As one of the most beautiful islands in the world according to many international travel sites, Korčula is bound to have abundant natural beauty. You’ve most definitely already heard about its amazing sea, but there are many more natural jewels around the island.

Some parts might remind you of southern Italy or France, and some of Greece, but the combination of it all is unique. Everyone who visited Korčula agrees that its reputation is justified, and we bring you a list of some of the best examples and great ideas for your trip.

Kočje rocks in Žrnovo
One hiking spot you might haven’t heard of is Kočje, just outside the town of Žrnovo. This is a protected landscape with fascinating dolomite rocks from the Cretaceous period. You can climb them or walk around them – they’re beautiful in any way. A lot of rocks are covered with moss and plants, so you’ll feel like you’ve entered a fairytale. Once you’re done hiking, head to Žrnovo and get some žrnovski makaruni for a great lunch.

Pine forests around the island
Among larger Croatian islands, Korčula is the most forested one. More than half of its surface is covered in it, and most of the forests are of cypress and other related trees such as pines. This means that even in the hot summer months, you’ll find plenty of shade and hiking trails with normal temperatures in the afternoon. Don’t let the summer heat stop you from discovering nature around the island.

Olive orchards
Olive trees are a big part of the scenery on Korčula. You’ll stumble upon many modern and old olive orchards going on for kilometres. Since this region is famous for its high-quality olive oil, it’s no wonder that a lot of surface goes to the oil industry. Cycle next to olive trees or head to an olive mill to discover more about this wonderful tradition.

Vineyards
Another part of the natural beauty of Korčula is the endless vineyards. There are even old vineyards which were planted in a terraced way. This is something you might be familiar with from other Mediterranean countries, but it’s always a wonderful sight.

Aromatic and wild plants
If you read our article about the authentic food of Korčula, you’ll remember that they use a lot of aromatic herbs and spices in their desserts. Because of that, there are fields of aromatic plants like lavender, rosemary, laurel, sage, and many others. Taking a walk along these fields is a memorable experience because your senses will be overloaded with beauty.

Animals of the Korčula island
When talking of natural beauty, we often mention plants and geological formations. However, there’s an important part of the ecosystem we forget – wild animals. Korčula has stable populations of hares, minks, weasels, mongooses, and jackals. An interesting thing is that wild boars aren’t autochthonous to the island, but they often swim from the mainland and between Croatian islands.

Aside from wild animals, it’s important to mention the domestic animals of the island which you’ll see much more often. Donkeys and mules are the most often bred farm animals on Korčula and you’ll see plenty of them roaming the fields. You might even have to wait for a herd to cross the road before continuing your journey.

The sea speaks for itself
We’ve mentioned the crystal-clear sea around Korčula more than anything else. It’s worth noting that the seafloor is just as beautiful as the beaches, so bring snorkelling equipment and discover the abundant marine life around this beautiful island.