Hvar is a must-visit island in Croatia, famous for its stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, ancient architecture, and rich cultural heritage.
Also known as a hub for luxury tourism, it attracts A-list celebrities and hundreds of thousands of travelers from all around the world.
However, despite its glamorous reputation, the island remains quite accessible to the regular tourist, and we have experienced this firsthand.
You can walk around the island’s charming towns, sunbathe on its pristine beaches, or explore its agricultural areas, which boast fields of lavender, vineyards, olive groves, and pine forests.
In addition, while Hvar is known for being a party destination, we are pleased to say that it has still managed to maintain its authentic charm and laid-back island atmosphere.
Things to do in Hvar
1. Hvar Town
There’s no better way to start your Hvar trip than by visiting Hvar Town, the heart and largest settlement on the island, with Venetian-style cobblestone streets lined with restaurants, cafes, and boutique shops.
In the past, Hvar was ruled by various empires, including the Greeks and the Venetians, who left their mark on Hvar’s architecture, traditions, and even its cuisine.
Planning a day trip to Hvar from Split? Make sure to arrive in Hvar Town to have easy access to everything. Book your ferry here.
Make your way to Saint Stephen’s Square, the largest piazza in Dalmatia (locally Pjaca), and find historic structures like Saint Stephen’s Cathedral and Europe’s first public theater.
In the narrow alleys leading south and north of Pjaca, you can explore lots of cool corners and stairways and find hidden bars and restaurants.
Along the Riva, the promenade right by the harbor, you can enjoy some ice cream or hop into a cafe or restaurant with tables along the street.
We especially loved strolling around Hvar Town at night. It really comes to life with people gathering all around the streets to enjoy live music, lounge to sip cocktails, dine in restaurants, or head out to bars and nightclubs for a night out.
2. Fortica Fortress
Located right above Hvar Town, overlooking the Adriatic Sea and the Pakleni Islands, the medieval Fortica Fortress is one of the most iconic and must-visit landmarks in Hvar.
Constructed in 1278 during Venetian rule, Fortica Fortress has helped shelter the population of Hvar from invaders throughout its long history, especially during times of Turkish attack.
Fortica in Hvar is the easiest spot to get to for beautiful photos, especially in the mornings, during sunset, and at night when the lights are lit.
It’s the best place to explore a part of the stone walls and take in panoramic views of red-roofed Hvar Town and the nearby Pakleni Islands.
It takes just 10 minutes to hike up to Fortica from Pjaca – it’s steep at parts, but still easy and so worth it.
Inside, Fortica Fortress features a collection of cannons, amphoras, and other medieval artifacts. It’s also home to Caffe Bar Španjola in a unique fort setting (reasonable prices), and a souvenir shop.
Fortica Fortress is open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and admission costs 10 EUR. However, the viewpoint located below it is open to the public.
Fun fact: Fortica (a name derived from the Italian “Fortezza”) is also known by the name Španjola, meaning “Spanish Fort,” after Spanish engineers and architects who worked on it in the 14th century.
3. Beaches
Among other things, Hvar is known as the sunniest island in Europe, with over 2715 hours of sunshine per year on average.
And what better to do on a nice sunny day than to enjoy Hvar’s beaches with crystal-clear blue water – picturesque pebbly shores surrounded by pine forests.
Best beaches in Hvar, Croatia:
- Pokonji dol Beach
- Mekićevica
- Dubovica
- Lučišća
Located just a brief 30-minute walk from the town, Pokonji dol Beach is the most accessible beach in Hvar. It’s perfect for a swim, and the small pebbles are perfectly comfortable for chilling on. We think it’s so cool to have such a nice beach so close to the town.
About 15 minutes further along a scenic coastal trail from Pokonji Dol, you can reach Mekićevica, a smaller, less busy beach. We loved Mekićevica! If you want to swim, dive, or just relax in peace and quiet, this beach is the best place to do so.
It would be a shame not to mention Dubovica, one of Hvar’s most famous beaches, about 10 kilometers east of Hvar town.
It’s a broad pebble shore located in a picturesque bay with calm water that’s great for snorkeling or swimming. A water taxi is the best way to reach it from the town.
In addition to the “normal” beaches, Hvar is also home to some incredibly striking beaches like Lučišća Beach, in another bay not too far from Dubovica to the east. It’s much harder to access than other beaches.
