Ultimate Guide to Hvar Island in Croatia
Croatia is my favorite European country….& within Croatia, Hvar Island was hands-down my favorite destination. We loved this island so much ~ we actually cried when we left! We just didn’t want to leave. In Hvar, you’ll find some of the most beautiful people on the planet: whether grabbing a late breakfast or partying into the wee hours. And to make things even better: there’s a string of 16 islands off of Hvar called the Pakleni Islands: where you can sail, swim, snorkel, & cliff-dive. In this “Ultimate Guide to Hvar Island in Croatia” ~ I’ll tell you the best things to do on this amazing island paradise!
Welcome to Hvar! Photo taken at the iconic Hula Hula Beach Club in Hvar…the BEST place to watch the sunset!
Map of Hvar Island
On the map below, I’ve labeled Hvar Town ~ which is the island’s main hub, & where most ferries dock. I’ve also highlighted Split & Dubrovnik, where International Airports are located. You can catch ferries from either city to Hvar, but Split is the closer of the two.
Although I thought Dubrovnik was much prettier!
Dubrovnik
Hvar Island
Split
Hvar Town
Pakleni Islands
Blue Cave
Laganini Lounge & Fish House
Hvar Island Travel Facts
- Closest International Airports to Hvar = Split International Airport & Dubrovnik
- How to Get to Hvar Island = By ferry from Split or Dubrovnik, or one of the other islands. The ferry from Split to Hvar takes approximately two hours, & the ferry from Dubrovnik is a little over three hours.
- What Ferry Companies Go to Hvar? Jadrolinija or Kapetan Luka.
- Must-Do’s in Hvar = Go sailing. Swim in crystal-clear turquoise waters. Stay up all night on a party island & “Carpe Diem.” Go to “Yacht Week” with your best friends. Watch the sunset at Hula Hula Beach Club. Dance the night away.
- Is Hvar Island Good for Solo Travelers? Yes, if you’re extroverted. But Hvar is better-suited for a girl’s or guy’s getaways, romantic vacation, or adult’s-only holiday. I saw very few children there, & the overall vibe is much more of an adult’s playground ~ particularly in Hvar Town.
- Best Time to Visit Hvar = If you want warm weather, visit between May – October, but know that July & August will be VERY busy, & prices higher! Ideal months are June & September: great weather, less people. Low season is November – April; expect cool weather & lower prices.
Ultimate Guide to Hvar Island in Croatia
You’ve just been dropped off at the scenic dock in Hvar Town. You grab your luggage & head down the sidewalk into town, walking by the row of restaurants & bars that line the harbor. It’s only 3PM, but one of the corner bars already has music playing, & an attractive crowd clad in white shirts mingles & sips their cocktails in the warm, Croatian sun.
Welcome….you have ARRIVED in Hvar!
“What happens in Hvar, stays in Hvar.” Does this mean it’s the Las Vegas of Croatia?! But prettier!
This is the main dock in Hvar Town where ferries will drop you off.
Where to Stay in Hvar
First things first: drop those bags off! The question is: where’s the ideal place to stay in Hvar? If you want to walk to restaurants & bars, then stay no more than a mile from Hvar Town. Our first hotel on the island was about 3 miles outside of town, & though it was lovely: it was inconvenient & isolated.
We had much more fun staying in town & walking everywhere.
So here are some suggestions for all budgets in Hvar Town. For luxurious accommodations right in the heart of town, head to Hotel Park Hvar ($386+/night). For a bright clean, adult’s-only hostel located by popular Kiva Bar, try Hostel Marinero ($14+/night). If you want a killer VIEW & don’t mind a short walk uphill: check out Bocin Rosso Apartments ($100+/night), which looks right out over the main harbor. For a little more tranquility & a fantastic pool, just a five-minute walk to town: check rates at Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort ($242+/night).
The pool at the Amfora Grand is reason enough to book here ~ & they’re just a short walk to town.
Yacht Week in Croatia
Yacht Week in Croatia.
Another way to stay by Hvar is to check out the popular Yacht Week in Croatia. This is the ultimate getaway for young 20-something’s who want to sail & party their way through Croatia’s most popular spots: including Hvar. During our trip, we met a group of 12 basketball players from the States who were doing Yacht Week…docking on a new island every night, cliff-jumping & adventuring during the day.
They said it was one of the best trips of their LIVES ~ but best for people who like to party, not those looking for peace & quiet!
What to Do in Hvar…
You’ve checked into your Hvar hotel….now what?! First, let’s take a walk through town & get oriented. Take a look at the various restaurants & their menus, & determine which one you’d like to try tonight! There are tons of choices all around the main harbor. Next, stop into a few coffee shops & see which looks best for your morning cup of joe.
And if you have the energy, make the short hike up to the Spanish fortress above town for amazing views of the city & harbor.
Get incredible views of Hvar & the Pakleni Islands at the Spanish fortress above town.
Once you’ve gotten a handle on the town itself, venture a little further out. Take the boardwalk that leads west, past Adriana Spa Hotel, down towards the beach called “Bonj Les Bains.”
Who knows…you may want to lay out there tomorrow!
Bonj Les Bains is a great place to lay out & swim for the day.
