Jeju City is the capital of Jeju Province and the largest city on Jeju Island, and it is where most visitors to the island first arrive, whether by air through Jeju International Airport or by sea through the island's largest port. It is a resort city with a mild, warm climate for much of the year, and it serves as the island's principal transport hub and the centre of its road network.
For a visitor, the practical question is where to base yourself within the city. The main distinctions are between the older downtown area (Gu-jeju, centred on Jungangno and Samdo-dong), the newer district of Sin-jeju up the hill from the airport, the waterfront areas of Tapdong and Yongdam on the north coast, and the outlying settlements of Aewol, Hallim and Jocheon further along the coast. This guide covers which of these areas suits which kind of trip, and what standard of accommodation you can expect in each.
Best areas to stay in Jeju City
1. Sin-jeju (New Jeju)
Sin-jeju, or "new Jeju", was created some decades ago up the hill from the airport and houses many government buildings. It is where the tourist hotels of the city are concentrated, and many visitors arriving through the airport or port terminal stay here and use the city as a base for visiting Jeju's attractions.
This area suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants the widest choice of larger hotels, including the city's five-star properties. It sits between the airport and the city centre, so it is convenient for arrivals and departures. There is also a jjimjilbang on this side of town, between Jeju Grand Hotel and Marchen House Apartments.
2. Downtown / Gu-jeju (Jungangno and Samdo-dong)
The old downtown is the historic core of the city. The Samseonghyeol, the three holes from which the three ancestors of the Jeju people are said to have come, are located in the downtown area, and the Jeju National Museum is in the city proper near the centre. The Jeju Bus Terminal is here, with several motels next to it.
This area suits budget travellers and those who want to be near the bus terminal for onward travel around the island. There is a jjimjilbang downtown near the stream at the east end of the underground shopping mall, and a guesthouse near the bus terminal. Expect small guesthouses with character and inexpensive motels rather than large hotels.
3. Tapdong and the harbour
Tapdong sits on the north side of town, down the hill from Jungangno towards the harbour. It is a waterfront area with ocean views and a jjimjilbang behind the E-Mart near a Dunkin' Donuts. The seafront here also has motels, some with sea views.
This area suits travellers who want to be near the water and within walking distance of downtown. It is convenient for the harbour and for the coastal road. Note that the jjimjilbang here, despite having ocean views, lacks windows on the inside and is more open plan than most, so it can get noisy.
4. Yongdam
Yongdam is on the coast road on the north side of town, near the Leisure and Sports Park. Dragon's Head Rock (Yongduam) is along this coast, and the area is convenient for visiting the rock to see the illumination at night. There is a seawater and sauna club here.
This area suits visitors who want a coastal base on the north side of the city and easy access to Yongduam. It is a short distance from the downtown core and connects to the rest of the city by the coastal road.
5. Aewol-eup
Aewol is a township west of the city along the coast. It has a pension and glamping-style accommodation, including a log cabin pension with family and group rooms, a kitchen, washing facilities and WiFi. It is reached by bus from Jeju airport, transferring at Hagwi.
This area suits families and groups who want more space and a quieter coastal setting rather than a city-centre base. It is further from the downtown sights and the bus terminal, so it works best if you are happy to rely on buses or a car.
6. Hallim-eup (Geumneung-ri)
Hallim is on the western side of the island, and Geumneung-ri has guesthouse accommodation aimed at younger travellers, with a hotel-like atmosphere and shared kitchen and lounge areas. It is reached by bus from the Jeju-si local bus terminal.
This area suits younger travellers and those who want a base outside the city on the west coast. It is a bus ride from the city, so plan around the bus schedule if you stay here.
7. Jocheon-eup
Jocheon is east of the city and is home to Jeju Stone Park, a large park focusing on Jeju's cultural use of stones, its mythology and its shamanism. There is glamping and pension accommodation here.
This area suits visitors who want a rural base on the east side of the city, close to the Stone Park and within reach of the east coast attractions. It is outside the city proper, so a car or bus is needed to get around.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Jjimjilbangs are fairly common across Jeju City, offering sauna access, a locker, cotton pyjamas or a robe and a patch of heated floor to sleep on. Guesthouses and hostels with dormitory and private rooms are also available, some near the bus terminal and some in the outlying townships.
- Mid-range: Minbak (guesthouses) abound on Jeju, and there is a wide variety of other accommodation. Small guesthouses with character are plentiful in Jeju City, Seogwipo and the smaller towns. Motels are also common, including several next to the bus terminal in Jeju City.
- Splurge: The city has a number of five-star hotels, and the most luxurious five-star options on the entire island are within Seogwipo's Jungmun Tourist Resort Complex. Larger hotels are mostly in the urban centres of Jeju City and Seogwipo.
Best area for a first visit
Sin-jeju is the best base for a first visit. It is where the tourist hotels are concentrated, it sits up the hill from the airport so arrivals and departures are straightforward, and many visitors arriving through the airport or port stay here while visiting the island's attractions. It also gives you the widest choice of larger hotels without committing you to the older downtown or the outlying coast.
Frequently asked questions
Where do most visitors stay when they arrive in Jeju City?
Many tourists arrive through the port terminal or airport and stay in the tourist hotels of the Sinjeju neighbourhood, using the city as a base to visit various Jeju tourist attractions.
Can I find cheap accommodation in Jeju City?
Yes. Jjimjilbangs are fairly common across Jeju City and are the cheapest option, and there are guesthouses and hostels with dormitory beds, including one near the Jeju Bus Terminal and one in Hallim-eup aimed at younger travellers.
Do I need to book ahead for accommodation in Jeju City?
Outside of the peak tourist seasons, such as Korean national holidays and the July–August summer holiday season, and as long as all you are looking for is a clean affordable room, you can come to Jeju and find accommodation as you travel.
Is it easy to get around if I stay outside the city centre?
Jeju City stands at the centre of the island's road network, and various buses are available to travel throughout the city and island. A bus ride from Jeju City to Seogwipo typically takes an hour, so outlying bases such as Aewol, Hallim and Jocheon are reachable but require planning around bus routes.
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