One Day Guide in Jeju Island, South Korea (Cruise Edition)

Photos are all property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

Geography: lies in the Korea Strait, southwest of South Jeolla Province
Population: Approx. 680,000
Currency: Korean Won (KRW); Currency Converter
Cruise Port: Google Map Location
Tender Port: No
Best Time to Visit: Pretty much all year round for different reasons

We reached Jeju Island aboard the Celebrity Millennium cruise on August 27, 2024, at 7 AM. The immigration checkpoint for entering Korea was set up at the cruise terminal. Due to the terminal's small size, there was a bit of a wait. Our return to the ship was scheduled for 3:30 PM, allowing us limited time on the island. Depending on the port of arrival on Jeju Island, this guide may or may not be useful to you as each side of the island offers different attractions that can be visited within the time frame before returning to the ship. On this occasion, we docked at the port closest to Jeju City.

At our dock, there was a free shuttle service that operated every 20 minutes, transporting passengers from the pier to Gwandeokjeong (market area) until 2:45 PM. In case you miss the final shuttle, you will need to take a taxi (consider downloading the k.ride APP just in case). Google Maps is not reliable in Korea, so I primarily relied on Kakao Map and Naver map along with Google Translate. To receive accurate guidance, most locations must be entered in Korean characters on the map. Navigating a self-guided tour in Jeju was undeniably challenging.

Additionally, a "Hop on Hop off" bus service is available. But due to uncertainty about the waiting times at each stop, we opted out of that option because we had specific places to visit within a tight schedule. Upon arrival at the drop-off location in Gwandeokjeong, there was a convenience store (available at GS25 or 7Eleven) at the corner of the street where we purchased our T Money card (used for transportation on the island) and topped it with 10,000 WON. This option is also cheaper than the "Hop on Hop off" bus as whatever extra money you have left in the card at the end you can buy some snacks or souvenir at the convenience store.

The Jeju City Traditional Five Day Market operates on the 2nd, 7th, 12th, 17th, 22nd, and 27th of every month. We were lucky to be there on one of these days when the market was open so we had to go check it out.

Although the bus was slightly delayed compared to the Kakao Map schedule, we boarded it as the bus number matched what we were looking for. The bus lacked signage and didn't call out any stops. It didn't have air conditioning. Unexpectedly, the bus broke down, but we followed the driver onto another bus ahead, which was equipped with AC. With my Kakao map guiding us, I monitored the location closely and press the "stop" button when the red dot on the map (us) was approaching our destination. Upon disembarking from the bus, we walked for approximately 10 minutes until we arrived at the expansive market. The variety and affordability of the food there were impressive. It seemed like we were among the few tourists who had arrived at the market via public transportation, a fact that filled me with pride.

After that, we boarded the bus once more (by then, I already felt like a local) and made our way to "Cafe Antoinette" perched on the cliffside. Nearby, there is a stunning viewpoint you might want to visit later. The cafe itself is charming, offering a panoramic view of the sea from its windows. You have the option to sit at a regular table or on tatami mats. The desserts were delightful, although the coffee was quite sweet, almost like having a dessert itself. Adjacent to the café is a bus stop (although the buses are not particularly punctual, so if you have time to spare, waiting a bit for the next bus is fine).

We took a risk to visit one more place before returning to the ship, Black Pork Street. It would be unthinkable to come to Jeju and not experience Black Pork BBQ. Despite warnings about "Dombedon" being a tourist trap, we found few options open at that hour and actually found the food to be decent. In comparison to the US, we realized that there were not many complimentary dishes, although leaving a Google review would earn you a free cold noodle. The taste of the pork didn't differ much from what we were used to back home, and the prices were comparable to those in the US. If we were to return, we would likely opt for "Hwaro Hyang" based on the more positive reviews we have read.

On the way back to the ship, we made a brief stop at the newly established shopping area known as "Jeju Chisungro Shopping Street and Tamla Culture Square." Although not all shops were open at the time, it is evident that this place has the potential to become a popular spot in the future. If you are in search of a Starbucks with Wi-Fi, you can find one here. Additionally, there are shops located beneath the subway stations, but they didn't seem particularly appealing. At the meeting point, we seized the last opportunity to capture some photos in front of the Gwandeokjeong Pavilion before riding the shuttle back to the ship.

Although I had anticipated Jeju to resemble the paradise destinations portrayed in K-dramas, I found it to be more urban, especially in the northern area, rather than a beach destination. For those who enjoy the beach, I suggest staying in the northwest or south (Seogwipo City). I look forward to revisiting Jeju Island to explore the destinations mentioned below and perhaps gain a new perspective on the island.

Here are some tour options if you don't want to explore on your own: