16 essential things to do in Hvar (Beaches and Map)

Hvar is the sunniest island in Croatia, and it shows: bright light, turquoise sea, stone streets, and lavender fields that scent everything. It has a rare and lovely mix of a quiet historic town and a trendy destination with nightlife. We took it at our own pace and are sharing it with you based on our experience.

Summary: Things to do in Hvar

1. St. Stephen’s Square (Pjaca), the heart of things to do in Hvar

We start with the center of it all. St. Stephen’s Square (“Pjaca”) is the largest square in all of Dalmatia and the place where the city of Hvar beats. It is huge, made of polished marble, open to the sea on one side and closed by the cathedral on the other.

We went several times because all the little streets of the old town lead from there. In the morning it is quiet and you can take photos without people; at night it fills with tables, music, and strolls. In the middle is the 16th-century public well, one of the most photographed corners, and on one side you will see the elegant Venetian Loggia and the Clock Tower.

TIP: sit at a cafe on the side at sunset. The stone turns golden and the atmosphere changes completely.

2. St. Stephen’s Cathedral

At the eastern end of the square is St. Stephen’s Cathedral, with its stepped bell tower, which is practically the symbol of the city. It is visible from almost any point in the port and is one of those postcards that you will repeat a thousand times.

The Renaissance-Baroque facade is beautiful during the day, but at night, when lit up, it’s something else. We aren’t really people to go inside many religious buildings, but the square with the cathedral in the background was one of our favorite places to stay for a while and do nothing. If you are interested in religious art, many travelers recommend going in to see the cathedral’s treasury.

3. The Spanish Fortress (Fortica), one of the essential things to do in Hvar

If there is one place you cannot miss, it is the Fortica, also known as Španjola or the Spanish Fortress. It is above the city, on a hill, and the view from there is one of the best in all of Croatia: Hvar at your feet, the port, and the Pakleni Islands in the background.

You can walk up from the square, through the old town, in about 20 minutes. You can also arrive by car and leave it in the parking lot at the top (free). It reopened to the public at the end of March 2026 after a long restoration, so it’s better than ever. Entry costs about 10 euros and children under 7 go free.

Inside there is a collection of amphorae, an old prison, and a cafe with a terrace. But let’s be honest: what makes it worthwhile is the view. It is, without a doubt, the best place to watch the sunset in Hvar. Go up in the mid-afternoon and bring water, because the path has little shade and the Hvar sun hits hard. If you want an even higher view, further up is the Napoleon Fortress (you recognize it by the antennas), which you can reach by car along a narrow road.

4. The promenade (Riva) and getting lost in the old town

One of the things we did most in Hvar was, simply, walk. The Riva is the port promenade, full of yachts, small fishing boats, and restaurants with tables by the water. It is the place to have a drink while watching the coming and going of the boats.

But the magic is when you get into the little streets behind it. Stone stairs, arches, flowers growing from the walls, and corners where there is no one. We got lost a lot of times and we always found something nice: a hidden konoba, a view of the sea between two houses, a cat sleeping in the sun. Go without a map, seriously.

5. The Arsenal and the 1612 Hvar Theater

On the square is the Arsenal, the old Venetian shipyard, and upstairs operates one of the oldest public theaters in Europe, from 1612. It is a fact that impresses: ordinary people could go to the theater here more than 400 years ago.

It was closed for a long time for restoration and reopened in March 2026 along with the Fortica. When we went, you still couldn’t get in, so we can’t tell you firsthand what it’s like inside. Many travelers recommend visiting now that it has reopened, especially if you like history. At least stand in the square to see the building: the stone facade with its arches is beautiful.

6. The Franciscan Monastery

Walking along the coast to the south of the city, you reach the Franciscan Monastery, a 15th-century building overlooking the sea with a very elegant bell tower. The walk there is already worth it for the views of the port, and right next to it is the small Kriza beach for a quick dip.

It has a museum with an art collection (including a huge “Last Supper”) and a garden with an ancient cypress tree. We aren’t big on museums unless they are essential, so we passed by the outside and enjoyed the surroundings. If you like quiet spaces with history, many travelers recommend it as a short and nice visit.

