Hvar Travel Guide: Best Beaches, History & Nightlife in Croatia

If you’re looking for a summer destination that combines stunning nature, historic charm, and vibrant energy, then the island of Hvar in Croatia is for you. Located in the heart of the Dalmatian coast, Hvar is a true Croatian paradise where the blue Adriatic meets ancient towns, hidden beaches, and lively nightlife. In this short guide, we show you everything you need to know to plan your trip: how to get there, what to visit, where to stay, when to go, and of course… where to have fun at night. Get ready to fall in love with Hvar, one of the best-kept secrets of the Mediterranean!

Hvar was part of our Croatia itinerary. We wanted to stay on one of the many islands along the coast and discover why Croatian islands are such an attractive destination for those who love sun and beach but also seek relaxation or nightlife. Hvar pleasantly surprised us, and our four days there felt too short—we wished we had more time.

Hvar is one of the most famous islands in Croatia, located in the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Central Dalmatia. It is part of the Dalmatian archipelago and lies south of Split. Split is the city with the most ferry connections to the island. Nearby islands also enhance the stunning landscape.

Map of Hvar Island

✈️ How to get there:

We arrived in Split by bus. The main station is right across from the city port. We just crossed the street and took a fast catamaran to Hvar. In summary:

• By plane: The closest airport is Split Airport. From the airport to the port, you can use public transport and then catch a ferry or catamaran.
• By ferry: Regular ferries run from Split to the towns of Hvar, Stari Grad, and Jelsa (operated by Jadrolinija)..
• By catamaran: Faster than the ferry and ideal for those traveling without a car. Companies like Krilo and Jadrolinija offer fast routes.
• By car: If traveling from mainland Croatia, you can take your car on ferries connecting Split to Stari Grad on Hvar.

Hvar has a rich history dating back to Greek and Roman times. It was founded by the Greeks in the 4th century BC, who established the ancient city of Pharos (today Stari Grad). Over the centuries, it was ruled by Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and Austrians.

Hvar reached its peak during the Venetian Republic, when it became an important commercial and cultural port. This heritage can still be seen today in the Renaissance architecture and medieval fortresses scattered across the landscape.

Although Hvar was not a major combat zone during the Croatian War of Independence (1991–1995), the conflict indirectly affected life on the island. Due to its location in the Adriatic Sea, far from the main battlefronts, Hvar served as a temporary refuge for many civilians fleeing conflict zones, especially from inland Croatia.

Some tourist facilities closed during the war years, and tourism—a major source of income for the island—almost disappeared during that period. However, Hvar remained relatively safe and preserved, which helped its quick recovery after the war ended.

It’s possible, but there’s a lot you’ll miss. With limited time, you can take a day trip from Split (ideally by fast catamaran) and explore Hvar town: the main square, Španjola Fortress, take a dip at a nearby beach, and perhaps a short boat ride to the Pakleni Islands (the islands off Hvar town).

However, to really get to know the island and its three main towns, we recommend staying several days.

Our goal when visiting Hvar was to relax with family. For that reason, we spent much of our free time on the beaches near Hvar. If during your stay you want to explore Hvar and nearby islands, there’s plenty to see and it’s easy to arrange, as many local vendors offer small boat trips or larger excursions. Our itinerary was structured as follows:

On days spent in Hvar town, we walked everywhere, mainly along the seaside promenade. Along this pedestrian route, you can visit all the nearby beaches. Between beaches and historic sites, don’t miss:

Španjola Fortress: Located on the top of the town, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city, sea, and Pakleni Islands.

After visiting the fortress, descend along the walking path to Hvar town center and lose yourself in narrow streets filled with small shops, cafés, and restaurants. Along the way, you’ll find:

• St. Stephen’s Square: One of the largest squares in Dalmatia. It may not feel so large, as it is occupied by several terraces with excellent restaurants. Historically, it was once part of the sea.
• Hvar Cathedral: Located at the end of the square. We weren’t lucky enough to visit as it was closed.
• Hvar Theatre: A restored multi-purpose theatre next to the marina. Admission to the fortress includes access to the theatre.
• Clock Tower: Also included in the fortress ticket, located in St. Stephen’s Square. Exhibitions are displayed here, and you can climb to the top to see the old clock mechanism.

• Promenade, cafés, and beaches: The marina is the heart of Hvar. You can walk along the entire marina and coast, exploring the different bays and beaches.

