Vela Luka is the largest and most modern town on Korcula. It provides an all-around holiday destination on the island. You can fill your time chilling on pretty beaches, exploring caves and enjoying the sounds of local music. There are a number of restaurants and cafes providing you with plenty of opportunities to sample local delicacies. The town is located on the far west of Korcula Island. The two attractive small islets of Proizd and Osjak lie just off the town’s shoreline.

Historically, Vela Luka is quite a modern town by Croatian standards, with settlement only really beginning in the early 19th century. But don’t be fooled by its youth, the area surrounding Vela Luka is rich in archaeological discoveries, and untouched nature as well as being a treasure trove of Dalmatian culture, music and art.

 

How to Spend a Weekend in Korcula

Go exploring the cave of ‘Vela Spila’

Home to incredible archaeological discoveries that date back to the Stone Age, Vela Spila roughly translates to ‘Big Cave’. Researchers found here pottery and human remains. The cave is the earliest known home of modern humans on the Adriatic. Blue mountaineering markers guide the way from the Riva, passing through Vela Luka’s backstreets.

A demanding, 30-minute uphill walk will take you to the limestone cave. There is natural light spilling in the cave through two large openings on the top. You can easily find the ongoing excavation and information plaques for visitors. Certainly, it’s worth the hike ends if not for the cave’s significance than for the magnificent view to the west of Vela Luka’s bay. Moreover, it’s a lovely spot for a fiery sunset.

Take an Island Boat Trip

Proizd is located directly in the middle of 4 of Croatia’s most popular island destinations — Korcula, Vis, Hvar and Brač — although looking at a macro view of the area, you would never know it existed! Proizd is completely uninhabited. The only evidence of man is the main pier, a small restaurant, and scattered signs around the island intended to help guide you to the different beaches.

What to pack: Proizd travel essentials

Bring a backpack or beach bag packed with anything you might need for the day.  Here’s a list to get you started: bathing suit, towel, sunscreen, snorkel, food, drinking water, waterproof speaker, portable cooler to keep your food fresh and drinks cold and any medicine, insect repellent, or bee-sting precautions you may need.

Now you are ready for exploring this beautiful, small island. Enjoy turquoise waters and white pebbled beaches. It is virtually a hidden gem and a perfect beach getaway. There are four different beaches and a ‘kissing spot’ mosaic perfect for lovers.

Get a taste of the local cuisine

To experience the autochthonous cuisine and ambiance, we recommend you visit Konoba Lučica. They serve top-notch fish and meat dishes and sell high-quality homemade olive oil. Nautic restaurant is a perfect choice for those who’ve dropped their anchor in Gradina bay. After great Mediterranean food, grab drinks at one of the local café bars, such as Casablanca, Roxy, or Cesarica.

What you need to try?

• Žrnovski makaruni – a handmade pasta variety that hails from the island of Korcula and is mainly associated with the village of Žrnovo. It is prepared with a simple pasta dough that is flattened and then wrapped around a wooden stick in order to achieve its typical elongated, rolled form.
• Olive oil – The olive oil made on the island of Korcula is well known and recognized for its high quality and unique characteristics, which are the result of a broad range of factors, including weather and long historical heritage. This olive oil is produced using two autochthonous olive varieties; Lastovka and Drobnica.
• Grk – a native Croatian grape from the island of Korcula that is mostly used in the production of dry white wines. The grape rarely gives high yield, and it is mainly grown on sandy soils that surround the city of Lumbarda.
• Pošip – a native Croatian grape that was discovered by chance on the island of Korcula. Although it is cultivated in other Dalmatian regions, the grape is still extensively grown on Korcula, and it achieves the best results in the vineyards located around the villages Smokvica and Čara.

Listen to local singers

Vela Luka is the home of Dalmatian a cappella music called klapa; it is a form of singing that is soothing to the ears. You can sit back, relax, sip on a glass of wine and listen to local singers performing in groups and sing about the sea, love, life, wine and olives. Another music related thing all locals are proud of is the famous Croatian singer Oliver Dragojević. Croatians often call him The Seawolf. If you decide to stop by any restaurant or café bar, we’re almost certain you’ll hear his music chiming in the background.

Experience a dream view

The Hum is a mountain on the west end of Island Korcula. With a height of 376 m above sea level it is the dominant mountain at the western end, above Vela Luka gulf. Hum lies south of the deeply cut bay and the port of Vela Luka, the town on the western end of Korcula Island. The observation deck allows you to circle and see the Island Hvar, Mainland, Peninsula Peljesac, Islands Mljet, Lastovo and Vis. During clear weather, you can even see the Italian coast. This one we strongly recommend and it is just here, a 5 minutes drive, 20 minutes cycle or and 1h15 minutes walk away from the town. Take your camera with!

