During a Croatia trip, you cannot miss out on visiting some islands! Two Croatian islands that you need to experience between the cities of Split and Dubrovnik are Hvar and Korcula. In fact, the best ways to experience these islands are to take the ferry from Split to Hvar, where you can spend a full day and night there and then head over to Korcula for a day trip before taking the ferry over to Dubrovnik at night.

Enjoying all the amazing things from Hvar to Korcula are what will make your Croatia or Balkans trip extra memorable! Both islands are filled with stunning beaches to relax at with crystal clear waters to cool off in; enchanting and fortified old towns to get lost in; renowned restaurants and vineyards; beautiful historical sites; fun adventures and more!

In August 2021, I did a memorable Balkans trip with Ashley of World to Wander. We started our journey in Venice, Italy before spending a weekend in Slovenia. From there, we made our way back to Trieste, Italy before heading into Croatia where we spent two nights in Istria, two nights in Split, one night in Hvar and four nights in Dubrovnik.

Ashley and I also did a day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park from Pula to Split (it was out of the way) as well as day trips to Mostar (from Split) in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kotor (from Dubrovnik) in Montenegro. We also enjoyed a lovely day on the island of Korcula from Hvar to Dubrovnik. No matter how you plan your trip and what your itinerary entails, all these spots in Croatia and the surrounding countries are incredible to adventure around and explore!

Overall, Croatia is a beautiful country surrounded by Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia. Croatia was part of the former Yugoslavia and it includes 1246 islands, eight National Parks, historical cities and beautiful coastal villages and towns.

Like I mention above, we traveled via ferry from the islands of Hvar to Korcula. Sailing to these two islands are the best ways to get from the popular cities of Split and Dubrovnik while also enjoying some beach time!

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Traveling by Ferry – Hvar to Korcula:

The easiest and most convenient ways to get to Croatia in general is by taking a flight, renting a car or taking public transportation, including ferries. The closest airport to Hvar is Split Airport on the mainland, which is also known as Resnik Airport. The airport is around a half hour drive north of Split Old Town. You can find affordable flights through Skyscanner!

To catch the ferry from Split to Hvar, you will need to head over to the Ferry Port of Split, which is located right outside of the city walls. You can check out the ferry timetable from Split to Hvar either online or at the ferry port. I personally recommend getting your Croatia ferry tickets ahead of time! I purchased all my ferry tickets through GetByFerry. It takes around an hour to get from Split to Hvar by ferry. (Jadrolinija is the name of the ferry in Croatia.)

Now, to get from Hvar to Korcula, you will also need to take the ferry. It takes a little over an hour to get from Hvar to Korcula via ferry. You can pick up the ferry at Harbour of Hvar.

On the other hand, to get from Korcula to Dubrovnik, you will need to take the ferry once again from Catamaran Ferry Port to Dubrovnik Ferry Port. The ferry ride is exactly two hours. (Please note that the ferry port in Dubrovnik is further away from the Old Town. You will either need to take a taxi or Uber to get from the ferry port to the heart of the city.) Click here for a Dubrovnik bucket list!

From Hvar to Korcula, the best ways to get around both islands once you are there is by scooter or ATV. We rented an ATV during our time on Hvar from Hvar Quads. We got to see a lot of jewels from our ATVs!

Because we spent the night in Hvar, we rented our ATV all day long. Since we only did a day trip to Korcula from Hvar, we did not rent an ATV there and, instead, got around via walking. If you plan to explore further into the island of Korcula or stay the night, then I recommend renting either a scooter or ATV from Titan-Rent.

In addition to renting an ATV or scooter, you can also rent a car on both Hvar and Korcula and you can even haul a taxi.

(Since Korcula was only a day trip from our journey from Hvar to Dubrovnik, we had our luggages with us. We were able to store them at Kaleta Luggage Store during our day trip in Korcula. It was close to the ferry port.)

Where to Stay – Hvar or Korcula:

When it comes to where to stay between Hvar or Korcula, it all depends on your interests and what you’re looking to do.

