Korčula and Orebić – Dalmatia’s binary star

The towns of Korčula and Orebić lie within sight of each other, separated only by a narrow strait. Both towns – often ruled by different powers throughout history, and today unequally famous among travellers – nevertheless form a kind of tourist binary star in the impressive coastal landscape of southern Dalmatia. Where Korčula delights with its medieval old town, Orebić boasts magnificent 18th and 19th-century captains’ villas. Opposite Korčula’s gentle, wooded hills and sandy beaches, the karst, rocky mountain ranges of the Pelješac peninsula with the peak of Sv. Iljia rise steeply from the sea, inviting you on scenic hikes.

For my journey along the Croatian coast, we finally left the island after some impressive experiences, both in the quiet western part of the island and in the lively tourist magnet of Korčula Town. However, it continued to dominate the panorama for quite a while, whether from the view from the Franciscan monastery Gospo od Andela above the town of Orebić or from one of the peninsula’s peaks.

The ferry crossing between Korčula and Orebić takes only half an hour. In the small harbour of Orebić with its palm-lined promenade, you’ll mainly find sailing yachts and smaller motorboats. Modern houses with holiday flats, hotels and campsites are clustered around the adjacent older town centre with its old villas. The lively town was our base for a few days for relaxing hours by the sea or for activities such as the sunrise hike to the summit of Sveti Iljia (961 m).

The Pelješac peninsula region is also famous for the blue-black, semi-dry Plavac Mali grapes, used to press the regional Postup or Dingač red wines. Incidentally, the grapes have the same genetic ancestors as the well-known Zinfandel grape from California. The link between the past and present history of viticulture in the region is represented by Miljenko (Mike) Grgić. He once left Yugoslavia to become a famous oenologist in California’s Napa Valley with his own winery. Later, he returned to the roots of his success, the Plavac Mali grape, back home and founded his own winery in Trstenik on the Pelješac peninsula.

More pictures of Korčula in the Croatia gallery.