As you walk west from Hvar Town, this is the nice, wide path you’ll follow along the water.
Keep walking west along the boardwalk, around the bend to Hula Hula Beach Club Hvar. This is a sprawling beach club & bar, where you can grab lounge chairs during the afternoon, or a table if you want to eat & drink. During the day it can be mellow: but around sunset, it will get much more crowded ~ as locals & tourists gather to watch the sunset & mingle.
My friend Tasha at Hula Hula Beach Club, just before sunset. A DJ was playing & people were starting to dance…
More Hula Hula. The cabanas behind us can be rented out for the day too.
The Pakleni Islands
There are a couple ways to reach the Pakleni Islands from Hvar Town. From the main ferry dock, grab a group charter for the 15-minute boat ride. Or, if it’s an off-time, simply charter a private driver yourself (which is what we did, for about $20). We went to the isle of Palmizana, where there are many beach clubs. We chose: the Laganini Lounge Bar & Fish House. It was exactly what we were looking for: a large property right on the water with multiple docks, cabanas, lounge chairs, good food & drinks, & a fun but not crazy vibe.
It was the perfect place to spend the day…
When we arrived on Palmizana, these were the dazzling turquoise waters that greeted us…NO FILTER!!
The author, walking on an easy, dirt path from the harbor to Laganini Lounge & Fish Bar’s “secret” cove.
We rented chaise lounges for the day at Laganini Lounge, & swam, ate, & drank to our heart’s content. The vibe was chilled-out fun.
Nightlife in Hvar…
The first words you’ll hear when it comes to partying in Hvar, are: “Carpe Diem!” Seize the day! You’ll hear it a lot because it represents two different clubs in Hvar: one in Hvar Town, & one on the nearest island….which you can jet over to for their nightly dance parties. Carpe Diem is the place to go if you’re young, in your 20’s, & want to stay up til dawn.
Kiva Bar is a smaller, more intimate option in Hvar Town that had a GREAT playlist/DJ…we danced there for hours, & it felt much less “clubby” than Carpe Diem.
Carpe Diem has its own BEACH on Stipanska, which is directly across from Hvar Town’s main harbor.
For more adult, upscale cocktails, try the rooftop bar at Adriana Spa Hotel, which has a great view of the harbor, or the Vintage Wine Bar, that’s just a short walk from the Adriana.
Teraca Bar, tucked away right in the middle of town, is another great, quieter option for drinks.
My friends walking along the main drag in Hvar Town, at sunset.
Other Things to Do in Hvar…
The island of Hvar encompasses much more than just Hvar Town. Stari Grad is another port on the island’s north side, as is Jelsa, which is a great place to go wine tasting. You can rent a car or scooter to reach them, or simply grab a cab or take a tour. If you’re visiting Hvar in June, check out their gorgeous lavender fields near Busje.
And finally, for all adventure & water-lovers, you MUST check out the famous “Blue Cave” on the island of Bisevo, past Vis. You’ll need to take a tour there, & it will be an all-day adventure…but they often combine it with gorgeous stops on Vis & the Pakleni Islands, making it well worth the price of admission (tours start at $65+).
Jelsa is a much quieter town on the north side of Hvar, known for wine tasting & lavender fields.
The famous “Blue Cave” tour is one of the most popular trips available in Hvar.
Ultimate Guide to Hvar Island in Croatia
Thanks for checking out this guide to Hvar Island! If you want to make the most of your trip & see more of the island than just Hvar Town, rent a car or scooter & cruise the back roads to beautiful Jelsa & the island’s interior.
You’ll find more off-the-beaten path places this way, & beat the crowds ~ even in July & August!
xoxo Noelia
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Looks & sound ab fab! Do ya know I’m part Croat? By way of my Father’s Mother. The island of Vis. I’ve got to get my ass there, one fine day. PS do you recall (no, not the most beautiful reindeer of all…lol) the string quartet during T & me’s w ceremony? The musicians are my American-Croatian cousins. They were playing tambourisa music (traditional Croatian strings).
The island of Vis, Susan??! Seriously?? That’s literally right NEXT 2 Hvar, & has a really tiny population as far as I know! How crazy is that?? You & Tarik DEFinitely need to get your butts to Croatia someday soon, & no, I don’t off-the-top-of-my-head remember your string quartet…but that sounds amazing! xoxo N
T’s been to Croatia a couple x’s (on tour). Recently a couple wks ago. But never Havr or Vis. So ya, we gotta go! My parents went to Vis and found a cousin who I have a winery. One of the cousin’s who played at our wedding, retired w his Croatian born wife somewhere on the coast of mainland Croatia. My parents have visited them.
Yeah if you go to Vis, you can easily visit Hvar! And if your cousins have a winery there, that’s an even better reason to go!
We LOVED Hula Hula when we went to Hvar!! So much so, that we ended up wandering there every night for the sunset. It’s the perfect sunset spot, and I agree with you that Hvar is much more an adult’s getaway. We left our kids at home for this trip and didn’t regret it!
Hula Hula is a very easy place to wander to! Ha & thanks for the comment about it being a great adult’s getaway; I don’t have children myself, but it struck me as being much better suited for adults. Cheers!