About Zrnovo Village
Zrnovo village is set in the rural hills 3km inland from Korcula old town. The four rustic hamlets that make up Zrnovo sprawl amongst the green hillsides, randomly dotted by red-roofed houses and quaint old churches.
It is one of the oldest settlements on the island and provides some of the most scenic views. The area provides for the walking enthusiast, the nature lover, a restful retreat for the busy city worker and outdoor fun for adults and children alike.
Getting There
From Korcula Town
- Jadrolinija car ferry from Orebic (on Peljesac mainland, if driving up from Dubrovnik or down from Split) to Korcula Island. Schedule & reservations HERE
- Jadrolinija passenger catamaran from Split to Korcula Town. Schedule & reservations HERE
- Kapetan Luka passenger catamaran from Split to Korcula Town. Schedule & reservations HERE
- The drive from Korcula to Zrnovo is around 3kms / 5 minutes
- Arriva bus from Korcula to Zrnovo. Schedule & reservations HERE
- Taxi from Korcula to Zrnovo costs approx. €15-18 one way
You can cycle or walk to Zrnovo, keep in mind it is a lot of uphill. You can either take the main road heading out of Korcula Town or the winding coastal road to Zrnovska Banja and then head up.
TIP: You can hire cars, bikes and scooters from Korcula Town at a reasonable cost (cars being a little more expensive). There are several rental agencies offering this, such as Kaleta or Korcula Promet.
Getting Around
Zrnovo village is split into several hamlets and it is possible to walk or cycle around the area. Some of the beaches located in the Defora area can be reached by foot or bike. This method is a lot more demanding (especially heading back up from the beaches). An easy way to buzz around would be to hire a scooter to visit the village & beaches.
Where to Stay
Within the village itself, there are no hotels or serviced accommodations. You will find a few private apartments or rooms to rent. Take a look at some rural places to stay in Zrnovo here. If you’re looking for the rural charm, make sure to stay in the village itself.
On the outskirts of Zrnovo, is the bay of Zrnovska Banja. This is a great choice if you prefer to be by the sea. Here you can choose to stay in apartments in private houses, apartments at the newly developed Korcula Hill complex or Tara’s Lodge which is located on the waterfront.
Read more about where to stay on Korcula Island.
Where to Eat & Drink
There are some really good options for eating out in Zrnovo and in the nearby area. Restaurants here are typical “Konobas”, which offer a more relaxed and authentic experience using local fresh produce. Prices are typically much more reasonable than say eating in Korcula Old Town. Zrnovo is also home to the traditional island pasta “makaruni”.
Some great options include Belin in Prvo Selo hamlet, Gera in Postrana hamlet, Agrotourism Grubinjac and Atrij in Kampus hamlet. Here you can choose from simple but tasty grilled meats & fish, zrnovski makaruni (the traditional pasta with a meat sauce) or pre-order a peka (a delicious slow-cooked feast). As well as premium bottled wine, these restaurants also offer locally produced (or home-produced) wines.
Learn more about delicious traditional food from Korcula.
For something a bit different, check out Pinjac Pub & Grill. They make their own beer on-site, as well as offering some great regional brews. The menu offers more European dishes such as chicken wings and hamburgers, but with a few Croatian specialities thrown into the mix as well.
There are a couple of cafes in Zrnovo. They are typically local and a good place to stop for a coffee.
Other Amenities
There is a small Studenac supermarket in the village and also one on the main road through Zrnovska Banja. Korcula Town is just a 5-minute drive away. Here you will find larger supermarkets, ATMs, butchers, fish markets, a pharmacy and a petrol station.
Things to do in Zrnovo Village
Churches
As you find across the whole of the island, there are many churches in Zrnovo village, many with a long history. A few you might like to check out include St Roch’s church in Postrana which offers fantastic views and is the location for performances of the Mostra sword dance; St Martin’s church which is the main church in the village and located in Kampus; and Mala Gospa church in Prvo Selo which is effectively a church built within the walls of an old church.
Walking & Cycling
There are a number of trails to head off on leading to stunning views and rock formations. The most remarkable is a place called Kocje. After a 25-minute walk from Prvo Selo you will find yourself in a setting quite mystical. Work your way through tight paths running through huge boulders adorned with moss and trees. This place is a joy for adults to explore. As well as great fun for kids to scramble over and under the rocks.
From Zrnovo you also have the west end of Korcula in easy reach. You also enjoy a very scenic walking route to Lumbarda, an area famous for its wine and beaches.
See some of our favourite walking routes on Korcula.
See some of our favourite cycling routes on Korcula.
Beaches
There are no beaches in the village, but you can be by the sea within a couple of kilometres. For beautiful places to bathe and swim, visit Zrnovska Banja and Vrbovica. These are lovely seaside settlements in walking distance from Zrnovo, where you can also find restaurants. The area of Defora which you can reach from Postrana hamlet will lead you to some of the most secluded and beautiful bays on the island, such as Pavja Luka, Rasohatica and Orlandusa. If you decide to cycle or hike here, there are not many better places to cool down, than in their crystal clear waters!
Patron Saint Day
The patron saint of Zrnovo is Saint Roch (Sveti Roko) which is celebrated on August 16. At the core of the celebrations is a performance of the traditional dance, Mostra. This takes place in the courtyard in front of St Roch’s church in Postrana hamlet.
Zrnovski Makaruni Festival
Home to the traditional island pasta, makaruni, it is only right Zrnovo celebrates this delicious dish. Every year for one night in August huge pots of bubbling sauce line the streets whilst hands work in unison rolling the pasta into shape. It’s a fun evening of merriment and tasty food.
Mostra Sword Dance
The Mostra is an ancient sword dance between two armies performed only in the village of Zrnovo. The dance is accompanied by drums and misnice (bag pipes). It traditionally ended with the beheading of an ox, but now a far less barbaric finale of popular dance is staged! You can watch a performance of the Mostra on the local Saint Day or on a few evenings throughout the summer. Check the Korcula Tourist Board events page for exact dates.
Try local produce
Local produce grows in abundance around Zrnovo. Vineyards bear wine grapes, olive trees produce some of the healthiest olive oils and fruit trees grow in abundance. Many local people are engaged in producing their local products either for home consumption or for sale. One such place is Eko Skoj. Here at the family homestead, you can sample, olive oil, homemade brandies, sweet treats and more. There are very busy so it’s advisable to let them know in advance you are coming.
Join a tour
We offer a fantastic tour in Zrnovo which will provide you will a true experience of village life.
Read more about the available tour from the following links:
Walking & Culinary Tour in Zrnovo
Go surfing
Head to Zrnovska Banja and have a go surfing across the sea on an electric efoil board – a unique way to experience the island! Find out more details and make a reservation here.
Are you planning on visiting or staying in Zrnovo village? Let us know in the comments below.
