Top 10 Things to Do on Korcula

What to expect when visiting Korčula

Korčula is Croatia’s 6th largest island, located directly in the middle of Split and Dubrovnik.  Covered in lush pine forests, vineyards and historical treasures, it’s the reason why people want to visit Korčula.

Despite being one of Croatia’s more popular islands, Korčula has managed to preserve its authentic feel, creating an ambience of tranquillity and familiarity.

Your beautifully sunny days on Korčula can be spent eating great food, drinking incredible wine, lounging on the beach, or trying to windsurf. That doesn’t sound too bad, does it? 

Note that the tranquillity of Korčula might not be everyone’s favourite, though. If you’re looking for somewhere a bit livelier, one of the other islands such as Hvar or Brač may be more interesting to you.

How long should you spend in Korčula?

Many visitors will choose to visit Korčula as a day trip from Split or Dubrovnik. If you’re tight on time, this can be a good option. It’s better to see it than not!

However, if you do have some time to spare, 2-3 days in Korčula is ideal. This gives you enough time to rent a bike, try a good selection of restaurants and enjoy the beach.

#1 Explore Korčula Town

Cast out into the ocean and surrounded by ancient city walls, Korčula Town is somewhere you’re guaranteed to fall in love with.

With around 3,000 inhabitants living in Korčula Town, you’ll be swept up into daily life. Alongside the locals, you can enjoy the monuments, cafes, restaurants, hotels and open-air cinema.

The best way to explore Korčula Town is to simply get lost. Immerse yourself in the hidden courtyards, backstreets and tucked-away alleys. That’s where you’ll find the real Korčula.

Nicknamed ‘little Dubrovnik’, the town boasts a stunning Venetian-style architecture with iconic red roofs.

There are a number of spots that we recommend visiting which can be found below.

#2 Climb to the top of St Mark’s Cathedral

If there is one place everyone remembers from their trip to Korčula, it’s St Mark’s Cathedral.

Built in the 15th century by local masters and craftsmen of stone masonry, it’s certainly a work of art. The Gothic-Renaissance style is very impressive.

St Mark’s Cathedral is probably the most important building in Korčula Old Town. It’s definitely the place to get the best view of the town and Adriatic Sea.

Sitting on the highest point on the peninsula, once you climb to the top of the clock tower, you will be amazed. You’ll be greeted with panoramic views, the perfect place to watch the sunset.

It costs just €3 to get this incredible view.

#3 Enjoy the best beaches in Korčula

You’re on an island, so is there anything better than spending the day relaxing on a beach!

Vela Przina Beach

Vela Przina is one of Korčula’s most popular beaches. Due to its gently sloping, sandy shore, it’s the best for a refreshing swim, or some relaxation on the sand. 

If you head to the east of the beach, you’ll be able to escape the crowds and enjoy the peace.

In peak season, there is also a bar and a few small that open their doors.

Bacva Beach

Bacva Beach is the place to go if you’re looking for the incredibly blue waters that Croatia is famous for.

You’ll need to drive to this beach, as it’s just over 13 km from Korčula Town, but it’s definitely worth it. This also means that you get to escape some of the crowds.

Bacva Beach is a pebbly beach. Don’t worry, these are small stones made smooth by the water and sand, making it comfortable to lay on.

Pupnatska Luka Beach

Another unmissable beach is Pupnatska Luka Beach. A 15-minute drive from Korčula Town. This beach is surrounded by dense forests and a crystal-clear ocean. 

At this fine gravel beach, you’ll also find a small restaurant that serves some great food and drinks.

TIP: Our compact Korčula Travel Guide shows you the best areas to stay, restaurants you don’t want to miss and many more tips for your visit to Korčula!

#4 Explore Korčula on a bicycle 

Due to its mild climate, Korčula is the perfect cycling destination all year round.

And hiring a bike is one of the most recommended things to do on Korčula.

Why is Korčula perfect for cycling?

With its quiet country lanes and off-road trails, Korčula is ideal for all levels of bikers. The stunning paths take you through vineyards, along the coast and on mountains.

Unlike in a car, you won’t zoom past these incredible sights. Instead, you’ll be able to really take them in.

You can find a map of all of the main cycling routes around Korčula here. However, most of the roads are pretty quiet, so it’s possible to cycle nearly everywhere on the island.

