Korčula, also known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, is the second-largest island in Croatia and is located just off the coast of Dubrovnik.
There are so many great things to do in Korčula Croatia such as taking in the historical sites, visiting vineyards, relaxing on one of the beautiful beaches, and enjoying all the local culinary delights.
Whether you’re visiting the town or island, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy throughout your stay! Korčula is pronounced Kor-chu-la.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are very grateful for) at no extra cost to you.
How to Get to Korčula
Korčula is an island so there is only one way to get there, by ferry. When we visited over the summer we were traveling from Hvar island so we had three ferry trips to get to Korčula. As we traveled by car, we were able to take our vehicle on the ferry to Korčula.
There are two main ferry ports on the island of Korčula. There is Domince, near the Korcula town, on the eastern part of the island, and a ferry port in Vela Luka, on the western part of the island of Korcula. If you are traveling without a vehicle then you have more ferry options from various points throughout Croatia.
If you have a vehicle, then you will have to make sure you book the correct ferry that transports vehicles. There are two options to get to Korčula from Split, Croatia. You can take the ferry line from Split to Vela Luka Korčula. That is approximately a 3.5-hour ferry ride.
The other route is to drive to Ploce and take the ferry to Peljasac and drive to Orebic and then take a 15-minute ferry ride.
How to Get Around Korčula
If you are planning on staying close to Korčula old town then you can get around on foot. Old town Korčula is walkable and has a lot of great sights, restaurants, sunsets, and beaches.
To see the rest of the island, personally we always rent a car as it is easier to get around.
Where to Stay on Korcula Island
There are various accomodations to meet everyone’s needs from 5 star hotels to home rentals. We always book our accomodations with Booking.com as they always have the best deals.
If you are traveling with a car, make sure to check accomodations that have parking availability. Most of the hotels and home rentals located in Old Town will likely not have parking.
Booking.comTop Questions About Visiting Korčula
How many days should I spend in Korcula?
Ideally, you will want to book at least three to four days in Korcula especially if you want to relax on the beach. If you are a wine lover then you will want to schedule visits to the local wineries as well.
If you want to just visit for the day then try this day tour from Dubrovnik that will have you exploring the wineries and Korcula.
Do you need a car on Korcula?
I would say yes, especially if you want to see the entire island. If you plan on staying in the old town, then a car is not needed.
How do you pronounce Korcula?
Korčula pronounced KOR-chu-la.
What is Korcula known for?
Korcula Island is known for its dense forest that the ancient Greeks called the island Black Korcula (Kerkyra melaina). It is also referred to as little Dubrovnik because of the medieval buildings, churches, and houses.
Which island is better Korcula or Hvar?
There is no best, I love them both. You will need to take a catamaran or ferry to get to either one of the islands. Hvar is a little easier to get to from Split.
Both of the islands have their own unique beauty. I find that Korčula is a little quieter than Hvar.
The Top Things to do in Korčula
Explore Korčula Old Town
The best way to explore Korčula’s old town is on foot. We enjoyed exploring Korčula in the early morning when it was the least busy time. If you are planning on taking photos, then I would recommend getting up early to head out before it gets busy.
Walking Food Tour of Korcula
The best way to explore any city is a guided walking tour where your guide will take you through the Old Town of Korčula.
On this one-hour tour, you will learn historical facts as well as explore the beautiful architecture of Korčula. Some of the sights you will visit are St. Mark’s Cathedral, Trg Svetog Marka, Korčula Town.
You can also try a catamaran taxi hop-on hop-off tour that will take you to different stops throughout the day.
Visit the Island’s Largest Fort
Although it was originally built by Venetians and occupied by Turks, Vrmac Fortress is now a museum full of antiques. It offers a fantastic view of Korčula’s Old Town and surrounding islands.
House of Marco Polo
When visiting Korčula, I had to point out to my Italian husband that Marko Polo is Croatian as he was born in Korčula in 1254.
Although controversial, some claim that Marco Polo was born in the town of Korcula on the island Korcula, which was then part of the Venetian Republic.
Visit the Local Wineries in Korčula
Visiting the local wineries in Korčula should be high on your list of things to do. Croatia has been producing wine for centuries and there are hundreds of indigenous grapes. Korčula is famous for two wines that are only grown on Korčula. The three local wines are Grk, Posip, and Rukatac.
Pošip is mainly grown in the central area of the Island, in the villages of Smokvica and Čara, although you can now find it in some other regions as well.
You will find Grk in the village of Lumbarda, which is a native grape.
When traveling, we like to enjoy food and wine specific to the destination. It is rare to find Grk wine on store shelves. We visited Bire winery in Lumbarda and bought Grk wine directly from the winery. I would recommend buying a bottle or two to bring home with you from your travels and it makes a great gift for a wine lover.
Moreska Sword Dance
The Moreska is a traditional sword dance fighting dance that is a Korčula tradition and a mock battle. If you visit in the summer, you will be able to witness this traditional dance on Mondays and Thursdays from July and
August and Thursdays at 9 pm in May, June, and September through October. Tickets can be purchased at the Korcula Tourist office.
Hiking in Korčula Croatia
If you love to hike then get your hiking gear ready to explore Korčula. There are many hiking routes to enjoy and take in the views of Korčula. It gets extremely hot in Korcula in the summer, make sure to pack lots of water and stay hydrated.
