I didn’t “end up” on the island of Korčula by chance. I planned this stop during my slow journey across southern Croatia, well aware of its reputation.
This time, no unexpected invitation from a tribe or a mysterious offbeat place with no information.
Just the desire to take my time – and to soak up the soul of the island beyond its picturesque postcards.
I stayed in Korčula for 3 days, which allowed me to discover a good part of the island – especially its small surrounding islands like Badija island and Vrnik, its wild beaches, the old town, and a local festival.
In this article, I share with you my honest impressions, a few practical tips, and the best experiences for a meaningful stay.
Ideal if you’re wondering what to do on Korčula island, where to stay on the island of Korčula, or even whether to choose Korčula or Vis, Korčula or Mljet, or Hvar or Korčula Croatia for your itinerary.
“At night, the stone glows like the moon.
You hear the sea whispering secrets it kept for centuries.”
Article published on July 30, 2025 – experience lived in June 2025
How to Get to the Island of Korčula
I arrived on the island of Korčula from Dubrovnik by catamaran with the Jadrolinija company. The trip lasts about 2.5 hours and costs €20.
For those wondering how to get to Korčula island, know that it’s well connected by ferries and catamarans from Split, Hvar, Mljet, or Dubrovnik.
Some arrive at the town of Korčula, others at Vela Luka (on the other end of the island), so make sure to check your arrival port.
You can also come by car via Orebić and the ferry to Dominče, about 2.5 km from the old town. This is handy if you’re wondering how to get around Korčula island once you’re there.
👉 (To understand why I didn’t stay long in Dubrovnik, I refer you to this more personal article about my visit to Dubrovnik).
Where to Stay in Korčula island: My Accommodation Experience
I hadn’t booked anything in advance.
That morning, the tourist office recommended Guesthouse Korunić, in the town of Korčula (yes, Korčula is both the name of the island and the main town where most boats arrive).
A simple house, just a short walk from the old town and the harbor, with a spacious rooftop terrace suspended between the sea, the mountains, and the bell towers.
The welcome was direct, warm, almost maternal.
A charming studio: clean, air-conditioned, well equipped. Around €60 a night in June — no frills, but that rare feeling of being truly expected.
The hosts live there year-round. They embody a quiet gentleness that’s often missing in more impersonal Korčula island hotels.
That’s the kind of accommodation on Korčula island Croatia I’m always looking for: rooted, local, human.
It’s not always visible online. It gets passed on through word of mouth.
And without making a fuss, it supports a fairer, more conscious kind of tourism.
Marco Polo in Korčula: Tourist Trap or True Encounter?
I’ll admit it — I hadn’t planned to visit the Marco Polo center.
But the tourist office offered me a free ticket, hoping to soften the bitter aftertaste left by Dubrovnik’s cold welcome.
The Marco Polo center in the town of Korčula doesn’t look like much.
And yet… the old photographs, the view from the tower, and above all the story – woven from myth and memory – moved me.
So, is it a tourist trap?
Maybe.
But there was something genuine in those walls.
As if the island itself was still whispering: “He was born here. Or maybe not. But we carry him within us.”
And honestly, that was enough for me.
Because in the end, it’s not historical accuracy that matters – it’s the connection we make with a memory, even a blurry one.
And this tension – between storytelling and deep roots – says something essential about the soul of the island of Korčula.
One of the many things to do on Korčula island? Sure.
But for me, it was more than that. A mirror of how we choose to belong.
Island‑hopping from the Island of Korčula: Badija, Vrnik, Lumbarda
The day before, I had noted the taxi-boat timetable on a small board at the harbour.
No apps, no central website – just a chain of skippers shuttling back and forth.
You buy your ticket on board, pick your stops, and keep an eye on the last boat back to Korčula Town unless you fancy a night on a deserted quay.
That flexibility was exactly what I needed:
No rigid schedule, just the promise of discovering the island of Korčula from the water and hopping over to its quiet neighbours.
Badija Island: deer, wonder… and unease
Badija island close to Korcula is the most famous of the satellite islets – and you quickly see why.
A Franciscan monastery at the water’s edge, pine‑shaded paths, and deer that wander right up to you, utterly used to tourists.
At first I smiled.
Then the discomfort crept in.
It reminded me of Bali, where monkeys turned into mascots – and sometimes into biters – thanks to selfies and sweet snacks.
Here, beauty mingles with a subtle unease. Signs forbid feeding the deer, but staff are scarce and reminders too gentle.
A family showed up with a plastic bag brimming with apples. Cheers, phones flashing, deer munching.
You can imagine what happens the day a hungry stag doesn’t get his treat…
Slightly sickened, I walked the full circuit of the island.
The swim was lovely. Yet I left with the odd feeling that a line had been crossed: re‑wild animals, but police them poorly.
Beach near the Badija pier
Vrnik: a Timeless Pause
Vrnik is the complete opposite of Badija.
No deer. No crowds.
