One of the most popular islands in Croatia attracts thousands of people each day, especially on summer days. Visit Hvar and explore his extraordinary beauty.
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Take a walk on the sunniest island
Hvar is settled between the islands of Brač, Vis, and Korčula. It is often seen as the party island, but it is so much more than that. With a karst landscape, mild winters and warm summers, it is an ideal destination at any time of the year. It is considered as the sunniest spot in the country with more than 2800 sunny hours each year. Its surface is full of vineyards and the breathtaking lavender fields. You will fall in love with its indented coastline, crystal clear beaches, unspoiled nature, rich historical and cultural heritage, and beautiful scents of lavender, olive, and wine.
Hvar is known for its three main towns – Hvar town, Stari Grad, and Jelsa. It also has several small villages such as Sućuraj, Brusje, Vrbanj, Svirče, and many other unspoiled areas but worth seeing.
Meet the impressive city of Hvar
Take a walk in the magical city of Hvar, where all the streets will lead you to the Hvar’s square, impressive and one of the largest squares in Dalmatia. It is 4500 square meters big and dates back to the 13th century. At the end of the square is the St.Stephen’s Cathedral, a big and historic church which provides a beautiful Mass and the rich works which date back to the 15th century.
Look up at the top of the hill upon the city and you will see an impressive fortress. Fortica or Španjola at first looks intimidating in its height and distance from the town, but it is actually an easy uphill walk. It is one of the most important monuments in Hvar. Fortica with its city walls once represented the central defensive fort of the town of Hvar, the centenary patron of the city and the port. Don’t forget to bring your camera, so you can take awesome landscape photos.
Franciscan Monastery at the end of the city is a hidden gem with lovely cloisters. Many of the paintings are a 15th and 16th century and some are quite impressive. There are even a few relics from the 2nd century when the Romans traded and landed here and left their mark.
If you love theaters than you have to visit Hvar’s Theater, a monument built in 1612. It is the third oldest theater in Europe, and it represents the highest national significance for Croatia.
The city of Hvar may be the most remarkable city on the island but Stari Grad, the oldest village on the island, as well as Jelsa. A smattering of little villages, dotting the coast or cuddled in the curvaceous interior, is well worth a visit.
Getting to Hvar
If you are traveling by car, a bus or train, you should definitely come to Split or Drvenik, from where you can continue a ride by the ferry. Ferries sail from Split to Stari Grad, Jelsa, and to the town of Hvar. Additionally, you can take a taxi boat to transfer you to the island.
The nearest airports are in Split, Zadar, and Dubrovnik. From the airport, you can rent a car, took a bus or take a taxi to the ferry.
Taste the beauty
There are many seafood restaurants on the island, but we recommend the Gariful, it is one of the best by locals. Glorious place at the end of the crucial pier in Hvar. Sitting outside, watching the sunset while drinking the local wine and eating tasteful fresh seafood. Dalmatino is nice restaurant dinner with excellent food and service. Recommended by the Tripadvisor, the guidebooks and those that go there – there’s a good reason for that – its unique, atmospheric and fantastic! Located on a narrow street with beautiful surroundings Fig Cafe Bar will surely be one of your preferred places to eat. If you are a vegetarian, this is the right place for you, try out cranberry and brie flatbread, spicy eggs or vegetarian breakfast burritos.
Things to do on the Hvar Island
- Visit the abandoned village of Malo Grablje, which was inhabited by the wealthy families that plant olives and lavender. It’s a delightful and isolated place to wander around where you can really affect a sense of a way of life pass on.
- Island Galešnik is across the harbor of Hvar, and it is a loving retreat from the energetic Hvar. It is small but has it all, little and lovely streets, charming people, pretty harbor, and sweet little alleys with charming shops.
- Explore the Šćedro island, one of the most peaceful Mediterranean islands. Šćedro is a small island on the south side of the island Hvar and as a natural park, it offers its visitors unique and unspoiled beauty and many secluded bays.
- If you are a gourmet, you need to go to the Blue Cave and Vis Culinary Day Trip, and we guarantee you’ll love it. This trip is something that needs to be on your itinerary.
- If wine and great food are more of your thing, you can try fantastic wine and gastronomy tour. You can visit wineries, sip excellent local wine, learn how they make such a tasteful wine.
- Diving, snorkeling, sailing, and fishing are all also available on the island. If you don’t have your own equipment, don’t worry because there are many companies you can rent from.
- Water activities are great things to do, and if you are an adventurer you can go to the sea kayaking tour from Hvar town to the Pakleni Islands.
- Hvar Island is full of beautiful untouched beaches. We recommend that you see: Dubovica, Pišćena, Zaraće, Banj, Sveta Nedilja, Jerolim, and Jagodna.
- City walking tour is always a good idea if you want to get to know how the locals live and learn more about the history of the area. But if you are not a fan of a walking tour you can rent a car or ATV so you can explore the island on your own.
Photo by: Chris Goldberg / CC BY-NC 2.0
