Korčula (Croatia) is an island in the Adriatic Sea, located in the south of the country, between the resorts of Split and Dubrovnik. Its area is more than 270 km2, and the length of the coastline reaches 180 km.
The second most populous (over 18,000 people) island in Croatia, Korčula has proven itself as a picturesque place with clear sea and mild climate. About a million tourists come here every year to see the historical sights of the Venetian era, enjoy the blue Adriatic Sea and the fresh aroma of the pine forest.
Vacation on the beaches of Korčula – the best bays, beaches and recreation areas
On the island of Korčula, there are two main centers of beach recreation – the capital and the picturesque village of Lumbarda . In the immediate vicinity of the historical district of the capital is the attractive pebble beach of Banje , along this part of the coast there is a part of the ancient fortress walls. The beach is never empty, fans of excursions like to rest here, who are given a unique opportunity to simultaneously enjoy the gentle sea and admire the spectacular view of historical buildings.
In the eastern part of the capital is the more isolated rocky beach Zakrjan . Nature lovers will like it more, due to its distance from the most popular tourist attractions, the beach is never overcrowded and is ideally suited for a peaceful pastime.
Travelers who prefer to rest on well-groomed sandy beaches should pay attention to the picturesque Luka Korculanska bay . It is within walking distance of the Old Town of Korčula , the local beach is incredibly beautiful and very calm. The bay is very popular among travelers with children, the absence of strong waves and a gentle entrance to the water makes the beach comfortable for recreation even with the smallest children.
In the immediate vicinity of the capital is the rocky beach of Mandrac , which is known to travelers under the unofficial name of Sveti Nikola . The beach got its second name in honor of the nearby St. Nicholas Monastery , its main distinguishing feature is crystal clear water. These places will surely impress travelers who love nature and prefer to spend time away from civilization and noisy modern resorts.
In the very center of the capital is the lively and orderly Ispod Duvana beach . It is covered with large pebbles, so many tourists prefer to relax on the coast in special beach shoes. All the public beaches of the capital are connected by a picturesque embankment – a favorite place for walks of visitors and local residents. No matter which beach you choose, it is not difficult for vacationers to find an attractive restaurant or souvenir shop, all of which are located near the coast.
The beaches of Lombardy are appreciated by travelers from all over the world not only for their developed infrastructure and pristine natural beauty, but also for their high environmental performance. Here is the beautiful Bilin Žal beach , which is among the most picturesque and clean beaches in the world. Spending time here will be interesting for fans of various types of recreation, including divers, who are offered services by local sports centers. On the territory of the popular beach there are excellent restaurants and cafes, equipped areas for recreation and sports grounds.
The sandy beach of Vela Pržina is considered crowded and lively on the island . Tourists who will rest in Lumbarda in the summer should go to the popular beach as early as possible, it is very difficult to find a free place on its territory before noon. Numerous travelers on the coast are attracted by the equipped recreation areas and popular restaurants, there are excellent conditions for recreation with children.
Another attractive sandy beach of Lombardy, which is suitable for family recreation – Tatinja Bay . It is located in the eastern part of the resort and has a calmer atmosphere, the coast also has all the conditions for a comfortable pastime. On the island of Korčula, it will not be difficult to choose a suitable beach for relaxation.
Family vacation with children in Korčula. Where to go, what to show the child
Over the long years of its existence , the island of Korčula has been under the rule of various states more than once. A large number of historical and architectural monuments of different eras, starting from the Neolithic period, have been preserved here. According to many historians, the famous traveler Marco Polo was born on Korčula . When going here with a child, remember that there are no water parks, amusement parks or other similar facilities for children’s recreation on the island.
Korčula is an ideal place for relaxing. Here, you and your child will have the opportunity to relax to your heart’s content on half-empty beaches and swim in clear water, learn a lot of new and interesting things about the history of the island and the entire world civilization, and finally, try your hand at diving, snorkeling, surfing or other water sports. Beautiful landscapes encourage exploring Korčula on foot with a child. If you wish, you can rent a boat and go around the coastline or to the neighboring islands – your child should like this adventure.
You can also go to nearby Badia , where you can see a wonderful Franciscan monastery of the 15th century, now converted into a hotel, to Osak with healing mud, as well as to Lumbarda or Mljet . In any case, a sea trip, even if it is not very long, will appeal to a child of any age. If your child likes fishing, then it is worth renting fishing rods, hiring a boat and going to the open sea to catch local fish. If they wish, teenagers can try themselves as divers – on the island there is an opportunity to learn all the skills of underwater swimming.
