Island Hvar
Hvar is Croatia's most glamorous island — yachts, beach bars, lavender fields. But away from Hvar Town, the island also has a quiet, authentic side. With 2,726 hours of sunshine per year, it is Croatia's sunniest island.
Hvar Town★★★
The star of the island: a Venetian dream harbor with the Španjola Fortress high above, yachts in the harbor, palm trees on the main square, and nightlife that easily outshines Split's.
★★★ Španjola Fortress (Fortica)
Venetian fortress from 1551 on the hill above the town. The climb (15 min) is worth it for the breathtaking 360° view over Hvar Town, the Pakleni Islands, and the open sea. Bring a bottle of wine for the sunset!
8€. April–Oct: 8 AM–10 PM.
★★ Main Square (Trg Sv. Stjepana)
Allegedly the largest square in Dalmatia. Arsenal (oldest public theater in Europe, 1612), cathedral with Renaissance bell tower, open-air cafés.
★★ Pakleni Islands (Paklinski Otoci)
Offshore island group, reachable by taxi boat (10 min, 5–10€). Several islands with beach bars and restaurants:
- Palmižana (Sv. Klement): Pine forest, restaurant with garden, gallery, boutique atmosphere. The most beautiful island.
- Jerolim: Official nudist beach. Quiet, unspoiled.
- Marinkovac: Carpe Diem Beach Club — day party with DJs and cocktails.
Nightlife
Hula Hula Beach Bar — Sundowner institution. Cocktails, DJs, dancing on the rocks. Daily sunset party from 5 PM.
Carpe Diem — The legendary bar at the harbor. Cocktails, lounge music, clubbing at night.
Kiva Bar — For those who prefer it less chic. Good drinks, rock music, locals.
Dining
Konoba Menego · Groda — Above the town, honest konoba with Peka and grilled fish. Perfect terrace. €€
Giaxa · Petra Hektorovića — Upscale Dalmatian cuisine with a modern twist. Tasting menu. €€€
Fig Café Bar · Fabrika bb — Creative breakfast and brunch. Avocado toast, smoothies, specialty coffee. €
Stari Grad★★
The oldest town on the island — and one of the oldest in all of Europe (founded in 384 BC as the Greek colony of Pharos). Much quieter than Hvar Town, with the Stari Grad Plain (UNESCO) in the hinterland: a 2,400-year-old land division system still in use today by Greek colonists.
★★ Tvrdalj
Fortified summer house of the Renaissance poet Petar Hektorović (16th century). Beautiful fish pond in the courtyard, inscriptions on the walls.
4€. May–Oct: 10 AM–1 PM & 5–8 PM.
Hiking Tip: Stari Grad → Hvar Town
Across the island through lavender fields and olive groves. 12 km, approx. 3.5h. Views of both coasts. Unforgettable in June when the lavender blooms.
Lavender Fields & Island Interior
Hvar's interior is a sea of lavender (bloom: mid-June to mid-July), rosemary, and olive groves. The villages of Velo Grablje and Zastražišće are abandoned or barely inhabited — perfect photo opportunities and hiking destinations.
Farmers sell lavender sachets (2€), lavender oil (5–10€), and honey by the roadside. Especially beautiful: the Lavender Fields near Velo Grablje (8 km from Hvar Town, hike or quad tour).
Arrival and Further Travel Hvar
- Catamaran Split → Hvar Town: 1h, 12€ (Krilo, 2–3× daily). Fastest option directly to the center.
- Car ferry Split → Stari Grad: 2h, person 7€, car 42€ (Jadrolinija, 5–7× daily). Stari Grad is 20 km from Hvar Town (bus 5€, 30 min).
- Car ferry Drvenik → Sučuraj: 35 min. East Hvar. Cheap, but Sučuraj is 80 km from Hvar Town.
- Catamaran Hvar → Korčula: 1h, 12€ (Krilo). Ideal for island hopping southwards.
- Catamaran Hvar → Dubrovnik: Direct connection via Korčula (Krilo).
On the island: Bus Hvar–Stari Grad (6× daily), Hvar–Jelsa (4× daily). Scooter rental from 30€/day (perfect for the island!). Taxi boat to the Pakleni Islands: 5–10€.