Welcome to Hvar

Hvar is the sunniest island in Croatia and, depending on which list you read, in Europe — an average of 2,800 hours of sunshine a year. It is also the most stylish, the most photographed, and the most fragrant: from May through July, the lavender fields of the island’s interior fill the air, and the Venetian-Gothic harbor of Hvar Town fills with yachts. For travelers who want a Croatian island that combines the country’s most photogenic harbor, world-class wines, lavender fields, secluded coves, and a genuinely glamorous nightlife, Hvar has no rival.

This Hvar travel guide covers the best things to do, where to eat, where to stay, and how to plan a luxury visit to Croatia’s most celebrated island.

Why Visit Hvar

Hvar Town’s harbor is one of the great theatrical spaces in the Mediterranean: a half-circle of pale stone palazzi, a 13th-century Venetian fortress watching from above, the largest piazza on the Adriatic at its heart, and the Pakleni Islands floating just offshore. The island’s interior is a different country — lavender fields, vineyards, olive groves, and ancient stone-walled villages of the Stari Grad Plain (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008, and one of the oldest continuously cultivated landscapes in Europe).

For luxury travelers, Hvar offers a rare combination: world-class boutique hotels in town, private villas in the inland villages, and some of Croatia’s most refined restaurants and wineries. It’s also the easiest island in Croatia to reach from Split — a one-hour fast catamaran from Split’s harbor, several times a day.

Top Things to Do on Hvar

1. Wander Hvar Town’s old town. The Venetian arsenal and the cathedral on the main square; the marble streets climbing toward the fortress; the harbor lined with yachts and pavement cafes.
2. Climb to Fortica (Spanish Fortress). The 13th-century citadel above town — best at sunset, when the harbor and the Pakleni Islands are bathed in golden light.
3. Sail to the Pakleni Islands. The chain of small wooded islands directly offshore. Palmižana for swimming and a long lunch at the legendary Toto’s; Jerolim and Stiṕanska for naturist beaches; Marinkovac for hidden coves.
4. Walk through the lavender fields. Late June to mid-July, the area around Velo Grablje and Brusje turns purple. Smaller producers sell oils and lavender bunches direct from their farms.
5. Visit Stari Grad. The island’s quieter, older town — founded by Greek colonists in 384 BC, making it one of the oldest towns in Europe. Its medieval old town and harbor are far less busy than Hvar Town’s.
6. Tour the Stari Grad Plain. The UNESCO-listed agricultural landscape — still farmed using the same field divisions laid out by Greek colonists 2,400 years ago. Cycling or driving the dirt roads between vineyards and olive groves is unforgettable.
7. Wine tasting at Tomić and Carrich. Hvar’s wineries produce some of Croatia’s finest reds (Plavčac Mali) and whites (Pošip and Boǵdnuša). Bastijana, Tomić and Carrich offer cellar visits by appointment.
8. Beach day at Dubovica or Mali Lag. Dubovica, between Hvar and Stari Grad, is a perfect crescent of pebbles backed by a 17th-century stone house. Mali Lag, in the eastern part of the island near Sućuraj, is even quieter.

Where to Eat on Hvar

Konoba Menego, in a stone-walled house above Hvar Town’s harbor, is the long-standing classic for traditional Dalmatian dishes — the kind of place where the menu hasn’t changed in twenty years and shouldn’t. Giaxa, in a 15th-century palazzo, is the upscale fine-dining choice in the old town. Restaurant Macondo, hidden in a steep alley, has the best fresh fish on the island. Outside town, Konoba Humac in the abandoned hilltop village of Humac (no electricity, candles only, accessible only by 4×4 or a 30-minute walk) is one of the most atmospheric meals you can have in Croatia. Bilo Idro and Toto’s at Palmižana are the two go-to lunch spots on the Pakleni Islands.

Where to Stay on Hvar

For pure luxury, Maslina Resort on the bay of Maslinica is the island’s flagship five-star — a low-rise wellness-focused resort with serious spa and farm-to-table restaurant. Hotel Adriana, on Hvar Town’s harbor, has a famous rooftop pool and the best position in town. Palace Elišabet and Heritage Villa Apolon are the boutique choices in restored old-town palazzi. For a true private retreat, the inland villages of Briėžaska, Velo Grablje, and Vrboska have beautifully renovated stone houses available as villa rentals.

How to Get to Hvar

Hvar has no airport — fly to Split (SPU) and take the catamaran. Daily fast catamarans (Krilo and Jadrolinija) connect Split to Hvar Town in about 60 minutes; car ferries run to Stari Grad in about 2 hours. Many luxury travelers arrive directly by yacht. Hvar Town has its own marina; Stari Grad and Vrboska also have moorings.

Best Time to Visit Hvar

Late June into early July is magical — the lavender is in bloom, the sea is warm, and the crowds are still manageable. September is the connoisseur’s choice: warm sea, long evenings, smaller crowds, and the wineries are at their busiest just before harvest. July and August are the most glamorous months but the most crowded; book hotels and restaurants well in advance. Spring and autumn shoulder seasons (May, October) are exceptional for hiking, cycling, and wine country. Winter is genuinely quiet — most restaurants close, the catamaran service reduces, but the old town has a wonderfully serene quality.

Practical Tips

• Book the catamaran 24–48 hours ahead in summer — it sells out.
• Hvar Town’s old town is fully pedestrian — leave any rental car at the public garage on the edge of town.
• To explore the inland villages and the Stari Grad Plain, you need a car or a private driver.
• Restaurants on the Pakleni Islands are accessed by water taxi from Hvar harbor; book lunch ahead.
• The lavender harvest is short — if you want to see the fields in full bloom, target the last week of June and the first week of July.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Croatia Trip

Hvar pairs naturally with Split, Korčula, Brač, and Vis. Most travelers combine Hvar into a 7–10 day Dalmatian itinerary. See our 7 Day Croatia Itinerary and Croatia Travel Guide for trip planning ideas.

For private boat days, villa introductions, or full Croatian weeks, see our concierge enquiries page.