The Sleepy South Korean Spot Samantha Brown Suggests For A Stunning Coastal Road Trip

If you've ever thought about driving in South Korea at all, you probably came to the conclusion that it wasn't for you — and we agree. The country's public transportation is excellent and easy to use, so there's little reason to hire a car ... at least on the mainland. Inveterate traveler Samantha Brown had similar thoughts, writing on her website, "Driving in Korea? Am I crazy?" And she gave a particular shout-out to Seoul for its stressful sea of cars.

But there's a much quieter place in South Korea that is crying out for a road trip. Jeju Island, situated off the south coast, is an underrated tropical vacation destination that you won't want to miss. And the best way to explore it is by car. Jeju's balmy climate, sandy beaches, and relaxing resorts have long attracted domestic visitors — the airline route between the island and South Korea's capital, Seoul, is one of the busiest in the world. But international visitors are beginning to discover Jeju's charms. 

On a road trip, visitors can go beyond the beautiful beaches and discover much more of Jeju's verdant, volcanic landscape. Jeju is not a large island — 40 miles across and just 16 miles from north to south. So even if you only have a few days, you'll be able to pack in the highlights.

Samantha Brown recommends getting your car at Jeju Airport and then setting out to do a loop of the island. Whether you go clockwise or counter-clockwise, you'll be able to enjoy some of the island's best sights. On the east side of the island, you'll find Seongsan Ilchulbong, also known as Sunrise Peak. Connected to the mainland but appearing to rise straight out of the ocean, the magnificent peak offers sweeping views of the ocean and nearby Udo Island. It's a popular place to watch dawn break. This area is also a great place to walk one of the Jeju Olle Trails — a 270-mile network of paths around the island. Olle Trail Route 1 offers scenic views of Seongsan Ilchulbong and winds along the coast and through grassy meadows and farmland for a glimpse of rural Korea.

You could drive the coast road all day enjoying the spectacular ocean views, but we recommend you head inland at some point to Hallasan, South Korea's highest peak. The hike to the top is challenging, but there are several easier trails in Hallasan National Park that also provide picturesque views, though most are still considered moderately difficult. Hallasan is actually a volcano, and if you make it to the top, you'll find the lake that lies in its crater.

On the west coast of Jeju lies Hyeopjae, one of the island's most beautiful beaches. The white sands and translucent azure waters would be right at home in the Caribbean. Swimming and even surfing are possible here, and there's a campsite right behind the beach.

Samantha Brown believes that a road trip around Jeju is "doable for even the most nervous driver." Reddit user madwood29579, who describes themself as an "infrequent driver," agrees, writing in the r/koreatravel forum, "I honestly had a lot of fun driving around Jeju, and at no point did I feel unsafe or that the roads were dangerous." Navigating around the island is easy, especially considering that road signs and the GPS in rented cars are often in English. 

As for when to go, we recommend visiting outside of the warmest months. In fact, Jeju made it onto our list of 15 places you should never visit in summer! At that time, Jeju gets crowded with vacationers from the mainland, and the weather is hot, wet, and humid. Rainfall on the island peaks between June and September. Plan to visit during the shoulder seasons instead. In spring and fall, temperatures are pleasantly mild and rainfall is much lower.

Jeju is one of the best places in the world to see cherry blossoms, which is something Samantha Brown highlights. Visit between late March and mid-April to enjoy seeing the island's trees burst into pink and then join in on the local springtime festivities. In fall, another swathe of pink color blankets the island. Between mid-September and mid-November, Hueree Natural Park near Hallasan hosts a festival to celebrate the pink muhly that coats the landscape. Spring and fall infuse the island with color, so you're extra sure to enjoy your road trip around Jeju.