7. The Pakleni Islands, one of the best things to do in Hvar

This was indeed one of our favorite days. The Pakleni (Paklinski) Islands are an archipelago of islets right in front of the city of Hvar, with coves of transparent water and pine forests that reach the sea. The name is scary—it translates as “Hell’s Islands”—but it actually comes from paklina, the pine resin that was used to waterproof boats.

You can get there by taxi-boat from the Riva in 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the island, and the round trip costs between 8 and 15 euros. The most popular are Sveti Klement (with Palmižana bay and its beach bars), Marinkovac (more for partying), and Jerolim (natural, with a nudist beach).

TIP: if you can, rent a small boat with a skipper for the day to look for your own cove. It is the best way to discover corners where the taxi-boat doesn’t reach.

8. Stari Grad, the oldest town on the island

This is where we stayed, and it was one of the best decisions of the trip. Stari Grad is the oldest town on Hvar and one of the oldest in Europe: it was founded by the Greeks in 384 BC under the name Pharos. It is the opposite of the city of Hvar: quiet, without the hustle and bustle, with pastel-toned Renaissance houses and a calm port where nothing happens (and that is precisely the beauty of it).

Staying here has something special. During the day, it fills up a little bit with people arriving by ferry, but in the evening, when the day-trippers leave, the town is all yours. We would go out for a walk at sunset through the empty stone streets, with the golden light hitting the facades, and end up dining in front of the water. In the morning, a coffee on the riva looking at the little boats and that’s it, another perfect day.

Beyond the atmosphere, there are a couple of corners you can’t miss. The must-see is the Tvrdalj, the 16th-century fortress-house of the poet Petar Hektorović, with a fish pond in the inner courtyard and phrases engraved in the stone; a place with a lot of charm. There is also the little square of Škor, tiny and beautiful, perfect for sitting down to have a drink, and the labyrinth of streets of the old town to get lost in without a course. If you are looking for the most authentic and relaxed side of the island, Stari Grad is your place.

Kupalište Stari Grad Beach

9. The Stari Grad Plain, a World Heritage Site

Leaving Stari Grad, driving between olive groves and vineyards, you cross the Stari Grad Plain, one of the most special things to do in Hvar, although almost no one has it on their radar. It is an agricultural plain that the Greeks divided into plots with stone walls more than 2,400 years ago… and it is still cultivated almost the same way.

It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. It is not a “spectacular photo” place, it is more about understanding how incredible it is: you are driving through the same orderly landscape that the ancient Greeks designed. That fact blew our minds.

10. Jelsa, the most family-friendly town

Following the road to the east of the island is Jelsa, a quiet, green, and very family-friendly fishing village. It has a square with huge plane trees, a sheltered bay with good water for a dip, and significantly fewer people than the city of Hvar.

It is a good place to stop for lunch or have a drink in the middle of a car trip. In the area, you can get olive oil, prošek wine, and lavender products made by local families, so it is ideal for taking home a tasty souvenir.

11. Vrboska, the “little Venice” of Hvar

A couple of minutes from Jelsa is Vrboska, the smallest town and one of the cutest. They call it the “little Venice” because it is built around a narrow canal, with little bridges connecting the two banks and stone houses reflecting in the water.

You can walk around it in a short time, but it is one of those places where you want to stay and take photos on every corner. It also has a rather curious fortress-church, built to defend against pirates. If you are traveling by car around the island, don’t miss it: it’s next to Jelsa and adds a lot.

12. Sveta Nedjelja and the Plavac Mali vineyards

On the south coast, at the foot of the highest mountain on the island, is Sveta Nedjelja, a small village famous for its wine. Here Plavac Mali is grown on slopes so steep that the vines almost fall into the sea. The views driving through this area are stunning.

Hvar has had a winemaking tradition for more than 2,400 years, so wine is part of the island’s identity. We didn’t manage to do a formal tasting, but many travelers recommend visiting a winery in the area to try the Plavac Mali and the Pošip directly from the producer. If you like wine, the detour is worth it.