Be sure to take your child with you for a walk around the city of Korčula . There are many buildings preserved from the 13th and 14th centuries, most of which are concentrated in the Old Town. A child is unlikely to pass by eight powerful towers, which are still located where a strong fortress wall once stood. Most of the architectural monuments are located on Cathedral Square . It will be interesting for the child to look at the evidence of ancient times – St. Mark’s Cathedral , the Bishop’s Palace with the Treasury , the Church of All Saints , the Gabrielis Palace . In the halls of the latter, young art lovers will find a collection of works by masters and artists of past years. Beginner painters may also be interested in the museum of icons. Visit with your child andthe house of Marco Polo , immediately telling him about the interesting fate of this extraordinary man.
The streets of Lombardy are also wonderful. This city in the southeastern part of the island was inhabited two millennia ago. Of course, the oldest buildings have not been preserved, but examples of architecture from the Middle Ages and later historical periods can be found here. And just to walk along the cobbled streets in peace and quiet, especially at sunset, the child will surely like it. For older children, this is a chance to touch a new culture for them, and for toddlers, it is an opportunity to learn more about the world around them.
There are also enough hiking routes on the island that a child could follow. If your child knows how to ride a bike well enough, you can rent a couple of mountain bikes and go to conquer Korcula sitting in the saddle, thanks to the fact that the traffic on the roads here is not too intense. For those wishing to swim, there is a sandy beach called Vela Przyna , and two pebble beaches – Bilyn Zhal and Tatinya . Rest on the island will be to the taste of inquisitive and active children, who will be happy to be absorbed by the local spirit of peace and leisure and to learn more about the centuries-old history of this place.
Excursion to cultural sights of Korčula. What to visit – museums, temples, palaces
People inhabited Korčula in prehistoric times. This is confirmed by the Vela Spila cave , located near the town of Vela Luka . Inside the cave, archaeologists discovered numerous finds from the Mesolithic and Neolithic times – ancient weapons, stone tools, a unique sculpture of a horse, animal and human bones. All these findings are exhibited in the archaeological museum located in the center of Vela Luka. In the city itself, you can find examples of architecture from different historical eras. Nearby, in Gradina Bay , there is the Church of St. John , built in the 15th century. One of the oldest religious buildings on the island, St. Mark’s Cathedral , is located in Vela Luka. It was probably built in the 14th century.
No less interesting for the traveler is the capital of the island called Korčula. This medieval city is included in the list of European monuments of history and architecture. The city wall, unfortunately, was dismantled in the 18th century due to unnecessary use, but eight powerful towers still stand in their places. In one of them, by the way, there is an entrance to the territory of the Old City, the most interesting part of this ancient settlement from a historical point of view. Here, on the Cathedral Square , is St. Mark’s Cathedral , the Bishop’s Palace , in which you can see the treasury, and the Gabrielis Palace, a 15-16 century building.
The City Museum of Korčula functions in the latter . In the exposition of the museum, you can see collections that tell about the culture and history of the island from the time of settlement to the present day. Unfortunately, not everything is available for viewing by tourists: due to the small size of the halls, some of the artifacts are stored in storage rooms. However, the ” Pessimism of Lombardy ” of the 4th century BC, a clay tablet recognized as the oldest written document found on the territory of Croatia, can still be seen.
The house of the great traveler Marco Polo is located in the center of the city . Many believe that this famous person not only lived on Korčula, but was also born here in 1254. Whether it is true or not is not known for sure, but a small museum has been opened in the house where Polo once lived. The basis of the exposition is made up of things that belonged to the traveler. You can also see the All Saints Church in Korčula , built in 1306. Unfortunately, until now, its true appearance has not been preserved due to a large number of later reconstructions. In the church you can see a large collection of ancient icons.
It is worth walking through the narrow streets of the Old Town of Korčula . Here you can see fragments of medieval architectural solutions, buildings of the Renaissance, and creations of architects of the New Age. The city was ruled by Slavic princes, and Venice, and Hungary, and Genoa, and Italy, which could not help but affect the diversity of cultural heritage, street layouts, and church decorations. It is here, by the way, that there is a large collection of all kinds of art monuments, including replicas of paintings by Leonardo da Vinci , made almost immediately after they were written.
