This Dazzling Croatian Island Has a Walled Old Town And a Unique Claim to Fame

Dotting in the sparkling Adriatic Sea, this picturesque “mini-Dubrovnik” claims to be the birthplace of a famous explorer, but Venice begs to differ.

On our last visit to Croatia, my husband and I began our journey in the Istrian town of Rovinj before heading on to Pula and Plitvice Lakes National Park.

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But when we arrived on the colorful island of Korcula, it was love at first sight.

Pronounced “Kor-CHU-la,” I first laid eyes on this stunning little island from the ferry many years ago while traveling from Dubrovnik to Rijeka by ferry. On that trip up the Croatian coast, there was no time to hop off the ferry and explore.

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But the magnificent views of the city walls set against the sparkling turquoise sea as we docked left such an impression that I immediately added it to my Travel Bucket List.

And after many years of wondering what lies within those imposing walls, on this trip, it’s finally time to get off the boat!

How to Get to Korcula

Korcula doesn’t have its own airport, but getting there is easy thanks to regular ferry connections from Dubrovnik, Split, and other parts of Croatia.

Here are the basics:

• From Dubrovnik: The Krilo (Kapetan Luka) high-speed catamaran runs a direct route from Dubrovnik to Korcula Town (about 2 hours). This is the fastest and easiest option.
• From Split: Ferries from Split to Korcula take 2.5 to 3 hours. The high-speed catamaran runs by Krilo and Jadrolinija stop in Korcula Town. Some routes also stop at Hvar.
• From Hvar: If you’re island-hopping, there are direct catamarans from Hvar to Korcula. The ride takes 1.5 hours.

Note that the Jadrolinija ferry serves only Korčula’s Vela Luka port on the west end of the island (a 40-minute drive from Korčula Old Town), while Kapetan Luka and G&V Line arrive and depart from Korčula Old Town.

This is an important distinction (and one I missed when I originally looked at ferry schedules).

Book ferry tickets in advance, especially in peak season (June–September), as they fill up quickly.

Tip: The absolute best site for booking ferries in Croatia is FerryHopper.com.

On our trip, we’re coming from Split, so we booked the Kapetan Luka hi-speed catamaran. The journey to Korčula Town takes about 3 hours with quick stops in Brač and Hvar to drop off and pick up passengers.

And in no time at all, we arrive outside those beautiful city walls I remember from years ago.

Where to Stay in Korčula

As we emerge from the ferry, we are greeted by the owner of the guest house we booked for our stay – Guest House Korunic. We follow him inside the fortified walls of the Old Town and through the quaint streets until we arrive at our hotel.

Located in the heart of the Old Town, our studio apartment has all the modern conveniences and even a rooftop terrace with a beautiful view of the sea and the rooftops of the old town.

It’s the perfect budget-friendly base for exploration and our hosts are incredibly helpful in providing island information and suggestions for our day of sightseeing.

If you’re looking for a little more luxury (and spectacular sea views)  there are two more terrific hotel options in the Old Town:

• Aminess Korcula Heritage Hotel (Korcula Town) – A historic hotel with stunning sea views, steps from the Old Town. Great for couples.
• San Teodoro (Korcula Town) – A boutique hotel set in a traditional stone house with rustic charm with modern comforts.

How to Spend a Day in Korčula

Korčula’s walled Old Town is often called “Little Dubrovnik” due to its medieval squares, churches, and orange-tiled rooftops. The local architecture has a decidedly Venetian influence and the compact town center can be easily explored in an afternoon.

The Old Town is designed like a fishbone, with narrow streets angled to protect against strong winds.

First on my list for the day, a climb up the St. Mark’s Cathedral Bell Tower to get a bird’s eye view over the island.

There is a small entrance fee but the views are incredible and it’s the perfect way to get your bearings and decide where to head next.

Next, we spend a few hours exploring Korcula’s charming Old Town and wandering in and out of the many charming shops and cafes.

We stop for a lunch of cavapi, Croatia’s favorite national snack, at a restaurant overlooking the sea.

After lunch, we exit the city walls and take a stroll along the seaside to visit some of the island’s lovely beaches.

Unlike many Croatian islands, Korcula actually has sandy beaches (like Vela Przina in Lumbarda).

It’s also one of Croatia’s top wine-producing islands, especially known for Grk wine, which is almost exclusively grown here.

We end the day with a sunset cocktail at Massimo Cocktail Bar, which is located literally atop a medieval tower!

We have to climb up a ladder to reach the top. Fortunately for the waitstaff, they bring drinks up on a pulley system from the bar on the ground floor.

It’s the perfect way to end our day on the island.

A perfect stay on Korcula

Our visit to Korcula was definitely worth the wait. While we only had one full day to explore, I could easily see spending a whole week on this lovely Croatian island.

Unlike some of Croatia’s more crowded hotspots, Korcula still feels authentic and laid-back.

Like the lovely town of Rovinj, where we began our journey, Korcula is a fantastic destination to experience the Adriatic at a slower pace.

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Whether you come for a few days or an extended stay, if you’re planning a trip to Croatia, don’t overlook Korcula. 

It’s a magical island and I’m so glad I finally got to see what was on the other side of those walls!