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22 September 2015 / 21 Comments

The town of Hvar and the island of Hvar in Croatia

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The city of Hvar in Croatia is located on the island of Hvar, in the Adriatic Sea. The old town of Hvar is a medieval town with shiny stone floors, grand buildings and tall churches such as St Stephen's Cathedral. There's also a wide harbour promenade, and because it's car-free, it's a lovely holiday town with boats, palm trees and parties.

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The island of Hvar in Croatia

The island is known as the lavender island because in June, when the lavender blooms all over the island, it becomes coloured. The old town has a nice atmosphere without cars and there are more gold and jewellery shops than food shops here in Hvar. The harbour promenade is wide and there are lots of boats among pine trees and palm trees with stone walls and restaurants and pubs.

Staden Hvar i Kroatien

The town of Hvar is located at one end of the Adriatic Sea on the oblong island of the same name, which is pronounced 'Kvar'. Hvar has one of the largest populations with 11,000 inhabitants and is located in Dalmatia. There are over 300 hours of sunshine per year and the town is full of nightlife and jetsetters. From here it is close to the Makarska Riviera, but also to the neighbouring islands of Vis and Brac.

Holidays in the town of Hvar on the island of Hvar

The tourist town of Hvar is a medieval town and the old fortress with its city walls sits at the top of the hill and boasts. St Stephen's Cathedral is in the old town. Off the island are 20 small romantic islands with small sandy beaches that protect the island from the weather. Explore the town with all the small alleys, charming little bars, shops and restaurants. 

St Stephen's Square

Built around a huge square of about 4500 m2, St Stephen's Square is one of the largest squares in Croatia. Walking on polished stones dating back 2000 years feels like being in someone's living room. Here you'll find most things like the old theatre, the cathedral, shops, restaurants and the square takes you down to the charming harbour which is the major attraction of the town of Hvar.

St Stephen's Cathedral

The Cathedral of Hvar or St Stephen's Cathedral as it is also known is a Gothic church from the 14th century. The bell tower is 4 storeys high and was added in the 17th century.

Where Arsenal & theatre

In the corner of the square facing the Adriatic Sea at the harbour you will find the Hvar Arsenal & Theatre. It was built in the 14th century to repair galleons and had high ceilings. The Ottomans destroyed the building, but it was rebuilt in the 17th century, creating a theatre on the upper floor, which today is one of the oldest city theatres in Europe.

Fortica

High on a hill above the town of Hvar is Fortica (Spanjola), the fortress built in the 17th century. The fortress also offers a panoramic view of the entire town, harbour and sea for selfies and sunsets. From the square in the north, pass the Capital Gate or Porta di datallo (Data Gate) and walk up the stairs through the old part of the town. 

Fort Napoleon

The Napoleon Fort in Hvar was built in 1812 at the top of the 230 metre hill. You can expect an hour and a half to walk the entire distance and pass the fortica Spanjola on the way up, but what better way to get the best selfie or sunset. Rent a vehicle and drive up!

Monastery

There are two monasteries to visit in Hvar; the Franciscan Monastery and the Benedictine Monastery. The Franciscan monastery is located in a bay with clear blue waters and has a museum. The Benedictine monastery is located in the direction of the Fortica fortress and here you can admire the beautiful lace woven by the nuns.

Market in the town of Hvar

The outdoor market between the station and the square in the town of Hvar offers fresh vegetables and freshly picked fruit. In the harbour along the promenade there is lavender as it is grown on the island and then sold at the market, it smells fantastic. Why not buy some lavender oil or dried lavender to take home with you.

WIFI.se

The harbour promenade

In the town of Hvar, the harbour is the centre of attraction for local fishing boats, sailing ships and yachts from all over the world. To soak up the atmosphere, sit down in a café or bar on the quayside and just enjoy the constant stream of people moving around the harbour area.

UNESCO Intangible World Heritage procession Za Krizen

Procession Za Krizen - On Maundy Thursday every year, six cross bearers from 6 villages on the island of Hvar are sent barefoot to carry crosses 25 km without resting, around to different villages. An old Catholic custom.

Sun and swimming around the town of Hvar and the island of Hvar

Wherever you go to sunbathe or swim, make sure you take plenty of water with you. Many beautiful beaches and coves do not have access to shops, so make sure you have water and something to eat. If you're going to the islands, hire your own boat to get around at your own pace.

