Korčula in Croatia was an absolute gem! While we had seen many Croatian islands and towns during our Sail Croatia tour, Korčula was the first place we desperately wanted more time. There was so much to do, and the vibe was perfect all around.
Think a mini-Dubrovnik without the insane crowds. (And I’ll be posting about Dubrovnik, so stay tuned.) If I had known then how packed and touristy Dubrovnik was going to be, I’d have enjoyed Korčula even more.
But that’s the thing with travel: you rarely ever know what you’ve got until you’ve left it. Even though something in the moment can be exquisitely grand and you recognize how happy you are while there, it is only in retrospect (and by seeing other places in the world) that you put the place into context. Today, I know that Korčula is one Croatian island I would go back to in a heartbeat. The pace, the people, the old city walls, the opportunities to adventure, the water, all appealed to me in a very real way.
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About Korčula
Korčula is an island in the Adriatic Sea, located in Croatia. We landed in Korčula town, a town named the same as the island (like Hvar and Vis – we were sensing a theme). It is one of the larger Croatian islands, and the second in population after Krk. But, honestly, it didn’t feel like it. It didn’t seem nearly as populated and chaotic in the areas we were in as, say, Hvar or Makarska. I guess having land to spread out all the people helps.
People say that the island was founded by Aeneas, of Trojan War fame. People also say that Marco Polo was born on Korčula island.
None of that seems provable, but it all seems probable.
It is known, though, that the Greeks (particularly those from Corfu) settled here. The local wine is made from the “Grk” grape, for example. There is a heavy Greek influence felt.
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To meander through today feels positively medieval. It is gorgeous and hospitable. The way the town perches out in the sea, offering views from multiple angles, feels unfair to other cities.
How to get to Korčula
Once again, you are going to need a boat. Lucky for you, though, Korčula is one of the easier islands to get to, being fairly close to the mainland and Dubrovnik compared to other islands.
There are car ferries, too, that will take passengers to Korčula with ease. The closest port on the mainland is Orebic – a 15-minute boat ride. But you can also navigate your way to Korčula via the ferry system from Split and Dubrovnik. Read this post for more details, depending on your starting point.
Things to do in Korčula, Croatia
Table of Contents
See the Old Town
The old town of Korčula almost felt too dreamy to be real. Old stone streets, alleyways that zigged and zagged with colorful clothing strewn across the balconies, and bright red geraniums popping up everywhere. It felt both grown up and still so young at the same time. I loved it.
See a Traditional Performance
In Korčula Old Town, the Moreska Sword Dance is performed for paying audience members. This dance has been performed for over 400 years, and the performers have scars and gnarled hands from slashes from the swords – this is the real deal! You can purchase tickets in advance.
Wine Tasting
As we learned during our wine-tasting lesson in Split, each region of Croatia boasts its own wine and grape. In Korčula, the local varietal most celebrated is Grk wine (yes, after “Greek”). You can absolutely get out to wineries on Korcula island with tours such as this one, but you can also taste in town. Grk wine is only available on the island and is not exported due to limited supply.
There is a lovely wine shop right off the docks called Wine Corner Croatia. We sat outside at Bokar Wine Bar in the old town, talked to the server, and tried some lovely local wines while perching in the alleyways of the old city.
Kayak - visit the monastery
We were excited to get out on the water while on Korčula Island (we love spending some time in kayaks – see here and here for just a few examples). The Adriatic Sea is simply stunning.
Our tour was with Korčula Outdoors, and they were great! (But I have to say, this guided tour that includes wine tasting also looks fun.)
Our kayaking trip was a loop and quite easy. We left the main island of Korčula and paddled around the smaller island of Badija. The entire paddle was three miles, and we went at a leisurely pace for almost two hours, stopping on the island to swim and poke around the monastery.
The monastery dates back to the 15th century (and is still active today, although visitors do have access to some gardens and a visitors center/gift shop).
But Badija Island is best known for its tame deer. The population started with two red deer that were gifted to the king of then-Yugoslavia. Today the population is estimated to be around 40 deer. Our guide was very clear that tourists and visitors should not feed the deer and should keep some distance from them, but the deer can get quite close in some circumstances.
There is a concession stand on the island as well as some great spots to swim. Visitors can also take an easy stroll around the island to explore.
PRO TIP: It is possible to get to Badija Island without paddling yourself.
There are water taxis available from the East Port / Old Town Pier in Korčula Town. Additionally, a local ferry runs eight times a day in high season.
Eat and Drink on Top of the City Walls
There is a beautiful promenade perched upon the top of the old city walls. And unlike Dubrovnik, this one is completely free to walk!
There are restaurants and cafes up here that get beautiful sea breezes and even better sea views.
The Massimo Tower is likely the most famous spot in town to grab a drink. This is a cocktail bar that is, as its name suggests, on top of a tower. One of the wall turrets, to be precise. You will have to climb ladders and such to get up there, but the views look fantastic.
We went here, but given the long wait and how crowded it was, decided it wasn’t worth the time in line when we could be tasting wine and dancing elsewhere!
Swim
Learn About the Local Pasta & Food
We had an excursion planned through Sail Croatia that took a group to a smaller town, guided us through the area with a local storyteller, and ended with a traditional Korčula dinner. It was a lovely (& tasty!) evening.
Korčula has its own local pasta, called makaruni, which originates from Zrnovo. It is made in an original way and is distinguishable from other types of gnocchi-like pasta.
This cooking class would be a wonderful way to experience the special cuisine.
Bike
We had already done a bit of biking around a Croatian island, so this wasn’t on our personal agenda, but it looks like it would be fun. Korčula Island has so many smaller towns and hamlets to discover.
Take a Day Trip to Mljet
Korčula is a great base to take a day trip to Mljet Island and Mljet National Park. See our post on Mljet National Park for more information.
Korčula had something for every taste of traveler – whatever appeals to you and your group, you can probably find here. While Mr. Family Trip and I were off kayaking, others from our Sail Croatia cruise were driving “buggies” (ATVs) off-road around the island. Mr. Family Trip and I even went to a dance club while in Korčula!! Seriously: something for everyone.
Korčula felt so fleeting to me, with so many powerful memories packed into such a tight timeframe. Yet I wouldn’t trade any of them. I have seen many experienced Croatian travelers claim Korčula as their favorite destination, and I absolutely understand why.
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