Out & About

Local Activities

Upon booking, and in our guestbook at Villa Philomena, we provide full contacts and advice for: windsurfing, wakeboarding, kitesurfing, boat hire, scuba diving, shallow-water and deep-sea fishing, mountain biking and climbing, rambling, tennis courts, local travel, restaurants, beaches - which should be more than enough to keep you busy!

Alternatively, of course, you could simply sit on the terrace and watch other people be active down at the seafront!

Windsurfers at Viganj

With its beautifully clear waters, channel geography and consistent maestral wind at sea, Viganj is hugely popular for its wide variety of watersports. The World and European windsurfing championships have each been held in Viganj in recent years, and the Croatian windsurfing championships are held here each August.

We believe the Viganj area provides among the widest range of options for visitors to Croatia, with easy road access to mainland destinations, including Dubrovnik, yet only a short boat or ferry ride to the many idyllic islands, inlets and discoveries, including Korcula, Hvar and Brac.

Boats off Korcula Town

For those seeking dryer pursuits, Mt. Illijah gently rising from the sea offers endless walking, rambling, mountain biking, climbing and camping opportunities (the May Day gathering on the mountain top plains is supposed to be fun - and on a clear day you can see Italy from the top). There are also scooters and cars for hire locally, and local tennis courts.

For a real sense of Croatian culture, check out the local events, festivals and concerts. There is the Loviste August festival and the Narkovan September festival (in an ancient, abandoned village between Loviste and Viganj) is a fantastic party – the locals are very sociable and welcoming!

Orebic sidestreet

Eating and Drinking

We believe the Viganj culinary scene is unrivalled in the area. Within walking distance, there is an array of Konoba (organic restaurants using own grown produce), restaurants, bars and cafes.  (Note: some of the restaurants do not accept credit cards, so carry cash.)

There are also many vineyards on the road from Dubrovnik and in the area. It is a little known fact that Croatia produces some wonderful wines (particularly at the prices). And fear not, there are many good producers around Viganj!

Gradina Restaurant, Loviste

Korcula Island

A 10-minute ferry ride from Orebic, the ancient and beautiful Venetian-built Korcula Town is well worth a visit, as are the surrounding villages and countryside. You can roam the old alleyways and cafes, visit the museums and art galleries, and choose from several good dinner spots and bars near the marina.

Other attractions include the Moreška sword dancing with traditional singing and dancing, the 101 steps up to the beautiful church of St. Antun, and the open-air cinema.

Tour operators in the town centre organise ferry trips to Miljet, Hvar, Brac etc, and there are scooter/bicycle hire shops.

The island of Badija, just off Korcula Island, is also a lovely place to spend a quiet day, with very few people around. 

For more information see: www.korcula.net  or  www.korculainfo.com.

Entrance to Korcula Old Town

Orebic

A small town four miles from Viganj, where the seafront promenade takes you to several seafront restaurants and bars, and Trestnica beach, with its lively summer beach bar.

It is well worth driving up to the 15th century Franciscan monastery, with its stunning views, monastery museum and adjacent konoba restaurant “Jurkovic”. Above the monastery are the ruins of the Trstenica duke’s castle and a restored Gothic church. A walking track takes you along Mt. Illijah back to Viganj.

For more information see: www.orebic-tours.hr  or  www.peljesac.info.

Orebic Marina