Island Hvar Holidays
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Split holidays
A sumptuous slice of Croatian paradise
Among the 1,000+ islands scattered around the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Croatia, Hvar is arguably the most dazzling of all, boasting a unique blend of spectacular scenery, pulsating nightlife, and ancient coastal towns steeped in rich cultural heritage. It's one of the sunniest destinations in Europe, too.
Hvar Town draws the biggest crowds thanks to its ornate Venetian architecture, stylish hotels, fabulous restaurants and trendy beach clubs – but there’s plenty more to explore beyond the glamorous capital. Tucked away at the end of a forested bay on the north side of the island, Stari Grad feels like a town frozen in time, albeit with the addition of buzzing bars and restaurants dotted among its mazy cobblestone streets and squares.
Around the coast, you’ll find endless rocky inlets with calm, crystal clear waters, while a sprawling patchwork of lavender fields, olive groves and vineyards carpets the land around the island’s rugged, mountainous interior.
No matter how long you stay, you'll be wishing you didn't have to leave.
Your Hvar Island questions, answered
If you’ve rented a car on the mainland, you can drive it on to the ferry so you’ll have your own set of wheels once you arrive in Hvar. If you take the ferry by foot, you can easily get between the main towns on the island using the regular public bus.
The easiest way is to take the ferry from Split to Stari Grad, which runs several times a day and takes around one hour and 40 minutes. It’s also possible to take the ferry from Dubrovnik to Hvar Town, which takes three-and-a-half hours.
Glorious, most of the time. Hvar Island is known as one of the sunniest places in the whole of Europe, so there’s no safer bet for a warm weather getaway. Temperatures in peak season generally hover around the mid-to-high 20s during the day, only dropping to the low 20s at night – so you’ll comfortably be able to eat and drink outside in the evenings.
Dalmatian cuisine features a lot of fresh seafood, meat dishes and pasta. The fertile farmland on the Stari Grad Plain, combined with the great weather, means Hvar Island grows a lot of its own produce, so you’ll come across plenty of local wines, cheeses and vegetable-based dishes. In Hvar Town, meanwhile, you’ll also find a wider range of restaurants serving a diverse array of cuisines.
It depends what kind of holiday you’re after. If you want somewhere with a vibrant nightlife and a great choice of places to eat and drink, Hvar Town is your best bet. For somewhere equally charming but a little more rustic and relaxed, Stari Grad is a gorgeous alternative, while Jelsa is ideal if having a lovely beach on your doorstep is a priority.
Pokonji Dol is one of the most popular beaches within easy walking distance of Hvar Town. It can get crowded, though, so if you don’t mind venturing out to somewhere a little more remote, Mekićevica and Dubovica are prime spots further along the coast. If you’re staying in Jelsa, Mina Beach is the place to go, while Stari Grad has plenty of secluded coves nearby where you can swim and relax in the sun. Bear in mind that most beaches around Hvar Island are pebbly rather than sandy, so it's a good idea to bring something comfortable to lie on.
Best things to do in Hvar
Hit the beach
Whether you prefer soft, sandy beaches with live music and plenty of bars and restaurants nearby, or secluded pebble beaches where you can enjoy a picnic under the shade of pine trees, there’s a beach to suit every taste in Hvar. Wherever you go, the water tends to be warm, shallow and stunningly clear.
Go cycling
From challenging mountain trails to easy-going coastal routes, cycling is a great way to explore lesser-visited corners of the island. Take a loop around the Kabal Peninsula, for instance, and you’ll traverse swathes of serene, uninhabited countryside between the towns of Stari Grad, Jelsa and Vrboska – all of which have their own distinct charm.
Visit the Pakleni Islands
Just off the coast of Hvar Town lies a tiny archipelago of idyllic islands, reachable in just 10 minutes by water taxi – a great option for a day trip. The secluded lagoons are perfect for snorkeling and kayaking, while the beaches here are generally much quieter than those on the main island.