Summary
Hvar is the elegant capital of a breathtaking island in Croatia’s Dalmatian region. The town features white-stoned Venetian Renaissance structures adorned with remarkable artworks, providing an opportunity to explore Hvar’s galleries, boutiques, and cafes or marvel at the luxurious super-yachts anchored in the harbor.
Utilize Hvar as your base for excursions through picturesque landscapes adorned with lavender fields or woven with an array of vineyards and orchards. Hire a boat or take an excursion from Hvar to partake in island-hopping adventures that lead you to beaches and coves that epitomize perfection.
Here are the best attractions in Hvar:
1. St. Stephen’s Cathedral
The square’s Renaissance bell tower of this cathedral is unforgettable during the evening hours when the white stone is illuminated by the fading daylight, allowing views through the narrow arches of the structure.
Upon entering the church, visitors will discover a treasure trove of Renaissance art.
Notable works include pieces by Palma Junior, Stefano Celesti, and the lesser-known Spanish artist Juan Boschettus. A highlight is the Madonna and Child, a Venetian artwork dating back to the 1220s by an unidentified artist.
2. St. Stephen’s Square
Stretching from St. Stephen’s Cathedral down to the harbor, Hvar Town’s “pjaca” (central plaza) is the largest in Dalmatia, covering 4,500 square meters.
Long and irregularly shaped, the square serves as the hub of Hvar’s social life, with cafes and restaurants that extend onto the polished flagstones during the summer months.
Once part of the bay, clever engineering leveled the land during the 18th century, and it was subsequently fully paved. Outside of the holiday season, it becomes a serene place to enjoy a cup of coffee with locals and appreciate the 16th-century fountain.
3. Franciscan Monastery
This magnificent walled Renaissance monastery is situated on a small headland near the harbor, featuring a bell tower visible throughout the town. Inside, visitors can admire exquisite works of high Renaissance art by renowned Venetian painters Palma Junior and Francesco Santacroce.
The highlight is a depiction of the Last Supper, measuring two meters by eight, though there is uncertainty as to whether it was painted by Palma Junior or another Venetian artist, Matteo Ingoli.
In the gardens, seek out the historic cypress tree that has been present since the early 1700s.
4. Venetian Loggia and Clock Tower
This opulent piece of Renaissance architecture was formerly part of the Venetian governor’s palace.
The current design reflects the high Renaissance period, though a palace has existed on this site since at least the 1300s.
This originally larger palace suffered significant damage during an Ottoman attack in the late 1500s.
The clock tower is a later addition from the 1800s, replacing one destroyed by the Turks several centuries prior.
5. Spanjola Fortress
Ascend from Hvar Town’s main square via the Porta di Datallo to reach this well-preserved Venetian fortress built in the 1500s. Its condition is remarkable for its age, featuring walls, towers, and tunnels for exploration.
From the battlements, look through the cannon embrasures for uninterrupted views of Hvar Town framed by the Adriatic Sea and the Pakleni Islands.
Inside the castle, historical artifacts are displayed, including ancient amphorae from an earlier Bronze Age stronghold on the site.
6. Dubovica
The acclaim visitors bestow upon this site as the finest beach on the island is well-deserved. Situated on the south coast, a convenient car or scooter ride away, Dubovica offers a serene cove with pristine, azure Adriatic waters.
The water is so crystal-clear that from a distance, swimmers and boats appear suspended in the air.
The cove extends deeply inland, with a gently curving beach composed of small pebbles.
A quaint village of stone houses sits on the western side of the bay, with dusty hills and Aleppo pines rising behind them.
7. Pakleni Islands
You may opt to take a water taxi to this tranquil and uninhabited archipelago off Hvar’s southwest coast; however, for greater freedom, consider renting a motorboat for the day.
Every few minutes, make time to take in the stunning views or dive into the inviting and calm waters.
Some beaches, like Palmizana, feature beach bars, allowing you the opportunity to replenish food and drink supplies.
At other times, you can explore secluded coves or go ashore for a peaceful stroll in perfect solitude.
