Explore Jeju's West: A Perfect 1-Day Itinerary for May 2026
Planning a trip to Jeju this May? Discover a perfectly balanced 1-day itinerary for West Jeju, featuring local eats, charming cafes, and breathtaking landscapes.
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Planning a trip to Jeju this May? Discover a perfectly balanced 1-day itinerary for West Jeju, featuring local eats, charming cafes, and breathtaking landscapes.
I'm currently on an incredible trip to Jeju Island, and I'm thrilled to share my top recommendations for places to visit this May!
I personally explored this itinerary just yesterday, May 13, 2026, and I can confidently say it’s a foolproof plan if you're heading to Jeju this month. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure! :)
Written & Photographed by GyoNi Pick
Before the scorching summer heat kicks in, May offers the most delightful weather for exploring Jeju Island. The crowds are typically thinner after the spring holidays, and the island is bursting with vibrant, lush greenery – it’s truly a sight to behold!
My itinerary focused on West Jeju, and the flow was fantastic. It struck a perfect balance between delicious eateries, charming cafes, and captivating sights, making me want to re-do the exact same trip someday.
If you’re looking to soak in the essence of Jeju in May at a relaxed pace, without feeling rushed through endless tourist spots, then this 1-day West Jeju itinerary is exactly what you need.
Based on my recent visit, here’s my recommended 1-day itinerary for West Jeju this May:
✔️ Jomnyeone Jip
✔️ Nawasan Cafe
✔️ Gilgal Farmland
✔️ St. Isidore Farm
✔️ Geumak Mu-jjanji Naengmyeon
✔️ Geum Oreum
This is how I spent my day!
📍 Jomnyeone Jip
6145 Gimnyeong-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
Our first stop was Jomnyeone Jip, a renowned spot for local Jeju cuisine.
If you're planning to try their famous abalone porridge, I highly recommend calling ahead to place your order. It takes a little while to prepare, so a quick call about 30 minutes before your arrival can save you some wait time. I did the same and it worked perfectly!
I arrived almost right at opening, so I was the first customer and didn't have to wait at all. We ordered two servings of sea urchin abalone porridge, and the umami flavor was absolutely divine!!!!
Honestly, it’s easily in my top 3 abalone porridges I've ever tasted. It was rich, savory, incredibly healthy, and perfectly seasoned to my palate.
And the kimchi? That was the real kick! It was perfectly fermented and paired wonderfully with the porridge. I was a bit worried about parking since it looked like an older establishment online, but there’s ample parking right in front of the restaurant, which made things surprisingly easy.
Parking can sometimes be a hassle on Jeju, so starting the day stress-free was a huge plus. After our meal, we took a leisurely stroll along the coastal path right outside, enjoying the beautiful ocean views. It was the perfect first stop to truly immerse ourselves in the Jeju vibe, with its traditional charm and stunning ocean backdrop.
📍 Nawasan
99 Mirae-ro, Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
Nawasan Cafe is famous for its unique mugwort latte and pan-fried rice cakes (gireum-tteok), and it had been on my must-visit list for a while. Luckily, it fit perfectly into our West Jeju route, making it a natural next stop.
Since we started our day quite early, we arrived almost at opening again, meaning we had plenty of seats available and could enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
While the indoor space was beautifully designed, the weather was so perfect that we opted for an outdoor table. This turned out to be one of the highlights of my entire Jeju trip.
The sun was just warm enough, a cool breeze drifted by, and the surrounding lush greenery was incredibly soothing. Sipping that mugwort latte in such an ambiance was pure bliss – it tasted even more amazing!
The combination with the gireum-tteok was outstanding. The mugwort rice cake, in particular, was so flavorful, with a subtle herbal aroma that grew more delicious with every chew. Being able to relax and savor the moment here made it one of the most memorable cafes I've visited on Jeju.
Just a heads-up: indoor seating isn't extensive, so I imagine it gets quite busy with long waits during hotter weather or peak season. I highly recommend visiting now, in May, when the outdoor seating is just perfect!
📍 Gilgal Farm Land
1785-12 Namjo-ro, Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
After enjoying our meal and coffee, I started feeling a bit full and wanted to take a walk to digest. That led us to Gilgal Farmland.
Admission was ~$8 per person (10,000 KRW), and it included carrots to feed the animals. Plus, your admission ticket grants you a 20% discount at their cafe.
I initially thought we'd just stop by briefly, but it turned out to be a wonderful place for a leisurely stroll. It’s especially fantastic for families with kids, who would absolutely adore it here.
