If you book a villa in Dubrovnik and are spending time exploring the charming medieval city, you might find yourself gazing out over the stunning coastline of the surrounding area from the ancient city walls or the tiny but perfect little city beach and may be filled with the desire for adventure at the sight! The bay and the cluster of islands that can be found in the area around Dubrovnik can be readily visited from the city by boat tour and present all sorts of excellent options for days out and exploration. Among the various islands or destinations that you might choose between, the island of Korčula and its main town of the same name is particularly charming and picturesque and continues to be a relatively hidden gem…
Easy Access
Getting to Korčula from Dubrovnik is pretty simple, which makes it rather appealing as a day-trip destination – I mean, who wants a headache on holidays? There are three different companies that serve this ferry route and there are usually six to seven sailings per day from Dubrovnik to choose from during the high season. In the low season, meanwhile, there is usually just one so this is worth keeping in mind. The journey itself, depending on the route, takes between one hour and 40 minutes and two and a half hours and tickets generally start at around ten euros. So, for a summer’s day trip from your holiday rental in Dubrovnik, Korčula is a handy destination with pretty easy access.
Elegant and Historic Beauty
Upon arrival, most guests are struck by the impressive historic charm and elegance of the town of Korčula. Perched over impossibly blue and clear waters, the town is a well-preserved cluster of handsome stone buildings topped by bright orange terracotta roofs and partially enclosed by old town walls. Wander the narrow paved streets, get a little lost, admire elegant palaces and the symmetrical plan of the town centre, trace the footsteps of a prince along the road built for his exclusive access to his private pier, watch the pale stone transform into a variety of hues at sunset, and soak up the unique wonder of this historic gem.
Architectural Gems
Specifically worth seeking out is the lovely St Mark’s Cathedral, which was built by local stonemasons under the guidance of Italian masters between the 14th and 16th centuries and blends Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance styles together beautifully. It is also decorated with paintings by Jacopo Tintoretto and other Italian masters and sculptural works by notable Croatian artists including Frano Čučić, Ivan Meštrović, Ivan Kerdić, Frano Kršinić, Alojzije Lozica, and Izvor Oreb. Various other little churches like the rustic Church of St Anthony along the sea road out of town are also worth seeking out.
Gabrielis Palace, meanwhile, is a pretty and picture-perfect example of Renaissance residential architecture in the town and houses a town museum with displays from prehistory to the present day, showcasing the development of the town, traditional crafts like shipbuilding and stonemasonry in town, and everyday objects that chart daily life through history.
The old towers and walls, painter Maksimilijan Vanka’s old home and studio showcasing some of his works, the Icon Collection of icons taken from Crete in the Church of All Saints, and the Abbey Treasure also all showcase the architectural and artistic heritage of this fascinating town. If you want to get into traditional celebrations and events, as well, there are a variety of fascinating local festivities to explore from carnival celebrations to sword dances to a cappella concerts.
Living it Up
When you’ve tired yourself out wandering around this charming town, then it’s time to really live it up. For example, you should be sure to take a long and leisurely dinner of impossibly fresh seafood while sitting out on a terrace directly over the sea. In fact, indulge in delicious things in general as you’ll find a decent selection of impressive eateries serving up incredible local cuisine, fusion options, and more in the area. Wine-lovers can also enjoy both indulging while soaking in the magical setting and in the range of delicious wines made in the vineyards on the island. So, if you like to live it up and take things slow and you want to enjoy the beauty and weather without the hustle and bustle of some of the more famous island destinations in the area, this is an excellent place to visit for a day while staying in one of our villas in Dubrovnik.
Marko Polo
While the exact place of famous 13th century explorer and merchant Marco Polo’s birth remains debated, some say that it was on Korčula. However, it is known for certain that his family came from the town and that some descendants of the line continue to live on the island today. Their family home in Venice no longer remains but the Korčula homestead still exists and has been made into a tiny museum. While the museum itself does not have too many artefacts to examine, it does boast incredible views that would certainly inspire anyone to seek out adventure of their own on vacation in Croatia.
Into the Wild
If you are venturing forth and go beyond town, in particular, the rest of the island offers unspoiled beauty, incredible beaches, the aforementioned vineyards and wineries, a rich flora and fauna, some amazing hiking options, and much more besides! Perfect for those who want to head out into the wild for a little while during a city break in Dubrovnik.