Stroll through the streets of Lombardy. The city was founded in the 3rd century BC. The remains of a Roman villa have even been preserved not far from the city. Here you can also see the beautiful parish church of Svita Rok and the church of the Holy Cross , built in the 18th century. There are also three medieval chapels in the city: Saint Bartholomew , Saint Peter , Nativity of the Virgin . History lovers should go to the island of Badia . It is here that the Franciscan monastery is located, built more than half a millennium ago. The building is well preserved and today it is used as a hotel.
The best original hotels in Korčula for vacation or business trip
Hotel Castello
Many popular hotels are located in the capital of the island, the luxurious Villa Castello welcomes guests here. The hotel is separated from the coast by a little more than a hundred meters, it offers travelers fully equipped apartments decorated in light colors. On the territory of the hotel there is a large outdoor swimming pool, as well as cozy recreation areas surrounded by rich greenery. Among the advantages of the hotel is the presence of a high-class restaurant of Croatian cuisine, the specialties of which are prepared according to ancient recipes. Every day, fish is cooked over an open fire for vacationers, and in addition to the dishes, they offer a decent selection of exquisite Croatian wines.
Hotel Priscapac
The famous resort hotel Priscapac is located in the picturesque village of Prizhba , it is a single complex with one of the high-class diving centers. For fans of active pastime, the hotel offers a wide range of services, its guests can relax on a well-equipped beach or devote their free time to sports activities. An excellent swimming pool is equipped for small guests on the coast, and popular hiking routes start in the immediate vicinity of the hotel.
Hotel Feral
In the city of Brno, there is a fashionable hotel Feral, it serves customers under the “all inclusive” system. The large-scale hotel has its own beach, in the immediate vicinity of which there is a lively embankment and an incredibly beautiful pine forest. Every day, interesting excursion programs are organized for vacationers, everyone can rent a boat and go fishing or take a walk in the picturesque surroundings.
White House Hotel
In the center of the historical district of the capital is the well-known Apart-hotel White House , for many years it has been in demand among fans of excursions and rest in a peaceful environment. The beautiful stone building in which the hotel is located is located in the neighborhood of Marco Polo’s house and the beautiful cathedral. From the windows of their rooms, guests can admire the beauty of historical buildings. It will not be difficult for hotel guests to get to the popular beach, next to it there is a decent selection of excellent restaurants and bars. As for the interior of the rooms, it is made in an elegant style taking into account the brightest national traditions.
Hotel Maris
Travelers who plan to spend a significant part of their time on the beach should pay attention to the Lumbardi Maris Apart Hotel. It is separated from the coast by no more than 70 meters, the hotel has a very calm and relaxing environment. At the request of vacationers, excursions to the most interesting sights of the island are organized for them, the choice of attractive places for independent study is also very large here. Hotel Maris is suitable for family vacations, one of its main attractive features remains its affordable prices.
Hotel Lesic Dimitri Palace
The only five-star hotel on the island is located in the capital – Lesic Dimitri Palace. It occupies one of the most beautiful buildings of the historical district, the hotel has five elegant rooms for its guests. The decor is made in a colonial style and complemented by skillful handmade decorations, the hotel will definitely appeal to fans of wellness procedures. Its spa salon offers visitors a wide range of exclusive services, including Thai massage. Gourmets will be delighted by the presence of an original themed restaurant in the hotel, the menu of which is also unique and original, like the interior. All possible types of entertainment are available to guests of the fashionable hotel, from beach vacations and exciting excursions to night fishing trips and scuba diving.
For gourmets: restaurants and cafes in Korčula. Authentic dishes and delicacies, where to go for dinner
The cuisine of the Adriatic coast has experienced the influence of neighboring Italy and France a little more than the cuisine of central Croatia. In Korčula, you can easily order both the usual Croatian meat dishes and seafood dishes popular here in any local restaurant. When ordering the latter, keep in mind that the price on the menu is usually indicated per kilogram, and the actual portion may be more or less. It is also worth remembering that, as a rule, only fresh seafood is prepared here, which means that there are no guarantees that all dishes will definitely be available for order, because the catch is different every time. You shouldn’t count on a fancy meal in the morning: before lunch in many restaurants, only part of the dishes are prepared, because local residents usually don’t have a heavy lunch.
