An important part of any family holiday is spending quality time together. However, keeping the children entertained at the same time can sometimes be a challenge. Here are our Top 10 Things to do with Kids on Korcula to keep everyone happy.
1. A splash and a splosh
Korcula is surrounded by a fun watery playground, with endless possibilities of things to do. You could hire kayaks and paddle across the calm sea to the monastery islet of Badija. Just remember to take your snorkelling masks with you. Or you could take it more leisurely on a boat trip around the Korcula Archipelago and let the kids jump off the boat straight into the sea.
If you’re travelling with older children, why not book them a scuba “try-dive” with Dupin Dive Centre or a windsurfing lesson with Oreb Sailing school. Better still, why not join them. It’s a family holiday after all.
2. Exploring Nature
If you have a budding David Attenborough or Bear Grylls, Korcula has ample forests, nature parks and a fair share of wildlife to feed their passion. You could jump on a bus and head over to the village of Zrnovo where you can climb over rocks at Kocje nature park whilst looking out for a creepy-crawly or two. How about walking up to Forteca from Korcula Town, an old fort built by the British in the 1800s and trying to find the Geocache hidden up there? Or for a history fix, take the children to Vela Luka and walk up to Vela Spila cave. Here you can show them where their great-great-great (and a lot more greats) ancestors came from. Buses leave regularly from Korcula Town to Vela Luka.
See our list of favourite walking routes on Korcula.
3. Get on your bike
I think almost every child loves to ride a bike. You can rent bikes from numerous travel agencies (in varying sizes) as well as helmets. Heading to the middle of the island is all uphill, but there are some flatter routes (I’m not worried about the children here, just in case the adults are out of practice!).
Cycling to Lumbarda is a great choice as it is very family-orientated, as well as cycling the coastal road towards Zrnovska Banja and Vrbovica. Our self-guided cycling tour to Lumbarda provides information and tips. You’ll find rewarding beaches at the end of each of these cycle rides. Just be sensible if you are visiting on your family holiday in the summer as it gets very hot during the middle of the day.
If you were thinking about joining a cycling tour, children are very welcome to join our Taste of Korcula by Bike tour which will introduce you to some of the flavours of the island.
See our list of our favourite cycling routes on Korcula.
4. A day at the beach
You may have read or heard about Croatia’s beaches. The majority of them are pebbly or rocky, but Korcula also has a couple of children-friendly sandy beaches. Perfect for small feet away from any sharp rocks or spikey urchins, which are found a lot along the shoreline. The water here also stays shallow so it is the ideal spot for beginner swimmers. And of course, everyone loves to build a sandcastle! Pack up a picnic and hop on a bus or water taxi to Lumbarda and find your spot of sand on Przina or Bilin Zal beaches.
See our list of our favourite beaches on Korcula.
5. Outdoor spaces
You’ll find a number of playgrounds and sports grounds across the island. In Korcula Town, there’s a playground next to the cultural centre and another next to the swimming pool located just out of town. Football pitches are dotted around the island. There is a volleyball court next to Przina beach in Lumbarda (ask in the snack bar next door if they have a ball to borrow). There are also trampolines in Korcula Town on Banja Beach and in the centre of Lumbarda so the little members of the family can bounce around for a while. For the adults, you’ll also find a café-bar not too far away!
6. Inflatables and Mocktails
We never need a reason to hit the beach at Przi Zal in Lumbarda. It’s a pebble beach popular with families due to its central location. It also boasts a very fun water inflatable park, which you don’t have to be a child to bounce around on! The onsite beach bar is also the perfect place to refresh with a mocktail for the kids and a cocktail for the parents. There’s also an ice cream shop a few metres away. All in all, you’ll find Lumbarda to be a great place to spend plenty of time during your family holiday to Korcula.
You’ll also find water inflatables at Przina Beach in Lumbarda and close to Port 9 resort in Korcula.
7. Try some local food
We appreciate that kids can be difficult when it comes to food, but you still need to replenish their energy levels. Many restaurants on the island offer a laid-back dining style and are extremely welcoming to children. With a strong Italian influence on food, you’ll find tasty pizzerias (try Torkul in Lumbarda and Tedeschi in Korcula). You’ll find many pasta options on menus. We recommend you all try the local speciality from Zrnovo, Zrnovski Makaruni which is made from a rich meat sauce. Simple grilled meats such as chicken or cevapcici (minced-meat sausages) and fresh fish are widely available. For afters, you’ll find ice cream shops and stalls everywhere. Or ask for palacinke at the restaurant (pancakes) which are typically served with jam or Nutella.
Find out more about traditional food from Korcula.
8. Outdoor Cinema
Just on the Old Town walls to the left of the main entrance staircase, you’ll find the outdoor cinema. Every Monday and Thursday throughout the summer you can watch a performance of the Moreska. This active sword dance will keep all the family entertained as the quick-footed red and black soldiers battle for the love of one lady. Or how about watching a film under the stars as the latest movie releases are regularly shown in the outdoor cinema. Make sure you pick up some sweets or popcorn from one of the kiosks in the market outside before the film starts. This is a great family holiday night out option.
9. Nighttime fun
The biggest night on the Korcula calendar is 30 June. Every year locals and tourists of all ages party alongside each other and welcome the Half New Year in. It is a long-standing tradition in the town. Fancy dress is also encouraged with the locals going to great lengths to make the best costumes.
If you’re not here then, there are lots of other things to do with kids on Korcula in the evening. In many villages and towns, the local tourist board arranges a range of nighttime things to do such as fisherman evenings, donkey races and beach games such as tug of war. From personal experience of badly riding a donkey, the donkey races are a real hoot!
10. Visit the National Park on Mljet
Spend some time during your family holiday in paradise, as Mljet Island is simply beautiful. Head to the entrance of the National Park, buy your tickets and let your feet lead the way.
There are numerous paths to let the kids run wild or places to hire bikes. You’ll eventually discover two island saltwater lakes – the big and the small. The entrance ticket to the park includes a boat trip across to St Mary’s, an island within an island. Here you can explore the Church and Monastery built on the islet. It’s also possible to kayak around the lakes. Then spend the afternoon relaxing by the crystal clear waters and taking frequent dips in that enchanting sea. You’ll find a family-friendly pebble beach at Mali most.
Rainy Day Bonus
So no one really likes the rain on a summer holiday and thankfully rainfall is pretty rare on Korcula during this time. However, as the weather can sometimes be unpredictable, it’s good to have a backup plan, just in case.
Here are a few suggestions of things to do with the kids on Korcula when it rains.
- You could visit the Marko Polo house and learn more about the explorer who is said to have been born on the island.
- Climb the bell tower in the Cathedral for some awesome views (which are still pretty cool in the rain).
- There’s nothing wrong with swimming in the rain but if you prefer an indoor option, there is an Olympic swimming pool located just outside of Korcula Town.
- Take a semi-submarine tour around the Old Town and see what lies beneath the old walls.
Korcula Island Guide
Would you like more insider tips and recommendations about Korcula Island? We’ve put together a comprehensive guide packed full of information so that you can plan and enjoy a truly memorable holiday on Korcula. Click here to download your copy.
What do you like doing on your family holiday? Let us know in the comments below.
Further Information
Beaches on Korcula Island
Tours on Korcula Island
Eating & Drinking on Korcula
Ultimate List of Things to Do on Korcula Island