Hvar is known as the glamorous island where you can experience a celebrity sighting. (During our time on Hvar, we got to see Michael Jordan’s yacht! It was so cool.) Hvar is also renowned for its secluded beaches, vineyards, lavender fields, party life and more.

Korcula, on the other hand, is known as a historical island. It is where Marco Polo was born. You can find beautiful architecture in Korcula, along with great shops, art galleries, stunning beaches, great waterfront restaurants and wineries.

During our Croatia trip, Ashley and I decided to spend our night on the island of Hvar. We had a lot of fun plans on Hvar and wanted to experience the nightlife as well. We stayed in an Airbnb located in the city center with a 5-minute walk to the harbor. Here is the link if you want to book a stay at this Airbnb.

No matter where you decide to stay, there are wonderful accommodation options to suit all budgets on both Hvar and Korcula. There are also a variety of Vrbo options as well on both islands.

Below are my recommendations for where to stay in Hvar, Croatia:

Luxury Accommodation: Palace Elisabeth, Hvar Heritage Hotel

Boutique Accommodation: Heritage Hotel Dea Hvar

Mid-Budget Accommodation: Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel

Budget Accommodation: Hostel Villa Skansi

Here are my recommendations for where to stay in Korcula, Croatia:

Luxury Accommodation:Lesic Dimitri Palace

Boutique Accommodation:Aminess Korcula Heritage Hotel

Mid-Budget Accommodation: Tara’s Lodge Hotel

Budget Accommodation: Hostel Korcula

Hvar to Korcula – What to do on Both Croatian Islands:

The Island of Hvar, Croatia: (1 Day, 1 Night on Hvar)

Enjoy the Secluded Beaches in Hvar:

You can find some of the most pristine beaches on Hvar island. A lot of the beaches are pebbly, so I recommend bringing water shoes with you. Hvar’s beaches are also filled with scenic views, pine forests and include either a café or bar/restaurant. Below are the top three beaches to go to in Hvar:

Milna: A great spot to go if you’re looking for a party is Milna. It is the closest beach to the town of Hvar and is situated in a protected cove. Milna has a market, seven restaurants, great scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities, small boat rentals and even donkey riding! At Milna beach, there is also a cute double swing in the water. It is perfect!

Malo Zaraće: Another great beach to check out on the island of Hvar is Zaraće. Overall, Zaraće is a quaint village with two coves and pebble beaches. No matter what cove you decide to spend time at, both are picturesque and peaceful! The beach to the east is called Velo Zaraće and the cove to the west is called Malo Zaraće.

The beach that Ashley and I visited was Malo Zaraće. It includes stunning cliffs, a couple restaurants, beautiful sea life and aqua blue waters that are perfect to swim and cool off in.

Dubovica: My favorite beach, which is the one we spent the most time at during our time on Hvar, was Dubovica. It is the most breathtaking beach on Hvar and will bring you back in time.

Dubovica beach can be reached from the main road. You will need to do a short hike down to the cove, but it is worth it because of how dreamy it is! In fact, Dubovica is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia! (I recommend wearing comfortable shoes to hike up and down the hill.)

The beach at Dubovica is pebbly too and it features crystal clear water, a café/bar and a stone villa that plays classical music all day. Everything about this beach is incredible and the classical music coming from the villa sets the vibe to this special place.

Overall, Hvar features some of the most beautiful beaches in the world! If you have time, make sure to also visit Paklinski Islands off the southwest coast of Hvar.

Visit a Hvar Winery:

From Hvar to Korcula, you will not go wrong with any wine you choose to taste. During our time on Hvar, Ashley and I did an awesome wine and olive oil tasting in the cellars of Duboković Winery in Jelsa.

During our tasting, we tried a variety of red and white wines, including Prč, which is a white muscadine grape variety that is popular in Hvar. It is a light and dry wine with hints of fruity flavors.

In addition, we also got to taste the famous Malvasia, which is orange or amber wine that is popular in the Istria region. In fact, we got to taste a few Malvasia wines while we were at Duboković Winery.

