Are Hvar or Korcula better for a visit in Croatia? Read this comprehensive guide to decide which island is better for you!
Hvar and Korcula are both absolutely beautiful, and they usually find their way onto most Croatia travel itineraries. If you don’t have time for both, keep reading this blog post to find out all you need to know about both islands, and which one is better for you!
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HVAR OR KORCULA: OLD TOWNS
Both Hvar and Korcula have beautiful old towns that are definitely worth exploring. It really just depends on what kind of atmosphere and experience you’re looking for. Here’s a short overview:
HVAR
Hvar has a very lively and popular old town which is a magnet for those who are looking for a good time. There are several stunning historic buildings you get to see, such as Fortica Fortress, St. Stephen’s Square and Cathedral, and many narrow alleys full of boutiques, art galleries, and trendy cafes. However, the focus in Hvar old town is more on the nightlife. There are quite a few night clubs and beach bars/clubs, so Hvar old town never sleeps, especially during summer.
KORCULA
Korcula Town, however, is much quieter, more romantic, and more focused on the incredible medieval old town. There are quite a few amazing landmarks you have to see, such as St. Mark’s Cathedral, the city walls and towers, the Marco Polo House, and the stunning narrow streets and alleyways in which you can get lost. Korcula old town is very low-key, focused on wine bars and seaside dinners you’ll remember for a long time.
HVAR OR KORCULA: BEACHES
When it comes to beaches, you really can’t go wrong with either Hvar or Korcula. Both islands have some truly beautiful spots. If you’re deciding between the two, here’s a quick guide to help you choose!
HVAR
Hvar has several incredible beaches, all over the island and near Hvar Town. They are mostly pebbly or rocky with crystal-clear waters. Keep in mind that the beaches around Hvar Town get quite crowded during summer, because most people are situated there. Hvar is also known for famous beach clubs where you can rent a sunbed or a cabana and spend the day there enjoying the sea and the incredible amenities of the club. The most popular ones are Hula Hula and Beach Club Hvar.
The best and most popular beaches near Hvar Town are Dubovica Beach, Pokonji Dol Beach, Milna Beach and so on. Read this guide to best beaches around Hvar Town to find more of them!
KORCULA
Korcula has beautiful beaches, but most of them aren’t near Korcula Town, so you’ll need a way of getting to them. Korcula’s beaches are definitely more relaxed and natural compared to Hvar’s livelier, more crowded party beaches. Beaches on Korcula are great for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing.
Pupnatska Luka Beach is probably the most popular beach on the island. However, there are several others you can check out, such as Vaja Beach, Bacva Bay, or Zitna Beach. All of these are pebbly and rocky beaches. If you want sandy beaches, visit Lumbarda. There you’ll find beaches such as Vela Pržina and Bilin Žal, which are perfect for kids and anyone who enjoys sandy beaches. These do get quite crowded so come as early as possible if you want to enjoy them!
If you still want the experience of a beach bar, there aren’t as many on Korcula as there are on Hvar, but Korcula has La Banya Beach Club. It’s absolutely beautiful but also quite pricey, so keep that in mind!
HVAR OR KORCULA: NIGHTLIFE
If you really care about nightlife, there’s only one option for you here, but keep reading to see why Korcula can still be a good option!
HVAR
Hvar is internationally known as a party island, so I don’t have to explain too much that if you want great nights out, Hvar is your perfect choice. The party scene is the liveliest from June to September, so if you want to experience it, make sure you come during peak summer season.
Not only does Hvar have great beach clubs, it also has great night clubs and bars, so you can party during any time of day, not only at night. Some of the places you cannot miss are the famous Carpe Diem Beach Club on a whole separate little island, Hula Hula Bar, which is great for partying on the beach in Hvar Town, Kiva Bar for a more rowdy, cheap night out, and finally, Passarola or Central Park Club for a nightclub vibe.
KORCULA
Korcula is a whole other vibe than Hvar. The island is low-key, charming, and focused on wine, ambiance, and great dinners, rather than dancing.
The crowds on Hvar and Korcula are totally different, and so is the evening atmosphere. Korcula is favored by couples, families, and solo travelers who travel more for the culture and chill evenings. Because of that, there aren’t many nightclubs on Korcula.
The most popular way of spending your evenings on Korcula is by booking a great restaurant or a winery, and enjoying your company and some really excellent wine and food. However, there are a few bars where you can get that going out vibe. The most popular one is the Massimo Cocktail Bar, located in a tower and offering incredible views during sunset. There’s also The Jungle Club, which hosts live music and DJs, so it might be interesting to you.
HVAR OR KORCULA: ACCESSIBILITY
It’s really important to know how accessible a place you’re visiting is, but it’s especially important when it comes to islands. This is a short overview of how accessible Hvar and Korcula are!
HOW TO GET THERE
Hvar is very well connected by ferries. There are multiple catamarans and car ferries per day from Split, and there are also car ferries from Sucuraj. You can also grab catamarans from Dubrovnik, Brac, and Korcula during the summer season.
