The 10 things to do in Hvar • Wanderlix

Are you coming to Croatia soon? So discover the 10 things to do in Hvar!

Located in the Adriatic Sea, Hvar is one of the most touristic islands in Croatia. It is certainly one of the most beautiful and interesting. Famous for its beaches and heavenly coves, Hvar houses a beautiful heritage and charming landscapes.

So she will delight all the passenger profiles! You can enjoy the sun and the farniente, make beautiful hikes, practice water sports or discover picturesque villages.

Are you planning to visit Hvar? So, in this article, we tell you the 10 essentials to make in Hvar!

1. The city of Hvar

The Old Town of Hvar is obviously the first place to visit when you arrive on the island. The city is renowned for its nightlife in the summer, but also for its authentic atmosphere. You will discover picturesque streets, beautiful churches and a beautiful walk by the water.

Charming restaurants and cafes are also located in the city. They will make travellers happy in search of typical gastronomy. Among the main monuments of Hvar are the cathedral, the Loggia villa, the 13th century arsenal and the Spanish Fortresse.

2. The Spanish Fortress

Fortica Španjola is certainly one of the highlights of a visit to the Old Town of Hvar. This magnificent fortress was built in the 13th century. It is about 90 metres above sea level.

You will enjoy an incredible view of the city’s roofs, the deep blue sea and the offshore archipelago. She is one of the must-sees to Hvar!

3. The beach Dubovica

Obviously, it is impossible to talk about Hvar without evokeing the multitude of heavenly beaches that enamel it. And if there is one that is worth the detour more than others, it is good Dubovica .

Located on the south coast, it is located about ten kilometres south of the Old Town of Hvar. Here you will enjoy delicious, blue water and surrounded by small picturesque stone houses. Quiet, it is nestled at the bottom of a small bay. You will find a very special atmosphere and an exceptional setting!

4. The Pakleni Islands

In front of the city of Hvar is about 20 small islands with unique beauty: the Pakleni Islands . They are of course one of the most important things to do in Hvar.

During the summer, many boats leave to these islands and their beautiful beaches. We recommend that you discover them and enjoy a charming boat trip to these. You will enjoy beautiful landscapes and sublime beaches!

5. Stari Grad

The Old Town of Hvar is not necessarily the most important city or the only one on the island. Stari Grad , the arrival point of many ferries, is another unmistakable city when you come to visit Hvar. This city is one of the oldest in Croatia. His name even means "old city" in Croatian. So we date his foundation to 384 before Jesus Christ , when the Greeks of Paros Island settled on the island of Hvar.

During your visit to the city, you will admire old stone Dalmatian houses. You can also visit beautiful churches and monasteries, as well as the beautiful fortified residence Tvrdalj of the poet Petar Hektorović. To enjoy a beautiful view of the city and the bay, we recommend you finally get to the White Cross, north of Stari Grad. The place offers stunning views of the surrounding area!

6. The Stari Grad Plain

Listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Stari Grad complaint is an ancient site unique to discover absolutely during your stay. It is just east of this old city. This place once saw the installation of Greek and Roman settlers.

It then provided all the necessary food to the inhabitants to live. The whole area deserves the visit. You will admire the ruins and remains of many times: Prehistory, Greek and Roman Antiquity, Middle Ages.

7. Other beaches of Hvar

The beach Dubovica is not the only beach on the island. There are many wonderful beaches to discover during your stay. Some need to have a vehicle, others are accessible on foot from the main cities. This is the case of the charming beach Pokonji Dol , located a few steps from Hvar. This pebble beach has everything to seduce: turquoise water, enchanting views and typical Mediterranean setting. Further south, you can also discover and enjoy the beach Malo Zarace A very photogenic spot.

To the northwest of Stari Grad, the beaches Žukova or Brizenica also worth the detour. You will bathe here in the middle of the rocks. On the other side, on the east, the beach Maslinica is also a wonderful spot to enjoy the sea and relax in a nice setting.