Throughout its entire past, Lumbarda has been an area of ​​overlapping of different peoples and cultures. Today, Lumbarda is a place of rich tourist tradition and tourist identity. Wine lovers and connoisseurs in Lumbard come from far away to taste Grk, a white wine produced from the autochthonous grape variety of the same name. The small, coastal village of Lumbarda lies on the east coast of Korčula Island. The pretty village – reputed to be the oldest settlement on the island – is situated around a picturesque, sheltered bay nestled among vineyards and gently rolling hills.

 

Wonderful coastal towns on Korcula Island!

Visit A Lumbarda Vineyard

Lumbarda is famous for its locally grown white wine called Grk. Produced from the grape of the same name, Grk is not grown anywhere else in Croatia. There are vineyards and vines everywhere in Lumbarda. Vines hang from family homes and balconies, and once you leave the village center, you are surrounded by dense vineyards. Every spare piece of land is cultivated. In addition to the Grk white wine, you can try Plavac, a red wine, or Travarica, a grape brandy infused with various herbs.

Mingle At The Farmers Market

Every Friday night in the long summer season, Lumbarda village square plays host to a convivial ‘Fishermans Market. ‘Local fishermen and Lumbarda families set up stalls selling cooked food to locals and tourists alike, including meat, vegetables, and fresh fish caught that day. It is more of a communal outdoor restaurant rather than a farmers’ market for buying groceries. Most of the food is freshly cooked in front of you so it can be cooked according to your preference. You can buy a plentiful main course dinner at one stall, then move onto another stall for a delicious homemade dessert washed down with locally grown wine sold from another stall.

Try Water Sports In Lumbarda

There are several water sports on offer in Lumbarda to help you enjoy the tantalizing, azure waters of the Adriatic. A handful of locations in the village and along the harbor hire single and double kayaks for short, unescorted paddles on the sea. The calm waters of the Adriatic are an ideal place to test your balance and attempt stand-up paddleboarding.

Take a cycling ride

Due to its relatively flat terrain, Lumbarda is a great place to stretch your legs. Cycle amongst the fields carpeted with vineyards or walk through the luscious forest of pine trees to the furthest point east on the island, Raznjić, for fantastic views out to sea and of the island of Mljet. You can hire bikes at an agency in the center of Lumbarda or it is an easy cycle ride from Korcula, where numerous agencies hire bikes.

Soak Up The Sun On Lumbarda’s Sandy Beaches

Pržina Beach

Przina beach is a very popular and well-visited beach during the summer months, so it is sometimes overcrowded and it is difficult to find a place on the beach. It is a favorite beach for tourists and for the local people, who come here to have fun and hang out. There is a bar on the beach in which are offered many refreshing drinks and fast food, and you can also rent parasols and deck chairs. Sandy Przina beach is not only visited by Lumbarda tourists, tourists from the whole island Korcula are visiting this beach.

Bilin žal beach

Another sandy beach in Lumbarda is called Bilin žal. It is on opposite side of Pržina beach. Bilin žal overlooking to the North-East, to Pelješac peninsula and islands of Korcula archipelago. Next to the beach is ancient building with nice restaurant inside. Along beach Bilin zal there is few meters high stone wall so there is shade on the beach in the afternoon. You can also rent parasols and sunbeds. You can try some water sports starting from pier close to beach. When you walk over rocks to the East you can find small pebble beaches, and nice flat stone areas. This part is called Lenga and it is paradise for nudists.

Tatinja beach

Only a few minutes from Lumbarda center you will get to Tatinja beach. It is a sandy beach, with a view to the North, to island Vrnik, and Gubavac, and behind them mountain of Sveti Ilija with Orebić. Next to the beach, there is stone pier called Parapet, you can jump off it, or just watch local boys doing crazy jumps.

Beach in Marina Lumbarda

In the center of Lumbarda, on the north side of Marina, there is a pebble beach looking to Lumbarda islands and the Pelješac peninsula. On the beach, there is a nice cocktail bar. People can rent boats, jet skies, and kayaks.

Have you thought yet about how long you will stay on Korcula Island? There is no average length. Some people come for just a day or two, others for their 2 weeks on an even longer holiday. To get the most out of Korcula Island, we’d recommend that you stay for at least 2 or 3 full days.  A weekend in Korčula will show you how culturally diverse and arguably more beautiful it is. Located just two and a half hours by ferry from Split, the island is less than thirty miles long and only five miles wide, making it the perfect place to explore for a weekend. Korcula Island is one of the most beautiful islands in Croatia. Although fairly small there are an incredible number of things to do in Korcula. Home to ancient sites, stunning coastlines, local wineries and the birthplace of Marco Polo, it’s easy to understand why so many tourists choose to visit Korcula.

