The absolutely charming and stunningly pretty Hvar Town on the island of Hvar receives plenty of fanfare (from press and celebrities alike!) but is it worth taking a visit or enjoying a stay here yourself? The answer is a resounding – yes! An island that’s known for its beautifully fragrant lavender and for being one of the sunniest places in Croatia (with over 2,700 hours of sun annually) this delightful town is offered as one of its main attractions. With a gorgeous harbour that’s ever so picturesque, excellent accommodation choices, fascinating points of interest and plenty of opportunity for beach time and a little posing, it’s no wonder Hvar Town is so popular,
Getting to Hvar Town
Hvar Town is very easy to reach from the mainland, and there are numerous catamarans to here from both Split and Dubrovnik on the mainland. There are also services from the islands of Brac, Korcula, Mljet and Vis to Hvar Town.
Having said the above, Hvar Town is easiest to reach from Split. Should you be attempting to reach the town from elsewhere in Croatia or from abroad, it is absolutely recommended you reach Split first (whether that’s by air, bus or train) and then travel on from there. Jadrolinija and Kapetan Luka offer year-round sailings from Split to Hvar Town. Other catamaran services – such as those from Dubrovnik – generally only operate during the summer months. TP Line is another operator that provides summer sailings.
Should you be trying to reach Hvar Town with a car, you would need to utilise Jadrolinija‘s car ferry service from Split to Stari Grad
Getting to Hvar Town from other places on Hvar
There are reasonably frequent bus services on the island of Hvar. You can see the timetable here: Cazmatrans Hvar Bus Time Table.
Local taxi firms are available for booking private journeys, and the Uber app also works on the island of Hvar.
What to See and Do in Hvar Town
The Main Square (Pjaca/Piazza) & Cathedral
The town’s main square is St Stephen’s Square (Trg sv. Stjepan) which is the largest piazza in Dalmatia – you will be impressed by how wide it is! This square was once a deep, rocky bay from the sea, which you can imagine given its dimensions.
At the top end of the square is St Stephen’s Cathedral (Katedrala sv. Stjepana) which was built in the 16th and 17th centuries. Hvar Town came to have a cathedral (an earlier building) when the bishopric was moved from Stari Grad to here in the 13th century. Make sure to look closely at its bell tower to find the differences in each level of the tower.
City Loggia
Just by the harbour is a rather grand-looking building that you just know must be historic. This is the city lodge, or loggia, which once served as the Governor’s Lodge, although its present-day appearance stems from the 16th century. Today the loggia is part of the five-star Hotel Palace Elizabeth.
Arsenal
The Arsenal building on the right-hand edge of the main square was originally built to maintain gallery ships, but after being destroyed in the 16th century, it was rebuilt and used as a storage facility for grain. However, when undergoing further renovation in the early 17th century, one of the first public theatres in Europe was founded here in 1612. The audience boxes on the first floor were added in 1803. The Arsenal also houses the Gallery of Modern Art which was founded in 1957.
Franciscan Monastery
A short walk along the seaside promenade in an easterly direction will bring you to the grand Franciscan Monastery and Church. The Church houses the Renaissance painting The Madonna and Child by Nikola Firentinac who latterly worked on the construction of St James Cathedral after the death of Juraj Dalmatinac.
Spanjola Fortress/Fortica
As you arrive in Hvar Town by boat, you’ll notice a fairly grand fortress perched up on the hill above the town. This is Spanjola Fortress which was built in the mid-16th century, on the site of a previous, 13th-century fortress. Walking up to the fortress is very doable and nowhere near as daunting as it looks. Head up the stairs north out of Hvar Town before coming to a path that will take you the rest of the way to the entrance. Once in the fortress, you will be rewarded by simply stunning views overlooking the harbour and out to the Pakleni islands. It’s so worth it!
Should you want even more views for days, head further up the hill to another fortress, this one built in the early 19th century when Hvar was under the control of Napoleonic forces.
Beaches
Beach Club Hvar, a short walk from the main part of the town, is an exclusive experience that offers private sun lounger and cabana rental by the day. Yes, it’s pricey, but why not go full Hvar when on the island?
Pokonji dol Beach is the main public beach that’s about a 30-minute walk away. Walk on the seaside walk, however, and you’ll enjoy the “beach commute”! There are two cafe bars here for you to enjoy refreshments when you’re not sunbathing.