The more orange the Malvasia wine appears, the higher quality it is. Overall, orange or amber wine has a distinct taste that is remarkable! What is interesting about Malvasia wine is that it is extremely difficult to find in other parts of the world and even in Croatia itself. So consider yourself lucky if you come across Malvasia on a tasting menu or at a restaurant.

Malvasia is a white wine made from the same methods as red wine. The skins are left on, which produces tannins and gives the wine a spicier and drier taste than most white wines.

ATV Around the Island:

Like I mention above, one of the best ways to get around Hvar is via ATV. We rented an ATV for the day during our one night in Hvar.

If you decide to rent an ATV like we did, I recommend exploring the island with it. We enjoyed some of the most beautiful views of the nearby mountains, vineyards and sea while we had our ATV in Hvar. In fact, we experienced the best sunset during our drive from Jelsa to Hvar town as well!

In late June into early July, you can also visit the lavender fields on Hvar island. As much as I would’ve loved to have seen lavender fields during my Croatia travels, I did get to see them twice – once in Provence, France and the second time in my home state of New Jersey.

In Croatia, it is easy to rent an ATV. All you need is your driver’s license and to fill out some paperwork. You obviously need to know how to drive an ATV, but it is basic and simple to learn.

Anyone riding on an ATV or scooter in Croatia must wear a helmet! I also recommend filling up your ATV’s gas before heading out of Hvar town because it gets secluded and rural once you drive away from that area.

Savor a Nice Dinner in Hvar Town:

The town of Hvar has a lot of great restaurants for you to enjoy. You can find everything from Italian cuisine to sushi spots as well as seafood restaurants to steakhouses.

During our evening in Hvar town, we ate at Kogo, which is a pizzeria and Italian restaurant. I enjoyed Dalmatian black truffle homemade pasta with prosciutto and burrata. It was one of the best pasta dishes I had during my Balkans trip. (From Hvar to Korcula, you can find this specific homemade pasta at plenty of restaurants. It is cooked to perfection and goes well with many sauces.) Ashley had a tasty salad at Kogo.

If you’re looking for a great place to have breakfast during your time on Hvar, I recommend Vita Hvar, which is a health food bar. You can enjoy açai bowls at this great café along with traditional European breakfast staples like cappuccinos, croissants, tarts and more.

Have a Fun Night Out:

Between Hvar and Korcula, the better island to party and have a good time at is on Hvar island. You can find everything from nightclubs to pubs and beach clubs to lounges in Hvar. Below is a list of great places to enjoy the best of Hvar’s nightlife:

• Pink Champagne Hvar (A burlesque bar that is upscale.)
• Hula Hula Beach Bar (A great beach club.)
• Veneranda (A disco bar set in a hillside Venetian fortress.)

The Island of Korcula, Croatia: (A Day Trip to Korcula from Hvar to Dubrovnik)

Stroll around the Historic Fortified Town of Korcula:

From Hvar to Korcula, the island that is best to stroll around in and admire architecture, churches and historical sites is indeed Korcula! In fact, you can’t go to Korcula and not get lost in its charming Old Town streets. Plus, there are so many wonderful hidden gems between all the lovely alleyways.

Below is a list of the best things to see in Old Town Korcula:

Marco Polo’s House and Museum: Marco Polo was a famous world traveler and writer. He was born in Korcula and you can visit the house he was born in, which is now a museum. While you’re in the museum, you can learn all about Marco Polo and his life and admire stunning views of the Old Town.

St. Mark’s Cathedral: Also known as Korcula Cathedral, the Katedrala sv. Marko is a Roman Catholic cathedral with both Gothic and Romanesque architecture. It was built in the late 14^th Century/early 15^th Century and it is a great spot to visit while you’re strolling around Old Town.

Bishop’s Treasury: Located in Bishop’s Palace of Korcula, the Bishop’s Treasury is a museum and exhibition where you can check out historical artifacts and admire Renaissance and Baroque art masterpieces.

Kanavelić Tower: Situated on the Northwest side of Old Town Korcula, Kanavelić Tower was built in the 15^th Century and was used as a tower under rule of Augustino Barbarigo. He was the Doge of Venice at the time. In the 16^th Century, the tower was given a name under poet Peter Kanavelic.

