Korcula Old Town

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KORCULA Old TOWN is a medieval walled city positioned on an oval-shaped swelling of land pointing deep into the Peljesac Channel. The city itself is grooved with a succession of narrow streets that branch off the spine of the main street like the fishbone. Fishbone shape was used in Korcula Old Town design to reduce the effects of wind and sun and provide citizens with sheltered and comfortable accommodation.

views over the Old town from hills above it

Views over the Old town from the hills above it

The architecture of the Old Town is mainly influenced by Venetian Renaissance, although there are some fine examples of the 1930’s architecture of old villas out of the Old Town, in the bay of Luka Korculanska (Kalac), unfortunately recently spoiled by various extensions and add-ons. (see more about Korcula Town )

The main street runs throughout the town itself stretching from north to south, dividing the Old Town, an ellipse shape, into two equal parts. Rows of side streets that run from seashores on the West as well as on the East side of the town, meet the main street at the top of the small hill where Korcula Old Town’s main square Trg Svetog Marka and Sveti Marko Cathedral is located.

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Southern of the main square, just behind the main entrance to the town, another, smaller square with some important buildings is located, connected with Trg (Pjaca) by the main street.

All streets on the Western side of Korcula Old Town run straight, while Eastern streets run in a shape of a small curve, to protect the town from cold and unpleasant North/Eastern winds.

Views of the town from the West

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Due to the town’s hilly relief, all streets in the Old Town are created of steps that run up and down from the main square and the main street. The only street that has no steps is the first street on the Eastern side of the town, just behind Rampada/ Arsenal, connecting the town’s main street with tower Rampada.

Birdseye view of the Old Town

The nucleus of Korcula Old Town is part of Croatian national heritage and is therefore protected as a top-class national site.

Things to do in the Old Town

What to see and what to do in the Old Town is something which most of the visitors ask me when I chat with them. Here are the essential things to do to experience the town:

Walk along the streets and around the town walls to orientate and experience its unique medieval urban town planning structure. Visit the town’s main squares and connecting streets. Check the beauty of its towers and the main entrance.
Notice its most important buildings: St Mark’s Cathedral, Bishop’s treasury, Town Museum, Arneri Palace just to mention a few.
See and explore the town’s churches: St Peter’s, St Mihovil’s, Gospojina,
Stop for a lunch/coffee or refreshment in one of the Zakerjan cafe restaurants situated in the shade of pine trees overlooking the eastern side of the channel. My favourite is Cupido. While eating your favourite meat, enjoy the views over the archipelago.
Wine tasting – stop in one of the old town’s wine bars and taste samples of local wines, produced on the Island. Make sure you try Grk wine, grown and produced in Lumbarda and Posip wine from Cara & Smokvica vineyards. For red wines, try Dingac and Postup from nearby Peljesac. If you can get any od red Defora wines, consider it as a bonus, they are not widely available.
In the early evening, stop somewhere on the western side of the walls to watch the sunset. The best places to do this is from either down in the Old Town’s Port (near Puntin) right next to the lighthouse or from one of the cafe/cocktail bars that are facing the west. My favourites are Massimo and Tramonto.
If you would like to go deeper into the Old town’s exploration, the best thing is to hire a local guide to take you one of the old town’s walking tours covering the sights that are suited to your particular interests and time available.

You can do all of this in just 24 hours. So even if you visit the town for one day only, if you structure your visit with the above plan you will be able to see the most important sights and do some of the best things here.

FAQ – How old is Korcula old town -> see this construction time map here.

Streets in Korcula Old Town

Main Streets and Squares in the Town

Trg Svetog Marka – the main square in Korcula Old town (also, known as Pjaca)
Trg Antuna i Stjepana Radica – square at the very entrance in the Old Town
Trg Korculanskih Klesara i Kipara
Ulica Korculanskog statuta 1214 – central street in the Old Town
Setaliste Petra Kanavelica (Zakerjan)
Rampada
Fosa

Streets on Eastern Side of the Town

Streets on Western Side of the Town

Žitnica
Knezev Prolaz
Ulica Od Teatra
Ulica Giunio
Ulica Ismaelis
Ulica dr. Dinka Mirosevica
Ulica Rafa Arneri
Ulica Vinka Foretica
Ulica Don Luke Depola
Spaniceva Ulica
Ulica Kanonika Antuna Rozanovica
Ulica Svete Barbare

Please, note “Ulica” means “Street”, “Trg” means “Square” in the Croatian Language. Click on each link to see a photo of the street with a location on the map of the Old Town. check also Dubrovnik Old Town – often compared with Korcula

Map of Korcula Old Town:

There are several maps on this site you can use to explore the old town. This one here is pretty large so you can download it and store it on your smartphone to use it later once you arrive here. You can also get the printed version of this map in the local Tourist office. Another map, this one here, is a bit older but still good to use.

Beaches in the Old Town

The Old Town has its own couple of beaches actually these are more like a couple of swimming spots where locals who live in the Old Town like to go for a swim. These are Zakerjan Beach, Puntin and Spomenik. All three swimming spots are actually on the edges of the town, right near its medieval walls and towers, which means they are on like 3 min walk from any hose in the Old town. For other beaches that are just a bit further, you can read here. If you are staying just for a day or two in the area, I suggest you stick with your nearest beach. However, if you are spending here a few more days, then my suggestion is to visit the best beaches near Korcula old town are the ones in Lumbarda, which are about 4 km away. To get there, take a water taxi, bus or taxi.