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Jeju City or Seogwipo?
Jeju's two old towns face each other across Hallasan. Jeju City's has the airport, Dongmun Market and the express buses; Seogwipo's has the waterfalls, Olle Market and Jeju Olle's coastal routes.
The verdict
For a short trip, a late flight and travelling by bus, choose Jeju City's old town: the airport is under 3 km away, Dongmun's night market is on foot and the express buses to every coast leave from the airport and Jeju Bus Terminal. For the south coast, the waterfalls and a longer stay, choose Seogwipo's old town: Cheonjiyeon Falls stays open until 22:00, Jeongbang Falls drops into the sea and Olle Market fills the centre. With three nights or more, sleep in both, Jeju City first.
Side by side
| Jeju Old Town & Dongmun Market | Seogwipo Old Town | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport access | Under 3 km from the airport in a straight line: a short taxi ride. | Airport limousines 800 and 801 to the old terminal in the centre, the 800 via Seogwipo Bus Terminal; the 800-1 in the morning and late evening. |
| Buses | Express buses 181, 182 and 102 and intercity buses 201, 202 and 212 from Jeju Bus Terminal; 111 and 101 from the airport. | Express buses 181, 182 and intercity buses 201 and 295 from Seogwipo Bus Terminal, by the World Cup Stadium; 202 to the old terminal; city loop 880. |
| Best for | Short trips, late flights, bus travel, Hallasan days. | Waterfalls, market food, Jeju Olle walks, longer stays. |
| Evenings | Dongmun's night market and Sanjicheon Stream. | Cheonjiyeon Falls and Saeyeongyo Bridge until 22:00; Arang Joeul Street; Lee Jung-seop Street pedestrian-only on Friday to Sunday evenings. |
| Sightseeing within reach | Gwandeokjeong, Jejumok-Gwana, Samseonghyeol, Yongduam Rock, Iho Tewoo Beach. | Jeongbang Falls, Cheonjiyeon Falls, Chilsimni Park, Oedolgae, Lee Jung-seop Street. |
| Markets | Dongmun Traditional Market and Dongmun Fish Market, est. 1970. | Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market, 07:00–20:00 in winter, with Arang Joeul Street across the road. |
| Day trips and onward travel | Every coast by express bus; the Hallasan summit trails start on this side of the mountain. | Jungmun by limousine 600; Seongsan by 201 or 295 up the east coast. |
Choose Jeju Old Town & Dongmun Market if
- A short trip or late flight
- Seeing the island by bus
- Dongmun's night market
- A Hallasan summit day
Choose Seogwipo Old Town if
- Waterfalls after dark
- Olle Market and Arang Joeul Street
- Walking Jeju Olle Routes 6 and 7
- A longer stay on the south coast
Questions visitors ask
How far apart are Jeju City and Seogwipo?
They sit on opposite coasts with Hallasan between them. Express buses 181 and 182 cross the mountain between Jeju Bus Terminal and Seogwipo Bus Terminal, one by the 5.16 Road and one by Pyeonghwa-ro, and limousines 800 and 801 link the airport with Seogwipo's old terminal.
Which is better for one night?
Jeju City's old town. It is under 3 km from the airport, so a single night there costs no time on the road, and Dongmun's night market gives you a Jeju dinner on foot.
Sources & review
Editorial review: · Korea Standard Time
- VISITJEJU — Dongmun Traditional Market
- VISITJEJU — Traditional Permanent Markets in Jeju City
- VISITJEJU — Gwandeokjeong Hall
- VISITJEJU — Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market
- VISITJEJU — Traditional Permanent Markets in Seogwipo
- VISITJEJU — Arang Joeul Street
- VISITJEJU — Cheonjiyeon Falls
- VISITJEJU — Saeyeongyo Bridge
- VISITJEJU — Jeongbangpokpo Falls
- VISITJEJU — Lee Jung-seop Street
- VISITJEJU — Public Transportation in Jeju
- Jeju Bus Information System — Jeju bus routes and schedules
- Jeju Bus Information System — Airport limousines 600 and 800
- Military Manpower Administration — Seogwipo training ground: directions (Seogwipo Bus Terminal stop)