Day trip to Korčula from Dubrovnik
Marco Polo's alleged birthplace sits on a fishbone-shaped peninsula 71 miles up the coast — walled, walkable in an hour, and famous for Grk wine grown nowhere else on Earth.
Korcula old town from the sea
Getting there without stress
The Krilo catamaran leaves Gruž at 8am, reaches Korčula town at 9:55am and returns at 6pm — $30 one way, book online at least 3 days out in summer. The slower Jadrolinija route via Mljet takes 3 hours. Driving means 2 hours 45 minutes plus the Pelješac bridge, then a 15-minute car ferry from Orebić — total $65 in fuel and tolls but you can stop in Ston for oysters.
The old town in 3 hours
The tiny walled town is laid out like a fishbone to catch the maestral breeze — 15 streets branching off one central spine, all limestone. Climb the cathedral bell tower ($5) for the best view over the terracotta roofs. The Marco Polo house is underwhelming and the attribution is dubious; skip it for the Icon Gallery instead. Lunch at Filippi in the old town or, better, LD restaurant at Lešić Dimitri Palace — around $60 for the sea bass, terrace over the water.
Wine on the way
If you drive, Lumbarda is 4 miles east of Korčula town and the only place in the world growing Grk grapes — try the wines at Bire or Popić cellars, tastings $15. On Pelješac between Ston and Orebić, Dingač and Postup are the most respected Plavac Mali vineyards; Grgić Vina (yes, that Grgich, back home) does tastings for $20. Have a designated driver or take the ferry.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask before they set off on this one.
Just under 2 hours by fast catamaran, 2 hours 45 minutes driving via the Pelješac bridge.
Probably not — the evidence is thin. Venice claims him with better paperwork. But it makes a nice legend and the town is worth visiting regardless.
The Moreška sword dance (performed weekly in summer), Grk white wine, and stone masons who built half of Venice.
Day trip is enough for the old town. Overnight if you want beach time on the south coast or vineyard visits on Pelješac.
Hotels in Dubrovnik
More guides to Dubrovnik
All guides
Itineraries · 7 min read
48 hours in Dubrovnik
Two days is tight for a UNESCO-listed walled city, so this itinerary front-loads the walls at dawn and saves 1 slow evening for Lokrum.
Itineraries · 9 min read
One week in Dubrovnik
Seven days lets you go beyond the postcard walls into 3 islands, a peninsula of oyster farms, and 2 quieter beach bases that most weekend visitors miss.
Itineraries · 7 min read
Dubrovnik in 3 days on a budget
Yes, Dubrovnik is expensive — but $90 a day is doable if you sleep in Gruž, buy the 3-day Pass, and eat where dockworkers eat.
Same hotels, same prices you would find anywhere, plus one verified tonne of carbon removal funded with every booking.