Dubrovnik is a beautiful city with a lot to offer. When you visit here, you’re sure to be busy visiting ancient palaces and relaxing in hidden, cliffside bars. But it would be to miss out on some of the beauty Croatia has to offer just a short boat ride away.
Today I’m sharing with you the perfect day trip from Dubrovnik to the beautiful island of Korčula. I spent three days exploring the incredible things Kocula has to offer, and believe I’ve chosen the best for you to enjoy.
As one of Croatia’s most loved islands, Korčula boasts beautiful scenery, a historical old town, unique wine tasting, and a whole lot more. Just a 2-hour ferry ride from Dubrovnik, you can easily spend a day exploring this little slice of paradise.
With this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to spend a day trip in Korčula. With ferry times from Dubrovnik and a full itinerary, there’s everything you need to start planning the perfect day.
Off to Get Lost is reader-supported. Some of the links in Top Things to Do in Korčula are affiliate links. This means that at no additional cost to you, I will receive a small commission when you click through and make a purchase.
How to Get to Korčula from Dubrovnik
Korčula is an island just 110km away from Dubrovnik, making it a great destination for a day trip. It’s not easy to reach, with regular ferries and organised tours venturing to the island every day during peak season. Here, I’ve gone into depth about the different ways to get to the island, whether you want to venture there yourself or take an organised excursion.
Organised Tours to Korčula
Organised tours are a great way to visit the island of Korčula for a day trip. As the name suggests, they tend to have everything organised for you. Most organised day trips will include a pickup from your hotel or a convenient, nearby location, sort your ferry tickets and give you great insider tips on what to do on the island.
Organised tours take the pressure off of you, but still let you explore the beautiful island. There is less flexibility with an organised tour, but there are still opportunities to venture on your own. Here is a great organised day trip to Korčula from Dubrovnik:
Organised Tour from Dubrovnik to Korčula Day Trip
Duration | 10 Hours
Highlights | Explore the Pelješac peninsula on your way to the port of Orebić, where you’ll hop on a short ferry to Korčula. Your tour includes a 45-minute walking tour of the Old Town so you can really get to know the island’s history.
Then, grab some lunch and explore Korčula Town on your own time before heading back to the mainland. Back on the Pelješac peninsula, you’ll taste some of Croatia’s finest wine with a visit to a local vineyard and wine-tasting experience.
Includes | Your day trip to Korčula will include a professional guide, wine tasting, hotel pick up and drop off, and your ferry ticket.
BOOK | Korcula Day Trip from Dubrovnik
Ferry
If an organised excursion doesn’t sound like you, don’t worry. You can easily do this trip by yourself with a bit of planning. As an Island, Korčula is only accessible by ferry. There are several options for getting to Korčula from Dubrovnik.
The fastest and most direct route is the passenger ferry from Dubrovnik to Korčula Town. Ferry tickets cost between € 9.82- € 23.00, and it takes about 2 hours to cross. The ferry timetable changes depending on the month, but it travels most frequently between June and September, with the first ferry departing at 7 a.m.
You can get a bus from Dubrovnik Airport to the ferry port via the official airport shuttle bus. Tickets cost €10 one way, or €14 for a return.
Taking Your Car to Korčula
If you have a car, there is no direct car ferry from Dubrovnik to Korčula. However, you can take the very scenic drive along the Peljesac Peninsula to Orebic. The drive takes about 1 hour 45 minutes from Dubrovnik and is made up of the beautiful Croatian coast.
From here, you can catch the short, 15-minute ferry across to Korčula. These ferries run frequently throughout the summer
Also Read: How to Spend the Perfect Day in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik to Korčula Day Trip Itinerary
If you’ve decided to venture to Korčula on your own, here is a great itinerary for how to spend the perfect day trip in Korčula.
To get the most out of your day in Korčula, it’s going to be an early start. If you’re taking the passenger ferry from Dubrovnik, there are two morning ferries at 7 a.m. or 8 a.m. which will get you to Korčula at 9 a.m. and 10.35 a.m. respectively.
If you’re travelling in your car, the 9.40 a.m. ferry from Orebic gets you to Korčula at 10 a.m. This still gives you plenty of time to explore the island and is not too early of a start from Dubrovnik.
Also Read: Ultimate Croatia 7 Day Itinerary
Exploring Korčula Town
When you first come to the island, you’ll arrive in Korčula Town, which is a great place to start your day trip. Greeting you is a small tourist market with locally made products and other souvenirs. Then, to your right, you’ll see the gate to the old town.
A popular photo spot, the Kopnena Vrata (Land Gate) is an impressive sight, with its stone staircase and tower. Through the gate, you’ll enter Korčula Old Town which is filled with small streets, boutique shops, and restaurants.
It’s a great place to grab some breakfast after your long journey over to the island. There are plenty of things to do in Korčula, but the Old Town itself is pretty small, so spend an hour or two exploring and doing some window shopping, before heading further into the island.
If you want to see the Old Town in a little more depth, check out this 1-hour walking tour of Korčula’s Old Town. Dive deep into the history of this small island, from the infamous explorer of Marco Polo to local artists.
Cycle along the Coast to Račišće and Vaja Bar
Bicycle Rental
Once you’ve explored Korčula Town, it’s time to see a bit more of the island, and my favourite way to do this is by renting a bike. If you have a car, you can go a lot further and see a lot more, but you might miss out on the lovely scenery and small things cycling allows you.
You can hire a bike from the Rental and Travel Agency in Plokata Square. You can rent the bike for a minimum of 4 hours, which is a great amount of time to explore a bit of the island. However, if you go for the cheaper mountain bike option, it only costs a couple of extra euros to rent for 24 hours. This is a great option if you want to use the bike for the whole afternoon and explore more of the island.
