VAR vs Korčula: Choosing Between Croatia's Beautiful Islands

TLDRA comparison between the islands of VAR and Korčula in Croatia, helping travelers make an informed decision on which island to visit. Discusses beaches, water sports, excursions, hiking, nightlife, old towns, food, wine, and proximity to popular cities.

Key insights

🏖️VAR has beautiful sandy beaches, including the popular beach in Lombarda. Korčula also has nice beaches, though mostly pebbly.

🏄‍♂️Windsurfing is available in Korčula, while VAR offers more options for stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking.

⛰️VAR has the Spanish Fortress for hiking enthusiasts, offering stunning views of the city. Korčula has walking and cycling paths to explore the island.

🍽️Both islands have a good selection of restaurants, with Korčula offering more local and affordable options.

🍷Korčula is known as the wine island, with accessible wineries overlooking the vineyards and the sea. VAR also has wineries but advertises wine less.

Q&A

Which island is closer to Dubrovnik?

Korčula is closer to Dubrovnik, taking only about 2 hours by ferry. VAR is about an hour away from Split.

Which island has a more lively nightlife?

VAR is known for its energetic nightlife, with many clubs and activities. Korčula has a more laid-back atmosphere.

Are there options for excursions to other islands?

Both VAR and Korčula have excursions to smaller islands, which are great for those seeking a quieter getaway.

Which island is more crowded?

Korčula is less crowded than Dubrovnik, while VAR is known to be more popular and busier.

Which island is better for food?

While both islands have good food options, Korčula is often regarded as having more local and affordable cuisine.

Timestamped Summary

00:00The video starts with the hosts introducing themselves from Paris and mentioning their two-and-a-half-month journey as digital nomads in Europe. They focus on Croatia and compare two popular islands, VAR and Korčula.

01:09They discuss the beaches in both islands, highlighting that VAR has beautiful sandy beaches, while most of the beaches in Croatia are pebbly. They mention the advantage of Korčula having a sandy beach in Lombarda, which is only 30 minutes away and easily accessible by public transportation.

01:59The hosts mention their difficulty in finding the 'best' beaches online but recommend the local beaches near their stay, which were equally good. They offer a pro tip on getting a float at a grocery store instead of tourist shops. They talk about the opportunity to try windsurfing in Korčula and recommend it.

03:33They mention that both islands offer activities like renting stand-up paddleboards and kayaks, but Korčula offers these activities at a lower price. They talk about the option of renting excursions to other islands for those seeking less crowded places.

04:52The hosts discuss hiking options, mentioning the Spanish Fortress in VAR, which offers a short hike with beautiful views of the city. They suggest visiting the Fortress in the morning to avoid the crowds. Korčula doesn't have the same overlook but offers walking and cycling paths to explore the island.

06:02They recommend VAR for those seeking more energy and nightlife, mentioning the island of Carpe Diem off VAR as a popular spot. However, they state that Korčula also has nice places for dinner or drinks and is a better option for people not interested in the party scene.

07:40The hosts mention the yachting culture on both islands and the opportunity to see mega yachts. They discuss the old towns, describing Korčula as smaller and more quaint, while VAR has more going on and is referred to as the 'mini Dubrovnik' due to its walls. They also mention the good selection of food on both islands, with Korčula offering more local and affordable options.

07:57The hosts emphasize that both islands are easily accessible by ferries from popular cities like Split and Dubrovnik. They mention the proximity of Korčula to Dubrovnik and VAR to Split, making it convenient for travelers.