Excursions
One of the easiest and nicest excursions to do from Hvar Town is to take a taxi boat over to the Pakleni Islands. If you think Hvar Town is idyllic, Sveti Klement (the largest of the group, and to where you will most likely be taken to) is another level! Spend a few hours or even a day wandering this tiny island’s lush paths (mind the peacocks!), lazing on the beaches and enjoying a leisurely lunch with a cold beer. You could even visit the Pakleni islands by kayak if you like to blitz some calories before kicking back and relaxing.
Other possible excursions from Hvar include visiting the island of Vis and beyond to the Blue Cave or going on a multi-island sailing trip excursion nearby. See below for some further inspiration:
If you prefer staying on Hvar itself, recommended activities include wine tasting or a tour of the lavender fields with wine and olive oil tasting.
Eating and Drinking in Hvar Town
Giaxa is highly recommended for a special meal, particularly if you can get a table in its romantic and charming courtyard. They use local ingredients – from island-grown vegetables to locally caught fish and seafood. Highly knowledgeable and polite staff too.
Dalmatino, just a short hop from the town square, offers a very rich and wide-ranging menu that’s just perfect for a fun dinner. You’ll be tempted by their numerous gnocchi dishes – gnocci with pasticada (a typical Dalmatian beef stew) is a must. It’s no surprise that there are top fish and steak options…go for the Dalmatino plate which is a full meaty offering that can be shared by two. How better to end your meal than with a slice of “Granny’s homemade cake” made from carob, chocolate, olive oil and walnuts.
Mediterraneo is a longstanding family-run restaurant that offers a premium outdoor dining experience. Beautifully presented dishes, friendly service and an excellent wine list too.
Dva Ribara is another traditional Hvar restaurant, having been in business for over 50 years. Drop by for an excellent, expertly cooked and filling meal at this place which has a certain rustic charm.
Gariful is a very smart restaurant that’s certainly where to come if you’re after a special fish or seafood dinner. You may even spot a VIP or two here!
BB Bar & Kitchen (part of the Riva Hotel) is a great place for a quick bite and/or drinks, situated just by the harbour. Watch the beautiful people arrive.
Even if you’ve never visited Hvar before, you may well have heard of the famous Carpe Diem Bar! One of the most famous bars in the whole of Croatia, it’s certainly the place to be seen. Obviously, come down in the evening to enjoy their excellent cocktails, but do also swing by in the daytime for food and day drinking.
For sultry beachside relaxing, head to the almost as famous Hula Hula Bar for fun in the sun or for amped up parties in the evenings.
Events in Hvar Town
The wonderfully named Tour De Hvar takes place in May with the longer 40km and 64.2km running routes ending in Hvar Town.
Hvar’s patron saint, St Prosper, is recognised on the 10th May each year. A fair takes place on the main square in town.
As you all know by now, Croatian coastal locations thrive with their summer festivals each year. Taking place for the whole summer – roughly from June to September – such festivals offer live music, dance, theatre, gastronomic delights and more. Check locally in Hvar Town when you’re there to see what’s on.
The Lavender Festival in July is so synonymous with the island, that I have to list it here despite it not taking place in Hvar Town. Instead, it is in Velo Grablje (around 8km inland) and is a must if you’re visiting this month. Enjoy workshops and talks regarding this most fragrant of plants, as well as a fair for purchasing lavender products; plus live music, food and a general happy atmosphere!
Not taking place in Hvar Town itself but
The Hvar Film Festival is one of the newest film festivals in Croatia, taking place in September. It focuses on Mediterranean Films.
Accommodation in Hvar Town
If you’re staying here, you’re really in luck as Hvar Town has a wealth of accommodation – from a selection of luxury five-star hotels to modern and trendy mid-range options, to more basic picks.
My top choice would be the super-sleek Riva Marina Hvar Hotel with its superb position right by the harbour. Glorious views from your room! If you want to come to Hvar for a bit of pampering, the Adriana Spa Hvar Hotel offers a luxurious spa for relaxation and beauty treatments as well as a rooftop pool. Superfun is the Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort with its amazing pool – it has to be seen to be believed! All of these hotels are four-star.
For pure luxury, you can’t beat either the Hotel Palace Elisabeth (one of the The Leading Hotels of the World) or the Hotel Moeesy, both five-star.
More budget friendly is the Golden Bay Hvar Hotel, or the top rated hostels White Rabbit or Villa Skanski.
Use the map below to search for and book hotel and rental accommodation in around Hvar Town:
Do also take a look at our Accommodation on Hvar page for details of some of the other possible accommodation options on the island, including places to stay in Stari Grad.
More info
The Visit Hvar tourist board website has plenty of details about Hvar Town. Check it out!