Staden Hvar
  • Pakleni Islands: Just outside the harbour in Hvar are the Pakleni Islands, where many people go to swim in one of the beautiful bays. Take the taxi boat 5 minutes during the day to the islands. One island Jerolim is a nude island with bars and restaurants. The nearest island Galesnik with the best view of the town of Hvar from the sea with a restaurant from an old army fortress.
  • Island of Vis Where ABBA-the film was shot
  • Island of Brac with a world-famous beach called Zlatny Rat.
  • Green Lagoon and the green cave
  • Blue cave on the island of Bisevo
  • Below the Franciscan monastery is a small beach in Hvar.
  • Pokonji Dol which is a pebble beach located in a bay within walking distance and where you can also rent sunbeds, pedal boats and canoes.
  • Mekicevica is a naturist beach near hvar where you can go if you want to swim without clothes which is very common in Croatia.
  • Mlini Milnais are two beaches and some of the most popular beaches on the whole of Hvar and it is about 3km from the centre. There are also restaurants where you can eat and buy water.
  • Milna About 9 minutes by car from the town of Hvar you will find 4 beaches surrounded by pine forest where the pines offer also shady places.
  • Dubovica Dubovica is located on the south side of the island about 11.8 km east of the town of Hvar and 4 km from the village of Milna. This is one of the largest and most beautiful sandy beaches on the island, located in a sheltered bay with restaurants nearby.
  • Mina sandy beach in the village of Jelsa
  • Mlaska in Vrboska is a sandy beach and there is also a naturist beach for those who want to swim naked.

Nightlife on Hvar during your holiday

The beach club "Carpe diem" which you take a taxi boat to the island of Marinkovac with legendary parties, dj, dance floor, bars, yes, everything for a whole night.

Hula hula bar which is a 15 min walk from the town of Hvar and has a full house and a huge number of young people by the sea.

Febril aktivitet på segelbåtarna i hamnen i staden Hvar
Frantic activity on the sailing boats in Hvar harbour
Staden Hvar ligger fint vid vattnet på ön Hvar
The town of Hvar has a beautiful waterfront location on the island of Hvar.

Stari grad on the island of Hvar on your holiday

Croatia's oldest town Stari Grad is located on the island of Hvar, in a small bay on the north-west side of the island. This historic town was founded by Greeks in 384 BC, then called Pharos. Today it is a town of narrow, charming alleys and squares.

You can walk the harbour promenade all the way to Lanterna beach along the waterfront. The city is quiet and there is no night-time partying! Walking in narrow alleys and small squares like Petar Hektorovic square among restaurants, past the old St Stephen's church feels historic. Outside the city centre you'll find vineyards and olive groves. Look for the Kabal peninsula and bay that is a dream and Tito's caves at the tip.

UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Stari Grad Plain

The island of Hvar is home to one of the 10 Unesco World Heritage Sites in Croatia. This World Heritage Site, the Stari Grad Plain, is a cultural landscape that has remained largely unchanged since it was colonised by the Greeks in the 4th century BC. At that time, grapes and olive here, and they still do.

More attractions on the island of Hvar

Basina

The village of Basina is a very idyllic place on the island and is located in a bay on the north-east side of the island. It is surrounded by olive trees, lavender and the sea. Basina is great if you're travelling with children because of the peace and quiet and no city life.

Vrboska

Vrboska is called "little Venice" for its many charming bridges, Gotlandic houses, villas that provide a cosy atmosphere. Vrboska is a small town on the northern coast of the island and is located at the bottom of a deep fjord.

Sandstrand på ön Hvar
Vrboska sandy beach

Jelsa

The town of Jelsa has grown into a popular tourist destination, a little quieter than Hvar, with both large classic hotels and smaller rooms for rent. The 14th century harbour was one of the island's most important fishing ports, with a square surrounded by restaurants, small shops and old Renaissance houses. Visit the family-run ice cream parlour Eis Caffe in Jelsa, which was established in 1962 and is still very popular. The Croatian ice cream is said to be the best in the world and you'll be sorry if you don't try it.

Utsikt från ön Hvar

Milna

The village of Milna is located in a sheltered bay and has two of the finest beaches on the island. There are also nice restaurants here, but the village doesn't have much nightlife, so this is the place to come if you want to relax and get away from the city centre.

Gdinj

If you want to stay in a quieter area, Gdinj is located in the centre of the island. Gdinj is a small town surrounded by green hills, olive trees, lavender and vineyards. Here you can rent a house or an apartment.