Just low stone houses, olive trees, and a drowsy kind of peace.
I floated for ages with my mask on, not chasing colourful fish, just enjoying the ripples, the quiet, the clarity.
I tried to walk around the island.
There’s no full loop trail.
And honestly – that felt right.
Vrnik doesn’t ask to be “done.”
She just lets you come close.
Lumbarda: Between Vineyards, Illusions, and Authentic Shores
Final stop: Lumbarda on Korcula island.
The name rolls like a promise – of wild beaches and hillside vineyards.
I crossed the vines on foot, under a blazing white sun.
Heading toward a hidden cove I’d seen on a map…
which turned out to be nudist and tricky to access – unless you had the right shoes.
So I turned back.
Found another beach – less postcard-perfect, but more real.
Then wandered the shoreline: tangled fishing nets, beached boats, no pretence.
It was simple. Honest.
As if Korčula island was whispering:
“You’re chasing the extraordinary – but it’s the everyday that heals.”
👉 Prefer the bus? A local line connects Korčula town to Lumbarda regularly.
But truth be told, nothing beats arriving by sea.
An Unexpected Ending: Mass, Cathedral and Corpus Christi Procession
It was my last day on Korčula island, and I had planned to head to Vela Luka.
But fate – and the calendar – had other plans: it was Corpus Christi, a national holiday in Croatia.
The bus to Vela Luka wasn’t running, and there was no way I was going to miss the Corpus Christi procession.
I had been hoping to observe it and compare it with Besta Berri, the Basque version of this deeply symbolic celebration.
So instead, I wandered slowly through the Old Town of Korčula, visiting churches, walking the waterfront, swimming one last time.
Around 6 p.m., I stepped into St. Mark’s Cathedral.
Inside, golden light filtered through the stained-glass windows.
A group of women dressed in black were chanting – slow, rhythmic, almost liturgical.
Then came the moment:
The real Fête-Dieu, complete with incense, white-robed children, and the full procession.
Tourists on the church steps froze, too surprised to even raise a phone.
After the mass, the whole congregation moved together- through alleys, along the sea – a moment suspended in time,
a quiet gift from Korčula before saying goodbye.
Conclusion: What the island of Korčula Truly Gave Me
I had planned this stop.
It was meant to be a quiet breath after Dubrovnik – a pause before heading to the mountains or other islands.
But I hadn’t expected how much the island of Korčula would soothe me.
There was beauty, of course.
Coves. Vineyards. Villages caught in a stillness of light.
But more than that, there was a deep, quiet feeling: being in the right place, at the right time, without trying.
Just like when I travel in Asia…
Here, everything moved slower. Gentler.
Even the unexpected – a national holiday, a hidden beach, a surprise Corpus Christi procession – all carried meaning.
Korčula wasn’t a love at first sight.
More like a quiet certainty, the kind that settles deep and stays.
And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.
And You?
Have you ever felt it – that quiet certainty you’re exactly where you belong, with no reason, no plan, just… here?
📍 Curious about my full slow travel itinerary in Croatia?
➡️ I’m working on a complete article with all my stops, local transport tips, and advice to explore Croatia without a car, close to the land, closer to yourself.
Check back soon – or follow me on LinkedIn, or Facebook.
Planning Your Trip to Korčula: Practical Tips
Want to enjoy the island without chasing down info?
Here are my go-to tips, tested the slow way:
- How to get to Korčula from Dubrovnik:
The easiest option is by ferry or catamaran. In summer, you can book through Jadrolinija, TP Line, or Krilo, departing from Gruž Port.
It takes about 2.5 hours, and tickets cost around €25 one-way. - Getting around the island:
Buses connect Korčula Town, Lumbarda, and Vela Luka.
You can also rent a bike or scooter if you want to reach hidden beaches. - Local island hopping:
Small taxi-boats leave each day from the little harbor—heading to Badija, Vrnik, or Lumbarda.
Expect to pay around €6–€20 for a return ticket, depending on your route. - Where to stay on Korčula:
I warmly recommend Guesthouse Korunić—just a 3-minute walk from the old town.
It’s simple, clean, and run by a lovely local family.
Contact: korunic [at] gmail.com | WhatsApp: +385 (0) 91 883 5049 - Best time to visit Korčula:
May–June and September–October are ideal.
You’ll skip the crowds but still enjoy the sunshine. - What to do on Korcula island:
Snorkeling, vineyard walks, traditional religious festivals (like Corpus Christi in June)…
There’s more here than meets the eye. - Useful search keywords for planning your stay:
Hotel in Korčula Croatia, Korčula island accommodation, guesthouse Korčula old town
Notes & References.
All my articles about Croatia – Ethno Travels
Tour selection for Croatia – Get Your Guide
My article about Dubrovnik – Ethno Travels
Marco Polo in Korcula – Marco Polo Centre
Besta Berri, The Basque Corpus Christi – Ethno Travels
Corpus Christi in Korcula – YouTube
