Korcula & Hvar

George ... One of the big differences between the two islands is the nightlife. Hvar has nightclubs and lots of places to go after dark, whereas Korcula pretty much shuts down after dinner. Hvar is much bigger, with more options for restaurants and day trips. Both islands are beautiful and well worth a visit.

I agree with Charlene but must also add that I found Korcula magical. It is so small and has such a medieval feel that I felt very much at home after one day there. We rented a small apartment right on one of the main squares. We stayed three nights and were glad we did. There is some "night life"--we heard singing at an outdoor cafe and discovered the Vandals, a Croatian couple who sang American folk songs, and we enjoyed them two nights in a row--but then we are in our sixties. Hvar is definitely glitzier, big yachts moored with bikini-clad girls sunning, and probably more fun for the younger set. Too bad you can't go to both.

Well George, this is always the burning question. I'm a little bias as I now live on Korcula, but have also visited Hvar. Great choice as well to visit Croatia - you will love it. Agree with the other comments in that Hvar is known as having more of a party nightlife - more trendy bars and restaurants. Although Korcula can offer great restaurants, cocktail bars, many bars have live music nightly, there are sometimes planned and ad-hoc performances by Klappa groups (beautiful acappela singing) and of course the famed Moreska sword dance. If you are looking for a more luxiourious hotel break Hvar would be a better option, although Korcula offers some good value modern self-contained apartments, except for a few, the hotels are pretty run down. History and culture - both islands have something to offer here. Korcula with its fairytale medieval stoned old town and Hvar with its old town square and hill fort. If you love the outdoors, walking, cycling, kayaking I think Korcula wins, there's some great spots to visit, secluded bays, old fishing villages, ancient forested trails. Another point for Korcula, if you are staying here for a few days, have a day exploring the island, perhaps take a wine tour and then take a trip to the nearby archipelago or the beautiful island of Mljet. Of course if you have time you can take the morning catamaran from Korcula to Hvar and then return to Korcula in the evening, if it was more an issue of not wanting to stay in both places. Both islands are great and although Hvar always gets promoted as the sunshine island, I can promise you, you will get plenty of sun here! I'm going to vote Korcula though! Enjoy planning!