4. Pakleni Islands
We already mentioned the Pakleni Islands (also known as Paklinski Islands), located just off the coast of Hvar, and which you can easily see from Hvar Town and Fortica.
Comprised of small, rocky islets, this stunning archipelago is known for beach clubs, beaches (also nudist), and it’s perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or exploring hidden coves.
Local tip: If you want to be near restaurants and bars, Sveti Klement is the most popular island. Otherwise, Marinkovac, with the fantastic Mlini beach and Carpe Diem Beach Club, is the best choice (but it’s smaller).
If you’ve got the time, a day trip to the nearby Pakleni Islands definitely deserves a spot in your Hvar itinerary.
The easiest way to visit Pakleni Islands from Hvar is by taxi boat, but if you want to see more than just the main few spots, we recommend booking a Paklinski Boat Tour or going there on a Self-Guided Kayak Tour.
5. Blue Cave and Island Hopping
Hvar is perfectly located for some fun island-hopping adventures, so if you have a half or a full day to spare, going on an island-hopping tour is one of the best things to do in Hvar.
Popular boat trips visit picturesque locations like the Blue Cave on Biševo, Stiniva Beach on the island of Vis, Budikovac’s Blue Lagoon, Pakleni Islands, and other scenic coves and bays.
Best boat trips in Hvar:
- Blue Cave tour – our favorite
- Paklinski Boat Tour – closest islands, lots of swimming
- Sunset Sailing – perfect way to end the day
It’s a fun way to see some more spots, but also enjoy swimming and snorkeling at the stops on the way. Some of the places you can stop at, are usually hard to get to without a boat, so it’s a perfect way to enjoy them.
Blue Cave tour
The stunning Blue Cave on Biševo Island, close to Vis Island, is a must-see destination and the most popular boat tour you can join.
We visited it to see its magical blue glow, and were not disappointed as the Blue Cave is a truly unique place. And even though it takes a while to get there, and the entry ticket is quite steep, we think it’s worth it.
- We recommend this Blue Cave tour – it’s the perfect combo tour to visit not only the Blue Cave, but also the island of Vis and some other cool spots like a blue lagoon.
To learn all about visiting, read our Blue Cave Guide (& tour review).
In general, popular boat tours include stops at other destinations and a local guide who provides fascinating details about the cave’s history and geology.
6. Napoleon Fortress
One of the highest and coolest viewpoints in Hvar is at Napoleon Fortress, built in 1812 on a 230-meter hill above Fortica Fortress.
Napoleon Fortress is absolutely worth visiting for even better views than at Fortica, and it’s perfect for sunset. We like the Napoleon Fortress more.
From Pjaca, it takes about an hour to reach Napoleon Fortress on foot, so make sure to pack a big bottle of water. You can also get there by car, scooter, or simply book a taxi.
Going on foot? Read this.
Follow the trail into the forest and not the road once you get just below the hill. It’s a bit more rocky, but definitely not a hard hike. To get there more easily, check the trail info or look up the trailhead.
Heads up! Don’t confuse the fortresses. You can not enter the Napoleon Fortress, and there is no bar like at Fortica. You come just for the views.
7. Stari Grad and Ribnjak Hektorović
While many tourists never venture outside Hvar Town, the most famous settlement, there’s another similar town very much worth visiting – Stari Grad, the oldest settlement with roots dating back to 384 BC.
Stari Grad, meaning “Old Town”, is located on Hvar’s northern coast and offers a different vibe than the most popular spots on the island.
Most people know Stari Grad because of Ribnjak Petar Hektorović, more commonly known as Tvrdalj Castle, and one of the top places to visit in Stari Grad.
But while that is the main attraction, Stari Grad itself is a very cool spot to visit, so make sure to allot some time to it as well.
It has similar ancient structures to Hvar Town, but with the added benefit of being quieter, less touristy, and away from the party scene. A stroll through town is like stepping back in time with its cobblestone streets, ancient ruins, churches, palaces, and scenic landscapes.
But don’t worry, you can have almost all the experiences here like in Hvar Town, so you can taste delicious local food, buy souvenirs, or pop into boutique shops.
