LUMBARDA CROATIA

Imagine the amalgam of Tuscan hills’ beauty, its vineyards, a fisherman village charm, gorgeous villas and summer houses cascading seamlessly down the cliffs, and a coastline where the water hue smoothly changes its colors from aquamarine and emerald into bright turquoise. There’s one very gorgeous picture in your mind right now, isn’t there?

Such place really exists and it is located near hand Korcula town. The village we invite you to visit during your yacht charter vacation in the Adriatic is Lumbarda.

You will enjoy the unhurried and profound rhythm of life which flows here all year long. Of course in winter, when the island is surrounded by strong winds and rainy weather, this place would fit introverts or artists who need some peace and isolation for their inspiration. However, in summer lush greenery, wine, local food festivals, sun and happiness are brought together for not less than a celebration of life.

Lumbarda is located on the eastern edge of the island where only about a thousand of inhabitants live. Among locals you’ll meet grape growers, wine makers, stone masons, farmers, fishermen. There used to be a tradition of shipbuilding in Lumbarda. Craftsmen from the village were known far beyond Korcula island for their quality work. Today there aren’t many traditional shipbuilders left due to the fact that for locals it became more expensive to build a wooden boat. Yet, near the harbor you’ll see the monument in memory of those who once were and are still part of shipbuilding tradition of Dalmatia and Croatia.

The village is scattered around a small bay, protected from strong winds, and on the nearby hills. Lumbarda faces the Peljesac peninsula of Croatia’s mainland and an archipelago of tiny beautiful islands, where in summer kayakers and paddle boarders float in clear waters of the sea enjoying the views.

Fertile sandy soil has made Lumbarda famous among wine-making destinations. You won’t see crowds of people searching for architecture gems or museums here, but you’ll meet fanciers of some tasty white wine who come especially for wine tasting at local vineyards which are centuries-old in the company of delicious Dalmatian cuisine.

Outside of Lumbarda there are some nice calm and sandy beaches, a rare phenomenon in Croatia. The longest is called Przina. You can ask the crew to take you there in case you want to feel the sand under your feet or maybe even to build some sand castles as we all did once we were children.

As for wine, local makers produce Grk, white wine of excellent taste. We’ve mentioned about it already in the review of Korcula island and Korcula town. Farmers from Lumbarda also cultivate olives, figs, and all kinds of vegetables. You can have a walk or a bicycle ride among the lands full of beautiful greenery, see where real eco products come from and visit wineries.

Against the background of farmer lands, there stands Sveti Roka, a parish church, in the old part of Lumbarda. It is possible to have there a walk and find yourself as if in the middle of some nice and tiny medieval settlement.

Unless you decide to go for a wine-testing experience and have lunch or dinner at the winery, you won’t probably stop in Lumbarda for the meals. The village doesn’t have a big variety of dining spots, yet there are several konoba and taverns where it’s possible to taste traditional dishes, of course accompanied with a glass of white Grk wine, the most famous product of the village.

Keep in mind that in summer locals hold weekly fish festivals. Each Friday in one of the squares by the sea villagers grill freshly caught seafood, such as sardines, calamari, and people just stand in queue to get some delicious foods.

Nevertheless, now you know where on Korcula island you can have some quiet and real Dalmatian time while cruising the blues of the Adriatic.