Staden Hvar i Kroatien
Olive groves wherever you go

Accommodation in the town of Hvar and the island of Hvar during your holiday

Accommodation

There are plenty of hotels and bed & breakfasts around the town of Hvar in various price ranges. You can also find hostels, apartments or small houses for rent on the island.

Campsites

Nudist camp Vrboska, where we stayed when we were here for a few weeks with a campervan.

Camping Vira a bit outside Hvar. This is a fresh, nice and rather hilly campsite with water views in several directions.

Camping Vira vis staden Hvar
Freedom at camping Vira

Excursions from the island of Hvar to the mainland

On the mainland, you won't want to miss the historic city of Split, nor Trogis or Omis.

Zlatni Rat on the island of Brac

Travelling to Hvar and the island of Hvar

Hvar by ferry from Split to Town of Hvar the ferry takes about 1 hour 5 minutes with the ferry company Jadrolinija. If you haven't bought a ticket online before, you can buy it in the harbour, but be prepared to wait several hours in high season. There are several ferry companies as well as speedboats (catamarans) if you want them.

Dubrovnik to Hvar you can ride catamarans and speedboats.

The small town of Drvenik by car ferry on the mainland to Sucuraj on the island of Hvar, which is the shortest ferry crossing. The ferry takes only 35 minutes and is located 25 km south of Makarska.

Färja på väg till ön Hvar
Car ferry between Drvenik and Sucuraj on the island of Hvar
Vacker kyrka på ön Hvar
Sucuraj on the island of Hvar

Food in Croatia

The Croatian food is very good and is served as lunch between 11.00 - 15.00 and dinner opens around 18.00 - 23.00. Food is a bit cheaper than in Sweden while alcohol is much cheaper. Try something new from Croatia during your holiday in Brac.

  • Cevapcici - spiced minced meat patties
  • Dalmatian Pasticada - veal stuffed with bacon and garlic cooked in red wine
  • Aivar - paprika, used as an accompaniment to various meat and minced meat dishes. 
  • Gregada - Dalmatian fish dish of various fish with potatoes cooked together
  • The cold cure - Dalmatian proscuttio and cheese
  • Pršut - air-dried smoked ham 
  • Paski sir - aged good cheese from the island of Pag
  • Truffles - in Croatia there are both black and white truffles
  • Oil - Own beer at Black lane craft bar
  • Prosecutor - domestic dessert wine from Hvar
  • Rakija - Local flavoured spirits
Peka serveras på ön Hvar
Poached veal from a wood-fired oven. Ordered 2 hours before.

More tips for your holiday in Croatia

Water (voda) can be drunk directly from the tap throughout Croatia.

Most beaches are shingle or pebble beaches and bathing shoes are recommended.

Getting around the island is by local buses, which often fill up quickly in high season. If you're not going too far, you can rent a bike or moped in the town of Hvar, but be careful as the roads are a bit narrow. Rent a quad bike if you are going down to small private bays instead of a car.

Kroatien
All our top tips about Croatia. Click on the image!

Facts about the town of Hvar and the island of Hvar

  • Country: Croatia
  • Region: Split-Dalmatia County
  • Capital: the city of Hvar (fourth largest island in the Croatian archipelago)
  • Highest point: Sveti Nikola 628 m
  • Length of the island: 68 km
  • Language: Croatian (many also speak good English and sometimes German)
  • Currency: Euro (from 1 January 2023, previously Kuna)
  • Population: about 11 000
  • Price situation: slightly cheaper than in Sweden, but more expensive than neighbouring countries.
  • Climate: The Dalmatian coast has a Mediterranean climate with average daily temperatures of 23 degrees in May, 30 degrees in July and 25 degrees in September.
  • Tourist information: TZ at St Stephen's Square

Before 400 years BC the Greeks were the first to settle on the island of Hvar and where the town of Hvar is located today, the town was then called Dimos and the town of Star Grad was called Pharos.

Year 300 BC the ferrets took over for a while

Year 219 BC the Romans came and renamed Pharos to Pharia. They built a lot in the village of Jesla where you can find remains today.

Year 1420 in the Middle Ages, the Venetian Empire ruled Hvar.

