The isle of Hvar is to the south of the isle of Brac lies the largest Croatian island.
The isle of Hvar is famous for being the most sunny isle of the Adriatic (349 sunny days a year). On the isle of Hvar, the sun shines 2718 hours (as opposed to the average 2600 in the Adriatic).
Sightseeing on Hvar island
Lots of sights, and its beautiful nature and mild climate make the isle of Hvar an attractive resort.
On Hvar, a lot lavender is grown, and it has become a sort of symbol of the island, and the most popular Croatian souvenirs among the tourists.
The isle of Hvar – the longest (68 km) island of the coastland of Croatia – is renowned fo its wonderful climate. Hvar is the island of grapes, olives, lavender and numerous springs. It was here that the oldest European bas-relief with the image of a ship was found.
On the isle of Hvar there is the oldest in Europe public theatre; it was built in the year 1612 in one of the squares of the city.
There is also a cathedral in the Renaissance style with an original bell tower, a rich sacristy and pictures of the old masters.
The old city of Hvar was founded in the year 385 BC as a Greek colony of Pharos. It was located at the bottom of a hollow 6 km long. Here you ofcan see Greek walls, the palace fortress of the Renaissance poet Peter Hectorovich, and its pond and arches.
Mild climate, a variety of numerous bays, exuberant vegetation make the island of Hvar one of the most beautifyl places for rest and entertainment. For this, Hvar has been nicknamed “Croatian Madeira”.
It is best to visit Hvar in May or June, when the tender-violet lavender and white-red-rose rosebays bloom. Moreover, in this time of year there are fewer tourists, and the prices are lower.
When you go into the harbour, you have a unique view of a fertile hill with a castle with towers on top, which overlook the wonderful city of Hvar with its beautiful palaces, which are the rich cultural heritage of the island.
Of exceptional beauty on Hvar is the theatre, which is one of the oldest in Europe, St Stephen’s cathedral, the clock tower, and the building of the former armoury. It is a picturesque and vibrant city with narrow streets and squares full of life, and it has a special place in the literary heritage of Croatia, too.
Among the best developed tourist centres of the city are the cities of Hvar, Jelca and Vrborska.
Hvar city
Hvar is the main city of the isle of Hvar, it is a beautiful old city, and the centre of the island.
It is included in the UN list of historical Mediterranean cities.
The main sight is the cathedral of St Stephen (16th century) with the bell tower (17th century). In the cathedral there is the work of the famous sculptor Juraj the Dalmatian “The Flogging”. This sculpture is the author’s copy of the bas-relief from the altar of the cathedral of Split.
There are old pictures and sacred objects on exhibition.
In front of the cathedral there is the City Well (1520). The supply of fresh water is problematic, so wells are treated with reverence.
On the Sveti Nikola hill there is a fortress build in the Napoleonic times.
In the building of the Armoury (16th-17th century), on the second floor, in 1612 the first and one of the oldest European public theatres was opened.
The clock tower is open for visiting.
From the fortress Tvrdava Napoleon, build in 1810 by French, there is a marvellous view of the bay and the environs.
In summer it is possible to get from the city of Hvar to the neighbouring islands of Pakleni (Pakleni otoci — “Hell’s islands”), where there are wonderful sandy and pebbled beaches. The islands got their seemingly dreadful name in the ancient times, when a special kind of tar was made here for tarring the ships’ hulls. Nowadays, the Croatian islands have become one of the most popular in Europe nudist resorts.
To the south of the city of Hvar, in the Krisa bay, among the blossoming gardens, there stands a Franciscan monastery built in 1461-1471. In its vault valuable old books, coins and pictures of the old masters (for example, the Venetian artist Palma del Veccio) are exhibited. The monastery is ornamented with a covered gallery made in the Renaissance style.
Beaches on Hvar island
The beaches of island Hvar are mainly small-pebbled stony beaches.
The beaches of Hvar isle are conveniently located inside the many bays of the island.
In the northern part of the isle of Hvar there are also sandy beaches. In the northwestern part of the isle of Hvar the beaches are covered in small pebbles and are recommended for rest with children.
