Find out the best things to do in Hvar from a sophisticated, slow travel point of view. Hvar town is the St. Tropez of Croatia, but the island has much more to offer than mega yachts and overprices restaurants. 

Hvar Island

It’s no surprise that Hvar Island regularly tops Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice awards top ten islands. What makes this Adriatic island a top rated destination year after year? Well, I can only tell you the top things I love about Hvar and how to stay cool in this Croatian hotspot.

This is a timeless island with a rich history that includes many of history’s biggest players; Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Spanish, French, etc… Strategically situated on the sailing route of both trade and pilgrimage, Hvar has always been a coveted point of interest, from modern tourists to invading armies. As one would expect, the history of Hvar has been broadly shaped and influenced by outsiders, each invading force leaving their mark, which has resulted in a rich cultural, archaeological and architectural legacy.  For example, the Stari Grad Plain is a cultural landscape that has remained practically intact since it was first colonized by Ionian Greeks from Paros in the 4th century BC. The same grape & olive cultivation and dry stone walls of this fertile plain persist since ancient times.

To learn more about the history of Hvar, I invite you to watch this charming video provided by the Hvar board of tourism.

Croatia boasts some of the cleanest, clearest water in the Mediterranean and is still a good deal apart from the trendy places in the town of Hvar. Hvar island enjoys more sunshine per year than any other destination on the Dalmatian coast which almost guarantees sunny days if you go between May and October. Therefore the spectacularly clear water is also wonderfully warm and silky smooth. The Adriatic being the quietest corner of the Mediterranean Sea, it’s a great place for boating. If you are a first time yacht charterer, this is the place to get your sea legs. Less storms, less waves.

What to see IN HVAR:

The theatre in the town, the oldest in Europe, is now an art space exhibiting various local artists and installations. The mega yachts line the quayside four deep for the night; get comfortable with a good Croatian beer at one of the cafes facing the sea and watch the yacht action in the evening when they arrive. Take shelter from the heat at the Franciscan Monastery to enjoy old masters paintings (particularly ”The Last Supper” by Mateo Ponzoni Pončun early 17th century), sculptures, rare coin collection, rare books and centennial cypress tree.

WE GOT THIS:

So many options, so many possible pitfalls. If travel planning is not your cup of tea or you’re looking for a curated authentic experience abroad, contact Travellur for travel planning to this enchanting destination. We know exactly where you want to stay, excellent local restaurants that are not tourist traps, the best swimming spots and where to go on the boat to avoid the crowds so you can swim naked. Your time off is precious. You work hard for your money. Why take a chance of wasting both when you could have the best trip ever?

Not that much has changed since I first came to Hvar in 2008, except that it has become exponentially more popular as Americans, Brits and South Americans en masse have discovered its allure. Before we get confused, I should clarify that Hvar is an island and a town. The island lays just off the Dalmatian coast near the city of Split which has an international airport and plentiful ferries to the island. The town of Hvar is nestled in a natural harbour protected by an archipelago of islands at the eastern end of the island. Surrounded by high hills and dominated by a historic fortress dating back to the Bronze Age, the town is built of the lustrous ivory gypsum stone quarried in the millennia old quarry behind the medieval walls.

What to DO IN HVAR:

If you are staying in Hvar town, take  one of many water taxis offering inexpensive round trip passage to various points on the Pakleni islands - a scattering of 21 islands in front of the town which has numerous beach clubs, restaurants, beaches and enchanting pine forests that creep down to sparkling turquoise swimming coves. Walk up the hill through the narrow alleys of the town crowded with shops and restaurants, then continue up through a pine-shaded park to the Spanish Fortress for incomparable views of the town and Pakleni islands. Don’t worry, there’s cold drinks waiting for you at the top at the little cafe in the fort; entrance: 10€. If you have a couple hundred euros to spend on the best day of your trip, you can rent a private boat for the day and skip around between the Pakleni islands and serene coves on Hvar island. Make a reservation at one of the many beach restaurants or ask your skipper to bring you one.

Where to stay IN HVAR:

In traditional Croatian hospitality, people with large homes rent rooms to visitors. This was always more common than hotels and before the internet, homeowners would greet tourists descending from ferries and display photos of their availabilities. Therefore, there are many more Airbnbs and single rooms advertised on Booking.com than you would expect. Travellur has personal contacts at a number of preferred lodgings, so contact us for travel planning and we’ll make sure you are in the right place and in good hands. If you want to stay at a deluxe heritage hotel, you’ll want the Palace Elisabeth, a historic five star palace located right on the main square. First opened in 1899 under the name Spa Hotel Empress Elisabeth, named after the Austrian Empress Elisabeth ‘Sisi’ who was a Hvar lover and generous sponsor of the hotel’s construction. 

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