Hvar Island is one of the most popular islands to visit in Croatia. It’s right off the Dalmatian coast and is known for its amazing beach clubs and nightlife, celebrities commonly vacation there as well.
I visited during the shoulder season, so it was pretty relaxed, but I’ve heard it gets crazy during the summer months! I only spent one day there during my sailing trip, but I know I’ll be back someday. Here’s my guide to visiting Hvar!
Know before you go
Official language: Croatian
Currency: Euro. €1 is equal to about $1.50 CAD (as of January 1st 2023 Croatia has moved from using the Croatian Kuna to the Euro)
Plugs: the standard plugs in Croatia are type C and F, the voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50Hz.
Safety: Croatia is a very safe place for travellers, the violent crime rate is very low, almost non-existent. Pickpocketing, however, is very common, as it is in many European countries.
When to visit- For warm, sunny weather, May-October will be the best time to visit. Like most European destinations, July/August is peak season making it VERY busy with higher prices. If you want to save a bit of money and avoid the crowds, May/June and September/October are more reasonable months to visit.
How to get there
The closest airport is in Split which you can easily access via direct flight from a wide variety of European cities.
Hvar is a very common stop while Croatian island hopping. So if you go on a Croatia sailing trip like I did, a stop on Hvar will likely be included in your itinerary!
If you’re travelling on your own, the most cost-effective way to get there is the Jadrolinja Ferry. You can also hire speed boat charters like Dalmatia Express that will actually pick you up right from the airport!
Things to do
Wander the streets of the old town
A tiny ancient bay town rich with history, Hvar town is the biggest town on Hvar island. It’s full of charming cobblestone streets, beautiful Venetian architecture, and wonderful restaurants.
Check out St. Stephen’s Square and Basilica
Hvarska Pjaca, or St. Stephens Square, is the largest old square in Dalmatia. It’s lined with shops, cafes and overpriced restaurants.
Try the Boganuša wine
A delicious dry white made from grapes grown in the Stari Grad region.
Hike up to Fortica Spanjora
This is a must! It only takes about 15-20 minutes from the town square and you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Hvar Town and the harbour. Half of the hike is up the stairs right off the main square and the other is a winding path through gardens. There are countless aloe plants, bigger than I’ve ever seen, along the path.
Entry to the fort costs €10 ($15 CAD), and it’s definitely worth the price for the views!
Bonus *Explore the old prison*
Inside the fort, you can actually go down inside the old prison with 3 cells inside. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone claustrophobic.
Walk along the water or swim at one of the many beaches
As you walk the path to the beach bars, there will be countless ladders down onto the rocks to take to down to Hvars’ sand-less beaches.
Go for Sunset drinks at a beach bar
People flock to the west side of the island to catch Hvars’ stunning sunsets, most popularly viewed at one of the sunset bars.
A quick 20-minute walk along the coast from the main square, Hula Hula is the perfect spot to grab appetizers and cocktails. It was pretty chill when we were there, but during the summer months, it’s worth it to splurge on a booth because it can get really crowded.
Party the night away
During the summer months, Hvar is a party paradise. It’s known for its beach clubs and lively bars, Carpe Diem is the most popular one. They have Carpe Diem Bar on Hvar Island and Carpe Diem Beach which is their beach club and after-hours club. You can take a boat over and party all night long.
Where to stay
If you’re on a sailing trip, your accommodation will be taken care of. You’d be sleeping in your cabin on the sailboat tied to the docks- or many other boats.
If you’re travelling independently, these are some hotels I would recommend staying at:
The White Rabbit Hostel $ – located just 5 metres from the historical town centre, they have mixed and female dorms. It’s owned by 2 locals who love to travel themselves, so they know how to give a truly great experience.
Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort $$ – If you go to the Hula Hula beach bar, you’ll definitely notice this gorgeous beach resort as you walk along the coast. They have a multi-level pool with a waterfall and stunning sea views.
Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel $$$ – probably the nicest hotel on the island, right on the harbour. They even have a rooftop bar with incredible views of the old town square. The hotel had a complete renovation of its spa and public areas in 2018, so everything is newly updated.
Where to eat
I had dinner with friends at a place called Dalmatino. It’s a lovely restaurant just around the corner from the port. All three of us girls ordered wine and squid ink gnocchi with shrimp and truffle sauce; it was absolutely amazing. They also served complimentary liqueurs between each course, which was such a nice touch!
Some other restaurants recommended to us by our trip manager were Mizarola, and Black Pepper. Mizarola is known for their pizza, but some people in our group went there for dinner and mentioned that the black risotto was really good.
