With this article, we’d like to help you avoid the confusion and costly mistakes that many have made before, and help you decide where to stay, and where not.
We want you to avoid this… 👇
Check this map of top-rated hotels across Hvar to better understand where you can stay on your visit to the sunniest island in Europe.
Best areas to stay in Hvar
Hvar has fantastic hotels all over the island, and each area has its own unique charm.
From its globally famous Hvar Town, to the more relaxed counterpart of Stari Grad, as well as more laid-back towns like Vrboska, Jelsa, and small seaside villages like Sveta Nedjelja.
While there are many hotels across Hvar Island, the most common type of accommodation is actually apartments, which is true for most of Croatia.
Additionally, there are remote Robinson-style apartments and holiday houses in “the middle of nowhere”, perfect for truly disconnecting. However, you want to book those for a proper vacation, and not for a short visit.
Hvar Town
The most popular place to stay on the island is the main town, Hvar, where most hotels and apartments are.
Most travelers to the island never set foot out of Hvar Town, especially on short visits of max a few days, as there’s quite a bit to see and enjoy in and around it.
Hvar’s main town is the heart and largest settlement on the island, with Venetian-style cobblestone streets lined with restaurants, cafes, boutique shops, and a fortress on the hill overlooking the town. Staying in the town means you’ll be at the heart of it all.
Our favorite hotels in Hvar town
- Heritage Suites Zanini – ultra-comfortable and beautifully decorated apartment in a central location, steps from Hvar town’s main square
- Villa Nora – beautiful hotel, spacious rooms, perfect central location in the town, excellent breakfast
- Palace Elisabeth – Hvar’s oldest hotel, iconic luxury, unmatched harbor and old town views, comfortable, stylish, perfectly located with exceptional service and food
The great thing you get by staying in Hvar town is that some of the best beaches on the island are within walking distance.
There’s the Lučica beach right by the promenade, and if you walk just 30 minutes from the main square (piazza), you get to Pokonji Dol, a beautiful beach with crystal clear waters. From there, it’s just a 15-minute walk to our favorite beach near Hvar town, Mekićevica, with small stones on the shore and in beautiful surroundings.
From the town, getting to other parts of the island is possible by bus, which connects it to Stari Grad, Vrboska, and Jelsa. Plus, if you want to explore the island freely, you can always rent a scooter, ATV, or even a car.
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.
Milna
The seaside town of Milna on Hvar island shares its name with Milna on the island of Brač to the north, but is a much smaller place with only a few hotels and apartments.
Milna is only a 5-minute drive from Hvar town, but it’s a much better place to stay if you don’t want to stay in a busy town.
In Milna, the main beach and Mala Milna Beach (meaning small Milna) are right there, practically steps away from where you can stay. And by following the coast west, you can get to another rocky beach area at Borče Bay.
Our favorite hotels in Milna
- Bellavista Apartment – luxurious rooms and suites with sea view terraces
- Apartments Tudor – steps away from the sea, spacious and comfortable apartments
- Hotel Fortuna – a small family-run hotel, steps away from Milna beach with sea views, and a delicious breakfast
Stari Grad
Beyond the island’s main town of Hvar, where many tourists don’t go out of, 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.
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, and palaces.
Our favorite hotels in Stari Grad
- Town House Rosario – restored centuries-old house with beautiful rooms full of charm, in a perfect location in Stari Grad
- Amicor Resort (villas and suites) – beachfront resort with lush gardens, different pools, lots of amenities, superb restaurant, sports opportunities
- Apartments Ivanković – affordable rooms and apartments, a few minutes’ walk from the center, with excellent facilities
But don’t worry, in Stari Grad, 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. From Stari Grad, the main town of Hvar is just a 20-minute drive away.
Keep in mind that if you plan to stay in Hvar’s Stari Grad, you won’t have access to the best beaches unless you venture outside of the town.
Stari Grad itself doesn’t have many nearby beaches, with the best ones being the pebble beach at Kupalište Stari Grad and the rocky Beach Lanterna, both about a 20-minute walk from the center. So if you’d like to stay in a town with nearby great beaches, we’d recommend Hvar town over Stari Grad.
What you can do in Stari Grad instead is to rent a boat and explore the countless beautiful bays nearby, which you can’t reach otherwise. This is a must-do if you’re planning a stay in Hvar’s Stari Grad. We did a similar thing on Brač Island, exploring the stunning bays on our own time.
Vrboska
Situated on the north coast of Hvar island, a 10-minute drive from Stari Grad, is the charming fishing village of Vrboska with its calm cobblestone streets, limestone houses, and beautiful harbor views.
Staying in Hvar’s Vrboska means you’ll be in a more laid-back environment while still having everything you might want on your visit.
There are different rocky and pebble beaches near Vrboska, and it’s also home to some very good konobas (taverns) serving traditional Dalmatian cuisine and local wines.
Our favorite hotels in Vrboska
- Guest House Lucijo – spacious and perfectly equipped apartments and rooms in a central location
- Villa Welcome – simple but practical and comfortable rooms in a peaceful area
- Senses Resort – amazing location just outside Vrboska, fantastic food, great amenities, and an all-inclusive option
On one of our Hvar visits, we spent some lovely all-inclusive nights at the fantastic Senses Resort in an amazing location just outside Vrboska.
While the access to the water is through a rocky beach (there is a ladder as well), it’s perfect for a swim, and there are sun loungers right at the water, plus a pool if you want to go for a dip there.
Beyond the great location, we loved the incredibly delicious and highly varied food for 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!
Good to know
Vrboska is the perfect spot in Hvar to come by yacht/sailboat, and explore the island in peace from there. We once stayed docked in Vrboska’s harbor on our Croatia Sailing Trip.