If you’re going with a car and using car ferries, you’ll go from Split to Stari Grad on Hvar Island. From there you’ll drive 20–30 mins to Hvar Town, or any other location on the island you’d like. If you don’t have a car, book a Split to Hvar Town catamaran, which usually lasts about 1 hour. They’re not cheap, around 50 euros per person round trip, but it’s really worth seeing Hvar, especially if you’re travelling during shoulder season when the crowds are minimal.
Korcula is accessible from Split and Dubrovnik, but there are fewer direct catamarans than for Hvar. If you want to go by car, there are car ferries going to Korcula from Orebic (really quick ride) and from Split (quite a long ride). The closest airport to Korcula is Dubrovnik, so there’s no way of reaching Korcula without at least 2-3 hours of travel once you land in Croatia.
Overall, Hvar is much easier and quicker to reach than Korcula.
OLD TOWN ACCESSIBILITY
Hvar old town is beautiful, but it’s not that accessible. While even the people with low mobility can walk around St. Stephen’s Square, around the harbour, and along the waterfront promenade, the old town is full of narrow alleys and hundreds of stairs. There are a lot of bars and restaurants situated in the Old Town which you cannot reach without walking up the stairs. Additionally, while you can get to Fortica by car, to get the incredible views you still have to climb many steps of the fortress, which is not ideal for people with limited mobility.
Korcula old town is also quite full of stairs. To access the Old Town you have to climb up a significant number of stairs, but once you’re inside the old town it’s quite flat. I would say it’s a bit more walkable than Hvar, but there are still plenty of steps needed to be taken to reach certain parts of the old town.
GETTING AROUND THE ISLAND
Hvar is more visited, and therefore has a better-developed road network. You can easily drive a car almost anywhere on the island, with the exception of a few beaches that still require walking down. There is plenty of taxis, scooters, and water taxis if you’re coming by catamaran but still want to explore the island. There are also regular buses that connect Hvar Town with Stari Grad, Jelsa, and different beaches.
Korcula, however, is more rural, which means that it’s not as developed as Hvar. There are fewer buses, so renting a car, scooter, or bike is the only option of exploring the island in a way you want to. There aren’t many beaches near Korcula Town, so you’ll need to venture out if you want to enjoy a day at the beach. Lumbarda and Pupnat are only a short drive away.
Overall, Hvar has better infrastructure for exploring without a car, but if you have your own car or you rented one, you can experience both islands completely.
HVAR OR KORCULA: CROWDS
Both islands get quite a lot of visitors each year, but one is significantly more crowded than the other during summer.
HVAR
As the most popular Croatian island, Hvar is extremely busy during summer. The island gets really crowded during the peak summer season, not just because of visitors staying overnight, but also because many day trippers come from Split and nearby islands. Most of these people center in and around Hvar Town, so main attractions like Carpe Diem, Fortica Fortress, and Dubovica Beach can get packed.
There are plenty of popular restaurants that need a reservation if you want to dine in the evening, and it’s going to be tough snatching a spot for a drink or ice cream. It’s much better during shoulder season, so if you don’t like the crowds consider visiting Hvar in April/May or September.
KORCULA
Korcula is much quieter and calmer. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still busy, but nowhere near Hvar’s level. People come to Korcula to relax, so the pace of everything is much slower, and you can enjoy some peace even in July. Beaches do get quite crowded since it’s very hot and everyone wants to enjoy the sea, but there are plenty of them, so you can still find some that feel secluded. If you visit Korcula during shoulder season, it’s most likely going to be empty, so if that’s what you like consider visiting in April or May!
HVAR OR KORCULA: ACTIVITIES
There are quite a few must do activities on both islands, so make sure you include these in your itinerary!
HVAR
Hvar is full of things to do and there’s no way you’ll be bored here, especially with a good budget! Here are a few activities you can’t miss:
- Do a Paklinski Islands day trip
- Climb to Fortica (during sunset!)
- Go beach-hopping
- Have a night out (Hula Hula Bar or Carpe Diem Beach Club)
- Explore the cultural sights (St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Square, the Theatre, the harbour)
KORCULA
Korcula is more historic, relaxing, and authentic, so whatever you choose to do, you’ll get to know the island very well! These are activities I highly recommend:
- Wander Korcula Old Town
- Go wine tasting in Lumbarda
- Enjoy the beaches (sandy or pebbly ones!)
- Visit Peljesac Peninsula
- Explore Badija Island
HVAR OR KORCULA: CONCLUSION
Both Hvar and Korcula are truly Croatia’s most beautiful islands. Hvar is stunning, and very popular because of it. It’s also a social hub where every young person wants to be during summer. Korcula is breathtaking, often compared to Dubrovnik for its beauty, and very loved by couples and families.
If you’ve read the blog post, by now you can surely decide which island is a better option for you, Hvar or Korcula. My vote goes to Korcula, simply because it’s stunning yet much calmer, authentic, and with less crowds even during the summer. However, if you don’t mind the people, you’ll definitely enjoy spending your time on Hvar Island. Hvar is gorgeous, and it will sweep you off your feet!