Brodet can be called one of the most popular local fish dishes . Once it was prepared from the remains of seafood and vegetables, and now brodet is a local delicacy and a culinary “chip” of the Adriatic. Its recipe is quite simple: add fish, spices and vegetables to an open dish and simmer everything in wine until most of the liquid evaporates. Brodet with corn porridge is served. Do not be afraid of the appearance of the “black rigot”. This dish may look unusual, but it tastes great.
Be sure to try the grilled zubatka with navaga called “more-suma” and prshatari , a crab dish. In general, the selection of seafood dishes on the island is simply huge – from all kinds of fried, baked, stewed and dried fish to mussels steamed with rice, oysters in lemon juice and octopus fried in wine. When ordering your favorite dish, remember that the portions here are simply huge, and sometimes it’s worth taking one dish for two.
If you prefer fish to meat, you will definitely not go hungry on Korčula. Here, in any restaurant, you will be served the world-famous prosciutto , dried pork bone, spicy sausage made of chopped pork with paprika called “Kulena” and viskovachke begawitz – lamb stewed with sour milk. It is also worth paying tribute to pashticade , stewed beef in wine sauce. It is usually served with dumplings. In other cases, a side dish can be rice, potatoes, pasta, and various cereals. Salads here are usually the simplest, made of chopped vegetables and fruits.
Do you like sweets? Here you can eat all kinds of desserts as much as you want, without worrying about keeping your figure. The fact is that Croatians prefer to use walnuts, cheese, poppy seeds, fruits in cakes and pastries – in short, everything that is not very high in calories. One of the most delicious desserts here is rightfully considered Mijmurska gibanitsa , a pie made of puff pastry with a filling of apples, cheese, nuts and poppy seeds. Rab cake , the recipe of which was invented on the island of Rab and is still unknown for sure, and local chocolate with pepper, and honey, and candied fruits, and gingerbread, and dried fig jam are also very tasty.
Local cafeterias open from six in the morning. Coffee here is served by default in the form of espresso, but you can also order one of many other types. Croats love this drink very much and know how to cook it. Both soda and juices are popular, and traditional tea is hidden under the name “Indian”. When ordering, by default, you will be made herbal infusion. They probably only like wine more than coffee here. Although beer is also very popular, especially light beer, it is far from a drink made from fermented grapes. Hrvatika, Pinot, Teran, Traminac, Poship, Burgundac – there are many varieties of local wine, and each dish is suitable for it. Strong tinctures, usually based on fruits or herbs, are also popular: Slivovitsa, Vilyamovka, Pelinkovats, Biska. Many advise to try Maraschino liqueur and local brandy Vignac.
The color of Korčula is traditions, festivals and the mentality of local residents
Croatian culture has absorbed many customs and traditions of neighboring peoples. Take, for example, the gentle love of local residents for coffee and chocolate, which appeared thanks to the Turkish influence. Or “Corzo”, an evening promenade in beautiful clothes, so similar to the habit of Italians to stroll after dinner in their best form. However, Croats carefully maintain and pass on their own ancient traditions and customs from generation to generation.
In general, local residents are very patriotic. Even though Korčula was under the protectorate of Italy for a long time, and later, like other Croatian territories, was part of Yugoslavia, you should not call local residents “Yugoslavs” – they will be offended. They are Croats, period. It is not for nothing that many here still have national costumes, and traditional dances cannot be danced except by very small children. The inhabitants of Korčula are hospitable and polite, although politeness here is more likely to flow from considerations of expediency – tourists bring a lot of income.
An interesting feature of the local mentality is that if something is prohibited for some reason, you are unlikely to be told about it. Not out of any malice – it’s just that it’s not customary to say “no” and refuse here. From this follows the passionate love of local residents for the word “tomorrow”. Need something? No problem! Only tomorrow. And tomorrow will be tomorrow again, and so on ad infinitum. Simply because the Croats will not fulfill their obligations, and it is not cultural to refuse. Of course, this does not always happen, but if you agree on something with the locals, make the terms of the agreement as specific as possible and remember that “tomorrow” is “never”.
Despite these features of the local mentality, Croats are a pleasure to deal with. They are quite friendly, and if they started to do some work, they usually try to do everything well. Here it is customary to make a lot of gestures and even raise your voice when communicating – probably again due to the Italian influence. Family is very important for Croats. There are usually not too many children – no more than three, and usually only one. Moreover, any addition in the family is equally happy, it does not matter whether a boy or a girl was born.
