Things to see and do on your trip to Hvar?

In the middle of the Adriatic Sea, you’ll find one of the most lively and charming Croatian islands you can find. But it’s also a beautiful natural enclave, marked by the influence of the different cultures that have landed on its shores. Its paradisiacal beaches are a great attraction. However, its old town is not far behind, nor is the lively rhythm of its port. Below we tell you all about the things to see in Hvar, Croatia, so read on.

Must-see places in Hvar Croatia

1. St. Stephen’s Square and Cathedral in Hvar

The ideal place to start your tour of this beautiful island: St. Stephen’s Square, the most central and liveliest place to see in Hvar, Croatia.

The square is a perfect spot to take a break from your island adventure. There are plenty of venues, as well as restaurants with terraces. Here you can have a drink and be entertained by the lively pace of the locals.

And if that wasn’t enough, there’s one monument you won’t be able to take your eyes off. And that’s none other than St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Renaissance in style with its beautiful façade, it has an imposing bell tower that sets the rhythm of the square. If you go inside, you’ll also see reminders of the past temple that stood here, with elements of Gothic influence, typical of the 14th century.

Don’t worry: admission is completely free. What’s more, you can visit from 9am until 1pm, as well as from 5pm until 9pm.

2. The historic quarter and the seafront promenade

Another of the liveliest and most attractive areas of the town is all around the promenade area, the harbour and the old city walls.

Walk through the streets that make up the old town and the remains of Hvar’s medieval city walls to transport you back to the height of the commercial boom in this part of the Adriatic Sea.

And of course, after a stroll through all there is to see in the old town, you can head down to the promenade to enjoy the sea breeze. It’s also the perfect place for nightlife lovers, as there are plenty of clubs and pubs.

3. Spanish Fortress

The highest point in the town and on the island. About 100 metres above sea level is where you’ll feel like the owner of this: Spanish Fortress.

Formerly used to guard the town, this fortress has the best views of the whole island, with the whole archipelago and the beautifully decorated houses of Hvar.

The name originates from the fortress’s designers. A group of Spanish architects were hired in the 16th century to carry out the work.

As a recommendation, since the walk is a bit of an uphill climb, you can opt to take a taxi up. And it’s best to try to avoid the hours of maximum sun exposure: we’re big on sunsets, as the light that bathes Hvar is one of the best things you can see.

4. Arsenal of Hvar and the Theatre of Hvar

Near St. Stephen’s Square, you’ll find one of the largest and most imposing buildings to see on Hvar, as well as one of the oldest, dating back to the 13th century.

In this iconic building is housed one of the largest exhibitions of ships from the time when the Venetians ruled the archipelago. This is because this building was used to repair the ships of the island’s fleets.

Next to this building, there is also one of the oldest theatres in Europe, which was built in the 22nd century.

5. Stari Grad

If you want to discover the more historic Hvar, we recommend a trip to the small town of Stari Grad, one of Croatia’s oldest towns

In the streets of charming Stari Grad, you can enjoy the stone houses and lose yourself in the essence of the island.

Of course, the beaches aren’t far behind, and despite the small size of the place, the area is actually quite lively. If you wander down the cobbled streets of Stari Grad, head down to the promenade and have a drink while you watch the sunset.

You’ll also find Tvrdalj Castle, a stone-arched building with a beautiful pond and breathtaking gardens.

And if you want to enjoy Stari Grad’s cultural heritage, visit its museum, which houses a large collection of paintings and archaeological remains, housed in this iconic 19th-century building.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Beaches to see in Hvar, Croatia

There are many beaches on Hvar and as one of Croatia’s most beautiful islands, it’s hard to choose which waters to drift in or which sands to rest your feet on after touring the island.

We know it’s that complicated, and that’s why we’ve picked out some of the beaches where you can enjoy the Adriatic Sea and all it has to offer:

• Dubovica beach: Dubovica is one of the furthest from the centre, in the small and charming village of Stari Grad. The rugged landscape of this beach makes it spectacularly beautiful, and the pace is quieter than on other beaches.
• Lucica Beach: A cosy beach in the town of Hvar, just a few minutes from the harbour and within easy walking distance. It is therefore one of the most visited beaches, but its charm and proximity justify it.
• Bonj beach: Very close to the harbour, but in the opposite direction to Lucica beach, is another of Hvar’s charming beaches, as well as one of the liveliest.

What to see on Hvar in 2 days?

The truth is that, despite the small size of the island, there is a lot to see and its beaches and streets lend themselves to extending your visit.

To make it easier for you to choose what to do on the island of Hvar, we’ve put together an itinerary of what to see and do on Hvar:

• First day: On the first day we recommend that you take the opportunity to visit the Spanish Fortress, the Hvar Arsenal and take a stroll along the town’s promenade
• Second day: You can take advantage of the second day to have breakfast in St. Stephen’s Square and pay a short visit to the cathedral, then head to Stari Grad for a swim at its pristine beaches.

Restaurants where to eat in Hvar

The number of places to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine on Hvar is very large, so don’t worry, below is a list of must-visit places:

• Mediterraneo Dine&Wine: seafood, tataki, risotto… A perfect mix of cuisines, with a clear Mediterranean influence, that makes it an unmissable option on your visit. Prices range from around €10 to €30.
• Kava37: A perfect place to have breakfast, enjoy the coffee on offer and get ready to tackle your day on the island.
• Dalmatino: A great range of impeccably presented fish and meat dishes. Prices are around €20.

Best accommodations in Hvar, Croatia

There’s plenty of accommodation in Hvar, as it’s certainly a popular destination for all its appeal. That’s why we’ve put together a short list of places to stay:

• Apartmani Raueiser: A beautiful flat with great views over the gardens and very close to the sea. The price is about €76 for two nights and for two people.
• Palace Elisabeth, Hvar Heritage Hotel: The quintessential hotel for those who want to enjoy extreme luxury. Lush inside and out, the price is around €200 a night.
• Hotel Podstine: A beautiful four-star hotel, with a very island style and all the necessary amenities. The price is about €70 per person.

How to get to Hvar Croatia

As an island without an airport, you have several options for getting there from the sea, from islands such as Dubrovnik and Split.

There are routes from Split that take you to both Stari Grad and Hvar, although those from Stari Grad also allow you to travel by car. Prices per passenger are around €6.

From Dubrovnik, journeys take slightly longer and cost around €28. You can also get there from nearby islands, such as Korcula or Bol, where fares are around €6 and €11.

Flights to Split are around €160-200 at times like May. For Dubrovnik, the price is a little higher, at over €200.

Travel tips for Hvar

• The official currency of Croatia is the Kuna
• If you are travelling by car, the lights must always be switched on.
• We recommend that you exchange money before you set off on your trip, as this will be cheaper for you.
• As European citizens, we don’t need a visa to enter the country either, just your ID card or passport is enough.
• The best time to travel to Hvar is in spring and autumn, as there are fewer tourists and the temperatures are more pleasant than in winter or summer.
• Buy museum tickets in advance to avoid queues.
• The city is safe, but as with any tourist destination, it’s best to be careful with your belongings.
• Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.

How to organize your trip to Hvar, Croatia?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need, and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Hvar, Croatia.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Hvar, Croatia