Where To Stay In Jeju First Time 2024 - 6 Best Areas
In this article, we dive deeper into your question about where to stay in Jeju first time.
To make it as simple as possible for you as a reader, we start with an overview of all the recommended areas we cover followed by a short description.
Then, we briefly answer a few commonly asked questions:
Where to stay in Jeju first time?
Where to stay in Jeju with family?
Where to stay in Jeju with car?
Where to stay in Jeju without a car?
Where to stay in Jeju for nightlife?
You can always tap on a purple link to go directly to that part of the article.
This will save you a lot of time and only read what you need to read.
Enjoy!
Overview of the best areas to stay in Jeju
| Name of the area in Jeju | Description of the recommended area |
|---|---|
Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | This is the largest city on the island and serves as its administrative center. From here, you can easily explore the rest of the city. It’s home to plenty of accommodations, restaurants, and shops in all budget classes. It’s simply the most convenient option you have in Jeju. *You can click on the purple or blue link to directly navigate to that part of the article to read in-depth information about that specific area. |
Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | Seogwipo is known for its natural beauty, including waterfalls, cliffs, and beaches. It’s also close to attractions like Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak and the Jeju Olle Trail. It’s not as convenient as Jeju City, but it’s a great area for those who want to stay close to Jeju’s beautiful nature. |
Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | Situated on the southern coast near Seogwipo, Jungmun is a resort area known for its luxury hotels, golf courses, and beautiful beaches like Jungmun Beach and Yeomiji Botanical Garden. If your budget allows it, it’s hard to beat this incredible area. |
Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | If you’re interested in hiking and outdoor activities, consider staying near Hallasan National Park, home to South Korea’s highest mountain. There are various accommodation options around the park, offering easy access to hiking trails and nature. |
Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | This area in the northern part of the island, which is also known as Downtown, offers a mix of urban conveniences and cultural attractions. It’s a good choice if you want to explore Jeju’s history, museums, and local cuisine. |
6. Jeju East Coast (Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak) Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓ | If you want to experience the sunrise at Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak or explore the eastern coast’s volcanic landscapes, consider staying in this area. It offers a quieter atmosphere and stunning natural scenery. |
Where to stay in Jeju first time?
The best areas to stay in Jeju first time are Jeju City, Seogwipo City, and Jungmun Tourism Complex.
These three areas are by far the most convenient areas on Jeju island.
Jeju City is the administrative center located on the north side of the island.
From here, it’s incredibly convenient for tourists to further explore Jeju and the city is home to plenty of accommodation, restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues.
Seogwipo City is located on the south side of the island and is known for its natural beauty, waterfalls, cliffs, and beaches.
It’s a popular and beautiful area, but Jeju City is more convenient.
If your budget allows it, then Jungmun Tourism Complex is probably the best option to fully enjoy Jeju.
This resort area is home to many luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and top-notch amenities.
There are some alternatives though, that are worth considering.
Hallasan National Park is a great option for those who love outdoor activities.
Here you can find Korea’s highest mountain and you have direct access to hiking trails and beautiful nature.
But a car is required in order to move around.
Jeju-si is Jeju’s Downtown, where you can find all the urban conveniences you can think of, but the area is home to several cultural attractions.
It’s also a good area to find some nightlife after a day of island exploration.
Those seeking a quieter experience, yet still have good access to modern amenities, should stay around Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, which is part of Jeju East Coast.
You have access to volcanic landscapes, flower fields, and other beautiful scenery, but the area itself is not as convenient as cities like Jeju and Seogwipo.
Where to stay in Jeju with family?
The best areas to stay in Jeju with family are Seogwipo City, Jungmun Tourism Complex, Jeju East Coast, and Jeju City.
As Seogwipo City does come with plenty of modern amenities and it has great access to natural beauty and beaches, it’s one of the best options you have in Jeju when travelling with your family.
Now, Jeju City is more convenient in terms of arranging things, having access to public transport, and accommodation options, it’s simply not as beautiful.
It’s still a viable option, though.
Families who seek a luxury and carefree experience should stay at Jungmun Tourism Complex, which is a resort area with top-notch amenities and caters solely to tourists.
That means you can easily arrange trips to every corner of the island from here while staying in a comfortable accommodation with kid-friendly amenities and activities.
For a quieter experience, Jeju East Coast is a great option.
This area is home to volcanic landscapes and beautiful scenery.
Just keep in mind that this area is less developed compared to the other three areas.
Where to stay in Jeju with car?
The best areas to stay in Jeju with car are Seogwipo City, Hallasan National Park, and Jeju East Coast.
Obviously, you can stay in any area in Jeju as you are incredibly flexible when travelling by car.
However, you should take advantage of the fact that you have a car and most travellers won’t.
Seogwipo City is the perfect balance for visiting beautiful nature and beaches as well as attractions while having the convenience that many facilities are close by.
It’s also well-connected to other parts of the island in all directions.
Hallasan National Park is the perfect option when travelling by car if you’re interested in outdoor activities.
For most tourists, it doesn’t make sense to stay here if you don’t have a car, meaning that it’s relatively quiet compared to the cities while staying in the heart of the island surrounded by beautiful landscapes.
You can find some of the most unique accommodation options on the island here as well.
Just keep in mind that this area lacks the facilities that cities do have.
Jeju East Coast is a bit of a balance between these two areas.
It’s not as developed as Seogwipo City, but more developed than Hallasan National Park.
Also, the area is surrounded by volcanic landscapes and it’s very easy to reach other major attractions by car from here.
Where to stay in Jeju without a car?
The best areas to stay in Jeju without a car are Jeju City, Seogwipo City, and Jungmun Tourism Complex.
