Which is better, Hvar or Korcula? Choosing a Croatian Island
Hvar or Korcula, how do you decide? Sparkling sea, crumbling stone towns, and sun-drenched beaches are just a few of the reasons visitors fall in love with Croatia. Choosing which island to visit on the Dalmatian coast can be a tricky task.
Travellers who visit Croatia often try to fit in enough time to explore at least one island in Dalmatia during their trip. When choosing between two of the most popular islands, you might have a hard time knowing whether Hvar or Korcula is best for you.
I’ve spent plenty of time on each island, soaking up the culture, scenery, and the very best of what they have to offer. More than just a day trip or passing through, I break down the similarities and differences between the islands in this comparison guide between Hvar and Korcula to help you find the best fit for your holiday.
Both of these sun-soaked islands are plentiful in cultural attractions, exceptional local cuisine, and forested areas for a seaside escape. From 16th-century architecture to secluded coves perfect for frolicking in the sea, both Korcula and Hvar have an abundance of beauty waiting to be explored.
Read on to find out which island can lay claim to the best beaches, who can take the crown for being easier on your budget, and which island has an atmosphere to match your preferred travel style. I’ve made it easy with this guide to choosing Hvar or Korcula - or maybe I’ll even convince you to make time for both!
View from Hvar Fort
Hvar vs Korcula at a glance
If you’re hoping to suss out the overview of each island to make a quick decision about which Dalmatian island is the best fit for you, I’ve created the table below. Quickly outlining key comparison points including costs, activities, overall vibe, and accessibility via transport connections, it’s the TL;DR version.
| Hvar | Korcula | |
|---|---|---|
| Costs | £££ | ££ |
| Transport Links | Multiple | Fewer |
| Dining Options | More | Fewer |
| Activities | Cultural, historical, and day trips available | Cultural, historical, and day trips available |
| Beaches | Several easy-access options | Several easy-access options |
| Nightlife | Yes | Limited |
| Atmosphere/Vibe | Busier and more party island | Quieter and more relaxed |
Continue reading to find out more about each island and to discover whether Hvar or Korcula is the right fit for you.
View from Korcula Old Town
Is it easier to get to Korcula or Hvar?
Both Korcula and Hvar are both relatively easy to reach, especially compared to less visited islands in Dalmatia. The answer to this will mostly be driven by where you are departing from.
Korcula is located closer to Dubrovnik, making it an easier-to-reach choice between the islands if you are flying in and out of Dubrovnik. Around 110km from Dubrovnik, you can make the journey to Korcula via two main routes, either a ferry from Dubrovnik Port to Korcula Town or you can drive up the mainland to Orebic and then catch a ferry across to Korcula Town.
Driving to Orebic from Dubrovnik takes around two hours and the ferry across to Korcula is approximately 15 minutes. Ferry timetables depend on seasonality. If you’d rather take the catamaran from Dubrovnik to Korcula the journey takes between 1hr 50 minutes and 2hrs 35 minutes depending on which service you choose.
Hvar is located closest to Split and has more ferry services daily than to Korcula. The ferry from Split to Hvar Town takes approximately one hour and operates a foot passenger service. If you have a car, you can choose the car ferry from Split to Stari Grad instead which takes two hours.
Split and Dubrovnik both have airports servicing Dalmatia and wider southern Croatia, making them popular launch pads for island hopping and Dalmatian Coast road trips. Public transport, taxis, and ride share services are available from both airports to help you reach the port if you are travelling by ferry to the islands.
Scores | Hvar 9 / Korcula 8
Laneway in Hvar Town
Laneway in Korcula Town
Is Hvar or Korcula cheaper?
If your budget is influencing your travels, then your money will go slightly further in Korcula, but overall prices are fairly similar throughout the main tourist hotspots in Dalmatia. You will find restaurants slightly cheaper on Korcula, but only by approximately 5 euros or so for similar types of restaurants.
Public transport is affordable on both islands if you choose to visit other towns away from the main hubs. Hvar is known as the playground for well-heeled tourists, so accommodation costs are generally higher, particularly in Hvar Town. Stari Grad can provide slightly cheaper options if you want to stay on Hvar and is great for a quieter stay too.
Croatia has typically been one of the more affordable summer destinations in Europe. However, visitors are likely to find the change from Kuna to Euro as of January 2023 to make prices more aligned with most of southern and western Europe.
Scores | Hvar 8 / Korcula 9
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Atmosphere: What type of travel?
Wondering what the atmosphere is on each island? While in some ways they are comparable, in others they can be quite different.
Overall, Hvar is generally livelier and attracts crowds that are looking for a good blend of nightlife, beach clubs, and culture. Meanwhile, Korcula is more aligned with the slower pace of island life, offering rich wine agriculture, and plenty of greenery.
If you’re travelling during the high season (June - August) then Korcula will offer a more authentic experience of ‘Old Croatia’, with fewer crowds and the opportunity to find tranquillity even during the busiest months.
