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There is perhaps no more desirable country in summer than Croatia, a country full of yachts, storybook dreamscape chock full of everything old world castles to some of the bluest waters in Europe.
But the truth is that many travelers build the same trip year after year that goes something like this:
The walled city of Dubrovnik above the sea, the Roman Palace of Split that flows straight into the waterfront, the cafe-lined streets of Zagreb and the yacht-filled harbor of Hvar.
Every traveler in Croatia has probably visited most of these places, but the Travel Off Path team has just unpacked a new tourism report from The Dubrovnik Times, which claims that rumors are growing about one of the unsung islands.
It may not seem like much, but this shows just how much of a textbook haven it is, as only 3,825 tourists visited this island in April – a significant increase of 16% on last year.
Still considering one of Croatia’s best kept secretsit’s time to plan your trip around the little-known island Korculaa wonderful medieval time capsule with some of the least crowded cobbled streetscapes and paradisiacal coves in the country – at least for now.
Welcome to the Map-Dot wonder of Croatia
Be sure to check the latest travel warnings and entry requirements before your trip
We don’t use the term “Old World” lightly, like other travel publications that pretend there isn’t a Starbucks next to a centuries-old cathedral.
But that is not at all the case for Korčula, as it is one of Croatia’s most authentic yet-to-be-destroyed destinations.
This island is small but mighty and stretches about 47 kilometers long and about 8 kilometers wide.
There are also some real surprises, such as Marco Polo’s house.
Maybe just avoid calling out “Marco.” We hate to break it to you, but the house doesn’t scream ‘Polo’ back, despite being one of those legendary landmarks where you wish the walls could talk.
You might not think of Croatia as a foodie hotspot, but what Mediterranean destination wouldn’t save room for wine and dessert?
Here, Diana Gelato it is said to serve a sweet batch of gelato that rivals Italy.
Hey, we’re just the messengers…
The real magic of Korčula is of course its old-world charm St. Mark’s Cathedral Unpleasant Revelin Toweralong with a quaint, walkable cityscape that would never get old, wandering through every nook and cranny from one stone alley to the next.
Discover Korčula’s 3 rising destinations
Our sources say: “Vela Luka recorded a 16 percent increase in arrivals and a 14 percent increase in overnight stays Blato saw the number of arrivals increase by almost 23 percent. Lumbarda also reported strong growth in visitor numbers.”
Now that you see that the proof is in the pudding – or gelato in this case – let’s unpack this emerging trio, shall we?
Vela Luka: The island’s western port town is seeing an influx thanks to its more relaxed, edge-of-the-earth feel, scenic boat trips to Proizd and the nearby Vela Spila Cave (one of Korčula’s famous archaeological sites).
Blato: As a traditional inland village, Blato offers visitors a blissful glimpse of Korčula beyond the vibrant coast, with hilly streets, local heritage and the Kumpanija sword dancing tradition – an absolute must-see that Medieval times to shame.
Lumbarda: Probably the easiest sell to summer vacationers, Lumbarda combines picture-postcard sandy beaches and vast vineyards serving Grk wine (no, I didn’t forget how to spell ‘Greek’ – it’s a local white wine derived from the native grape also called Grk).
That said, your gateway to Korčula will probably be none of these. Whether you hop on the ferry from Split, Dubrovnik or Hvar, you’ll likely be the first to set foot on land Korčula town – a medieval charmer that is perfectly suitable as a base given the small size of the island.
Moreover, there is not necessarily a lot of crowd here, but if you want to trust the taste of locals for the top beach, then this is the beauty of the beautiful bay Pupnatska Lukawith what feels like a hidden cove overlooking turquoise waters.
Just don’t expect it to feel undiscovered like much of the island.
How safe is Croatia?
Most agree that Croatia is one of the safest countries in Europe, especially a small island like Korčula.
Currently, the US Department of State classifies Croatia as Level 1: Practice normal precautions (the lowest possible designation)
Our safety index uses their travel advice with real-time data and shows that travelers give Croatia a score of 83/100, comparable to Costa Rica and Hawaii.
The caveat is that there are individual reports of armed robbery, discrimination and theft without knowing exactly where those reported cases occurred.
If you’ve been to Croatia recently, let us know how you felt below!
