Island guide

Korčula

Often compared to Dubrovnik. That comparison does it a disservice. Korčula old town is smaller, less managed, and has better restaurants.

Getting there — two ports

Vela Luka is on the far end of the island from Korčula town — 40 minutes away by road. If you want to arrive in the old town directly, the Krilo catamaran is the better choice.

From the Pelješac peninsula (Orebić), a short car ferry crosses to Korčula town in 15 minutes. If you're driving down the Dalmatian coast, this is the most practical connection.

The old town

Korčula old town is a walled medieval settlement on a small peninsula. Smaller than Dubrovnik, no cable car, fewer tour groups. The street grid is herringbone — designed to channel sea breezes in summer and reduce wind exposure in winter. The cathedral dates to the 15th century. The main square has good restaurants that are not obviously tourist traps.

Wine

Korčula grows two of Croatia's best whites. Pošip is a full-bodied white grown across the island — available everywhere and consistently good. Grk is rarer, grown only in the village of Lumbarda on the island's eastern tip. Worth seeking out if you see it on a wine list.

Marco Polo

Korčula claims Marco Polo as a native son. Venice disputes this. The historical record is genuinely ambiguous. A house in the old town is marked as his birthplace and is worth a visit regardless. Korčulans are entertainingly committed to the claim.

Practical notes