Korčula Island (pronounced kor-chu-la), also known as the Emerald Isle, is one of Croatia’s Dalmatian Islands, located in the azure Adriatic Sea. It’s one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Croatia and the likely birthplace of the famous explorer, Marco Polo. Sailing to Korcula from Dubrovnik is one of the best ways to get to the island.
Best known for its picturesque walled Old Town, culture, history, beauty, and charm, it has been called a “mini Dubrovnik” in that the two cities are somewhat similar.
Like many of Croatia’s islands, Korcula has fewer crowds than other islands in Europe.
How to Get There
There is no airport on the island of Korčula, only in Dubrovnik and Split, so the only way to get to Korčula Old Town is by ferry, sailboat, catamaran, or other boat.
From May to October, a ferry to Korcula from Dubrovnik is available. You can take a ferry from Split to Korcula Island all year round. Direct passenger ferries from Mljet to Korcula run in July and August.
We sailed to Korcula from Dubrovnik as part of our Katarina Cruise around the Dalmatian Islands which ended in Split.
10 Town Museum
Set in the 16th-century Venetian Gabrielis Palace, history buffs and culture lovers will enjoy visiting the Town Museum. The museum offers an outstanding insight into Korcula’s cultural development, history, and crafts.
Exhibits include unique artifacts such as ceramics dredged up from ancient Greek and Roman shipwrecks and a fourth-century Greek tablet from Lumbarda, establishing evidence of residency.
9 Nightlife & Wine Tasting
While nowhere near the raucous nightlife of Hvar (see Island Hopping below), there are a few attractive waterside bars and clubs in Korcula and it can be a fun place to have a night out.
We enjoyed Dos Locos Beach Bar a dynamic club right on the beach, dancing to songs spun by a lively DJ.
Beyond the old town is a network of vineyards producing some of Croatia’s best and most diverse wines. We indulged in a wine-tasting at Hotel Korsal and I can attest that the wines were quite good!
8 Seaside Promenade
One of the best things to do in Korčula Town is to take a walk along the waterfront and admire a beautiful view of the Old Town. The seaside promenade, called Put Svetog Nikole, runs from the old town to St. Nicholas’ Monastery.
There are benches along the promenade where visitors can rest under the shade of palm trees.
7 Monastery of St Nicholas
Not far from the Old Town at the very end of the Put Svetog Nikole seaside promenade is the Dominican Church of St. Nicholas and its Monastery. Constructed at the end of the 15th century, it was destroyed by the Ottoman Turks 70 years later, rebuilt in the mid-17th century, and restored in 1750.
The two-nave church has a bell tower with an impressive view of the water. Nikolaos of Myra is the patron saint of sailors and fishermen. But after it
6 St. Mark’s Cathedral
Located in the center of the Old Town, St. Mark’s Cathedral is a stunning Gothic-Romanesque-Boroque-styled church. Built in the 15th century on the peninsula’s highest point, and taking three centuries to build, the church is the most important building in Old Town.
Inside the yellow stone church, is a canopy set on four columns above the altar; beneath is the sarcophagus of St Theodore, the protector of Korčula. The cathedral also contains cannonballs and weapons from wars with the Ottomans.
5 Zakerjan Tower
Zakerjan Tower is one of the best places to watch the sunset in Korčula. From the rooftop bar, patrons can see the orange rooftops of stone houses, the tower of St. Mark’s Cathedral, and the azure Adriatic Sea.
4 Veliki Revelin Tower
Constructed in 1485, the Revelin Tower protected the area between the Arsenal and the Land Gate Tower. Originally there was a wooden drawbridge, which was replaced by stone steps in the 18th century. Above the entrance to the southern land gate, two symbols mark Korčula’s history: a bas-relief with the winged lion of St. Mark, a symbol of the reign of the Venetian Republic, and a stone tablet commemorating the 1000th anniversary of the coronation of the first Croatian king, Tomislav.
The tower is one of the most Instagrammable places in Korčula Town.
3 Marco Polo’s Home
Many believe Marco Polo, the intrepid world traveler, writer, and explorer, was born in Korčula, although debates persist regarding the exact birthplace of the medieval Venetian merchant.
The man who voyaged along the Silk Road to Kublai Khan’s China was born around 1254, possibly in Korcula. The old house touted as Marco Polo’s birthplace is actually a 17th-century structure said to be built on the site of his former home. The house itself is unremarkable, with part of it available for guests to explore, with a beautiful view from the watchtower over Korcula’s Old Town.
2 Spomenik Beach
Spomenik Beach is a pebble beach and one of the most popular beaches in Korčula Old Town. Located on the west side of the old town, it consists of a stretch of pebbles and a spacious stone slab, juxtaposed next to sparkling, warm water.