 

Enjoy the beaches and crystal sea at Korcula Island!

 

How to get to Korcula:

You can get the ferry to Korcula from Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik, and Mljet. Both car ferries and foot passenger ferries are available:

How much time to spend in Korcula:

Many visitors will choose to visit Korčula as a day trip from Split or Dubrovnik. If you’re tight on time, this can be a good option. It’s better to see it than not! However, if you have some spare time, 2-3 days on Korčula is ideal. This gives you enough time to rent a bike, try a good selection of restaurants and enjoy the beach.

Is Korcula worth a visit?

Of course! If you’re looking for a destination in south-Dalmatia, that’s a little less touristy than Dubrovnik, Korcula is your island. Korcula is Croatia’s 6th largest island, located directly in the middle of Split and Dubrovnik.  Covered in lush pine forests, vineyards and historical treasures, it’s the reason why people want to visit Korcula.

 

What is the best time to visit Korcula?

Korcula has a temperate climate with warm dry summers and cooler winters. The best time to visit Korcula Island is from May to September. The weather will be warm (and very hot in July-August) and you will have plenty of daytime sunlight to explore the island.

 

Where to stay on Korcula?

Korcula is only a small island at the end of the day. This makes choosing where to stay an easy task. If you are visiting Korčula, we recommend staying in The Villa Gabriela. This beautiful villa for rent offers carefully decorated accommodation with luxurious amenities and services. You can check 360 tour here.

 

Day 1

Morning

Start the day with a coffee and a croissant & watch the world go by.  Croatians love coffee, but it’s more cultural than that. The cafe is the place where numerous social & business interactions take place. Where you meet your friends or hold a meeting or job interview. So it’s the perfect first stop for a taste of island life.

Next up it’s time to explore the iconic Korcula old town. The very first glimpse of it when you arrive is truly memorable.  You can take a guided tour of the old town, but it is small enough to explore on your own. Things you want to include are:

• The Town Museum, where you can see ethnographic collections and learn more about the island
• St Mark’s Cathedral & the Bell Tower, where you can enjoy amazing views from the top
• Picking up a couple of wonderful homemade souvenirs, such as filigree jewellery or natural beauty products
• Stop by one of the many churches – some are harder to find than others
• Retrace the legend of Marco Polo by visiting his “supposed” house or the museum created in his name

Afternoon

In the afternoon go for a wine and food tour! You’ll get to taste a variety of delicious produce and meet local producers. Or see more of the island during a wine taster tour and visit a family-run winery in Lumbarda and Smokvica. You can also pack your towel and swimwear and head to one of Korcula Town’s beaches. You’ll find small pebble, rocky beaches around the Old Town.

Evening

Sunsets on Korcula are truly spectacular, so be sure to catch them. If in Korcula Town, head to Massimo, a cocktail bar in a medieval tower where you can get a great view. Or walk to the end of the pier on the west side of Korcula Old Town and watch the sky turn shades of red and pink.

Head to one of the town’s eateries to sample some traditional food. You’ll find “konobas” (more rustic style dining) which serve more traditional dishes and restaurants which typically offer local dishes with a modern twist. For a more fine dining experience within the Old Town walls book a table by the sea at Filippi.

Day 2

Morning

After a refreshing night’s sleep begin the day with a swim. It is very peaceful, the sea is very calm and there are far fewer people around. There are a number of places to swim in Korcula Town such as Sveti Nikola street and in front of the Old Town walls. You can also rent a kayak.

After the morning swim, hire a bike and cycle Korcula Island. Whether you are a cycling enthusiast or simply looking for a leisurely pedal through the countryside, Korcula Island is perfect for exploring by bicycle all year round, thanks to the enjoyable Korčula weather. It is possible to hire bikes for the day from a number of travel agencies in Korcula Town. If you’d prefer slightly less pedal power, up for an e-bike. Pack up a picnic and choose a cycling route.

Afternoon

It’s time to take a break. The location of Korcula makes it perfect for the two great Croatian gastronomy delights: seafood and wine! Croatia’s southern Dalmatian region is known for its award-winning wines, and Korcula has the ideal environment for producing two of them – Pošip and Grk. You can order these varieties of white wine at most restaurants on the island, so don’t hesitate to indulge in a drink… or two.

Evening

The craft beer industry is booming worldwide, and Croatia is no exception. Even Korčula now has its own brewery and pub! Lovers of the golden liquid will undoubtedly relish the opportunity to try a local Korcula brew. Simultaneously, many other bars on the island also serve craft beers from elsewhere in Croatia.