For 4 hours, prices range from €16 for a mountain bike, to €35 for an electric bike. For 24 hours, prices range from €20 for a mountain bike to €45 for an electric bike.
The Coastal Path
From Korčula Town, head west along the coast to reach the small fishing village of Račišće. On your way, you’ll pass other small towns, a cafe for a refreshing drink and some lunch, and more beautiful scenery.
Račišće is a small, peaceful village that’s perfect for a relaxing sit down after a long cycle. Head to the Konoba Vala for some refreshments before cycling slightly further along to the beautiful Vaja Bay. This beach is a blue oasis with white pebbles and a backdrop of lush greenery. Have a swim in the waters before heading back to Korčula.
Wine Tasting in Lumbarda
Passing through Korčula, you can either drop off your bikes now and catch the bus, or keep on cycling down to Lumbarda. This beachside town with great seafood restaurants and beautiful sandy beaches is a great place to spend the remainder of your time in Korčula. If you fancy relaxing on the beach, two of the best beaches in the area are Vela Pržina and Bilin Žal.
If you’re more of a wine lover, you have to try Korčula’s famous and exclusive Grk wine. This wine is made from grapes only found in Lumbarda, and the vine is very rare so only a small harvest is produced each year. This makes it even more of a privilege to taste the wine straight from the vineyards themselves. With this private wine tour of Korčula, you can take a tour of a family-run winery and taste the wine from the experts.
Leaving Korčula
The final passenger ferry back from Korčula to Dubrovnik is at 19.25, so you won’t want to miss this. With the car ferry to Orebic, you have a bit more flexibility as the ferries run every hour and a half, with the last ferry being at 22.30.
NOTE | These ferry times are correct for when this post was written, but are subject to change depending on the month. Check Ferry Hopper for current ferry times on the dates of your trip.
FAQs for a Dubrovbik to Korčula Day Trip
Is it worth visiting Korčula?
Korčula is one of the most beautiful islands in Croatia, with the impressive backdrop of the Pelješac peninsula mountains, blue waters and white pebble coves. It has the perfect balance between the bustling town and the stunning, rolling hills. So whether you’re after some cocktails or a trail walk, there’s something for you in Korčula.
How long is the ferry from Dubrovnik to Korčula?
The ferry from Dubrovnik to Korčula takes between 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 35 minutes, depending on the ferry route taken. Check out Croatia Ferries for the timetable.
Is a day trip long enough to see Korčula?
A day trip from Dubrovnik is a great amount of time to see Korčula. Yes, you might not be able to see the whole of the island, but you can definitely see its highlights. Take some time before your trip and use this guide to plan exactly what you want to do.
Or if you need some ideas, check out these top things to do in Korčula. By knowing exactly what you want to do before you arrive, you can make the most of your limited time on the island.
Is it difficult to plan a day trip to Korčula?
Not at all! The ferry route from Dubrovnik to Korčula is very simple and direct. It takes you straight to Korčula Town and the entrance of the Old Town. Once there, you can simply use this guide to have a great time exploring the island.
How do you get around Korčula?
Depending on what you want to do during your day trip, there are different ways to explore Korčula. If you plan on heading over to Lumbarda from the Old Town, there are regular buses available, as well as a taxi rank along from Korčula Town harbour.
However, for me, I think renting a couple of bikes is the best way to see the island up close. Korčula is surrounded by beautiful landscapes, and it would be a shame to miss these by driving past them.
Want to Stay Longer? Here are the best places to Stay in Korčula
Whilst a day trip to Korčula is great, after doing a little research, you might decide to stay a little longer. If this is the case, here are some tips on where to stay on the island.
Korčula has many beautiful areas that make perfect places to stay. To find exactly what you need, check out this post on where to stay in Korčula and discover perfect locations with accommodation recommendations.
For a quick-fire round-up, here are some of the best places to stay on the island:
Where to Stay in Korčula on a Budget: Dragan’s Den Hostel
Address | Ulica 91, 20260 Korčula
Amenities | outdoor swimming pool, free WiFi, terrace, bar, shared kitchen, private rooms available
BOOK | Dragan’s Den Hostel
Where to Stay in Korčula Town: Trendy New Apartment in Old Town
Address | 5 Ulica korčulanskih bratovština, 20260 Korčula
Amenities | Free Wifi, prime location, beachfront, kitchen, private bathroom
BOOK | Trendy New Apartment in Old Town
Top Luxury Stay in Korčula: Villa Soul Sisters
Address | 972 Žrnovo, Žrnovska banja, 20275 Korčula
Amenities | villas, 2 swimming pools, free WiFI, free parking, beachfront, terrace, fully equipped kitchen, private bathroom, walk-in shower, continental breakfast, sauna, hot tub, fitness room
BOOK | Villa Soul Sisters
The Wrap-Up: Dubrovnik to Korčula Day Trip
If you’re visiting Dubrovnik and are looking for a great day trip, Korčula is an excellent choice. With direct ferries to and from the island, you can easily make the most of your time. Whether you choose to visit with an organised tour or venture on your own, this guide shows you just how easy it is to do. Now, you can easily plan your day with all the ferry times and the top things to do on the island.
Planning a visit to Croatia? Here’s some more guide to check out!
CROATIA 7-DAY ITINERARY: EXPLORE THE BEST OF CROATIA IN ONE WEEK!
THE PERFECT ONE-DAY IN DUBROVNIK
HOW TO TRAVEL DUBROVNIK ON A BUDGET
VISITING KORCULA: COMPLETE TRAVEL GUIDE
22 BEST THINGS TO DO IN KORČULA, CROATIA
WHERE TO STAY IN KORČULA, CROATIA
WHERE TO STAY IN MLJET: COMPLETE ACCOMMODATION GUIDE