Several local cafes are located right next to the beach making it a popular choice for locals and tourists alike.
1 Wander the Old Town
Known as “mini-Dubrovnik” because its Old Town is similar, the fortified old town of Korčula is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Croatia. Resting on an oval peninsula jutting into the Peljesac Channel, the Old Town is as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The layout and structure of the Old Town stem from the second half of the 13th century. Medieval city walls in the Old Town boast the same picturesque Venetian-style buildings with red rooftops as Dubrovnik.
Strolling around the narrow streets of the old town is nothing short of magical and was my favorite thing to do in Korcula!
Island Hopping
Hopping from island to island aboard our small ship, the Dionis, was tantamount to discovering paradise, over and over again. Bustling marinas, medieval town squares, sapphire and turquoise beaches, boutique hotels, al fresco dining, and chic bars sat waiting to be explored.
Mljet
Mljet is the island that was written about in The Odyssey by Homer, the Greek poet. As we entered the port, I was struck by how colorful but laid-back this small fishing village was. Setting foot on land, the comfy atmosphere of the tiny community was at once welcoming.
If you have the stamina to ascend and descend a series of some 120 steps to enter the national park, you’ll be treated to a stunning panorama of the forested lake encircled by a natural hiking path.
After hiking for a while on the picturesque path, we boarded a small motorboat to the center of Great Lake to the tiny island of Saint Mary to explore the 12th-century Benedictine monastery and more panoramic views.
Hvar
Have you heard of Hvar Island? While it may not be familiar to Americans, it certainly is well-known to Europeans. Sun-drenched beaches, cobblestone lanes, ancient hilltop fortresses, and glamorous nightclubs have allegedly attracted celebrities such as Prince Harry, Beyoncé, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Tom Cruise. Sometimes called the “St. Tropez of the Adriatic,” and consistently listed in the top 10 islands by Conde Nast Traveler magazine, there are things to do in Hvar to please just about everyone!
The island has Gothic palaces, a Benedictine cathedral, one of Europe’s most romantic piazzas, and a cobblestone labyrinth of shops and dining for those seeking a more laid-back island experience. A picturesque cobblestone walking path circles from the marina over to high-end resorts on the other side of the bay.
Hvar has a reputation for being a bit hedonistic after the sun goes down. For this reason, it is very popular with young, well-to-do, jet-setters. We were strictly instructed to adhere to the adage “What happens on Hvar, stays on Hvar!” so that’s all I’m going to say here.
Click here to read What to Do in Hvar – Croatia’s Most Exciting Island.
Brac
Closest to Split is the island of Brač with its attractive village welcoming you as you step off the boat and into the marina. The village isn’t as old as the medieval towns on some of the other islands, but it makes up for the lack of crumbling cathedrals with its tidy, cozy vibe and lovely seaside promenade.
Not to be missed is the stunning, breezy beach in the town of Bol called Zlatni Rat or the Golden Horn due to its shape. The crystal clear aqua surf surrounding this peninsula is thought by some to be the prettiest beach of all the Croatian islands. There are a lot of amenities at this beach making it popular with local families as well as tourists.
Click here to read Island Hopping in Croatia.
Day Trips
It’s pretty simple to get to Korcula from Dubrovnik or Split via ferries or other boats.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a city in southern Croatia fronting the Adriatic Sea. It’s known for its distinctive Old Town, encircled with massive stone walls completed in the 16th century.
When I was a child, I would envision images of magical medieval cities as my mother read nighttime stories to me. Dubrovnik was like stepping back into that enchanted past and quickly became my favorite city in Europe. Its well-preserved baroque and Renaissance buildings are spectacular. The old town pedestrian streets are paved with shimmering limestone and lined with boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants.
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan (yes!), the tour of the filming locations throughout the old town is enchanting.
Click here to read Dubrovnik’s Ancient Walls
Click here to read Dubrovnik’s Game of Thrones Tour
Split
Nestled on the Adriatic Sea with a mountainous backdrop, Split is the second-largest city in Croatia. It’s a beautiful city with an ancient old town. Holidays to Split Croatia should be included in every Croatia itinerary.
If Dubrovnik is Croatia’s beauty, then Split is her vivacious sister. Although less fairytale-like than Dubrovnik, it’s a vibrant city, juxtaposing the awe-inspiring old ruins and Romanesque architecture against the bustling excitement of the trendy seaside promenade. Diocletian’s Palace, a fortress complex in the center of the Old Town, is surely the highlight.
Click here to read How to Spend One Day in Split
Conclusion
Korcula is one of Croatia’s most charming coastal towns. It offers romantic medieval architecture, a charming old town, rich history, crystal clear turquoise sea, and more.
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About the Author
Patti Morrow
is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of the “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.
She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the next few months.
Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.
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