➝ more about Beaches on Hvar island
Hotels & hostels on Hvar island
Hotel Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort 4* Hvar
GOOD rating 7.9 / 10
Review score based on 673 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: seafront
Distance to center of city: 10 min walk
Add: situated on a secluded bay,
luxury hotel offers private beach and multi-level pool with freshwater,
two-level terrace, Wi-Fi, terrace, restaurant with panoramic views
Cost room 2 per: from 92 euro
Hotel Podstine 4* Hvar
VERY GOOD rating 8.2 / 10
Review score based on 134 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: seafront
Distance to center of city: 15 min walk
Add: in quiet and secluded bay, private beach surrounded by palms and pine trees, spa & wellness centre, outdoor pool, restaurant offers delicious cuisine, bar overlooking Paklenski islands, free parking
Cost room 2 per: from 147 euro
➝ more Hotels and hostels on Hvar island
Apartments on Hvar island
Guesthouse Violeta 3* Hvar
FABULOUS rating 8.7 / 10
Review score based on 68 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: 5 min walk
Distance to center of city: 10 min walk
Add: offering panoramic views over the Adriatic Sea and the city,
house enjoys an elevated position in Hvar,
free Wi-Fi,
free parking
Cost room 2 per: from 54 euro
Aparthotel Pharia 3* Hvar
GOOD rating 7.6 / 10
Review score based on 163 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: 50 m
Distance to center of city: 15 min walk
Add: offers modern and stylish rooms with views of sea or the surrounding fields and olive trees,
rich buffet breakfast,
large garden terrace,
free public parking
Cost room 2 per: from 44 euro
Guesthouse Vinka Tudor 3* Hvar
FABULOUS rating 8.9 / 10
Review score based on 90 reviews
Distance to the nearest beach: 150 m
Distance to center of city: few steps
Add: centrally located in Hvar city of island Hvar, spacious terrace with panoramic sea views,
free Wi-Fi,
restaurants serving freshly prepared seafood and specialties
Cost room 2 per: from 43 euro
➝ more Private apartments on Hvar island
Get to island Hvar
Getting to island Hvar can by ferries and catamarans and by hydroplane.
Public transport on the isle of Hvar is virtually non-existent, so the ideal way to travel is a car of a scooter. Car or scooter you can rent right on the island, or taken o the island on a ferry.
Ferries & catamarans to Hvar island
Ferries and catamarans regularly travel to the island of Hvar.
Fast catamarans take only passengers, ferries take both people and vehicles to the isle.
The trip by ferries to Hvar is 3 hours long, the trip by catamarans to Hvar is 1 hour long.
Ferry lines to Hvar island:
1) ferries lines from city Split to Stari Grad of Hvar island
Timetable ferries from city Split to Stari Grad of Hvar isle
2) ferries lines from Drvenik to Sucuraj of Hvar island
Timetable ferries from Drvenik to Sucuraj of Hvar isle
Cost of ferries tickets to island Hvar:
Ferry ticket from Split city to Stari Grad of Hvar isle for passenger costs 47 kn (~6,2 euro)
Ferry ticket from Split city to Stari Grad of Hvar isle for car costs 318 kn (~41,84 euro)
Fast catamarans to Hvar island:
Timetable catamarans from city Split to Hvar island
On Hvar has stops high-speed catamarans
- fast catamaran Split city – Bol of Brac island – Jelsa of Hvar island;
Timetable fast catamarans from city Split – Bol (Brac) – Jelsa (Hvar)
- fast catamaran Split city – isle Hvar – Vela Luka of Korcula isle – Ubli of Lastovo isle;
Timetable fast catamarans from city Split – isle Hvar – Korcula – Lastovo
- fast catamaran line from Split city to Vis island with stops on Brac island and Hvar island
Timetable catamarans from Split – Brac island – Hvar island – Vis island
You can buy tickets to ferries and catamarans online on official web www.krilo.hr
Hydroplane to island Hvar
Hydroplane DHC-6 Twin Otter of European Coastal Airlines flies between Split city and town Jelca of the island.
Flights from airport of Split city to Hvar isle at 9:00, 11:26, 14:52, 17:18;
Flights from Jelca of Hvar isle to airport of Split city at 10:13, 12:39, 16:05, 18:31.
Ticket price for hydroplane Split-island Hvar (without discount) is 299 kn (~40 euro) in one trip, and 549 kn (~73,3 euro) in round-trip flight
Official web of European Coastal Airlines www.ec-air.eu
Get to island Hvar by plane
The nearest international airport to island Hvar is Dubrovnik international airport.
➝ search Flights Dubrovnik airport
Map of isle Hvar
Weather on island Hvar
Average monthly temperatures on the island
January +11 С
February +12 С
March +15 С
April +17 С
May +23 С
June +27 С
July +32 С
August +34 С
September +27 С
October +21 С
November +15 С
December +12 С
Average monthly water temperatures on the island
January +10 С
February +11 С
March +12 С
April +15 С
May + 18 С
June +20 С
July + 24 С
August +25 С
September +22 С
October + 18 С
November +15 С
December +10 С