Welcome to Korčula!
Visiting Korčula Island
Welcome to the KorculaInfo website! Online since 2003, this is the top resource for all travel-related information on Korcula island … and a bit beyond. If you need any help planning your holiday to the island, email us and we’d be more than happy to help. Whether you’re here to plan your holiday, research areas, towns, villages, attractions, or how to get to the Island – it’s all here 🙂
How to get to Korcula Island
- Getting to Korcula Island → From Dubrovnik – From Split – From Hvar – From & to Mljet – From Vis – From Zadar – From Zagreb – From Mostar & via Peljesac Bridge
- From Korcula Island → to Hvar – to Split – to Dubrovnik
Korcula is well connected to the Croatian mainland and the Dalmatian coast. There are various options to reach the Island and the town of Korcula including flights, buses, and ferries; you will find here all info about transport links to Korcula – read more > Getting to Korcula
Getting around
The easiest way to get around Korcula is to walk, cycle or use public transport. Here is your comprehensive guide to public transport in Korcula, including taxis, local buses, airport shuttle, and local ferry boat services as well as a map of all ferries, ports, taxi stations, and bus stops – read more – Getting around Korcula
Things to Do
Sights, Attractions, and Places of Interest
Visiting local sights, beautiful buildings, small squares, and monuments in the medieval Old town is one of the most interesting things to do in Korcula. Look at the map of historical heritage sites that indicate locations of squares, monuments, churches, palaces, and more – read more – Korcula Sights
Beaches on the Island
Except for its historical heritage, Korcula is also a great place for summer holidays as it offers a warm sea, a lot of sun, and lovely beaches. There are several beaches around the old town and numerous more around the island for one to enjoy – here is a map with a list and my reviews of more than 50 beaches around Korcula – read more – Beaches in Korcula & Map of Korcula Beaches
Excursions, Day Trips, Activities, and Tours
There are numerous excursions, day trips, tours, and activities you can do in Korcula. There is a page with activities and excursion listings that include a day trip to Mljet and Dubrovnik, the Island Tour, and the walking & sightseeing tour. See also Dubrovnik Travel Guide for more info if you plan a trip to Dubrovnik.
Where to stay
There is a whole range of accommodations in private houses, villas, and apartments in Korcula. Most of the rooms and apartments are of a fairly high standard, but there will be some examples of accommodation which is not as good as others.
Here are some comments and listings about staying on the Island:
- Where to stay on Korcula Island
- Old Town Hotels – selection of good accommodation in the Old Town
- Coastal and Rural Holiday Cottages – selected self-catering holiday cottages to rent in unique coastal or rural locations.
A brief guide & introduction to the Island
One of the most popular travel destinations on Croatia’s South Dalmatian coast, the island of Korcula (pronounced Kor-chu-la) is also one of the greenest. Its dark, dense pine forests inspired the Ancient Cnidian Greeks to name it Melaina Korkyra (Black Corfu or Corcyra, as their homeland region, was once known) when they settled there in 6 BC.
Today, the lush pine forests remain one of the main features of this hilly Adriatic island, especially along its north-facing slopes, scattered with dry stone walls enfolding vineyards and olive groves; still cultivated as a livelihood by inland settlements today. In fact, two of the most popular Croatian white wines, Posip and Grk are grown on the island.
The islanders from seaside towns and villages live mainly from fishing and tourism, as the rocky, indented coastline offers numerous secluded pebble beaches and bays, breathtaking hilltop views, including a small and uninhabited archipelago consisting of sixteen islets, which can be explored by boat, water taxi or kayak.
Like its more popular neighbors Dubrovnik and Hvar, the island has much to offer in terms of history, culture, and of course, natural beauty, with the bonus of having a more relaxed and authentic ambiance.
Its most visited destinations are the Korcula town, known as mini Dubrovnik, with its cluster of terracotta-roofed houses above medieval fortified walls and round towers, facing a narrow sea channel with mountain views from the neighboring peninsula, Lumbarda a small village surrounded by Grk-producing vineyards and the only sand beaches on the island and Vela Luka, the island’s second main port on its western side; a modest resort, known for its prehistoric archaeological finds. Smaller towns and villages around the island, such as Brna, Prizba, and Racisce are less popular but offer a quieter, more local holiday experience, away from the increasing tourist crowds in Croatia.
The main town on the island, also named Korcula is where the sword dance Moreška, a well-known folk drama/dance, which used to be played all over the Mediterranean is now solely performed. Korcula Old Town is a typical medieval walled Dalmatian town, with its round defensive walls and towers and red-roofed houses where Marco Polo (1254 – 1324) the famous world traveler and writer, as well as a Venetian merchant, is reputed to have been born. In the Old Town, his supposed house of birth will shortly be turned into a Museum of Marco Polo.
The nearest airports are Split and Dubrovnik. The island is fairly easily accessible from the Croatian mainland by various ferries.
Latest articles
- Marco Polo Centre (Marco Polo Birth House)
- Bratinja Luka Bay and Beach
- Taxi Korcula
- Korcula Sightseeing Tour
- Soline – Underwater Archaeological Site
Latest Forum Conversation
Share practical info about travel to the island – ask questions and find the answers at the travel forum – here are the latest entries:
- Venice to Korcula by Ferry, Bus or Train?
- Which beaches in Korcula have very warm water in July
- At which places near Korcula is it possible to rent bikes
What the others say
Here are some articles, reviews, books, etc about the island and travel
- The Observer – 20 Paradise islands (Korcula is No.9) – ‘The greenest, most independent and most interesting of Croatia’s 1,000 or so islands, Korcula was a favorite Greek holiday spot over 2,000 years ago’
- A vineyard tour ‘The Adriatic island of Korcula is home to a unique wine perfect for sipping after a day visiting its scenic villages and beaches’
- History article: Bicentenary of British empire’s occupation of Korcula
- Book: Marco Polo’s Isle by Michael Donley
- Marco Polo, Invisible Cities, and Visual Arts – essay
- About Non-Places of Travel – essay