Korcula’s Town Gates: Two other cool sites you must see as you wander around Old Town Korcula are Kopnena Vrata (Korcula’s Land Gate) and Morska Vrata (Korcula’s Sea Gate). Both medieval gates are beautiful!

Click here to book a walking or biking tour in Korcula.

Relax at One of Korcula’s Beaches:

Between Hvar to Korcula, we spent most of our time exploring the beaches in Hvar, but if you’re staying in Korcula for longer than a day, I recommend visiting a few beaches.

During our day trip on the island of Korcula, Ashley and I didn’t rent a scooter or ATV to get around, so we mainly relaxed and enjoyed everything Old Town had to offer.

Located along the eastern side of Korcula’s seaside promenade is Zakerjan Beach, which is known as one of the oldest swimming spots in Korcula. It is a rock beach with some concrete slabs and jetties where you can place your beach towel on, relax and sunbathe. There are also ladders to help you get in and out of the water as well as wooden diving boards you can jump off of.

The water at Zakerjan Beach is a beautiful turquoise color and it is a great place to swim, snorkel, paddle board, kayak and more!

Other great beaches to check out in Korcula are below:

• Beach Vela Przina (A beautiful sandy beach that is surrounded by Lumbarda’s vineyards. It is a popular beach for families.)
• Beach Bacva (A gorgeous beach and cove with glistening water that is great to snorkel in.)
• Samograd Bay (A picturesque pebble beach that is private and ideal for those looking to relax.)
• Zitna Beach (Known as one of the best beaches on the island. Zitna Beach is surrounded by enchanting forest and features light blue water.)
• Proizd Island Beach (Awarded as one of the best beaches in Croatia, Proizd Island Beach is known to be uninhabited; there is only one restaurant; it boasts breathtaking nature and has beautiful blue water.)

Eat at a Restaurant Along the Seaside Promenade:

There are so many wonderful restaurants, wine bars and eateries along Korcula’s charming seaside promenade. During our day trip, we visited a lovely wine bar as well as a seafood restaurant.

Wine & Tapas Bar Lole: A great wine bar to check out along the seaside promenade in Korcula is Bar Lole. If you don’t have time to go to an actual vineyard on the island, I highly recommend getting some wine at this spot. We enjoyed a refreshing glass of rosé.

Cupido: One of the best restaurants to eat at in Korcula is Cupido. It is a seafood restaurant with a great wine selection. During our dinner at Cupido, both Ashley and I split the oysters. I also had the Croatian fish soup with a homemade pasta dish that included cuttlefish in a white wine sauce. It was amazing! Ashley had a pasta dish as well.

Wine Taste in Korcula:

Since Prč is indigenous to Hvar, Pošip is the renowned wine produced on Korcula and you should definitely try it! Just like on Hvar, Korcula also has great wineries and vineyards to visit and enjoy!

Even though Ashley and I didn’t have the time to visit an actual vineyard on the island of Korcula, below is a list of some great wineries to check out:

• Bire Winery (Lumbarda, Croatia)
• Pošip Čara Winery (Čara, Croatia)
• Lovrić Winery (Lumbarda, Croatia)

Click here to book a wine tour on Korcula.

Treat Yourself to Souvenirs:

A trip to Korcula would not be complete without doing some shopping. There are a lot of great souvenir shops, boutiques, art galleries and more on Korcula. Right near the ferry terminal in Korcula, there are plenty of shops for you to enjoy while you wait at the port.

Looking for more fun islands around the world? Check out the below destinations:

Mykonos, Greece

Bali, Indonesia

Staniel Cay, Bahamas

I hope you all enjoyed discovering the best things to do from Hvar to Korcula, Croatia. If you have any questions, please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.

Basic Facts of Croatia:

Currency: Croatian Kuna, Capital: Zagreb, Time Zone: Central European Standard Time

Looking for the best agency to book your next bespoke travel experience? Contact Crawford Concierge!

*Anything could happen during your travels. Always make sure you are insured in case there are unforeseen circumstances such as lost luggage/theft, natural disasters, personal liabilities and more. Click here to get insured for your next trip.

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