Korčula's medieval old town — a perfectly preserved Venetian fortified city on an island peninsula — earned it the nickname 'Little Dubrovnik'. It's also the claimed birthplace of Marco Polo, the home of Croatia's finest white wine (Pošip), and one of the least overcrowded remarkable destinations on the Dalmatian coast.
Korčula's reputation as the 'Little Dubrovnik' undersells it in some ways and overstates the comparison in others. Yes, both cities have medieval Venetian walls enclosing a compact old town on a limestone peninsula. But where Dubrovnik's walls are famous worldwide and its streets crowded from May to October, Korčula's equally fine old city receives a fraction of the visitors — giving the same quality of medieval architecture, the same Venetian street patterns and Baroque churches, in an atmosphere far more closely resembling what Dubrovnik must have felt like before mass tourism arrived.
The old town is famous for two claims. The first is the Marco Polo connection — the explorer is said by Croatian (and indeed Venetian-era Ragusan) tradition to have been born in Korčula in 1254, though Venice disputes this. The Marco Polo House and Tower are among the old town's main sights. The second claim is Pošip — a white wine grape grown nowhere on earth except Korčula island, producing crisp, mineral-driven whites that have attracted international attention since the 1990s and now represent some of Croatia's most sought-after wine exports. A Pošip tasting at a family winery on the island is one of the best wine experiences in the whole Croatian archipelago.
The island extends 46km long from Vela Luka in the west to Korčula Town in the east — through olive groves, pine forests, small fishing villages and vineyards. The beaches of Pupnat Cove on the south coast are some of the finest pebble beaches in Dalmatia, far removed from the crowds of the old town. Korčula is reachable as a day trip from Split (our Korčula day trip includes the ferry, guided old town tour and Pošip tasting), or as a 2–3 night base for exploring the island thoroughly.
Local Tip
The Moreška sword dance (traditional armed battle performance unique to Korčula) is performed every Thursday evening in summer in the square outside the land gate. Book the 9pm showing rather than the 7pm one — it's darker and more atmospheric.
Ferry from Split, guided old town walk, Marco Polo Tower, Pošip tasting at a family winery. The complete Korčula day.
Learn More 🍷Visit a family Pošip producer on Korčula — barrel room, vineyard walk and tasting of the island's unique indigenous white wine.
Learn More 🤿Korčula's south coast bays have crystal-clear water and rich sea grass meadows — one of the best snorkelling spots in South Dalmatia.
Learn More ⛵Sail from Korčula harbour south toward Lastovo or north toward Hvar — one of the most beautiful sailing channels in Dalmatia.
Learn More 🚴Cycle the island's 46km length through olive groves, vineyards and pine forests — Korčula's most authentic way to see the interior.
Learn More 💎Multi-island luxury tour — Hvar, Korčula and Vis in a private yacht charter or custom boutique hotel package.
Learn MoreTell us your dates and we'll build a personalised itinerary — private tours, activities and transfers all handled.