8. Sveta Nedjelja
The most compelling reason to visit this small village located midway along Hvar’s southern coast is to appreciate its precarious location.
Sveta Nedjelja is perched atop sheer cliffs that plunge down to the sea below St. Nicholas, the island’s highest mountain.
Just above the village lies a cave that was inhabited during the Neolithic era, and the sun-drenched mountain slopes boast vineyards.
Here, the indigenous Plavac Mali grapes flourish in Hvar’s dolomite and limestone soils. Local restaurants serve bottles of Dingac and Postup crafted from this grape variety.
9. Jerolim Island
Directly opposite Hvar Town lies this small uninhabited island, enveloped by pine trees and dense foliage, with a narrow band of white rocky and shingle beaches.
Water taxis can transport you there in approximately 15 minutes, after which you can explore freely according to your interests.
For a significant period, Jerolim’s Kordovan beach, which features the island’s only bar, was primarily frequented by nudists; however, it now boasts a mix of visitors taking advantage of this idyllic setting.
To claim a personal spot by the sea, a short walk around the shoreline will suffice.
10. Brac Island
Hvar’s neighbor, Brac, is separated by the Hvar Channel and stands as the third largest island in the Central Dalmatian archipelago.
You may catch a water taxi to one of the coastal towns or take the ferry to explore this tranquil island further.
Brac is renowned for its historic quarries, which provide the pristine white limestone utilized in several of Croatia’s iconic landmarks.
Today, Brac remains a center for stonemasonry, housing two schools on its southern side.
11. Stari Grad
Stari Grad serves as Hvar’s main ferry port, and upon disembarking, visitors can easily dedicate a few hours to exploring vital elements of Croatian heritage.
Petar Hektorovic, a 16th-century writer, undertook the fortification of his summer residence during the Ottoman invasion, thereby safeguarding some of Stari Grad’s residents.
Tvrdalj Castle remains much as it was, adorned with intriguing details.
Don’t miss the fish pool, which is fed by seawater and bordered on all sides by arcaded stone terraces.
12. Jelsa
A convenient way to explore Hvar Island’s countryside is to take the 20-minute drive east to the resort town of Jelsa, located midway along the northern coast.
Jelsa is the island’s preferred family beach destination, featuring a paved old town rich in sights worthy of a walking tour.
The heart of the city is Croatian Renaissance Square (Pjaca), which is framed by the tables and awnings of restaurants.
Equally charming is St. Ivan’s Square, a compact plaza surrounded by the walls of an octagonal church that showcases a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles.
13. Boat Trip to the Blue and Green Caves
To experience the stunning natural beauty in the local waters, consider joining a guided motorboat tour that allows you to hop between islands.
The initial stop will be Ravnik Island, home to the Green Cave, where sunlight creates a mesmerizing emerald glow, and the captain will allow ample time for swimming in the sea.
The Blue Cave is located along Bisevo Island’s coast; as you approach, the wild cliffs present a breathtaking sight.
Nothing can prepare you for the surreal beauty of the Blue Cave, with its almost neon light generated by a narrow shaft of sunlight reflecting off the cave’s sandy floor.
14. Pick Up a Lavender Souvenir
The lavender cultivated on Hvar’s hillsides is organically grown, hand-sewn, and harvested.
For a fragrant keepsake from your visit to Hvar, consider purchasing a small hessian sack filled with lavender flowers to bring a touch of rural Hvar’s aroma into your home.
Lavender essential oils are also available in Hvar, suitable for baths, oil burners, or massages. These products can be found in souvenir shops, markets, and even the local pharmacies.
15. Water Sports
Kayaking in the waters surrounding Hvar is an enjoyable family activity due to the generally gentle currents.
With the right hat and sunscreen during summer, it’s an excellent method for navigating the island’s intricate coastline and its smaller neighbors.
If you wish to explore the underwater wonders of these serene waters, two PADI-accredited diving companies operate out of Hvar Town.
You can pursue certification or join an excursion to Vis, where numerous wrecks, including a B-17 Flying Fortress that sank in 1944, await exploration.
