10 Things You Need to Know about Hvar Island

Hvar, “the queen of Dalmatian Islands”, is one of the top destinations in Croatia and on the Mediterranean. It’s a well-known destination for holidaymakers who enjoy its warm climate, beautiful sea, and interesting attractions.

If you’re looking for a perfect destination on the Adriatic, look no further. Read this blog and learn all you need to know about Hvar Island!

1. Why is Hvar so Popular

Croatia has over 1,000 islands. So, why is Hvar so popular? 

Firstly, Hvar is Croatia’s sunniest place, with over 2,700 sunny hours yearly. The island has a captivating Mediterranean nature, rich traditions, and ancient architecture.

Hvar Island is full of   pebbly and sandy beaches. The gastronomy is top-notch, with many local taverns serving homemade meals. You’ll be especially amazed by the picturesque   lavender fields, ancient olive trees, and charming vineyards.

The Cathedral of St. Stephen in Hvar

Sightsee the Venetian and Renaissance architecture of the biggest old square in Dalmatia, St. Stephen’s Square, and admire the Cathedral of St. Stephen with its bell tower. 

View from Fortica, Hvar

One of the top attractions in Hvar is the Hvar Fort (or Fortica). You’ll get panoramic views of red roofs, the Old Town, and the turquoise waters of the Pakleni Islands, a beautiful nearby archipelago.

2. How to Get to Hvar

If your plane lands at Split Airport, you can take   private transfers or rent a car. Split Airport and Ferry Port are 30 minutes away by car without heavy traffic, and you can take your vehicle onboard a ferry.

A ferry can take you from Split (the mainland) to Starigrad Town on Hvar Island. They travel all year round, and the voyage lasts about 2 hours. Fast ferries (catamarans) from Split to Starigrad also travel all year round, and the trip takes an hour, but you can’t take your motor vehicles onboard.

You can also take a fast ferry line from Split to Jelsa Town, which travels all year round and takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes. The fast ferry line from Split arrives to Hvar Town in under an hour but operates only from June to September.

A   ferry line from Drvenik on the mainland to Sucuraj Town on Hvar Island   lasts only about 30 minutes. If you’re renting a villa in the Sucuraj area, it’s an excellent option. However, the drive from Split to Drvenik is an hour and a half long.

Hvar harbour

If you don’t wish to take public transport, our VIP Concierge agents    can help you arrange a private speedboat transfer. You can have a pickup from the airport or any other destination best suited for you and travel directly to your villa. Of course, this is the most expensive option, but it’s the most comfortable, too. 

We already have a blog called “How to get to Hvar Island in Croatia” with all the necessary info, so check it out before traveling to Hvar.

3. Where to Stay on Hvar Island

Our guests often ask us for recommendations on   where to stay on Hvar Island. One of the biggest dilemmas is: “Hvar town or Stari Grad?”

Party in Hvar Town 

Both places are great, but it totally depends on your travel style. Hvar town is more lively and touristy. It’s popular among celebrities who like to party, such as Prince Harry in his bachelor days. It’s an ideal destination for a “lads’ holiday” or “girls’ trip”. 

Luxury Villa Hvar Sisters in Hvar Town

It has earned a reputation as a town that never sleeps, at least in the summer. If you like crowded streets, restaurants and beaches, visit Hvar Town in July or August. The most popular party spots are Carpe Diem and Hula Hula. Every July, Hvar also hosts the   Ultra Europe Music Festival, the biggest party in Europe.

Another popular place for a party is Jelsa, which is less crowded than Hvar. 

Family Relaxation in Starigrad Town

Luxury Villa Cliff, Starigrad, Hvar

On the other hand,   Starigrad is calm, quiet, and remote. It’s perfect for family holidays with children. In the 20th century, English King Edward VIII and his wife, Wallis Simpson, and American President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline, visited this peaceful town.

Another   quiet, family-friendly destination is Vrboska, “Little Venice”. The village is nestled in a narrow bay. It’s still mostly undiscovered among tourists.

Villas on Hvar

Hvar has many luxury villas with pools. You can find them in Hvar, Starigrad, Vrboska, Sucuraj, Jelsa, Sveta Nedelja, and other charming villages across the island. Staying in a villa is perfect if you enjoy a   private holiday without interruptions, lots of space and comfort, and luxurious amenities   like a pool, gym, sauna, and more.

4. How to Get Around on Hvar Island

So now, you’ve made your way to Hvar. Now, let’s figure out how to get around the island.

Hvar is the fourth largest and the longest Croatian island, with almost 70 km in length.

Getting around will be easy if you’ve arrived with your car or decided to rent a car on the island, even if you book a remote villa. There’s a new road from Hvar to Starigrad, but most roads weren’t built for heavy traffic. You’ll need patience in peak season (from June to August). However, roads are mostly empty throughout the year. You can always visit HAK (Hrvatski Autoklub) for info about road conditions. 

There are three    gas stations on the island: one in Jelsa town, one on the main road to Stari Grad just outside Jelsa, and one in Hvar Town. If your main destination is Sucuraj, fill up your tank – the nearest gas station is 50 km away.

However, we know that most tourists travel without a vehicle. Here are a few tips on how to get around Hvar without a car.

Hvar waterfront

Hvar is safe to explore by foot, even at night, but bigger towns are too far away for you to walk to. Yet, you can freely explore the area you’re staying in on foot and see all the attractions.

You can look for local taxi providers that are easily available or book a private driver service.

5. How Many Days Should You Stay on Hvar

When booking a holiday, it’s important to consider how many days you’ll want to stay there. For Hvar, we’re free to say however much you’d like! 