Year 1797 the Austrians took over

Year 1806 the French took over the island

Year 1860 Austria took back the island

Year 1918 the Italians took over the government and the island

Year 1921 the island belonged to Hvar Yugoslavia

Year 1992 it became Croatia

You might also like:

National parks in Croatia - 8 lovely oases Semestra i Europa - DubrovnikUnesco World Heritage in Croatia - 10 natural and cultural heritage sites Sinj i KroatienSinj in Croatia - among knights and Unesco heritage sites Att göra i KroatienThings to do in Croatia - 30 sights and experiences Havets frukterThe fruits of the sea and long traditions come together in Dalmatian cuisine. Restauranger i SplitRestaurants in Split - our top restaurant tips

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22 September 2015 20:40
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Stari Grad on the island of Hvar - Croatia's oldest town

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12 Comments

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  1. Åsa says:

    It sounds crazy that medicine prescribed in one country can only be dispensed in the neighbouring country! And what a coincidence that you met an old acquaintance! I really hope the medicine helps even if it wasn't the kind you wanted!

    22 September 2015 - 20:59

    Reply

  2. Comment by post author

    admin says:

    Åsa, yes it was a bit weird... It's probably because I asked for a medicine that simply isn't available in Croatia. The doctor was nice and checked carefully and managed to find that it was available in Bosnia... She tried to help as best she could, I guess....

    22 September 2015 - 21:04

    Reply

  3. BP says:

    No luck with the medication. I really feel sorry for you. Why don't you ask someone in Sweden to visit your doctor and get "your" medicine prescribed and send it to you by post. Just an idea, but you need it NOW. Poor thing!

    It's a small world - nice to meet an old friend in Hvar on Hvar. What a coincidence.

    By the way, good that you refresh my memory about Hvar, thanks:-)

    22 September 2015 - 21:17

    Reply

  4. Fantasiresor says:

    Tough with migraines, been there... But Hvar is all the more fun! Was there last summer and liked it very much (despite the tourists)!

    23 September 2015 - 0:32

    Reply

  5. Steve says:

    Collecting the medication in another country was certainly a new variant, but there is a reason for this arrangement as well as the restrictions on codeine.
    I really hope that your migraines go away, with or without medication.

    It's cool to hear someone call your name when you're far away from home.

    23 September 2015 - 6:26

    Reply

  6. Comment by post author

    admin says:

    BP, thank you for your thoughtfulness and tips! I have had such thoughts too, but it feels like it is associated with a little too many complicating elements 😉 We have tried to fix it all yesterday, I will write soon! And yes, the world is indeed small! This is actually the second time happens during the trip (last time was in Calvi, Corsica).

    Fantasiresor, glad you've been to Hvar! We also like both the town and the island!

    Steve, when it comes to "obtaining in another country", it's more likely that they don't normally prescribe this medicine at all. Codeine is addictive so there are usually restrictions, but in most countries this means a doctor's visit and a prescription is required. Not being able to get it at all is unusual! Thank you for your concern!

    23 September 2015 - 7:38

    Reply

  7. Lars Permelin says:

    Blue sky and blue clear water, what more can you ask for. Probably a completely different life there than here at home where many just work and struggle.

    23 September 2015 - 10:25

    Reply

  8. Ama de casa says:

    Sometimes the world is small anyway 🙂

    Glad you got some medication anyway - hope it helped!

    23 September 2015 - 12:49

    Reply

  9. Ditte says:

    How nice to see a familiar face! And I'm glad your migraine got a little easier to deal with.
    I know that this medication can be tricky and I have experience with it, so I always bring plenty of the ones I got at home and have picked up in advance. Every country has its own regulations ...
    Hope the migraine doesn't want to come back. Nice pictures from a nice area!

    23 September 2015 - 15:54

    Reply

  10. Comment by post author

    admin says:

    Lars Permelin, a wonderful environment to be in!

    Ama de casa, as you realised later, they didn't...

    Ditte, I tried taking a year's worth of medication with me, but it wasn't easy to get that much prescribed (or picked up at the pharmacy, for that matter!)... Then there are restrictions on how much and for how long you can take such medication abroad. So it was not easy. The ones I took with me lasted ten months out of twelve... 😉.

    23 September 2015 - 17:18

    Reply

  11. Maria at inredningsvis says:

    YES THANK YOU 🙂 I have wanted to go there for a long time and NOW I intend to do it after your post thank you.

    LOVE M

    23 September 2015 - 19:47

    Reply

  12. GrönGubbe says:

    Grass.
    It cures all pain.

    01 April 2019 - 19:30

    Reply

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