A few weeks ago I wrote a blog post about what to do when you don’t feel like blogging. One of the suggestions I made was to bring in a guest blogger, which, I confess, I had never done myself. Well, times are a-changing because a guest blogger has arrived!
Anna Timbrook of Expert World Travel is a blogger and lover of travel (clearly) who’s studied languages throughout her life. Although she has traveled the world, she now calls Switzerland home and spends her time writing about her travel experiences on her blog that she runs with her husband. You can also find her on Twitter and Pinterest.
For this very first guest blog post, Anna wrote about a place that is very high on my travel bucket list: Croatia! But not just anywhere in Croatia, she’s sharing the top things to do in Korcula Island, which, I confess, I had no idea existed! Lots of confessions going on in this blog post. Even though I didn’t know about it, I know about it now, and I hope to make my way to Korcula Island one day in the near future. Anyway, enough rambling from me. Onto the guest blog post:
Korcula Island is one of the hottest summer destinations in Croatia. With stunning beaches, secluded caves and coves, and clear, turquoise water, it appeals to everyone. And we do mean everyone - from Croats that live in other cities, to the rich and famous that dock their yachts there.
If you’re travelling to Korcula and want to really explore the island, you’re in the right place! We will tell you about all the best things to do on this gorgeous Croatian island, so that you know exactly which places you must hit!
Explore Korcula Old Town
The entire Korcula Island is gorgeous, there’s no doubt about that. But the prettiest and most popular place on the island is Korcula Old Town. Most people enter the old town through the Korcula Town Gate, and I suggest you do the same. This way you can really explore the entire old town, and you’ll wind up back where you started.
Definitely check out the Marco Polo house, which is the rumored birthplace of the famous explorer. You should also visit the Cathedral of Saint Mark – the massive church dominates the panorama of Korcula Old Town, and it offers stunning views from the top of the tower.
Korcula Town Museum is another really popular destination. It is in a 16th century Renaissance palace and it features permanent exhibitions on Korcula history and culture. When you’re done with exploring the old town, go for a drink or a quick bite in one of the many restaurants or bars near the city walls. Yes, they are ridiculously overpriced, but the views of the Peljesac peninsula and the Adriatic sea are worth it.
Go To Lumbarda
Lumbarda is a smaller town fairly close to the town of Korcula, and it’s a must visit when you’re on the island. It’s famous for two gorgeous sandy beaches, which are thought of as the most beautiful beaches on the island - Vela Przina and Bilin Zal.
But that’s not all this stunning town is known for; it’s also home to one of the largest (and best) vineyards on the island, so you definitely have to try out their local wine. And every Friday you can attend the fisherman’s evening – hundreds of locals gather on the main town square and grill all kinds of fish and other delicacies. It’s the busiest night on the island and perfect for lovers of seafood. But consider yourself warned - the crowds are really big and you will have to wait in a long line to get anything to eat.
You should also check out the Lumbarda harbor – it is one of the larger harbours on the island, and it’s a pretty stunning sight. Particularly for those of you that love boats. The marina in this charming town will leave you in awe.
Visit Vela Luka
Vela Luka is a town on the western side of the island, and it’s absolutely stunning. The name of the town translates to “big harbour”, and Croats often just call it Luka (harbour).
The town is famous for Vela Spila (Big Cave), which is an archeological site thought to have existed since the Stone Age. There’s a museum in town with exhibitions on the history of the cave, and it’s certainly a must visit. You can see all kinds of antique finds, including animal and human bones, as well as objects that prove the cave was occupied thousands of years ago.
You should also visit the Gradina Bay, which is just minutes away from the town. It’s a gorgeous place - the half-moon shaped bay features amazing turquoise water, lots of trees and gorgeous nature.
Hop to Badija Island
Badija is a tiny little island that belongs to Korcula. You can reach it in just a couple minutes by boat, since it is really close to the actual Korcula Island. The main reason why Badija is popular is the 14th century Franciscan monastery. It is a beautiful place, and it’s definitely worth it to go inside and tour the monastery.
Other than that, Badija is famous for stunning, shaded beaches. The island is mostly untouched nature, with the exception of one cafe restaurant - perfect for grabbing a quick bite while you’re there. But definitely plan to spend at least several hours here - visit the monastery and then find a spot for your towel under a shade of tree. The water here is so clear that it’s translucent, and you can see the ocean floor. It will be more than worth your time, and possibly the highlight of your entire trip to Korcula.
Stay in A Secluded Villa
If it’s privacy that you seek, Korcula Island is the perfect place for you. There are loads of secluded villas on the island - some of them are so isolated that you will not see another person until you decide to go into town. Or to a more populated beach.
The villas differ in price range and type - some are seriously affordable, and then there are very luxurious ones that only the rich can afford. But they all have one thing in common - the sea and nature around them are breathtakingly beautiful.
There’s also quite a lot of Robinson-style houses - this type of tourism has become popular in Croatia in recent years. A Robinson-style house entirely depends on solar panels for electricity and includes a limited supply of water in a cistern. So, you will be very limited in terms of what appliances you get - no WiFi, no AC, no TV, no dishwasher, etc. But, the reason these houses depend on solar panels is because they are very secluded, usually right on the beach or on an inaccessible hill. Which means total privacy and zero neighbors - if that’s your idea of a great vacation, then Korcula is the best place to try out this type of tourism.
Try The Local Wines
Korcula is home to some of Croatia’s best wineries, and it’s a waste to visit the island and not try out the local wines. You can go to any one of the wineries or vineyards for a wine tasting, or you can buy local wines in small shops all around the island.
You will often see smaller shops that sell authentic olive oil and wine from Korcula, so definitely buy at least one bottle. Another thing you could do is hop on a water taxi and visit the wineries on Peljesac peninsula – it’s much larger than Korcula island, so there are more vineyards and wineries.
Now that you know all about Korkula Island, who is ready to go there with me?
