Jeju Island

A world apart from mainland Korea, Jeju Island is a volcanic outcrop off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula, known for its lush landscapes, dramatic coastlines and unhurried pace of life. Often referred to as “Korea’s Hawaii”, Jeju is a favourite destination for honeymooners, hikers and anyone seeking a balance of adventure and relaxation. Its most iconic landmark is Hallasan, South Korea’s highest peak, a dormant volcano whose forested slopes and crater lakes are part of a vast national park. The island is ringed with walking trails, lava tubes, waterfalls and stretches of black-sand beach that make it one of Korea’s most compelling outdoor playgrounds.

But there’s more to Jeju than scenery. The island has a strong cultural identity, shaped by its isolation and matriarchal traditions. Its famed haenyeo, female free divers who harvest seafood by hand, are celebrated symbols of independence and endurance. Visitors can watch them in action along the coast, or explore one of several small museums dedicated to their history. Jeju is also a place of spiritual quiet, dotted with ancient stone statues, known as dol hareubang, shamanic shrines and Buddhist temples tucked into the hillsides.

The food here is unlike anything else in Korea. Jeju black pork, grilled over charcoal, is the island’s most famous dish, but seafood is the real star, served raw, steamed or in spicy stews thick with sea urchin or abalone. Add in tangerines plucked from roadside orchards, fresh green tea from hillside farms and locally made Makgeolli, a light fermented rice wine, and every meal becomes part of the adventure.

With its mix of mythology, nature and contemporary design hotels, Jeju is both relaxing and subtly surreal, an island that seems to drift gently in the sunlight. It is a place to slow down, breathe deeply and savour the rare combination of wild beauty and quiet culture that makes Jeju Island uniquely enchanting.

Travel is the only thing that you buy that makes you richer.
Proverb