Location: Vela Luka
Top Things to do in Vela Luka
The 10 Best Things to Do in Vela Luka, Croatia
Vela Luka (pronounced [ʋela luka] ( listen)) (Italian: Vallegrande) is a small town and a municipality in Dubrovnik-Neretva County in southern Dalmatia, Croatia. The town is located on the western side of the island of Korčula at the bottom of a wide bay which has many indented coves. Vela Luka developed at the beginning of the 19th century in a deep sheltered bay. Its name means "big harbour" in Croatian chakavian. Inhabitants of the Island of Korčula and Pelješac often refer to it simply as "Luka" (the port/harbour). It has several hotels and a medical centre called Kalos (for rheumatic disorders and rehabilitation). The inhabitants are farmers, fishermen and workers in tourism. Also the town has other smaller industrial plants.
Restaurants in Vela Luka
1. Korcula Old City
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 984 reviews
Reviewed By Anne C - Bury St. Edmunds, United Kingdom
Visited here on a lovely October day. The old town is spectacular- very Italian, as you walk along the streets you keep seeing unusual sights and down through the narrow lanes to views of the stunning Adriatic. It was busy when we were there but I expect it would be even busier at the height of summer. One thing we didn’t expect was that the way it was built provided a certain amount of air conditioning and it was pleasantly cool inside the walls.
2. Proizd Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 136 reviews
Reviewed By Ivan G - Zagreb, Croatia
Went there for a half a day and really enjoyed it. Beaches and water are beautiful. Pure nature. There are few Beaches within 10 minute walk so we could choose which one suits us the best, but I honestly think it is hard to make mistake.
Definitely recommend to bring beach umbrella because we had some troubles to find shade.
We saw only one restaurant at the island and it is quite expensive so we passed.
3. Pupnatska Luca Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 263 reviews
Reviewed By janeandjohn11 - Duns, United Kingdom
Pebble beach, clear water. Good beach bar. Sun beds and parasols available. Lovely for swimming and snorkelling, take swimming shoes as Korcula island has sea urchins!
4. Przina Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 112 reviews
Reviewed By flaviagillis - Florida
We arrived around 11 AM, the beach was not crowded. We rented chairs and umbrellas (20 kunas each). The water was warm compared to the other in other Islands. This is a sandy beach. There is a bar where you can get reasonably prices hamburgers, fried fish, beer, etc...
5. Toreta winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By sandysnowMichigan - Michigan
We took a small tour of 3 wineries thru Korkyra Info. I can't remember the guide's name, but we stopped @ Bire Winery first and the second stop was @ Vinarija Toreta where we managed to buy a bottle of wonderful Rose. I asked the guide if we should buy here & he advised us to wait until the last place. We were ushered out before we could buy more & it was all great & reasonably priced. The last place in town was at a restaurant/wine bar called Cakula, which we found out later is also owned by the booking company. We were given lots of wine to sample, the presenter was funny & knowledgeable; but the wines were very pricey. Word to the wise, buy when in the country & if you like what you're tasting, don’t waver - you can never have too much wine..
6. Ethno Museum Barilo
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Ann T - Melbourne, Australia
I suspect that this is the same as the other "ethno" listing because there can't be 2 such museums in a small community like Blato. Visiting this house was a wonderful experience - it's full of furniture and clothes, photos and artwork, farming implements and artefacts plus a herb garden. The lady owner was generous with her time and stories about her family and the community. And to top it all off, at the end of the tour you can taste some of her homemade products. Caramelised almonds to die for. A great collection of jams - check out the tomato and strawberry one. And an truly amazing array of liquors. Well worth a visit.
7. St. Mark's Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4 based on 239 reviews
Reviewed By Richard F - Greenville, South Carolina
The Cathedral is quaint, small, but interesting. They post signs that there is no pictures, but the day we were there everyone was taking pictures and no said anything. After your visit to the Cathedral next door is the entrance to the bell tower which is amazing and very interesting. You have to pay and entrance fee to both neither one is to much. When you start up the steps to the tower you'll see either a red or green light which means start up or wait till the people coming down get out of your way. There are a lot of steps and it never felt unsafe, but it's not for everyone. The views from up top are spectacular to say the least. You see in all directions and for miles. On a busy day in the harbor with boats going everywhere it's exciting to view and take pictures of. I'm not sure at what age it would be OK to take kids up, but think carefully before you take them up.
