Excellent

Christened “Black Corfu” by the homesick ancient Greeks who first settled here, Korčula has long been known for her dense and lush pine-woods and is one of the greenest islands in the Adriatic sea. Lying just off the Dalmatian coast stretching parallel with the nearby mainland, the island is also one of Croatia‘s most populous, its woodlands and vineyards bordered by sleepy hamlets and dreamlike fishing villages.

The main town on the island, also called Korčula, rests on a small peninsula connected with the island by a narrow isthmus. It’s reminiscent of Dubrovnik as a typically-picturesque walled city with medieval round defensive towers and terracotta-roofed houses. In essence a market town, it’s the birthplace of the legendary traveller and writer Marco Polo whose museum shares space amongst the tangled marble alleyways with St. Mark’s Cathedral, an abundance of artisanal shops, and fine seafood restaurants.

The island’s uniquely green interior is rich in oak, pine, cypress, vineyards, and olive groves and can be discovered on foot or by bike. Along the heavily indented coast, numerous tiny and secluded beaches and bays look out onto uninhabited islands. The northern bays of Zrnovska Banja and Vrbovica feature small pebble beaches that drift into clear Adriatic waters while the southern coast of the island boasts splendid sandy strands such as Plaza Przina. Leave some time to explore the island’s smaller towns and fishing villages such as Lumbarda and you won’t be disappointed – this quaint village is surrounded by the vineyards that make Korčula’s famous Grk wines.

When to go

The best time to visit is between May and September.

 
 
Jan
 
 
Feb
 
Mar
 
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
 
Oct
 
Nov
 
 
Dec

What to do

  • Visit the Marco Polo Museum and St. Mark’s Cathedral in Korcula Town
  • Discover the island's green interior on foot or by bike
  • Explore the numerous tiny and secluded beaches and bays found along the coast
  • Swim, snorkel, and dive in the crystal clear Adriatic sea
  • Examine ancient Greek and Roman artefacts
  • Taste Korcula’s famous Grk wines
  • The island of Mljet and its National Park is easily visited from Korcula

Accommodation in Korcula

Here are some of our travel designers' favourite options