, check out Woljeongri and Gwakji Gwamul beaches in the north of the island. Surfing, paddleboarding, and transparent kayaking are only some of the things you can do at these beaches.
Paddleboarding at Gwakji Gwamul Beach.
Image credit: @zhjunhao
Don’t worry about bringing equipment for these water activities. There are shops by these beaches where you can rent them for an affordable fee.
Hyeopjae Beach
Address: 329-10 Hallim-ro, Hallim-eub, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Woljeongri Beach
Address: Woljeong-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-do, South Korea
Gwakji Gwamul
Address:Gwakji-ri, Aewol-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Hondiju.
Image credit: @orangebottles_ilsan
Don’t forget to buy souvenirs for yourself, friends, and family before you fly back home.
For a taste of Jeju, instant black pork ramen packs are available at convenience stores. If you drink alcohol, grab your hands on some Hondiju, a traditional Jeju wine made with tangerines.
Souvenirs at The Islander.
Image credit: @ikkoi
You’ll also find many cute, tangerine-themed items such as candles and knitted hats from various souvenir shops such as The Islander.
The Islander
Address: 7 Gwandeong-ro 4(sa)-gil, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Opening hours: 10.30am-7pm, Daily
Contact: +82 70-8811-9562
The Islander’s website | Facebook | Instagram
As of now, there are no direct flights from the Philippines to Jeju. But you can take a connecting flight via Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, or Hong Kong.
If you’re taking the visa-free route via Jeju, also note that you cannot travel outside the island to other places in South Korea such as Seoul. Thankfully, there are plenty of things to do in Jeju!
Also check out:
Cover image adapted from: @_oii_jin, @0a01998, 테린이smilehush, 아르떼뮤지엄 Arte Museum
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