Enjoy the Flavours of Korčula
There are some dishes that are specific to Korčula like the famous Korčulanska pašticada. It is a Korčula-style beef stew and is popular in Dalmatia.
It is hard to imagine the menus of the Island without Žrnovski makaruni, a famous homemade pasta typical of the Island. In Korčula, it is served with meat and fish sauces. If you are a foodie then you will enjoy this Korčula cooking class and lunch.
When eating out in Croatia, expect to pay for the bread. Typically in North American restaurants, the bread is just part of the meal. In Croatia, the bread is an extra cost. It is always best to ask as they automatically bring it to the table. It is generally around 10 Kuna for the bread.
We ate in restaurants outside of Korčula town, here are two of our favorite places.
Konoba Gera Zrnovo
Konoba Gera, Postrana, Zrnovo; tel: 098473684
Konoba Restaurant ‘ GERA’ is located in the village Zrnovo, just a few kilometers away from Korčula Town.
This is a traditional family-run restaurant so expect the true taste of Korčula. The seating is located outdoors on the terrace.
Some of the menu items include Zrnovksi Makaruni, black risotto, octopus salad, and grilled meats. They only have house wines available and don’t skip dessert as the palacinke (pancakes) with walnut cream are delicious.
We ordered the cheese and olive oil and the cold plate and Dalmatian smoked ham. I was trying to be good and ordered the grilled meat, although it was delicious, I wish I would have ordered the Zrnovski Makaruni or the black risotto.
Konoba Mate
Konoba Mate, Vl. Matij Farac, Pupnat 28, 20274 Pupnat, Korčula,
Konoba Mate is located in Pupnat, Korcula. This is a family restaurant that offers dishes based on traditions through a touch of the modern approach to gastronomy.
We started off with the mixed starter platter of homemade smoked ham, smoked ham spread, goat cheese, marinated aubergine, olives, etc.
This time I indulged and tried the homemade pasta in tomato sauce. It is a simple dish but super delicious. My husband had the lamb stew with green peas.
We didn’t have dessert as we were stuffed but they have delicious desserts. Make sure to order the local wine with your dinner, Posip. My favourite is the Pospi sur lie or the Grk, another local wine.
Konoba Mijo
Konoba Mijo is located at Pupnat beach. The perfect spot for lunch. We weren’t expecting much from a restaurant at the beach but we were blown away by the service and the food.
They have a variety of salads, fish dishes, pasta, and grilled meats.
Eat Traditional Korčula Sweets
After exploring Korčula town in the early morning, we sat at a cafe in front of Cukarin cafe. We enjoyed our coffee along with some traditional local sweets. I don’t usually eat sweets for breakfast but these were too good to pass up.
We tried Cukarini, klašun, Marko Polo Bombica, and Amareta. We tried to pick up one of everything and they were all delicious.
Watch a Beautiful Sunset from Old Town
One of our favorite things to do is take a walk through the old town during sunset. The sunsets in all of Dalmatia are magical. You will definitely want to have your phone out to capture the sunset.
Bike the Lumbarda Vineyards
If you love biking then you may enjoy riding to the vineyards. The Lumbarda region of Croatia is filled with gorgeous vineyards that are perfect for biking. Hop on a bike and take it for a spin through scenic wine country!
Korčula Town Walls
If you’re looking for a medieval experience, look no further than Korčula’s town walls. Korcula may be small but it is very scenic. Old town Korcula is located in the town walls.
Windsurf On Korčula Island
If you have any interest in windsurfing or sailing, you’ll find that sailboards are cheap and easy to rent. The waters around Korčula are among some of the best for windsurfing and sailing on the Adriatic sea.
They offer fun surfing lessons for all levels, from beginners up to pro-level surfers. You can even take a lesson out on their catamaran if you prefer! And don’t forget about SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) which is also very popular here!
If you enjoy being on the water then you will love this Kayaking and history tour.
Relax on Pupnatksa Beach
Croatia has some of the most beautiful beaches. We were only going to stop to take a look and ended up spending the day.
Pupnat beach is a pebble beach with crystal clear water in the bay of Pupnatska Luka situated about 25 minutes away from Korcula Town on the island of Korcula.
Tips for visiting Pupnat beach:
■ The drive down to Pupnat beach is a windy paved road with paid parking at the end.
■ The beaches get busy so get there early.
■ It is paid parking 30 Kuna
■ Once you park the car, it is about a 5-minute walk to this beautiful beach. Not ideal if you have mobility issues.
■ There are two beach bars that serve food- we enjoyed Konoba Mijo
■ You can rent beach chairs and cabanas or simply throw down your towel anywhere and relax, it’s free!
■ The beaches in Croatia are Stoney so a padded beach cushion might be a bit more comfortable along with those really cute (not) water shoes.
■ seems obvious (you would be surprised), take your garbage with you
Best Things to do in Korcula Conclusion
One of Europe’s best-kept secrets is a little island located on the Adriatic sea. The island of Korčula has so much to offer for tourists and locals alike including incredible weather year-round, crystal clear waters for snorkeling and diving adventures, delicious locally-grown produce like grapes, olives, and figs, beautiful beaches for sunbathing or relaxing under an umbrella with a good book.
