Top Things to do in Hvar

As noted, Hvar Island is especially popular for its thriving dining and nightlife scene that’s drawn many of the rich and famous. There are several Michelin-starred restaurants, trendy dance clubs, fashionable beach bars, and live music venues with many open until the early hours of the next morning. But those who aren’t looking for a party can spend time on the idyllic beaches soaking up the sun, swimming in the vibrant blue-green waters, and exploring historical sites. The Baroque-style St. Stephen’s Cathedral built in 1605 is one of the island’s most important historical buildings. Inside you’ll find Venetian paintings while the bell tower features a 2nd-century stone relief of a Roman ship. Europe’s oldest community theater is here too, opened in 1612.

Hvar is renowned for its lavender fields, thanks to its unique climate with year-round sunshine as the sunniest in the Mediterranean. When the lavender is in bloom in June and July, it creates striking landscapes with an endless sea of purple, a stunning contrast against the turquoise of the sea and lush green hills. The peak time for the blooms is mid-June, but around mid-July there’s a lavender festival held near Velo Grabje to celebrate the flowers and their aromatic scent. You can learn how freshly harvested lavender is distilled into lavender oil, take a workshop to discover more of its uses and enjoy lavender ice cream. There will be all sorts of lavender products for sale, with producers here from across Dalmatia.

Located on the northern side of the island, Stari Grad was founded by the ancient Greeks in 384 BC. The oldest town in Croatia, this is Hvar’s historical heart. Its position in the middle island provided a safe harbor for sailors for centuries and it’s still visited frequently by those traveling by boat today. Surrounded by pine trees and cooled with lovely summer breezes, it’s a good place to be on a hot day while bringing the chance to explore centuries of history. The old stone homes have been restored while providing a symbol of the past. Visitors can learn more about the town’s early years at Stari Grad Museum through exhibits and artifacts, including Roman shipwreck cargo from the 4th century AD.

Lying just opposite the Hvar Town harbor, the Pakleni Islands are a popular day trip with stunning untouched nature, including hidden coves with idyllic beaches. There are many boat tours that will bring you to discover some of the best spots in the archipelago with time to sunbathe, swim, and snorkel. A string of forested gems with breathtaking cobalt lagoons, the islands are considered one of the country’s best places to snorkel. You can even find sunken artifacts in Okorija Bay and there are grottoes and incredible rock formations in Bok Bay. Most tours will bring you to the largest island, Sveti Klement, home to beautiful Palmizana Beach along Palmizana Bay with a sandy bottom and abundant marine life, including colorful fish.

Vrboska is one of those hidden gems, a best-kept secret on the island’s north coast that was founded as a fishing harbor in the 15th century. Among the winding streets and alleyways, you’ll find limestone homes, a pretty canal crossed by stone bridges that gave the village the nickname “Little Venice,” and an ancient fortress. Built as a refuge in the 16th century, the fortress/church is open for exploring and features an elegant bell tower that rises above the red-topped roofs and the beautiful bay. Learn more about Vrboska’s seafaring history in the fishing museum and sample tasty wines at family-run Pinjata winery in the back streets. It produces wine from Hvar’s indigenous grape varieties and offers delicious homemade bites.

With so many beautiful beaches, one of the best things to do is spend the day at the beach or sample several. The easiest to reach from the port is Pokonji Dol, the largest on the island, ideal for swimming with crystal-clear blue water and a variety of watercraft are available for rent too. You might paddle in a kayak or canoe to explore secluded coves nearby. There are also deck chairs and umbrellas for relaxation. Uvala Dubovica is another great option along the south shore. Tucked into a cove, it’s made up of white pebbles that glisten in the sun and includes a restaurant. Between Dubovica and Mila, you’ll find a wide pebble beach beneath the abandoned cliff-top village of Zarace.

One of the top things to do in Hvar Town is to make the relatively easy climb up to Fortica Fortress. Also called Spanjola Fortress, it’s set atop a 328-foot-high hill, occupying the site of an ancient Illyrian settlement that dates at least as far back as 500 BC. The fortress that stands today was built in the 13th century and strengthened several hundred years later. The main reason to make the climb is the breathtaking view of Hvar Town, the harbor, the Adriatic, and the nearby Pakleni Islands. If you want to watch a glorious sunset, this is an ideal vantage point. You’ll also find a small museum with an amphora collection and various exhibits from antiquity and the Middle Ages.

Hvar is renowned for its wine, with some of Croatia’s best produced here. The island has a long winemaking tradition dating back nearly 2,500 years. The ancient Greek settlers brought the first vines with them. The oldest continuously cultivated vineyards can be found in the UNESCO-listed Stari Grad Plain where red and white native grape varietals are almost exclusively grown. One of the top wineries to visit is family-run Tomic, headed by famous vintner Andro Tomic, one of the most highly acclaimed in the country. Located in the small town of Jelsa, an impressive range of wines are made here using indigenous varieties like Posip, Plavac Mali, and Bogdanusa. Internationally known wines like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are produced here too.

Located east of the town of Stari Grad, one of the oldest in the country having been established in the 4th century BC by the Greek colonists, Stari Grad Plain is a must-visit. It’s listed by UNESCO as the farming techniques used here have remained unchanged ever since. The vineyards and olive groves are still almost completely intact, even after more than 2,400 years. It includes rectangular plots that are divided by stone walls, a unique example of geometric land division, with the original construction featuring a rainwater collection system with gutters and cisterns. This sustainable method ultimately inspired agricultural practices across Europe with its ability to benefit entire communities.

The restaurants in Hvar range from casual seafood joints and family-owned konobas to Michelin-star fine dining. The island promises mouthwatering local cuisine thanks to its climate and setting, surrounded by the Adriatic Sea with an especially fertile interior. Konoba Luviji is one of the many outstanding examples, offering outdoor dining with a view. Owned by a family with a long history of making delicious seafood dishes and producing high-quality olives and wine, the menu features traditional Croatian fare. Many of the ingredients are grown right on the owner’s farm. From its rooftop terrace, you’ll enjoy a spectacular view of Fortica Fortress and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Michelin-starred Mediterraneo has been a family-run eatery for over 70 years, famous for its fish dishes.

With both hilly and flatter routes, Hvar’s coast is ideal for cycling. You might ride the popular scenic route from Hvar Town to Stari Grad covering 12.5 miles or cycle west past the pier for a spectacular view of Pokonji Dol Beach. No matter which way you go there’s nothing like rolling along the coast of this island with the open road before you and the sparkling sea beside you. Vineyards, lavender fields, and olive groves are often featured too. Cycling tours are available, with multiple options like a bike and wine excursion that includes tasting some of the finest local products. You’ll get to savor Hvar-produced wines alongside local delicacies at a family-run konoba or winery in between enjoying the sights.