Season guide · Jeju · South Korea
Jeju in winter
December–February: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Grapesurgeon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Cool, windy and damp on the coast with snow on Hallasan; camellias, tangerines and low hotel prices, but grey days are common. Expect highs up to 11°C (52°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F), with about 43 rainy days across December–February.
Key facts
- Months
- December–February
- Temperatures
- 3°C (37°F) to 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 43
- Sea
- 14°C (57°F) to 17°C (63°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in winter
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°C (48°F) | 3°C (37°F) | 15 | 10.2 h | 2/5 |
| February | 10°C (50°F) | 4°C (39°F) | 13 | 10.9 h | 2/5 |
| December | 11°C (52°F) | 6°C (43°F) | 15 | 9.9 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 10°C (50°F) against a yearly 19°C (66°F), and 43 of the year's roughly 142 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 2/5 and hotel prices 2/5 on average.
What's on in winter
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- January: Seongsan Sunrise Festival — New Year sunrise celebrations at Seongsan Ilchulbong (around 31 December–1 January)
- February: Lunar New Year holidays — busy domestic travel (late January or February)
- December: Camellia season in southern gardens (December–February)
Good choices for winter
Nature · Gujwa
Manjanggul Lava Tube
Sections have closed for safety works in recent years, so check the official Jeju sites before driving out; bring a light jacket and grippy shoes for the wet floor.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Rainy day
- Kids
Market · Jeju City Old Town
Jeju Dongmun Traditional Market
Jeju City's main traditional market sells hairtail, abalone, hallabong and dried seafood under covered lanes, and its night market section fills with stalls selling black-pork skewers, grilled abalone and tangerine drinks.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Museum · Jocheon
Jeju Stone Park
Start in the indoor museum to understand the island's geology, then walk the outdoor circuit, which takes about an hour.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Outdoors
Museum · Hamdeok and Gujwa
Haenyeo Museum
In the diving village of Hado-ri, this museum tells the story of Jeju's women free-divers through their cotton diving clothes, tools, boats and recorded songs.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Jeju City
Jeju 4.3 Peace Park
Allow time for the exhibition hall, which is clearly laid out with English panels, and visit before rather than after a beach day.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Rainy day
Day trips in winter
- Biyangdo (About 50 minutes by car and ferry) — The volcanic cone visible from Hyeopjae Beach is a tiny island with a short climb to Biyangbong lighthouse and a coastal path past lava formations.
- Chuja Islands (About 1–2 hours by ferry) — This group of islands between Jeju and the mainland is part of Jeju but feels remote, with fishing villages, cliffs and the Chuja Olle route (Route 18-1).
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is winter a good time to visit Jeju?
It is a trade-off: Cool, windy and damp on the coast with snow on Hallasan; camellias, tangerines and low hotel prices, but grey days are common. The best months overall are April–May and October–November.
+What is the weather like in Jeju in winter?
Highs of up to 11°C (52°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F), with about 43 rainy days over the season.