Hvar

The sunniest island in the Adriatic, where the old town of Hvar and its Spanish fortress overlook the Pakleni Islands, and the ancient Stari Grad Plain and lavender fields showcase the charm of Dalmatia.

Hvar lies in central Dalmatia, Croatia, in the Adriatic Sea south of Split. The island is about 68 km long and at most 10 km wide, and it belongs to Split-Dalmatia County. With more than 2,700 hours of sunshine a year, it is known as the sunniest island in the Adriatic. The main attractions are on the western half of the island. On the south shore is the town of Hvar, with St. Stephen's Square, the cathedral, the Arsenal Theatre, and the Spanish Fortress on the hilltop. Across from it are the Pakleni Islands, good for swimming, and the town is famous for its nightlife. On the north shore is Stari Grad, an ancient town founded by the Greeks in 384 BC, and the ancient field around it is a World Heritage site. Further east, Jelsa and Vrboska are quieter and better suited to families. The central plateau of the island has lavender fields and abandoned stone villages, and the south shore has Dubovica and Sveta Nedjelja, with bays, wineries, and cliffs. The best season is May–October. June–September is the time for swimming, late June to early July is when lavender blooms, and July–August is the busiest and most expensive, so book accommodation and boats well in advance. In winter, most hotels and restaurants close. Transport: from Split, a fast ferry takes about 1 hour to Hvar town, and a car ferry takes about 2 hours to Stari Grad. In summer, fast ferries also run from Hvar to Dubrovnik, Korčula, and Vis. At the eastern tip, Sućuraj has a car ferry connecting to Drvenik on the mainland. Island buses run infrequently, so renting a car or scooter is recommended. Plan 3–4 nights: 2 days in Hvar town (the old town, the fortress, and the Pakleni Islands), 1 day touring the island (lavender, Stari Grad, and Jelsa), and one more day for beaches or island-hopping to the Blue Cave on Vis.

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Itineraries