Korcula

Day 1: Old Town stones, stories and sea

Wake to the soft hush of Korčula’s marble lanes before the day-trippers arrive. This is the island’s “living museum”: Venetian walls, a cathedral filled with masterpieces, and locals sipping long coffees on tiny squares.

• Morning: Wander the herringbone alleys to St. Mark’s Cathedral; climb the bell tower for panoramic views (modest dress in churches; watch the smooth, slippery stones). Take coffee on the Pjaceta, then browse the small green market just outside the Land Gate for figs, honey and olive oil.
• Midday: Cool off with a swim at town bathing spots like Banje or under the western walls; pack water shoes for sea urchins. Lunch at a side-street konoba (try Adio Mare or Aterina): ask “Što imate danas?” and order the daily catch with a carafe of house wine or a crisp gemišt.
• Afternoon: Walk the seafront ramparts by Zakerjan Tower; duck into the Town Museum (Gabrielis Palace) or a Confraternity museum for icons and ritual treasures. If it’s hot, retreat to a wine bar for a glass of Pošip or Grk and a plate of marinated anchovies.
• Evening: In summer, book the Moreška sword dance at the open-air theatre (Mondays/Thursdays; 29 July is the patron-saint feast). Toast sunset along Šetalište Petra Kanavelića, then dine on the ramparts at Filippi or splash out at LD Restaurant (reserve weeks ahead in July–August). In September, the Korkyra Baroque Festival brings sublime evening concerts in historic churches.

Day 2: Škoji island-hopping, Dalmatian style

Today is about fjaka: slow boat rides, pine-scented paths and turquoise coves. Pack cash (some islet venues don’t take cards), extra water, sunscreen, and water shoes; aim for one or two islands rather than a checklist.

• Morning: Catch a water taxi from the East Port to Badija. Stroll the monastery cloister, greet the tame fallow deer (don’t feed them), and walk or cycle the 5 km pine loop; climb to St. Catherine’s chapel for views before a swim on the sheltered south shore.
• Midday: Hop to Vrnik to wander historic stone quarries and the tiny hamlet; swim off white-pebble coves. Lunch barefoot at Vrnik Arts Club (summer) or picnic in the shade if you prefer low-key and quiet.
• Afternoon: Choose your vibe: Stupe for the scene (Moro Beach; pre-book loungers) or quiet coves on Planjak/Sutvara. The afternoon Maestral can ruffle the sea—good for sailing, choppy for small boats; if Bura/Jugo is forecast, keep plans flexible.
• Evening: Return for a relaxed seafood supper on the Lumbarda waterfront (Konoba Feral/More) or back in town. Gelato and an unhurried evening stroll along the walls are the local way to end the day.

Day 3: Vineyards, villages and a slow-food finale

Leave the walls for the island’s agrarian heart. Between sandy vineyards, stone hamlets and blue coves, today’s rhythm follows tastings, swims and a long, lingering dinner.

• Morning: Head to Lumbarda for Grk tastings at Bire, Cebalo or Zure (book in high season) and a walk through sandy vineyards. Swim at Pržina or Bilin Žal, then coffee by the harbour as fishing boats putter in.
• Midday: Seafood lunch on the Lumbarda waterfront—ask for what’s fresh—or drive to Pupnatska Luka for a swim in luminous water and a rustic bite above the bay. Bring cash and arrive early for parking in July–August.
• Afternoon: Cross the interior to Smokvica/Čara for Pošip tastings (Toreta, PZ Pošip Čara) and an olive-oil stop; scenic backroads give coastal lookouts and stone terraces. Return via Žrnovo for a short village wander.
• Evening: Book an ispod peke feast at Konoba Maha or Konoba Mate in Pupnat (pre-order peka hours in advance; best reserved days ahead in peak season) for lamb/veal and garden vegetables slow-cooked under the bell. Alternatively, try Belin for Žrnovski makaruni with rich šugo, or end grandly with a tasting menu at LD. Tipping 10% is appreciated; dinner starts late by local rhythm.

Notes by season:

• Spring (April–June): Wild asparagus, mild seas, fewer crowds—ideal for hiking Badija and long vineyard walks.
• High summer (July–August): Pre-book everything; swim early/late, sightsee at dawn, and siesta at midday.
• Autumn (Sept–Nov): Harvest mood—wine in September, olive picking Oct/Nov; look for lumblija festivals in late October/early November.
• Winter: Many restaurants close; embrace marenda in local cafés, Holy Week processions, and quiet museum time.

By Air

• Dubrovnik (DBV) – closest major airport.
  • Road: 2–2.5 hrs to Orebić via the Pelješac Bridge, then 15‑min car ferry to Dominče (Korčula). Allow ~3–3.5 hrs total to Korčula Town.
  • Catamaran: Dubrovnik–Korčula Town high‑speed boats (Apr–Oct) take ~2–2.5 hrs. Limited winter services.
• Split (SPU)
  • To Split port: 30–45 mins by airport bus/taxi.
  • Catamaran: Split–Korčula Town ~2.45–3.5 hrs (via Hvar/Brač, Apr–Oct).
  • Car ferry: Split–Vela Luka (Korčula) 2.45–3 hrs year‑round, then 1 hr drive across the island to Korčula Town.
  • Driving via Pelješac Bridge to Orebić + ferry: ~3.5–4 hrs plus 15‑min ferry.
• Other options: Zadar (ZAD) and Mostar (OMO) are viable but longer (connect via Split or Dubrovnik).

By Train

• No rail to Korčula or Dubrovnik.
• Railhead: Split (from Zagreb ~6–7 hrs). From Split station it’s a short walk to the ferry/catamaran port for onward boats to Korčula.
• Ploče has limited seasonal trains; onward travel is by bus/car to Orebić for the short ferry.

By Bus

• Direct intercity buses run to Korčula Town and Vela Luka (more in summer).
  • Dubrovnik–Korčula Town: ~3–3.5 hrs (via Pelješac Bridge and Orebić ferry).
  • Split–Korčula Town: ~4.5–5.5 hrs (some routes use the Split–Vela Luka ferry).
  • Zagreb–Korčula Town: ~9–11 hrs (often overnight).
• Main bus hubs: Split Bus Station (by the port) and Dubrovnik Bus Station (Gruž, by the port).

By Car

• Via Pelješac Bridge: A1 motorway to Ploče (D425) → Pelješac Bridge → drive to Orebić → 15‑min car ferry to Dominče (Korčula Town is a 5–10 min drive from there). Very frequent sailings; queues in peak season.
• Via Split: Car ferry Split–Vela Luka, then 43 km/≈1 hr drive across Korčula to Korčula Town.
• Note: Korčula Old Town is pedestrian‑only; parking is outside the walls and limited in summer.

By Ferry/Catamaran (Boats)

• Car ferries (Jadrolinija):
  • Orebić–Dominče (Korčula): 15 mins, very frequent, year‑round.
  • Split–Vela Luka: 2.45–3 hrs, year‑round (more departures in summer).
  • Optional: Ploče–Trpanj (to Pelješac) ~1 hr, then ~1 hr drive to Orebić.
• Passenger catamarans (Kapetan Luka/Krilo, Jadrolinija, TP Line):
  • Split–Hvar–Korčula Town: ~2.45–3.5 hrs (daily Apr–Oct; reduced/alternative routes off‑season).
  • Dubrovnik–Mljet–Korčula Town: ~2–2.5 hrs (daily Apr–Oct).
  • Additional links in season to Mljet, Hvar, Brač and Lastovo.
• All services are seasonal/timetable‑dependent—always check current schedules and book ahead in July–August.