Hvar Town on the other hand can be incredibly lively, but less than ideal if you wanted a quiet island escape. You can still find the traditional charm away from the waterfront, among the stonewashed laneways though. Outside of the peak summer season, Hvar is tied with Korcula.
Both islands offer local vineyards, though Korcula has easier access to self-guided tours, with Lumbarda just a short distance away, best known for its Grk wines. A little further towards the centre of the island are Smokvica and Čara which are the towns known as the cradle of the Posip grape.
If you’re worried that Korcula might be too sleepy, this isn’t the case. There’s plenty to see and do on the island, without feeling overcrowded. There is no shortage of great places to eat and drink, as well as options for day trips to explore other towns and islands nearby.
Scores | Hvar 9 / Korcula 9.5
Pokonji Dol Beach, Hvar
View across to Korcula Old Town
Are beaches better in Hvar or Korcula?
Being islands, neither Hvar or Korcula are short on great beaches and swimming spots. The crystalline waters of the Adriatic are ever so inviting, whether you plan on swimming, snorkelling, or kayaking.
If you are based in either Hvar Town or Korcula Town, both feature several beaches accessible on foot, with plenty further afield if you have access to a car. For a general comparison, the beaches in and around Hvar Town tend to be more frequented, sometimes a few becoming very busy during the peak season. Korcula instead has more secluded coves with a local feel.
Most beaches in Croatia are pebbly or rocky bays surrounded by pine forests. This is true of most beaches in Korcula and Hvar, though Korcula has a popular sandy beach in Lumbarda, located around 15 minutes from Korcula Town.
Some of the best beaches within walking distance of Hvar Town include Bonj, Podstine, and Pokonji Dol beaches. If you have access to a car, Dubovka beach is also one of the best on the island.
In Korcula, Banje beach is the best right on the outskirts of the Old Town, while a little further you can find plenty of secluded coves. Water taxis also make it easy to reach Badija, Vrnik, and Lumbarda which all offer beautiful clear water and charming swimming locations.
You are not only limited to the beaches directly on the island you choose to stay on though. Hvar is ideally situated by the Pakleni Islands, which are also one of the best places to sail in Dalmatia. Likewise, Korcula is within easy reach of the Peljesac Peninsula and Skopi Archipelago, also hotspots for windsurfing and sailing.
Scores | Hvar 9 / Korcula 9
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Things to do in Hvar and Korcula
If you’re the kind of traveller that loves filling your days with plenty of things to see and do, it can easily be done on both islands. Hvar offers a few more options and generally has more organised activities and day trips available.
If you have a few days, some of the best things to do in Hvar include visiting Hvar Fort, taking a day trip to Stari Grad, and exploring the laneways of Hvar Town. You could also consider a day trip sailing around the Pakleni Islands, spending time visiting the Franciscan Monastery, or simply hopping from beach to beach.
In Korcula, there are plenty of historic, cultural, and natural attractions to keep you busy - or choose just a few and enjoy the island at a slower pace. Climb to the top of St Mark’s bell tower, visit the home of Marco Polo, or take a day trip island hopping around the Skopi Archipelago. I also highly recommend an afternoon wine tasting in Lumbarda to sample the native Grk wine
Scores | Hvar 9.5 / Korcula 9
View across the wineries of Lumbarda in Korcula
Should you visit both Hvar and Korcula?
I have spent time on both islands and love each for its differences. If you have time to visit both Hvar and Korcula, I would recommend doing so. This makes even more sense if you have a longer itinerary starting in Split and ending in Dubrovnik or vice versa.
My top recommendation though is to avoid rushing through your time on the Croatian islands. Both Hvar and Korcula deserve at least 3-4 days each, so a shorter itinerary may not allow for a visit to both. Though if you have 10-14+ days to explore, then absolutely build in a stop on each island for a few nights.
Laneway dining in Hvar Town
Beach Club in Hvar Town
Is Hvar a party island?
If you’re looking for nightlife from your stay on the Croatian Islands, then you’ll be pleased to know that Hvar is known as a bit of a party island - more specifically Hvar Town. A collection of beach clubs, cocktail bars, and a hotspot for docking super yachts, Hvar Town has earned itself a reputation for being the place to be where beach parties are concerned.
Though don’t let this put you off Hvar on the whole, as Stari Grad, another town on the island, is the antithesis of the hedonistic way of life in Hvar Town. Stari Grad makes for a great base if you want to visit Hvar for a more relaxed, family-friendly stay. You can also consider other towns such as Jesla and Vrboska.
So, is Hvar or Korcula better?
There’s no definitive answer because it will depend on your travel style, preference for activities, scenery, and dining, as well as where you are travelling to/from. If I had to choose an overall winner, my pick would be Korcula, because it’s slightly more affordable, has a slower pace of life, and didn’t have the same crowds that Hvar’s receives during peak season.