Ribnjak Petar Hektorović, more commonly known as Tvrdalj Castle, is a 16th-century castle that served as both a refuge for the residents during the attack of Ottoman Turks in Hvar and the summer home of Croatian poet Petar Hektorović.
Inside, you are, however, only allowed to see the outer areas of the castle and admire its stunning architecture, stroll through the small garden, and see the courtyard with a fish pond. Ribnjak Petar Hektorović is open from 10 AM to 2 PM, then 6 PM to 9 PM with a 5 EUR ticket.
Local tip: Hike to White Cross (Glavica Hill) above Stari Grad for fantastic views of the town, Stari Grad Plain, and the bay. It’s about a 20-minute walk from the town.
8. Wine Tasting
Hvar locals have been producing delicious and award-winning wines from locally grown grapes for centuries.
That’s why with its blend of traditional and modern winemaking techniques, Hvar, Croatia, is a destination that wine lovers simply must experience. Hvar is rightfully known as the “island of wine”.
Wine tasting in Hvar provides an authentic immersion into the island’s wine culture with full-bodied reds like Plavac Mali, rich and well-known whites like Pošip, and sweet dessert wines like Prošek.
Jelsa, Pitve, and Sveta Nedelja are all great wine-growing regions with many wineries. But the best place to visit is Stari Grad Plain.
We visited Hora Hvar in the Stari Grad Plain, a must-visit if you want to sample local wines paired with homemade cheeses, olive oil, meats, and farm-to-table dishes. Our combo of wine tasting and food was a fantastic experience.
Travel tip: Plan your visit to Hora Hvar in advance by checking opening times and making a reservation.
We first visited Hora as part of a bigger group during our 1-week Sailing in Croatia trip. And when a big group or two comes, usually towards the sunset, it gets really busy. So if you want to avoid that, plan a visit earlier in the afternoon.
However, there are plenty of other great wineries offering similar experiences across the island. And if you don’t want to organize this yourself, we recommend booking this Wine and Olive Oil Tasting Tour.
9. Vrboska
Situated on the north coast of Hvar island is the charming fishing village of Vrboska with its calm cobblestone streets, limestone houses, and beautiful harbor views.
For some reason, Vrboska is also known as “little Venice”, but we don’t quite understand or agree with the naming. While beautiful, there’s just one canal in Vrboska that opens to the picturesque harbor, over which three bridges cross to the other side. That’s it.
Local tip: Vrboska is the perfect spot in Hvar to come by yacht/sailboat, and explore the island in peace from there. We once stayed there in the harbor on our MedSailors Croatia Sailing Trip.
Attraction-wise, there’s not much to do in Vrboska, except visiting the 15th-century fortified Church of St. Mary and walking up to the panoramic roof for views of Vrboska.
Vrboska also has some very good konobas (taverns) serving traditional Dalmatian cuisine and local wines.
Meandering through this quaint seaside village will make you feel a world away. But if you want to explore further, there are lovely beaches nearby. There’s even a sandy beach just outside the village.
Just outside of Vrboska, you can stay at the fantastic Aminess Senses Resort, where we spent some lovely all-inclusive nights in their amazing location.
What stood out was their incredibly delicious (and full of variety!) food at each breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Yum! Plus, their snack bar fueled us up with tasty snacks and drinks throughout the day. Oh, and the selection of cakes and desserts was to die for!
10. Hiking and Biking the trails
The island of Hvar is a paradise for hiking and biking, and a nature lover’s dream with trails on Hvar having been maintained for a long time, with some dating back to more than 100 years.
With its rugged coastal rocky terrain, well-marked, developed trails, and panoramic views, there’s no better thing to do than lace up your boots or hop on a bike and explore.
Local tip: While hiking high up in Hvar, you might think you see the mainland to the north, but in fact, it’s almost 100% the island of Brač. Also, watch out for snakes, as they are commonly found on this terrain (especially vipers).
Hiking
An excellent option is the hike to Sveti Nikola, the highest peak in Hvar. You can take the shortest but very steep trail from Sveta Nedilja (Sveta Nedjelja) and enjoy the tranquil surroundings as you walk through vineyards with views all around. There is a cave and an abandoned church along the way before you reach the summit.
One of the most rewarding hikes in Hvar is to St. Anthony’s Chapel, located at 500 meters above sea level, just above Zavala village. The small stone chapel offers stunning views of the southern Hvar coast, as well as the small island of Šćedro, and behind it, the island of Korčula.