But really, you could spend an entire summer on this island and not get bored. There’s something to do every day. Furthermore, Hvar is close to other islands in Central Dalmatia, so there are many options for day trips. 

Blue Cave on Bisevo near Vis

You can visit the beautiful Palmizana Bay on Pakleni Islands, a small Bisevo Island and Blue Cave near Vis, or the picturesque Golden Horn Beach on Brac.

Of course, our guests usually stay between 5 and 7 days on Hvar island. Many villas on Hvar allow short stays (for only 3 or 4 days). However, you may feel like there’s not enough time to see all the attractions and relax on the beach. So, 5 days is the minimum for a truly luxurious holiday. 

A full week on Hvar lets you sightsee Hvar, explore hidden bays, relax on the beach, and take day trips to other islands. If you can spend 7 days on an island in Dalmatia, we always recommend Hvar.

6. Is Hvar Too Expensive

We have a blog called “Is Croatia expensive to visit”, but let’s talk about Hvar.

Hvar has always been a luxury holiday destination. It’s by no means a budget destination, but it can also be affordable if you plan your holiday right.

Restaurant on Hvar Island

If you’re eating at restaurants, which we highly recommend you try at least once, you’ll spend around €60 per meal. There are more and less expensive restaurants, but this is the average price.

Booking a villa on Hvar Island costs €700 - €2,200 per night in the low season. Since most villas host 8-10 guests, the average price per person per night is €50 - €250. In the high season, the prices are somewhat higher, and you can expect to pay €900 - €2,500 per night. For 8-10 guests, renting a villa on Hvar Island costs €90 - €300 per person per night. So, staying on Hvar Island isn’t exactly cheap, but you can save a lot if you travel in groups, avoid the summer months, or rent a villa that allows a short stay.

While we discuss prices, it’s important to answer the question we often get: “Is it better to take cash or a card to Croatia?” Don’t worry,   you can pay with your card   on most premises on Hvar Island. However, some premises on remote beaches are cash-only.

7. Beaches on Hvar Island

Beaches are one of the main reasons travelers visit Hvar. Pebble, rocky, or sandy, touristy or hidden away, there’s something for everyone. 

Watching sunset on Hvar Island

Here are some of the most popular Hvar beaches:

• Dubovica Beach – Pebble beach with clear blue waters, near Hvar Town.

• Pokonji Dol Beach – Another beach near Hvar Town. It’s family-friendly, and you can enjoy beachside restaurants after your swim.

• Mlini Beach – On Paklinski Islands, on a little Marinkovac islet. Perfect for relaxation under pine trees and swimming in the crystal-clear sea.

• Vinogradisce Beach - In Palmizana bay on St. Clements islet, Paklinski archipelago, with restaurants and lounge bars.

Are there any sandy beaches on Hvar Island? Certainly, in deep bays near Jelsa and around Sucuraj. 

8. Food on Hvar Island

Usually, tasting local food is the best way to get to know the culture, customs, and traditions.

Goat cheese with bread

Here is the most authentic food Hvar is known for.

• Goat cheese – Local goat cheese produced on Hvar’s family farms is a must-try appetizer.

• Hvar gregada – A fish stew, a traditional fisherman’s meal with various fish varieties. 

• Wild boar specialties – Wild boar meat is one of the top delicacies on Hvar Island. 

• Lavender Cheesecake – Hvar is known for its lavender fields, and this cake is made of lavender and cheese. A perfect way to end your meal!

Restaurants we always recommend to our guests on Hvar are Gariful, Dalmatino, Giaxa, Me and Mrs Jones, and Zori.

9. Is Hvar better than Split or Dubrovnik

Croatia has countless wonderful destinations where you can stay. Along with Hvar, Split and Dubrovnik are definitely top places, and many tourists choose them as their base for exploring other towns and islands in Dalmatia.

Aerial view of Split

Is it better to stay in Split or Hvar? Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and the largest coastal city. Split and Hvar have rich histories, many attractions, and great food. Split is more accessible since it’s on land, while Hvar is more leisurely and has more beaches. So, the answer depends on your personal preference. The best part is they’re not far from each other so you can visit both.

Dubrovnik Old Town and City Walls

Is Dubrovnik or Hvar better? Again, it’s completely up to your travel style. Dubrovnik is one of the top destinations in Europe. It’s become even more popular thanks to Game of Thrones, which was filmed there. Dubrovnik is also more walkable than Hvar, but Hvar is better if you want to try water sports, scuba diving, and snorkeling. They’re about 4 – 5 hours apart by ferry, but you can travel by private speedboat transfer to save time if you wish to visit both.

10. General Tips

To close this blog, we’ll share some general tips about Hvar Island that could make your villa holiday on Hvar easier.

Keep calm and enjoy Hvar

Do people on Hvar speak English? Yes, people working in tourism almost always speak English very well. Also, they often speak German and Italian, so communication should be easy.  

How to pack for Hvar? Hvar has a warm Mediterranean climate. Summer days are hot and sunny, so pack light clothes, bring sunblock, and don’t forget a hat. 

Can you pay with euros? Yes, as of 2023, the euro is an official currency in Croatia for all card and cash payments. If you use another currency, you can change it on Hvar or before your arrival. 

Can you drink tap water on Hvar Island? Yes, the tap water on Hvar Island is safe to drink and meets all safety standards. The same goes for other islands like Brac and Korcula, too. 

Hvar at sunset

Thank you for reading our blog about Hvar Island. We hope you learned something new and find these tips useful for your next villa holidays in Croatia.