• Boat to the Pakleni Islands: A destination we would have loved to visit, but due to time constraints, we couldn’t. The Pakleni Islands, a natural park, have unique shapes creating various coves and are a popular destination.

We decided to rent a car for a day to explore the rest of the island. You could also rent a 4×4, scooter, or motorbike. One day is enough to see the main spots and relax on the beach. Our itinerary was:

1. Malo Grablje

A small, completely abandoned village near Hvar town. Visiting it allows a glimpse into the tough life of former residents. A restaurant remains in the ruins (meals by reservation) and a church.

2. Velo Zarace

A small seaside village with a beautiful cove. Limited parking and strong wind on our visit prevented a beach stop.

3. Dubovica

A stunning bay accessible only by foot or boat. The road leads to a few houses, small restaurants, and a church. Very calm and isolated, it became our favourite beach.

4. Stari Grad

A small town on the opposite side of the island. One of Europe’s oldest towns, perfect for a walking tour. Streets have local artisan shops. Ferries from the mainland arrive here.

5. Vrboska

Hidden in a small cove. Near the nudist Soline Beach, surrounded by pine trees, creating a natural setting.

6. Jelsa

Another small town with a well-preserved historic center. We enjoyed gelato at Riva Gelateria. Famous for Plavac Mali wine produced locally.

On the return, we stopped to admire lavender fields, unfortunately not in bloom. Lavender is traditional on the island and sold in many souvenir shops.

7. Return via the old road

The old road connecting Hvar town to Stari Grad passes through the hills, offering stunning views and small villages.

• High season: June to September. Warm weather, perfect sea temperature, bustling markets. Prices are higher.
• Shoulder season (May & October): Great weather, fewer tourists, and lower prices.
• Winter: Very quiet, ideal for avoiding crowds, but many services are closed.

We visited in July, and despite it being peak season, we didn’t feel overwhelmed by tourists.

This was a difficult choice for us. We initially booked near Stari Grad but later moved closer to Hvar town center. All options seem good due to the short distances. Consider:

• Hvar Town: More nightlife, more catamaran connections, more hotels/guesthouses, closer to main attractions.
• Stari Grad: Great for families/couples seeking calm, convenient for car travelers.
• Jelsa: Quiet, authentic, and affordable.

Suggestions:

Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort (luxury)

Heritage Hotel Dea Hvar (central & charming)

Pharos Hvar Bayhill Hotel (modern & affordable)

You can also use Booking for more options.

We loved the entire bay in front of Hvar Town. Along it, you’ll find small beaches such as Bonj Beach, Pebble Beach, and Kriza Luka Beach. Just outside Hvar Town, Pokonji Dol Beach and Mekicevica are also worth visiting, although they are less accessible by car. One of our favorite spots is Dubovica Beach — also harder to reach and more secluded.

Mina Beach, Grebisce, and Soline Beach. At Soline Beach, you’ll find a large inflatable water park in the sea. The area around this beach is very green and surrounded by trees, offering a more natural landscape. Near Soline Beach, there’s also a nudist beach.

Hvar is known as the “Croatian Ibiza,” especially Hvar town. Visiting with a small child, we didn’t experience clubbing. However, the town is lively at sunset, with bars like Hula Hula. Nightlife central closes early, but some clubs remain open nearby. Carpe Diem Beach Club, on a nearby island, seemed the most epic, accessible by small boats.

• Pakleni Islands: 10 minutes by boat, unique coves, beach clubs.
• Vis: Organized tours from Hvar; includes the famous Blue Cave.
• Brač: Zlatni Rat Beach near Bol, known for its unique rocky formation.

1. Do you need a car?
Not in Hvar town, but yes for the island. Taxis and car rentals are available.

2. ATMs & Wi-Fi?
Yes, in main towns. Most accommodations and cafés offer Wi-Fi. Card payments widely accepted.

3. Is Hvar safe?
Extremely safe. Low visible policing, but always watch your belongings.

4. Do they speak English?
Yes, widely spoken in Croatia.

5. Currency?
Croatia uses the Euro (€) since 2023, though old references to Kuna still exist.

Plan your trip using the following tools or website

Using the following links and tools on the website you are helping to maintain Scannertrip. This use is the same for you and you do not pay more for it. For Scannertrip it makes all the difference!!