Some other hiking trails in Hvar worth trying include the hike from Hvar Town to Milna, the hike from Stari Grad to Purkin Kuk, and the short hike from Stari Grad to White Cross Hill, which we mentioned earlier.
We recommend using AllTrails to check all the best Hvar trails.
Biking
There are lots of biking options in Hvar, so we recommend checking the list of the best road bike trails and mountain biking trails (with reviews from other bikers).
There is also a complete list with more route details on the Hvar Tourism Board site.
There are bike rental shops in town, and you can also book one online. You have the option to rent an E-Bike for roads, and for the more rugged trails, rent a Mountain Bike.
11. Panoramic southern road
One of the things we loved the most on our visit to Hvar was driving the southern road, especially the gravel road from just above Dubovica beach towards Sveta Nedjelja.
This panoramic unpaved road also passes by one of the absolutely most stunning beaches in Hvar, Lučišća. The cliffs above the beach are crazy!
As you continue further on a normal road from Sveta Nedjelja towards Ivan Dolac, you come to Jagodna, another one of the most scenic Hvar beaches. Plus, other less-visited beaches. This is a great area to visit if you want to reach some less busy spots in Hvar.
Important: In 2025, the only official road connecting Sveta Nedjelja to Hvar Town is the one going through the Pitve Tunnel – a 40km drive.
This gravel road from Dubovica to Sveta Nedjelja is yet to be finished after a decade or so of waiting. Once the unpaved gravel road is completed, it will cut the Hvar to Sveta Nedjelja drive in half, to a mere 17 or so kilometers. But we drove it, and so do most locals and tourists.
A fantastic way to enjoy this road and similar ones across the island is by Quad (ATV). You can rent one in Hvar Town, Stari Grad, Vrboska, and Jelsa. You can also book a Quad online.
12. Konoba Humac and Ethno-Eco Village
In the middle of Hvar Island, just off the main road connecting Hvar and Sućuraj, you can find the Ethno-Eco Village of Humac.
Humac is a traditional, centuries-old Hvar shepherd village that was previously abandoned, but has since been mostly restored. Now, it’s like a small open-air museum you can walk through for free and see the traditional stone houses.
This is a place few tourists visit, mainly because you do need a car (or scooter/quad) to come here, but it’s definitely worth stopping by.
Beyond a walk around, the absolute best thing to do in Humac is to grab a delicious lunch at Konoba Humac, famous for its meat “under the bell”, also known as Peka or “ispod peke”.
This is heaven for meat lovers in Hvar. Coupled with fabulous wine, this is where you can have one of the most authentic and tastiest meals on the island – in a lovely ambiance, with views of trees, vineyards, and the sea.
Please note: Konoba Humac has a simple menu, and you must order Peka in advance (call a day before at least). Otherwise, coming and ordering on the spot means fewer options will be available.
Looking to spend some time in the countryside but with all possible amenities, like a hot tub, spacious backyard/garden, and fantastic views?
Check out Villa Humac (Eco House Humac), located at the entrance to the village – a whole beautifully furnished house just for you.
13. Night Out
Since the summer of 2024 and continuing in 2025, Hvar is no longer the party destination it once was.
With the recent enforcement of strict noise restrictions, clubs like Carpe Diem Beach Club on Paklinski Islands have been forced to stop their night program.
Now, most only run their after-sunset party until midnight. But this doesn’t mean that after the sun sets, you can’t enjoy a fun evening out.
Some of the best bars in Hvar are Kiva Bar, Central Park Club (live music), and Caffe Bar Sidro.
14. Lavender farms
If you’re visiting Hvar in June through early July, you’re in for a treat, as this is when Hvar’s popular lavender fields bloom.
While lavender production declined in the past decades, there are still spots on the island where you can see them bloom. The best places to see Hvar’s lavender farms are around the villages of Velo Grablje, Brusje, Zastražišće, Bogomolje, and Gdinj.
You can explore the farms by driving to the plantations or joining guided tours to learn about the process of harvesting lavender and distilling its fragrant oils.
Best travel tip ever: Don’t miss out on Lavender ice cream while in Hvar! We absolutely loved it! Most of the top ice cream shops should have it during the summer.
