A beautiful island in the Mediterranean is home to stunning beaches and endless forests. A far cry from the bustling Costa del Sol or British holiday haven, the Canaries, Korčula is a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea.
It is 29.1 miles long and 4.8 miles wide, just under two miles off the Dalmatian coast. It has been named one of Europe’s best islands by Lonely Planet. The island is largely covered with Mediterranean flora, including extensive dense pine forests. There are also a number of beaches with pebble shores, secluded bays and crystal-clear blue waters. The medieval towns and villages are full of historic architecture, from the Gothic and Baroque palaces of the main town to the stone cottages of the countryside. You can visit a number of small-scale vineyards and wineries, as well as olive groves and mills. The island is known for Grk, a white wine that is only produced on the island and not exported due to limited production.
Among Korčula’s must-see attractions are the 15th-century St Mark’s Cathedral, the city walls overlooking the sea, the cliffside cavern Vela Spila, the Icon Museum and the Abbey Treasury. It is often called “Little Dubrovnik” due to its walled city.
Tourists can check out the island’s weekly traditional sword dance, Moreška. Dating back hundreds of years, it is an elaborate production featuring two groups of dancers who engage in a mock battle over the fate of a veiled young woman.
Korčula also has a rich musical history in the form of klape groups – an a cappella style of singing that goes back centuries, with motifs that celebrate love, wine, homeland and sea. It has been inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List.
It is busy in summer, but outside the peak season, it is serenely beautiful. There are a number of places to stay on the island, such as hotels, Airbnbs and more.
Korčula is linked to the mainland by a regular ferry service that runs between Dominče, just outside the town of Korčula and Orebić. Buses also link the island to major mainland cities, and they reach Korčula via the Orebić ferry service.
The average summer temperature on the Croatian coast is around the mid to high 20s, with temperatures occasionally reaching the low 30s.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