Croatian women can be very domineering. They often hold leadership positions and are the de facto heads of their own families. Although there are many “centers of society” with a very patriarchal structure. Regardless of beliefs about the role of a man and a woman in the family, local representatives of the strong half of humanity shower compliments on any girl, not paying attention to age and external data. So if you went here alone, you are guaranteed increased attention from men. True, most often things will not go beyond flirting. The level of crime here is generally quite low, but pickpockets like to shop in places where tourists gather.
Croats are Christians, and all Catholic holidays are celebrated with grandeur. Of course, the largest celebrations are held here on Christmas and Easter , but Epiphany and days of patron saints of cities are also celebrated. In the summer, Korčula hosts a traditional moreshka every week . Once this representation was shown all over Croatia, but nowadays it is preserved only here. Moreshka was probably born in the 12th century thanks to the victory of European armies over the Moorish invaders. The performance includes costumed dances and battles of knights dressed in white and black, and symbolizes the struggle between good and evil.
In autumn , the Korkyra baroque festival takes place on the island , during which you can listen to local and foreign performers of classical works. In mid-July, a festival dedicated to Marco Polo takes place here. In Vela Luka, during the summer folklore evenings, you can see kumpania – a dance with swords. A regatta is being held in the city on June 24.
Shopping on Korčula. For clothes and souvenirs – the best shops, outlets and boutiques
Korčula , like other island territories, is not a very good place for large-scale shopping. If you want to buy things from the world’s leading manufacturers at low prices, then you better find time and sail to the continent. Fortunately, the ferry crossing takes very little time, and on the mainland, the selection of branded items is larger, and the prices for them are lower, and the discounts during the sales period are more impressive. In Korčula , it is worth buying truly Croatian goods, the good thing is that there are many shops here.
Remember that with Croatians, it is appropriate to bargain not only in the markets, but also in small shops and souvenir shops. The main thing is not to insist too much – local residents are sure that the buying process should bring pleasure to both the seller and the buyer. It is worth paying attention to products made of coral , which local craftsmen always succeed in, and products made of Brac stone from the neighboring island of Brac . White limestone, according to Croats, brings good luck and drives away evil spirits. Take a closer look at the famous Vucedolskaya golubka, a cult vessel used for traditional ceremonies a century ago.
Another very colorful souvenir is “morchich” jewelry . Pendants, key rings, earrings in the form of a funny Moor in a turban used to be made of wood and served as amulets for sailors and fishermen. Now morchich is made from ceramics and from precious and semi-precious stones. Traditionally, many local women weave lace for sale, and it turns out just fine. A gift for a man can be a tie purchased in Korčula . Here, this accessory has been part of the national costume and uniform of soldiers for centuries, and therefore is very popular.
The boss can buy local “Nalivpero” pens as a gift , an invention of designer Slavolyub Penkal. An interesting purchase will also be a bag with lavender or a miniature “Istar cajun”, a structure where for centuries farmers kept their inventory and hid from the weather. You can buy another package of local sea salt. And, of course, all over Korčula there are many places with magnets and postcards with views of the island.
A beautiful bottle of local wine will be a more practical souvenir. The variety of tastes is simply amazing, so you should choose solely based on your own preferences, because there are 76 varieties of elite wines alone. For lovers of strong drinks, there are Slivovitsa, Travaritsa, Vignac, Bisca and local vodka Lozavach. If you prefer sweet drinks, take a look at Moraschino liqueur . Among non-alcoholic drinks, local coffee is of great interest – Croatians love this drink very much, and therefore only the best varieties can be found in stores.
Are you a real sweet tooth? Then take with you from Korčula gingerbread, dried fig jam, chocolate with pepper or honey with calendula. If you wish, you can prepare a dessert to order in local confectionery and take it with you as a gift to your loved ones. A good gift for the other half will be the Licitarske heart cake , which, by the way, is equivalent to recognition of love among the locals.
But not only sweets should be brought from the island. Buy olive oil in a souvenir bottle. Take home local cheese. Don’t miss the pršut, a Croatian delicacy made from smoked pork leg. By the way, in many stores, prosciutto is sold in beautiful packaging as a souvenir from the island. Take a look at the local sausages called Zagorsk or Samoborsk cheshnovka and the very spicy sausage – Kulena . Buy a jar of truffles or truffle paste.