Jelsa
Less than a 10-minute drive from Vrboska is Jelsa, a popular seaside town on Hvar’s north coast, with views towards Brač Island.
Compared to Vrboska, Jelsa is a larger settlement, with many more shops, restaurants, hotels, and beaches. But, it’s still much less busy than, for example, Stari Grad or Hvar town.
If you want the most amenities and comfort, without staying in a large town, then Jelsa is the best choice on Hvar Island. There are also larger supermarkets near Jelsa, where you can get groceries for a longer stay, such as the Tommy Hypermarket and the big Plodine store.
Our favorite hotels in Jelsa
- Mina Lux – elegant apartment super close to the beach
- B&B Aurora – ideal place for a comfortable stay in Jelsa, within walking distance of the town, shops, restaurants, and everything else
Southern Villages of Sveta Nedjelja, Ivan Dolac, and Zavala
Now that we’re done with the big towns in Hvar, it’s time to explore the smaller, but equally worth villages, mostly on the southern coast of the island.
The 10km stretch from Sveta Nedjelja to Zavala in Hvar’s south is where it’s best to stay if you want to avoid crowds, enjoy time on a smaller beach, and literally “be away from it all”.
Our favorite hotels
- Sveta Nedjelja: Villa Jagoda – on-site pool, spacious two-bedroom apartments, terrace, and garden
- Ivan Dolac: Apartmani Dolac – comfortable, spacious, sea views, beach close by
- Zavala: Stella Mare Boutique House – sea views, pool, quiet area, walking distance to different beaches, fantastic food
Heads up if you’d like to stay there
While Sveta Nedjelja is just 15 kilometers away from Hvar, the only way to get there at the moment is a 40km, 50-minute drive past Stari Grad towards Jelsa, and through the Pitve tunnel.
There is a rough gravel road between Dubovica and Sveta Nedjelja, used only by locals and those with their own cars (rentals aren’t allowed there). But it’s not a convenient way to get to the area.
The last part of the road between Hvar Town and Sveta Nedjelja, through Dubovica, is expected to be completed in 2026. We hope before summer.
Places we only recommend to some visitors
Please note that we’re not saying that certain areas of Hvar Island should be avoided, but there are some we definitely wouldn’t recommend for first-time visitors or those simply interested in a short stay on the island, who want to see and experience its highlights.
Robinson Crusoe-style tourism accommodations
Croatia is famous for its Robinson Crusoe-style accommodations across its islands and seaside destinations.
There are many secluded Robinson-style, rustic apartments and holiday houses found on the north and south coast of the long eastern tip of Hvar Island. Think eco-friendly cottages, cabins, houses with almost private bays, and similar.
These places are perfect for completely disconnecting and enjoying the peace and quiet. However, if you’re not coming by car or motorbike, you’re severely limited in what and how you can go around the island from there, as they’re located in secluded areas.
Our favorite Robinson Crusoe-style places in Hvar
- Robinson Medvidna – direct access to the sea, secluded, multiple bays to explore nearby
- Villa Smokvina – in a bay with only a few houses, spacious apartments with sea views
- Smokvina Stone House – one-bedroom house with all amenities
- Vacation house Cape of Sun (limited availability) – absolutely incredible location, fully-equipped for a relaxing stay in nature
- Villa Mendes – your own private villa with a pool in a peaceful location
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 historic Humac village – a whole beautifully furnished house just for you.
Sućuraj
On the very eastern tip of Hvar, at the end of the island’s long stretch of land, is Sućuraj, a town most tourists never visit.
Sućuraj is a 1.5-hour drive from Hvar Town, and is known for its car ferry connection to Drvenik on the mainland, which is about halfway between Split and Dubrovnik.
Most people pass through the town on their way to/from from Drvenik on the mainland, but don’t stick around.
Staying in Sućuraj means you’re far from the main attractions of Hvar Island, so we only recommend it if you’re planning a longer vacation or are okay with staying in a less busy area and exploring the island by car.
If Sućuraj seems like a place for you, we recommend checking out Apartments Bartul and Apartments IDA right in the town.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to stay without a car?
The best places to stay without a car on Hvar Island are Hvar Town and Jelsa, both conveniently connected by bus. The main town is perfect for its central location, and Jelsa is a great choice for a more laid-back atmosphere, while still close to great beaches.
What is the best area to stay in Hvar for beaches?
The absolute best area in Hvar island to stay for enjoying the beaches is actually the main town of Hvar, because of many fantastic beaches within walking distance and more than enough spots to find your own piece of paradise.
Where in Hvar should you stay for a longer vacation?
For a longer vacation on Hvar Island, we highly recommend staying in the smaller villages on the southern coast between Sveta Nedjelja and Zavala, where it’s a lot more peaceful. There, you have access to many different beaches, and if you need to shop for groceries, simply take the Pitve tunnel to one of the big supermarkets in Jelsa (15-minute drive).
What is the best place in Hvar for nightlife?
While Hvar is no longer the party destination it once was, the best place for nightlife is definitely Hvar Town, where you should stay to be close to all the bars, restaurants, and clubs.
We loved going around Hvar Town at night when 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.
Some of the best bars in Hvar are Kiva Bar, Central Park Club (live music), and Caffe Bar Sidro.
Keep in mind that since the summer of 2024 and continuing in 2026, Hvar is no longer the party destination it once was, with many strict noise restrictions that affected places like Carpe Diem Beach Club on Paklinski Islands, which were forced to stop their night program.
Now, most places only run their after-sunset parties until midnight.
Final thoughts
We hope we cleared up any confusion about where to stay on Hvar Island and that you’ll be able to find the perfect spot for your visit.
If you don’t want to overthink it, definitely stay in Hvar Town, and alternatively, Stari Grad. 👍
