Ultimate Guide to 3 Days on Korčula Island, Croatia

Korčula Island, Croatia is known for its medieval charm, lush landscapes, and incredible food and wine. Situated in the stunning Adriatic just off the Pelješac Peninsula, this “mini Dubrovnik” is a place where you can explore back to the days of Marco Polo in the morning, and go island and beach hopping in the afternoon. We’ve used the old town of Korčula as a base for numerous vacations, exploring Korčula Island and island hopping from there. Here’s the ultimate guide to planning 3 days on Korčula Island, Croatia, from exploring old town to wine and food tasting tours, island hopping to active adventures.

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Where Is Korčula Island?

Korčula Island sits just off Croatia’s southern Dalmatian coast, south of the Pelješac Peninsula. It’s approximately 2-2.5 hours from Dubrovnik and 3.5 hours from Split.

How to Get to Korčula

Most people who visit Korčula Island come from Dubrovnik or Split / Trogir, though it’s possible to take a ferry from other locations. The island doesn’t have an airport, so you’ll need to take a ferry or boat of some kind.

Pro tip: the Croatian islands can get quite windy. There are times when the catamarans are cancelled due to high winds. We’ve had this happen twice on Korčula. In both cases, the car ferries were still running, so we could get off the island. It is rare that the car ferries are cancelled.

Day 1: Exploring Korčula Old Town

Start your trip by delving into the history and medieval streets of Korčula Old Town. Korčula was originally settled by the Illyrians. The Greeks colonized Korčula in the 6th century BC, followed by the Romans, before it became part of the Byzantine Empire. Korčula later flourished under the Venetians. You’ll find traces of each of these cultures in the architecture as you explore the old town. The island’s strategic location made it a target for various empires; it changed hands numerous times especially in the 19th century. Today, Korčula proudly blends ancient traditions with modern Croatian culture, making this a gem to explore.

Day 1 Morning: Old Town Tour

We highly recommend taking the top rated Korčula Culture and History walking tour for anyone who wants a deep dive into the history and culture of this fascinating town. If you choose to explore independently, don’t miss visits to:

• Marco Polo House, celebrating Korčula being the alleged birthplace of the explorer (numerous places make this claim);
• St. Mark’s Cathedral, a stunning example of Gothic-Renaissance architecture;
• Korčula Town Museum, where you can learn about the history of the city in a 16th century palace;
• The narrow streets, designed in a fishbone shape to catch the sea breeze;
• Explore the many art galleries, including the Vapor Gallery and the Atelier Abel.

Pro tip! Before or after your tour, enjoy a brunch or lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Ignis Korčula. They are known for their hearty breakfasts and Mediterranean inspired dishes.

Day 1 Afternoon: Walks from Town

After exploring Old Town, stretch your legs with a walk. A few suggestions for shorter walks:

• St. Antun Chapel and Sveti Antun Hill: The chapel is approximate 30 minutes from the center of old town Korčula. Portions of this walk run along the water, with beautiful views. You’ll reach a cypress-lined path to this small, 14th century hilltop chapel. In order to reach the chapel, you’ll need to climb up roughly 100 stairs. This quiet chapel and the views of the coast made this effort worthwhile when we visited. You can also bike this route, though you’ll need to leave the bikes at the bottom of the stairs.

• Forteca: This is a roughly 20 minute uphill walk to the fortress. You cannot access the fortress itself, and it is not overly impressive. That said, while there aren’t any views from the fortress itself, you will find panoramic views over the island and the Pelješac Peninsula from a few points on the walk to and from the Forteca.

Day 1 Evening: Wine & Dining

Relax at Lole Wine Bar for a curated selection of local wines. This is one of our favorite spots that we always return to, tucked away in a corner of old town with views to the sea. Alternatively, visit the Massimo Tower Bar for a drink with a unique view over town and the harbor. To reach the tower bar, you’ll need to climb a vertical ladder inside to reach the rooftop deck. Watching the waiters using a pulley system to get your drinks to you, and viewing the gorgeous sunsets, makes this a fun stop.

For dinner, head to Maha Bar, a trendy spot serving delicious tacos with a Dalmatian twist.

Day 2: Water Adventures and Wine Tasting

Spend your second day exploring the surrounding islands and indulging in Korčula’s culinary delights. Hop on a water taxi and explore the nearby islands and Lumbarda. During the summer months in particular, it’s important to purchase your tickets in advance.

Pro tip: When you hop off at one location, be sure to check the pickup times are, so that you can plan your stay accordingly.

Day 2 Morning: Badija Island

Badija Island is often one of the 1st stops on the taxi routes. Some spend just an hour or two on the island; others choose to spend the day. Top activities include:

• Walk or bike the 5 km unpaved path around the island, keeping an eye out for the deer that roam the island;
• Go swimming on the back side of the island (opposite side from the ferry dock and monastery) on the beautiful and typically empty beach;
• Visit the 15th-century Franciscan monastery Gothic cloisters;
• Hike up to the 16th-century Church of St. Catherine for stunning views;
• Visiting the art gallery opened on the island;
• Enjoy a coffee or light meal at the restaurant on the island (note that this closed mid-September when we last visited).

Pro tip: most activities on the island (including the restaurant) are only open from April-September or October.

