Croatia has one of the most rugged coastlines in Europe which means it has a large number of islands and islets. However, Korčula is one of the most often talked about. What’s that which distinguishes Korčula from other islands you might visit and what are the most important reasons to visit Korčula?

Depending on the person, there are different reasons for choosing Korčula as your vacation destination. However, we’ve made a list of some of the most often which will convince you to visit this beautiful island or give you an idea of what to incorporate into your itinerary.

Travel back to history with cultural sights
The town of Korčula is filled with cultural sights with its town core being one of them. Even though many towns on the Dalmatian coast have a town core, this one is the best preserved thanks to which you can travel back in time. A great architectural monument is the Cathedral of St. Mark which is on an elevated and protruding position.

Another cultural landmark is the potential birthplace of Marco Polo, an Italian explorer and writer. Korčula is also thought to be the place where Kyrka, the sorcerer, held hostage Odyssey and his soldiers, which tells a lot about the importance of Korčula in sea routes even in ancient times.

When speaking of culture on the island of Korčula, we’re talking about prehistoric culture too, from about 20 thousand years ago. The Vela Spila Cave archaeological collection is kept in the museum in Vela Luka and is absolutely worth visiting.

Aside from physical cultural sights, Korčula is home to many traditions. An interesting one is moreška – a sword dance which combines music and drama. Another great tradition is the acapella singing style called klapa which is famous throughout the whole Croatian coast.

Wine and dine
If there’s one thing Korčula’s famous for, then it’s the wine. People of Korčula have been into winemaking since ancient times and have continued up to today. Also, the harvest is often done manually just like in ancient times because of the way the vine is planted.

Some wines you can find on Korčula are even autochthonous, such as Pošip and Grk which are special sorts of white wine. Pošip is a famous wine with a long history, and you’ll definitely enjoy a tour of any local winery which will tell you its story. Pair that wine with some local homemade food and you’ll be in for a treat.

Enjoy the sea and nature
There are numerous beautiful beaches all over the island – some of them are easily accessible by car, while some require a little bit of hiking. The most popular one amongst locals is the Pupnatska Luka Beach, but you can’t really go wrong when searching for a beach in Korčula.

If you’d like even more peace and tranquillity, visit the neighbouring islet of Proizd or Badija. Badija is home to a beautiful Franciscan monastery and deer who aren’t afraid of people. Proizd held the title of the most beautiful beach spot in all of Croatia in 2009 and its crystal-clear turquoise sea is still beautiful.
When discovering nature, it’s best to take your bike on one of many trails around the olive groves and vineyards. The most popular one is between Korčula and Lumbarda which besides olive oil and wine offers the view of the sea.

These are only some of the reasons why you should visit Korčula, and once you arrive, you’ll discover many more of them.