Hiring a bike for the day will cost around €13.

#5 Try some incredible wine

We can’t rave about Croatian wine enough. It’s debatably some of the best in the world. Either way, it’s a gem that is hidden from most of the world.

Croatian wine isn’t hugely imported, which means that you have to make the most of it when you’re there.

Korčula is covered in flourishing vineyards, so it’s no surprise that it produces some spectacular wine.

Try Grk wine

Korčula, specifically the town of Lumbarda, is the only place in the world that grows the white Grk Bijeli wine variety.

Throughout Lumbarda you’ll find a number of wineries and vineyards waiting for you to come and try some of their unique wine.

These include Vitis Winery, Popic Winery and Bire Winery.

If you’re looking to sample a variety of local wines, then Bokar Wine Bar, situated within Korčula Town, is a perfect spot.

Top Tip: If you’re visiting Korčula from Dubrovnik, then you can join this wine and culture tour of Korčula. It will show you the best of the island whilst getting to enjoy some delicious wine.

#6 Learn a new skill and try windsurfing

Due to its ideal geographical position, Korčula is a great place to learn to windsurf. If you already know how to do it, it’s easy to hire a board and jump straight in.

It’s possible to windsurf on almost any spot along the coast, but the best winds can be found in the Peljesac and Korčula channel.

In the afternoon especially, these waters will be graced with experts displaying their impressive range of skills. Even if you don’t want to give it a go, it’s still a fun sport to watch.

How to take windsurfing lessons in Korčula

There are a number of windsurfing schools offering board hire and also lessons. We would recommend taking lessons with Oreb Sailing.

They offer a variety of courses, starting from €60 per day. They are very experienced and will take you from novice to confident in no time!

Top Tip: If you can’t get enough of watersports, the neighbouring island of Brač, might be even more interesting to you.

#7 Hire a kayak and explore the ocean

If windsurfing doesn’t sound like something that you want to try, what about kayaking? 

The serene sea surrounding Korčula makes for a great place to go kayaking. Grab your paddle and head towards Korčula’s sea caves, islets and sheltered bays.

Hiring a kayak will allow you to access hidden gems that other visitors won’t get to see.

The easiest way to find a kayak to rent is to simply walk along the beach. It’s likely that there will be someone there offering kayaks.

To give you an idea of the price, 5 hours of kayak rental should cost around €25.

#8 Hike up to St Anthony’s chapel

Looking to get your legs moving? The hike up to St Anthony’s chapel is a way to do just that.

Just 2 km outside of Korčula Town, a 30-minute walk will bring you to a small chapel set upon a hill.

After 102 steps, your legs might be burning a little bit, but it’s completely worth it. The path is lined with trees, offering a refreshing break from the sun and some beautiful views.

Built in the 14th century, the small chapel is very quaint and rustic. With this activity, it’s really more about the journey than the destination.

#9 Visit Marco Polo’s house

You’ve probably heard the name before. Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant, explorer and writer who travelled through Asia in the 13th century.

The reason why you might know his name may have more to do with the game named after him, Marco Polo, than for what he actually did.

Either way, it’s believed that Marco Polo was born in Korčula. In a house that is still standing and has now become a place for visitors to see.

What is there to see inside?

There isn’t that much to see inside Marco Polo’s house, but the narrow staircase does lead to some incredible views of the sea.

We’ll be honest, it’s not the most exciting experience, but at least you’ll be able to say that you’ve been in the house of Marco Polo.

Also entrance costs only €2.60.

#10 Go island hopping

If you’re looking to explore some of Croatia’s other islands, but don’t have time to stay on them, then a day trip could be a great idea.

Hvar is a very popular island in Croatia, situated only a 1 hour 30-minute ferry ride from Korčula.

You can spend your day on Hvar wandering around Hvar Old Town, relaxing on the beach, or visiting some historical sites such as Fortica Fortress and Tvrdalj Castle.

Once the sun sets, Hvar really comes alive. If you can stay the night on Hvar, we’d highly recommend doing so.

We’ve shared our favourite accommodations on Hvar in our Ultimate Hvar Guide.

Rounding it up

Now you’ve picked the best things to do in Korcula, it’s time to start ticking off that bucket list. Not sure how to plan your trip? Our guide is here to help! You’ll find out how long to stay in Korcula, where to eat, how to get around and more. Happy planning!