These three areas are considered the most convenient when you have to rely on public transportation.
Jeju City is the largest city on the island and from here, it’s the easiest to arrange transportation to the major attractions of the island.
It’s also the most bustling part of the island, and you can find a bit of nightlife here, a large variety of restaurants and shops, and accommodations here come in all sizes and prices.
Seogwipo City is located on the south of the island and is known for its natural beauty.
When you compare these two cities, it’s easier to get around the island if you stay in Jeju City, but the difference is small.
The plus side of Seogwipo City is that you have access to beautiful beaches, Seong Ilchulbong Peak, and the Jeju Olle Trail.
Jungmun Tourism Complex is a resort area that fully caters to tourists, so getting around the island from here is a piece of cake.
Just keep in mind that this area is known for its luxury hotels, golf courses, and top-notch amenities. In other words, not a budget-friendly area.
Where to stay in Jeju for nightlife?
The best areas to stay in Jeju for nightlife are Jeju-si and Seogwipo City.
Jeju-si is the Downtown of Jeju City and offers by far the most interesting nightlife scene on the island.
Nightlife districts like Tapdong Street are especially popular where you can find bars, clubs, karaoke rooms, and trendy restaurants that are open until late.
Seogwipo City is not as bustling as Jeju-si but offers a more laid-back vibe.
The main nightlife area there is called the Jungang-ro area.
1. Jeju City
Jeju City can be considered the most popular area to stay in Jeju for first-time visitors.
One of the main reasons for that is that it has a central location in the northern parts of the island, and from here, you can easily access many various attractions.
That’s because Jeju City is the largest city on the island and serves as a transportation hub with well-developed infrastructure.
It’s also the area where you can find Jeju International Airport and a central bus terminal with several bus routes connecting to other parts of the island.
In other words, if you travel without a car, which most tourists do, this is one of the best options you have.
You can easily reach the natural wonders of Hallasan National Park, the scenic beauty of the eastern and western coasts, or the resort areas in the south.
But there are more benefits when staying in Jeju City.
The accommodation options here a endless, from budget guesthouses and hostels to upscale hotels and luxurious resorts.
And the city has several attractions on its own, which are often overlooked by the island’s natural beauty.
If you have some to spare, make sure to visit historical sites like the Jeju Folk Village Museum, learn about the island’s culture at Jeju National Museum, or stroll along the scenic Yongduam Rock (Dragon Head Rock) and enjoy views of the sea.
As you can expect from a city, there are plenty of shopping and dining options to discover.
Is there anything not to like?
One of the disadvantages of staying in Jeju City is the urban environment.
You visit Jeju Island for its natural beauty, and Jeju City doesn’t offer that.
Also, while Jeju City has some coastal areas, they don’t offer the same beautiful beaches found in other parts of the island.
And simultaneously, the area lacks rural charm.
All of these disadvantages can be fixed by staying in another region.
Further down this article, I dive deeper into areas with beautiful nature, beaches, and rural charm.
But what these areas don’t offer is the excellent connection and convenience of Jeju City.
Based on your own preferences, you have to decide which one suits you the best.
Fact is, Jeju City is probably the most popular area among most tourists.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Jeju in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
2. Seogwipo City
Seogwipo City is the second most popular area to stay in Jeju among first-time visitors.
The area is known for its stunning natural landscapes, including waterfalls, cliffs, and beaches.
Jeongbang Waterfall, Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, and Jungmun Beach are among the highlights nearby.
This is the biggest difference between Jeju City and Seogwipo City.
Another big difference is that this city on the southern coast offers a far more relaxed atmosphere.
But there are some similarities too.
For example, from Seogwipo City, you can easily reach popular attractions, such as Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak (Sunrise Peak), Manjanggul Cave, and the Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market, all within a short drive from the city center.
That’s because this area has good transportation options with bus routes that connect it to other parts of the city.
Although I must admit, Jeju City is better connected.
But are there any major disadvantages of choosing Seogwipo City as your base?
There are simply fewer things to do in the city when you compare it to Jeju City.
Nightlife, restaurants, and shops aren’t here as many as Jeju City.
That in combination with the coverage of public transportation being more limited compared to Jeju City, makes Jeju City often a better choice for tourists.
However, the easy access to natural beauty and laid-back atmosphere that it offers is something Jeju City can’t compete against.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Jeju in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
3. Jungmun Tourism Complex
Let’s start with the big elephant in the room.
Jungmun Tourism Complex is not for everyone.
It’s an area known for its luxury hotels and resorts, offering high-quality accommodations with upscale amenities.
If you’re not looking for something luxurious and expensive, this area is not for you.
Now, let’s talk about what this area all has to offer.
The complex is home to various family-friendly attractions, including theme parks, aquariums, and botanical gardens.
Jungmun Beach, located within the complex, is one of the most famous beaches on Jeju Island.
Golf enthusiasts will appreciate the presence of several golf courses in this area.
The complex also offers a wide range of shopping centers, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment venues to keep their guests entertained.
And as you can expect from a premium area, you can find beautiful natural scenery, including forests, volcanic landscapes, and coastal cliffs.
What’s not to like aside from its price tag?
Getting around the island from here is much more difficult unless you rent a car or hire a private driver.
But if your budget allows it and you’re ready to indulge yourself and your family or loved one, Jungmun Tourism Complex won’t dissapoint.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Jeju in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
4. Hallasan National Park
This part will be updated very soon.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Jeju in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
5. Jeju-si
This part will be updated very soon.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Jeju in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
6. Jeju East Coast (Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak)
This part will be updated very soon.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Jeju in this particular area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and is the best option for booking a hotel in Asia. They often offer significantly cheaper options compared to their competitors, including Booking.com. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.