Day 2 Early Afternoon: Vrnik Island

Take the water taxi another stop and hop off at Vrnik Island. This is the only inhabited island in the Korcula archipelago, and it’s possible to stay on the island. Some of the top things to do include:

• Enjoy lunch at the Vrnik Arts Club, right next to the ferry stop. While the food is a bit overpriced, we enjoyed eating a meal while sitting in chairs right on the beach;
• Explore the art at the Vrnik Arts Club during the summer months;
• Relax at one of the island’s many beaches;
• Visit the church Gospe od Škoja.

Day 2 Late Afternoon and Evening: Lumbarda

End your island-hopping in Lumbarda, a quaint village known for its sandy beaches and wine. Depending on what time you wrap up on Vrnik, you may want to simply walk around and explore the town before heading to a wine tasting. In this case, walk through town and look for the waterfront path along the harbor. Alternatively, rent a kayak or SUP, or simply relax at the beach or on the rocks with a good book.

Lumbarda is home to a large number of excellent wineries. This is the place to taste GRK wine. Be sure to make reservations in advance for wine tastings and tours. Some of the top wineries we’d recommend to visit in Lumbarda are:

• Popic Winery
• Vitis Winery
• Lovrić Winery

Pro tip: Most of the wineries are closed on Sundays. When we last visited, we were able to do wine tastings on Sundays at Lovrić Winery.

Day 3 Dinner: Konoba More

Wrap up your day at Konoba More, a waterfront restaurant in Lumbarda offering fresh seafood and Dalmatian specialties. Be sure to reserve a table, asking for one of the waterfront tables if possible. The views are simply stunning, especially at sunset. After dinner, take a water taxi, taxi, or bus back to Korčula Town.

Day 3: Choose Your Adventure

Day 3 is all about diving deeper into Korčula’s offerings or venturing further afield. We’ve included 3 options. Of course, if you have more time in Korčula, we’d recommend trying all of these options.

Day 3 Option 1: Local Tasting Tours

Korčula is known for its many food and wine offerings. We’re capturing some of our favorite local tasting tours:

• Walk or bike (or take a taxi) from old town to OPG Komparak to sample locally made olive oil, honey, and gin. Book online on their site, choosing from either a Honey Tour (45 minutes) or a Honey and Gin Tour (1 hour). We thoroughly enjoyed the tour, and brought home a number of types of honey as souvenirs and gifts.
• Join a guided tour for a combination of tastings, including gin, honey, and wine. This half day tour includes transportation, a visit to OPG Komparak, as well as a stop at a winery for a tour and tasting.
• Take a top rated mountain bike & wine tour to explore more of the wineries on the island. For those who prefer not to bike, an alternative is the 1/2 Day Wine Tour with Sightseeing.

Day 3 Option 2: Mljet Island Day Trip

Take a ferry to Mljet Island to see Mljet National Park, known for its saltwater lakes and lush forests. Hike, bike, or kayak around the park and visit the Benedictine monastery on St. Mary’s Island. Enjoy swimming in the lakes in the warmer months. While you may want to spend a night or two on Mljet, we enjoy taking a day trip to Mljet when we visit Korčula.

Day 3 Option 3: Day Trip to Orebić

Orebić, located just a quick ferry ride away from Korčula, makes for a wonderful day trip destination. One of the most popular things to do is to hike up to the church of Gospa od Angela (Our Lady of the Angels Monastery). From here, you can enjoy stunning views of Korčula. This 5 km roundtrip hike is moderate, with some steeper sections.

If you prefer to explore Orebić and reach the monastery by car, consider renting a car for the day in Korčula. You can then take the 15-20 minute car ferry from Dominice to Orebić, then head out exploring.

For a more challenging adventure, trek up Sveti Ilija for panoramic views of the Adriatic. This is a challenging hike, though the views from the top are stunning.

Tips for Visiting Korčula Island

• Best time to visit the islands of Croatia is 2nd half of April through October, with May-June and September-October offering pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Many restaurants are closed during the off season, and begin opening Easter weekend. We’ve had spectacular weather in mid-April, and unseasonably heavy rain and chilly weather in September on the island. Be sure to check forecasts and pack for variable weather in the shoulder seasons.
• Getting around: Most sights in Korčula Town can be reached on foot. Note that there are hills in town and stairs in various places, so this may be a challenge for those with mobility issues. Buses run on the island, though less frequently than we would have liked. We’d recommend renting a car, bike, or scooter for the day to explore beyond Korčula Town. Water taxis are perfect for visiting nearby islands.

Where to Stay on Korčula

Korčula Town offers a variety of accommodations to suit different budgets, many located within or near its charming Old Town. Here are some recommendations:

• Luxury: For a luxurious stay, book a suite at Lešić Dimitri Palace, a beautifully restored 18th-century palace offering opulent rooms and exceptional service, just steps from the heart of Old Town.
• Moderate: Aminess Korcula Heritage Hotel, situated on the waterfront, combines historic charm with modern comfort and offers easy access to the town’s attractions.
• Budget: For travelers on a budget, Dragan’s Den Hostel offers clean, comfortable dormitory and private rooms with a seasonal swimming pool, conveniently located near town.

Korčula Island, Croatia Wrap-Up

While many visit Korčula Island for 1 day, there is so much more to explore on and around Korčula. Spending 3 days will give you more time to soak in the history, explore the beautiful surrounding islands, and taste the wine and foods Korčula is known for.

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