Top Korčula Charter Yachts and Insiders' Guide to the Island

Charter to delightful Korčula on one of our top-rated charter yachts to explore the history, cuisine, and attractions of this magical Croatian island

About Korčula

Korčula (pronounced Kor-chew-la) Island is one of the greenest and most beautiful Adriatic islands. It is a highly recommended Croatia charter destination due to its beauty, history, beaches, local wines and pace of life

Korčula town is a picturesque Dalmatian city (see above) between the sea and a striking range of mountains and is often referred to as the mini Dubrovnik. As a yacht charter destination, Korcula offers everything: a charming old French-Riviera-like summer resort town with lots of history, well-preserved fortress walls, marinas, bustling outdoor markets, ancient churches, quaint little hotels, flower-lined streets, and stunning quiet bays.

Map of Korčula Old Town Attractions, Restaurants, Beaches, and Things to Do

Top things to do in Korčula

Here is our list of the top things to do while in Korčula:

1 - Explore the old town
The Korčula old town is beautifully preserved, clean, and welcoming. You get a real sense of life in medieval times. Enjoy the shops, galleries, cafes, restaurants, and stunning views across the Adriatic Sea.

2 - Walk up to the scenic viewpoint (view shown above)
This is a nice hike along a well-maintained and signed path. If you're not up to walking - you can hire a taxi.

3 - Watch the traditional Moreska sword dance
This dance dates to the 12th century and occurs every Thursday evening during the summer at 9 pm in the main town square.

4 - Sample the local Wine
Korčula is often referred to as the "wine island", and for good reason. Their local wines, including Grk and Pošip, are well worth sampling!

5 - Bike Tour of the Vineyards
Related to item 4 above, you can bike or e-bike to the town of Lumbarda through glorious vineyards above the blue sea. This combines exercise, the joy of being outdoors on sunny Korčula, and Brk wine tasting.

Map of Greater Korčula Island

Top Korčula Beaches

Bačva Beach
You will find this scenic beach at the end of a large inlet on the south side of the island. A konoba offers lunch if you're hungry after your swim.

Pupnatska Luka Beach
To the west and similar to Bačva Beach, Pupnatska is pretty, pine-lined, and a great place to spend a day. Restaurants and snacks are available.

Banje Beach
This beach is near the marina on the east side of the Old Town.

Zakerjan Beach
Literally at the tip of the Old Town, Zakerjan Beach is perfect to cool off after visiting the town.

Vaja Bay Beach
On the north coast about 1/3 of the way east of the Old Town, is this beautiful pine-lined beach.

Top Korčula Restaurants

Nigra Korčula Restaurant
NIgra Korčula is a seaside gem that is a short walk along the waterfront from the Old Town, offering locally sourced fish and wines cooked in local Dalmatian style. Octopus tempura, scallops in zucchini cream, Shrimp risotto, gnocchi, and a fish of the day are some of the menu's highlights.

LD Restaurant
LD Restaurant, located on the ramparts of the Old Town with stunning views of the Adriatic, is the sole Michelin-starred restaurant on the island. They offer a 7-course tasting menu that changes according to the season, but will likely include Wagyu beef, seabass, tuna, and a dessert. Pricey but memorable!

Filippi Restaurant
Virtually next door to LD restaurant is another Korčlean gem, Filippi. Filippi offers dishes that include cheese from Pag Island, Dalmatian prosciutto, sea bass carpaccio, beef, lamb, and cuttlefish. They fully embrace the local food and traditions and offer amazing views over the Adriatic. Vegans are in luck, as they offer a full vegan menu.

Tre Pozzi Terrace
For a fabulous sunset view, live music, and a varied Italian menu, Tre Pozzi hits the spot. It's on the ramparts just a short walk from the mooring dock, so easily reached by tender.

Fun Fact about Korčula Old Town

If you look at a view of the town from above, you will see it resembles a fish skeleton (not a grid). This was purposefully built to block the harsh winds while creating an air-conditioning system that gently spreads the breeze throughout the town. Ingenious!

Mooring your Boat in Korčula

The marina Korčula lies in a small cove east of the town, protected by a breakwater on the northern side. The marina has 135 berths and 15 boat places on land; berths have water and power supply.

You can also moor stern-to directly opposite the fortress tower if your captain arranges for it and pays the fee.

Korčula History

Human presence in Korčula dates back to the Neolithic Age. As a strategic outpost for many Empires, Korčula has a fascinating and bloody history that reads like a European history novel. During Ancient Greek times, its residents lived largely alongside and in peace with the Empire. Emperor Augustus in Roman times vanquished the island, which was largely inhabited by pirates, and killed virtually all of the residents.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Korčula eventually became part of the Byzantine Empire, and then the Venetian. Genoa defeated Venice in the waters around Korčula in 1298 when many key Venetians were killed and the famous explorer Marco Polo was captured.

Venice eventually regained control of Korčula in 1420 and controlled it until Napolean conquered the Venetian Empire in 1797. Napoleon captured Korcula in 1806. France held the island until the fall of Napolean, and the island was taken by the British Empire from 1813 to 1815 when it was subject to Austro-Hungarian rule until the First World War.

See our Croatia Yacht Charter Guide

See our Selection of the Best Korčula Charter Yachts for 2024-2025 below: