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The Ibiza of Croatia, that's how the island of Hvar is also known. But Hvar offers so much more than that. The island has a coastline of some 68 kilometers, making it heart-stoppingly large. You will find incredibly beautiful cliffs and rock formations, bays with clear blue seawater, cute villages and a beautiful interior to explore. Hvar is one of the largest and most beautiful islands off the coast of Croatia. And from here you can easily island hop to the surrounding islands. A boat trip along the paradisiacal Pakleni islands is definitely recommended, but a visit to the island of Brač is also worth considering. That Hvar is a must-visit, we can't ignore that. That's why in this article we share what there is to do and share a few handy tips for Hvar!
What to do on Hvar? 7 tips!
Hvar is one of those typical summer destinations where you like to linger longer than expected. The friendly atmosphere, relaxed island life and pleasant Mediterranean climate will make you lose your heart to the island. A stay of 4 days on the island is more than enough to discover the most beautiful spots and enjoy a party, but of course you can also enjoy yourself longer. It just depends on your needs. Curious about our tips for Hvar? Discover them below!
1. Stroll through the streets of Hvar town
Hvar town is a lively, hip and very cozy town. The town was founded in the Middle Ages by the Venetians and therefore has a number of beautiful sights. Especially the medieval character and architectural style can still be seen and are actually a feast for the eyes. The city is surrounded by a city wall that dates back to the 13th century. You can of course visit the giant fortress on the hill. You can go there on foot, which takes about 20 minutes, or you can take a cab. At the fort you will find a bar with an amazing view of the city and its surroundings. Very nice to be there during golden hour and sunset.
The bustling heart of the city is around the harbor and the Piazza, the largest square in all of Dalmatia. It is very beautifully situated with the Cathedral of Sv. Stephan, the Bishop's Palace and the Arsenal attached to it. Hvar's harbor is definitely the town's eye-catcher. It is full of small boats and luxurious yachts. One even bigger and more luxurious than the other. Especially in the evening you can feast your eyes here.
2. Dine out at these restaurants in Hvar town
Walking through the streets of Hvar town, you will come across the nicest restaurants and bars. But where can you eat really well? We have collected our best tips for you and are very happy to share them with you. Just keep in mind that many restaurants are "cash only". Make sure you have enough cash in your pocket.
Luviji Rooftop - a restaurant somewhat hidden behind the Piazza. From the rooftop, you overlook parts of the Piazza and the fortress higher up. The menu is full of tasty dishes, but what they are best known for are the fresh and local seafood dishes;
Macondo - The location of the restaurant in a cute cobblestone street makes you quickly sit down for dinner here. The menu is not extensive and that is because they work mainly with freshly caught fish, which is directly why Macondo is so popular (even among locals);
Mediterraneo Dine & Wine - behind the boardwalk you will find a cozy square where you can dine in a very atmospheric setting. The menu is very diverse, so there is undoubtedly something for everyone. The recommendations? Those are the tuna tartare and ribeye;
Kantun - At lunchtime, we are soon happy with a nice sandwich, a smoothie and a coffee. And that's exactly what you can get at Kantun. Oh, and also a freshly baked croissant and a refreshing ice cream. It's small cafe with only a few spots to sit down;
Oasis - Are you also so fond of coffee? Then you'll want to go here. You'll find Oasis at the Piazza with a counter for coffee take-away, but walk inside and you can take a seat in the cute courtyard;
aRoma Gelato - This is the number one ice cream parlor on Hvar. The ice cream parlor has even been on television because of their particularly delicious homemade flavors. So don't be surprised if there is a huge line and remember: it is well worth the wait!
3. Take a boat tour of the Pakleni islands
Off the coast of Hvar are the paradisiacal Pakleni Islands, an archipelago consisting of 20 islands stretching some 10 kilometers. The Pakleni islands are known for their crystal-clear waters and idyllic coves. The best way to explore the islands is by boat. Consequently, daily boat trips depart from the port of Hvar (and also from Split) to the Pakleni islands. The offer is quite varied. For example, you can sail along the islands on a large catamaran, but you can also book an afternoon on a sailboat or a private boat. It just depends on what you are in the mood for!
For example, do you want to go to the island of Palmizana? Then you can also take a cab boat there, spend all day on the island and return to Hvar by the end of the afternoon.
We booked the Comfort Yacht sailing trip to the Pakleni islands for €80 per person. This was a 4-hour trip where we stopped in 2 bays and sailed around on the water. You can bring your own food and drinks and there is a toilet on board.
4. A day of relaxing at a cozy beach club
Hvar is a rocky island and its coastline is therefore rugged. By this we mean that you cannot find sandy beaches, but mostly pebble beaches. Which, by the way, are very beautiful as the white pebble beaches contrast beautifully with the turquoise color of the sea.
If you are staying in and around Hvar town there is a walking path along the coast, and what is striking is that here you will find many steps to enter the sea. This way you can easily take a refreshing dip. It is also good to stay here, but of course not very comfortable. If you don't have a swimming pool at your accommodation, you're more likely to find a beach club. And around Hvar town you will find some very cozy beach clubs. A favorite of ours is Hula Hula Hvar, a nice beach club and bar. The beach club is ideally situated in the sun and often there is a nice cool breeze. The beach club has its own pier from which you can enter the water and in the sea float two rafts where it is nice to relax. Towards the end of the afternoon, the volume of the music increases and the beach bar slowly fills up. Fun is guaranteed here. Good to know is that renting a sunbed here is €40 per person (cash only), which is definitely on the pricey side.
Other atmospheric beach clubs close to Hvar town are:
5. Experience the nightlife on Hvar
As we wrote earlier, the island of Hvar is known as the Ibiza of Croatia and is therefore frequently visited by partying groups of friends. This means that the atmosphere on the island is often good. Around the harbor, many bars turn into nightlife spots in the evening and the streets are buzzing with activity. A popular club on Hvar is Carpe Diem. They have a busy bar on the boardwalk and their own island where you can dance until the late (or early) hours.
6. Rent a scooter or car and explore the island
There is nothing like renting a scooter or car on vacation and exploring the island on your own. Visit the most beautiful beaches, coves and villages, stopping along the way at one of the famous wineries for a tasting.
After all, did you know that Hvar is known for its own wine and lavender production? You can taste local wines in all the restaurants, but it's all the more fun to visit a local winery. Does this appeal to you? Then these are well-known spots on Hvar: Vina Tomic, Luviji Winery and Hvar Hills Winery.
Characteristic of Hvar are the lavender fields, a beautiful picture to see when they are in full bloom in (on average from late May to mid-July). Lavender processing has been done by hand on Hvar for years and is a real local craft. In many stores you can find products that include lavender, such as an oil or soap. A nice memento for home.
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7. Combine your stay on Hvar with a visit to Split
The island of Hvar is an hour by boat from the port of Split, the second largest city in the country. The centuries-old city center breathes history and offers a number of interesting sights to visit. Wander around the maze of cobblestone streets and you will no doubt be impressed by the remains of the Roman palace. Curious about our tips for Split?
Where to stay on Hvar?
There are several villages on Hvar where you can stay during your vacation, but by far most travelers stay in or around Hvar town. We ourselves stayed in Hvar Riva Rooms, a private apartment complex where you book hotel rooms located around the harbor of Hvar town. They are spacious rooms with comfortable beds and breakfast is included in the price. We paid about €100 per night for the two of us.
Hvar town is a very nice place to stay because you are right in the bustling city center, but Stari-Grad is also a nice place on the island.
How to get to Hvar?
The vast majority of travelers to Hvar come to the island from Split by ferry. From the port of Split, several boats leave for Hvar every day; in total, you're about an hour away. You can buy tickets for the ferry on the spot, but remember that in high season it is busy and ferries get booked up faster. If you want to be sure of your ferry ticket you can go to FerryHopper buy your ticket in advance. This is also a good website to see departure and arrival times.
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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