8. Croatia Divers Vela Luka
Overall Ratings
4 based on 124 reviews
Diving in Croatia on Korcula with Croatia Divers means a choice out of more then 35 fantastic diving sites or for the non-divers; doing an introductory dive or a enrol a PADI course to explore the amazing underwater world of Croatia! Vela Luka has good hotels, nice private accommodation such as villas and apartment on the sea. All can be booked with Croatia Divers a PADI 5*Gold Palm IDC resort number one in the diving field regarding experience, professionalism and fun!
Reviewed By Kj2_12 - London, United Kingdom
I have thought long and hard about this review and want to ensure that it presents a fair and balanced view of my experience of Croatia divers; hopefully this will be seen as such.
From the outset the communication with Marjolein was excellent and all amendments and questions responded to quickly and thoroughly. Yes there was a mishap in relation to dates but when we got there all was sorted out within an hour.
The accommodation (found on the Croatia Divers website) was functional and we took up the studio and the ground floor apartment. I had not spotted that on the site that we would have to share a bathroom with three other studios; had I done so I would have looked elsewhere. Glad we were the only occupants. The location though makes a huge difference and is just behind the diver centre. Slavko was pleasant and easy going; got a bit uppity when we asked whether we could leave at 13.30 to catch our coach for Dubrovnik, insisting that we leave at 12.00 even though it was 33c, but later relented and we left at 13.00.
Now to the diver centre itself. I have to say this, but Bobby is a hustler, I don't mean this in a bad way, just that from the moment we got there he was already trying to upsell. I appreciate that he's running a business and clearly a successful one, but I felt was a little too pushy with his approach to selling. That's not to say I did not like the man, he was knowledgeable and personable, but if he'd only eased off on the sales effort, that would have been more comfortable for me.
The gear was a bit tired in places, especially the suits and overall at EUR 59 per dive + having to pay EUR 25 for equipment hire per day, this is one of the most expensive places I have dived. Yes I am not an experienced diver as such but have never had to pay an additional fee for the equipment, but I went into this with my eyes open and therefore not a criticism as such, it just adds to the cost.
As for the dives, we did six in all including two to the Blue Hole (a marvellous site). The first day's diving was cut short because of faulty equipment. One of the diver's BCD was leaking so it was switched with a DMs and the other DM could not cope with the numbers and the varying skill levels of the divers. I had expected that we would be treated to an additional dive, given this, but none was forthcoming, that was fine, it was our first day. Subsequent dives went well with the exception of my fourth: my pressure gauge was bouncing all over the place, accounted for the fact that I had fully opened then twisted back slightly, neither the DM not I had not previously encountered this so I had to surface, which was disappointing.
All members of staff were very pleasant; young and enthusiastic. My dives were all with Zak, who is a wonderful lad. Unlike some reviews, I did not get the impression that they were unhappy; they were doing something they enjoyed and getting paid for it, so a win-win all round.
My second son did his Open Water with Croatia Divers and I have to say that it was one of the most comprehensive and detailed tuition I have seen. Spot on and he came out with us on our last dives confident and knowledgeable. Really can't be faulted and highly recommended.
I hope that this gives other potential users (and the crew at the centre) a fair picture of what to expect and am happy to answer any questions.
9. Freestyle
Overall Ratings
5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By Sapy S - Zagreb, Croatia
I took a windsurfing class in Freestyle school and have nothing but highest marks for the school and instructors. Both brothers and instructors Bruno and Kruno are very noligible and frenly - makes you feel nice learning and having a lot of fun!
The method of learning is also adapted that you learn quick and fast and start loving what you are doing really quick.
The equipment is new and with new standardas and trends so it is easier to learn.
Anyway, I would highly recommend! You will have a great time and learn how to windsurf with nice exercises.
10. Bire winery
Overall Ratings
4 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By Linda W - Virginia Beach, Virginia
First stop on our Wine Tour: Bire Winery. Family owned & operated, ecologically grown, with no sulphur used in fermentation or bottling. Beautiful setting & welcomed questions particularly on growing conditions & family history. Visitors may be turned away without reservation so book a tour to avoid disappointment. Generous pours of four wines and low purchase prices compared to restaurant wine lists. No need to review wines-discover these interesting local varieties for yourself.
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