The opportunity to feed the animals and see them up close makes it a highly satisfying experience for families. I initially thought the ~$8 admission might be a bit steep, but I left with so many beautiful photos, I felt it was well worth it! It truly felt like a perfect fit for Jeju in May.
Even though I'm usually a bit timid around animals, these ones were gentle and made for some great photos. The alpacas were my favorite – absolutely adorable! The ducks, however, were the hardest to photograph; they just wouldn't stay still! But with a little patience, I managed to get some good shots.
📍 St. Isidore Farm
53 Sanrokname-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
This was one of the places on my Jeju trip where I was determined to get some amazing photos. Despite having visited Jeju many times, this was my first time at St. Isidore Farm.
After experiencing it firsthand, I completely understood why everyone flocks to St. Isidore Farm when they visit West Jeju. It's truly breathtaking, like a scene right out of a painting!
The lush green landscapes of Jeju in May, combined with the horses grazing in the fields, create an incredibly harmonious and beautiful scene. There are so many fantastic photo opportunities here that I lost track of time snapping pictures. You can capture a "life shot" almost anywhere!
What surprised me most was that such a beautiful place offers free admission! Naturally, it was quite crowded. If you're looking to get some amazing photos with horses during your West Jeju trip, this is a highly recommended spot for Jeju in May.
The weather was just right, with vibrant green fields and charming stone walls extending across the farm. Simply walking around was a joy in itself.
We also stopped by a cafe on-site for some milk ice cream, which was absolutely delicious!
📍 Geumak Mu-jjanji Naengmyeon
15 Geumakro1-gil, Hallim-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
After all that cafe hopping and exploring the farm, I suddenly realized I was truly hungry. So, our next stop was Geumak Mu-jjanji Naengmyeon.
I ordered the spicy cold noodles, which were served in a refreshing broth – perfect and flavorful. It wasn't an aggressively spicy dish, but rather one that made you want to keep eating. The weather that day was quite warm, making the cool noodles even more enjoyable.
But here’s a pro tip: you absolutely *must* order the meat patties (gogi-wanja) with your noodles! The combination with the spicy cold noodles is simply incredible.
📍 Geum Oreum
1-1 Geumak-ri, Hallim-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
The grand finale of our West Jeju itinerary was Geum Oreum, my absolute favorite volcanic cone on the island!
Parking is free and surprisingly spacious, but as sunset approaches, it can get very crowded. I recommend arriving with a bit of buffer time to find a spot.
It takes about 20-30 minutes to slowly walk to the summit of Geum Oreum, and among the "oreums," it’s considered one of the easier hikes. The path is well-maintained, so as long as you’re wearing comfortable walking shoes, you shouldn't have much difficulty.
You'll quickly understand why Geum Oreum is so highly praised – it’s easily in my top 3 sunset spots on Jeju!
All the effort of the climb instantly melts away the moment you take in the panoramic views from the top. Especially during May in Jeju, with its refreshing breezes and beautiful green scenery, I highly recommend adding Geum Oreum to your itinerary.
If you're planning a trip to West Jeju, use this guide to Jeju in May as inspiration for your itinerary. If you're combining cafes, farms, and oreums like this West Jeju course, renting a car definitely makes traveling much more convenient.
Especially in May, Jeju's beautiful weather makes even the driving enjoyable. Rental car prices on Jeju can vary quite a bit depending on the dates, so I always compare and book in advance.
▼ The rental car service I used for this Jeju trip ▼
Compare global car rental prices & book instantly! - Klook Car Rental
To eat abalone porridge at Jomnyeone Jip without waiting, it is recommended to call and place an order 30 minutes before your arrival. The author also mentioned calling 30 minutes in advance and being the first customer to enter.
At Nawa Mountain Cafe, Gireum-tteok (fried rice cake) is recommended with Mugwort Latte. It was mentioned that the mugwort rice cake, in particular, becomes more delicious with a subtle mugwort scent as you chew, and it pairs wonderfully with the Mugwort Latte.
The admission fee for Gilgal Farmland is ~$7 per person, and carrots for feeding the animals are provided. With an admission ticket, you can receive a 20% discount at the cafe.
St. Isidore Farm has no admission fee. It's a great place for taking photos, with the green scenery of May blending beautifully with the horses in the fields. The author mentioned getting some 'life-shot' photos there.
It takes about 20-30 minutes to walk slowly to the summit of Geumoreum. It is considered one of the easier 'oreums' (volcanic cones), and the path is well-maintained, so it's not very difficult if you just wear sneakers.
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