Top places to visit in Hvar

• Fortica (Španjola Fortress)

  Hilltop fortress · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The hilltop fortress above Hvar Town, rebuilt by the Venetians, offering the classic panorama over the harbour and the Pakleni Islands.

• St. Stephen's Cathedral

  Cathedral · about 0.4 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Renaissance-baroque cathedral closing off the main square, with a distinctive four-storey Venetian bell tower.

• St. Stephen's Square

  Main square · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The largest old square in Dalmatia, a grand marble piazza opening from the harbour to the cathedral, ringed with cafés.

• Hvar Arsenal & Public Theatre

  Historic theatre · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A 16th-century Venetian arsenal housing one of Europe's oldest municipal theatres (1612), restored above the harbour.

• Franciscan Monastery Hvar

  Monastery · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate

  A serene 15th-century monastery on the bay with a cypress cloister, a museum and a famous "Last Supper" painting.

• Pakleni Islands

  Island archipelago · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  A dazzling chain of low, pine-clad islets just off Hvar Town, ringed with hidden coves, beach bars and clear turquoise water.

• Hvar Riva & Harbour

  Harbour promenade · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The yacht-lined waterfront where superyachts, water taxis and evening promenaders converge below the old town.

• Benedictine Convent (Agave Lace)

  Convent museum · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  A cloistered convent where nuns hand-make the UNESCO-listed agave lace, displayed in a small museum off the main square.

• Dubovica Beach

  Pebble cove · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A postcard pebble cove with turquoise water and a lone stone house, tucked below the coastal road east of Hvar Town.

• Hula-Hula Beach Bar

  Beach bar · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Hvar's legendary sunset beach bar west of the harbour, famous for its afternoon "après-beach" DJ parties over the water.

Things to do

• Pakleni Islands Boat Tour Boat · 5 h · from EUR 50 per person
• Blue Cave & Vis Island Tour Boat · 10 h · from EUR 130 per person
• Fortica Fortress Sunset Walk Tour · 2 h · from EUR 15 per person
• Hvar Island Wine Tasting Tour Food · 5 h · from EUR 75 per person
• Sea Kayaking to Pakleni Water Sports · 3 h · from EUR 45 per person

Day trips and tours

• Blue Cave & Vis Speedboat Day Tour 10 h · from EUR 130

Where to stay in Hvar

• Hvar Old Town / Riva about EUR 200 per night

  The harbourfront and main square — the fortress, cathedral, best restaurants and nightlife on the doorstep.

Hotels

• Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort 4-star · EUR 200 to EUR 470 per night
• Hostel Villa Marija 2-star · EUR 40 to EUR 120 per night
• Palace Elisabeth, Hvar Heritage Hotel 5-star · EUR 350 to EUR 850 per night
• Adriana, Hvar Spa Hotel 4-star · EUR 250 to EUR 550 per night

Where to eat

• Gariful Seafood, Mediterranean, Fine dining · about EUR 90 per person
• Dalmatino Dalmatian, Seafood, Mediterranean · about EUR 45 per person
• Konoba Menego Dalmatian, Tapas, Croatian · about EUR 35 per person
• Giaxa Mediterranean, Contemporary, Fine dining · about EUR 70 per person
• Fig Hvar International, Cafe, Brunch · about EUR 18 per person

Getting to Hvar

Nearest airport: Split (SPU), about 42 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.

How visitors arrive in Hvar

• Jadrolinija car ferry Split to Stari Grad By ferry from Split · most visitors

  Ferries run from Split to Stari Grad, the closest port for central Hvar and Hvar Town, operated by Jadrolinija. Source: visit-hvar.com

• Drvenik to Sućuraj ferry By ferry from Drvenik · possible

  A car and passenger ferry reaches Sućuraj at the island's east end, suited to arrivals from Dubrovnik or Sarajevo by road. Source: visit-hvar.com

From the port to the centre

• Local bus or taxi from Stari Grad

  Island buses (operator Čazmatrans) and taxis link Stari Grad port with Hvar Town. Source: visit-hvar.com

Getting around

• Boat useful for some trips

  Water taxis run from Hvar Town to the nearby Pakleni Islands.

• Ferry useful for some trips

  Car ferries from Split arrive at Stari Grad, while fast catamarans and hydrofoils serve Hvar Town directly.

  Krilo Split-Hvar tickets

• Taxi
• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Boat-tour touts

  Hvar Riva harbourfront

  Touts sell overpriced or vaguely-defined island boat tours on the spot.

  How to avoid it: Book with a reputable operator and confirm exactly which islands, inclusions and duration you are paying for.

Best time to visit Hvar

• Jan 12°C
• Feb 12°C
• Mar 13°C
• Apr 16°C
• May 19°C
• Jun 23°C
• Jul 26°C
• Aug 27°C
• Sep 23°C
• Oct 20°C
• Nov 16°C
• Dec 13°C

More in Croatia

• Dubrovnik
• Split
• Zagreb
• Zadar
• Rovinj
• Šibenik

Frequently asked questions about Hvar

What are the main places to visit in Hvar?

Places covered in our Hvar guide include Fortica (Španjola Fortress), St. Stephen's Cathedral, St. Stephen's Square, Hvar Arsenal & Public Theatre, Franciscan Monastery Hvar.

Where should I stay in Hvar?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Hvar: Hvar Old Town / Riva.

How do I get around Hvar?

Ways to get around Hvar covered in our guide: Boat, Ferry, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Hvar?

Scams reported to us for Hvar include Boat-tour touts. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Hvar?

Average daytime highs in Hvar run from 12°C in Jan to 27°C in Aug.