Korčula
Korčula - The Emerald Isle
Swathed in vineyards, olive groves and quaint fishermen's villages, the island of Korčula truly justifies its nickname, „The Emerald Isle“.
This 279-square-kilometer island is a popular sailing destination in Croatia due to its glorious weather, unspoilt nature and a string of breathtaking beaches. The island is a mecca for adrenaline lovers too, offering a variety of activities such as windsurfing, cycling, hiking, sea kayaking, mountain biking, paragliding, scuba diving and much more.
You can enjoy many interesting festivals on Korčula too, such as the Sword Dance Festival, the Korkyra Baroque Festival or the Wine and Food Festival. Famous for its white wine, Korčula gives you the perfect excuse to visit local wineries and taste indigenous grape varieties grown only here. And if that is not enough, you can always get lost in its rich history, present at every corner.
Korčula Town - A Medieval Marvel
The first thing you notice about Korčula Town when approaching it from the sea is its impressive towers and the remaining city walls. Korčula's old town has a nickname, "Little Dubrovnik" due to its picturesque Venetian-style buildings with lovely terracotta rooftops. Despite the ever-growing influx of tourists, this charming little town has remained true to its Mediterranean roots.
Being on the UNESCO Tentative List, Korčula Town certainly has a lot to offer. Dominating the little square at the center of Korčula Town, St. Mark's Cathedral is the main attraction here. This marvelous 15th-century cathedral was built from Korčula limestone by Italian and local artisans and is definitely a must-see.
Korčula Town is allegedly the birthplace of Marco Polo, so it would be a shame not to visit the Marco Polo Museum. If you like history and art, you can stop by the Town Museum, set in the 16th-century Gabriellis Palace, or St. Mark's Abbey Palace, which houses a collection of icons and Dalmatian art.
In the evening, you can stroll aimlessly along the narrow streets and grab dinner at one of the many restaurants serving Dalmatian cuisine (a local specialty called Žrnovski makaruni is a must-try when in Korčula) or watch the sunset from Maksimilijan Garden, a tiny cocktail bar with one of the best views in Korčula, where you can try the homemade limoncello.
After treating yourself to a superb meal, you can go to an open-air cinema and see a movie under the stars.
Wine Region of Lumbarda
Lumbarda is a small fishing village situated on the eastern part of the island of Korčula. It is thought to be the island's oldest settlement, with the village built around a small bay, rolling hills behind it, and lovely vineyards that soak up the blazing Mediterranean sun.
Winemaking in Lumbarda is quite successful and has a very long tradition, oriented mainly toward the production of the local wine variety called Grk, which can’t be found anywhere else.
Apart from being the perfect place for wine tasting, the center of Lumbarda hosts a small marina, plenty of restaurants, shops and taverns where you can eat seafood to your heart's content.
There are many famous sandy beaches surrounding Lumbarda, such as Vela Pržina, Bilin Zal and Tatinja Beach.
Vela Luka - Largest Town on Korčula
Vela Luka is the largest settlement on the island of Korčula, a lovely, quaint place with sun-bathed stone houses tucked between palm trees. It is located on the western coast of Korčula, and there are two charming small isles, Proizd and Osjak, that lie just off the town's shoreline.
This popular sailing destination boasts numerous attractions, such as Vela Spila (“The Great Cave”), an interesting limestone cavity perched high on a cliff above the harbor.
You can also visit the town’s Cultural Center, set in a beautiful Baroque building. There are a handful of restaurants and café bars around the harbor where you can relax and watch the sunset.