Don’t miss exploring one or more of these beaches during your visit to Hvar, you’ll be spoiled for your choice!

8. The picturesque villages

Apart from the beaches, the island of Hvar is also known for its small picturesque villages. We recommend that you visit Vrboska , located east of the Stari Grad complaint . This charming fishing village is renowned for its many stone bridges, which give it its small nickname "Vice of Hvar". Vrboska is surrounded by beautiful beaches, like Maslinica mentioned above.

Southeast Voisin of Vrboska, village Jelsa is also worth the detour. Today a small seaside resort, it is known for its beautiful seafront, its heritage and its authenticity. All around, you will also find charming spots where you swim during your stay!

Among the unmissable villages, Sveta Nedilja also imposes itself naturally in mind. This small village is located on the southern coast of the island. It is surrounded by many beautiful bays and beautiful pebble beaches, like the beach Skala . Crystal waters and rocks attract many snorkeling enthusiasts. If you come to visit Hvar, do not miss going to Sveta Nedilja !

9. Hiking

The island of Hvar is a beautiful playground for all hikers, amateurs or not. First, it should be noted that without a vehicle many beaches will only be accessible on foot. So we think about that of Malo Zarace from Hvar. Joining you will discover a good part of the beautiful southern coast of the island.

For beautiful hikes, we recommend the village of Sveta Nedilja As a starting point. You can walk along the coast and discover beautiful swim spots to refresh yourself. But you can mostly climb in the heights. Up there you will discover caves, small churches and monasteries, and especially incredible panoramas!

For a dive in the middle of nature, we also recommend all the villages overlooking Jelsa and Vrboska: Pitve , Vrisnik or Svirče . Along the paths, you will discover a lot of small wonders. Hiking is a must-see activity in Hvar!

10. Blue Cave

A must-see trip from Hvar is finally the Blue Cave of Biševo . This spot is located on the island of the same name, off the island of Vis, southwest of Hvar. It is one of the natural curiosities and one of the most famous marine attractions in Croatia.

It is known for the unique colors of water that produces the filtering sun through the rocks. The atmosphere of the place is truly enchanting and amazing! You can discover this unique spot by boat or by diving on the site. From Hvar, many excursions are offered to the Blue Cave.

How to go to Hvar?

Hvar is an island with no international airport. To reach it, you will have to first take the plane to a city by having it, then take a ferry. You can also reach it by car from the mainland.

By plane then ferry

If you fly to Croatia, we recommend that you land at the airport Split . To find the best flights at the best prices, you can use our partner's flight comparison Ulysses .

You can then reach the port of Split to take a ferry or catamaran to the island of Hvar. Ferries circulate from Split to Stari Grad and can transport cars. In catamaran and without a car, you can also reach Hvar or even Jelsa. The ferries circulate every year. The number of trips simply increases in the high season.

By car then ferry

By car, you can reach Split then Stari Grad. If you plan to go along the coast, then you can also reach the ferry port of Drvenik. You can then reach the village of Sućuraj on the east tip of the island of Hvar. You will then have to cross the island by car to reach Hvar, Stari Grad or another city.

Once on site

To travel and visit the island of Hvar, many options are available to you. The most convenient is obviously the car, especially if you stay out of the main towns and villages and want to join some other rather remote spots.

You can also travel by bike or by foot for short distances, or with public transport or taxi for medium and long distances.

Where to stay in Hvar?

We mentioned many villages and cities in this list of uncontourable things to do in Hvar. Many of them are excellent places to stay: the Old Town of Hvar, Stari Grad, Vrboska, Jelsa or Sveta Nedilja. You can choose one depending on the activities, the animation and the desired atmosphere or the nearby beaches.

In any case, you will find many accommodations to sleep in Hvar. To choose a hotel, we recommend using our hotel Compare hotels . But you can also find accommodation in the home, via Airbnb for example, or even camping pitches.