13. The lavender fields, one of the things to do on the island of Hvar

If there is one aroma that stuck with us from Hvar, it is that of lavender. The island is full of purple fields, especially in the area of Brusje and Velo Grablje, and in season (more or less from June to July) they bloom and dye the hillsides.

Driving through the interior, you pass next to the crops and the scent enters through the window. And in every town, you will find oil, soap, honey, and even lavender ice cream. We tried the ice cream and, although it sounds strange, we loved it! Take a small bag of dried lavender: it will scent your suitcase for weeks.

14. Dubovica Beach

The beaches of Hvar are almost all pebble and crystal-clear water, tucked into small coves. One of the most beautiful and well-known is Dubovica, about 8 km from the city of Hvar.

It is a pebble bay with an old stone house and a restaurant, surrounded by greenery and with incredibly turquoise water. You can reach it by car (you have to walk down a path from the road) or by taxi-boat from the port of Hvar.

TIP: go early, because the parking at the top is small and in summer it fills up quickly. If you don’t have a car and want a beach nearby, the easiest is Pokonji Dol, a walk from the city, ideal for families.

15. Zaraće Beach

Next up, another of the most photographed beaches: Zaraće, on the south coast, about 6 km from the city. They are actually two sister coves hidden at the foot of some very high cliffs. Plaža Velo Zaraće is the larger one with deep waters, ideal for diving headfirst into the sea; and Plaža Malo Zaraće is the smaller and more sheltered one, perfect if you are looking for an intimate corner. Both share that dramatic landscape of rock walls falling into the water.

It is a bit wilder and less prepared than Dubovica, so bring what you need (and water shoes, because it is stony). You can arrive by car or by boat. If you are looking for a corner with fewer people and plenty of postcard views, this is one of the best options for things to do in Hvar.

Velo Zaraće Beach

16. Grebišće Beach

And one more recommendation for your list of beaches: if you are on the side of Jelsa or Stari Grad, don’t miss Plaža Grebišće.

How many days to stay in Hvar? Recommended itinerary

With 3 or 4 days, you will see Hvar very well. If you are short on time, in 1 day you can cover the essentials of the city. This is how we organized the tour and how we recommend it to you:

• Day 1 – City of Hvar: St. Stephen’s Square, cathedral, the Loggia and the clock tower, getting lost in the old town, and going up to the Fortica for sunset.
• Day 2 – Pakleni Islands: taxi-boat or boat with a skipper to spend the day between turquoise water coves. It’s the day you will enjoy the most.
• Day 3 – The island by car: Stari Grad, the UNESCO plain, Jelsa, Vrboska, the vineyards of Sveta Nedjelja, and a swim in Dubovica or Zaraće.

Do you have a fourth day? Add a speedboat excursion to the Blue Cave, the Green Cave, and the 5 islands, one of the most impressive outings in the area.

Map of things to do in Hvar

To organize your tour at a glance, we leave you this map with all the things to do on the island of Hvar in this guide: the city, the towns, the beaches, and the Pakleni Islands. This way you can see at a glance what is close to you and put together your day.

Grebišće Beach – Hvar Croatia

Where to stay in Hvar

The island has three main bases, and choosing the right one changes the trip. The city of Hvar is the most vibrant: restaurants, nightlife, and everything at hand, but also the most expensive and busy. Stari Grad is quiet and charming, ideal if you are looking for calm and authenticity. And Jelsa is the most family-friendly and economical option, perfect if you are going with a car.

👉 Compare accommodation in Hvar at the best price

We stayed in Stari Grad and we highly recommend it: quieter, more authentic, and quite a bit cheaper than the city of Hvar, and a step away from the rest of the island. If nightlife and having everything at hand is your thing, the city of Hvar is your area.

With this map, you can compare prices from Booking, Vrbo, and other websites in one place and see where it suits you according to the area:

TIP to keep in mind: the historic center of Hvar is pedestrian-only and is on a slope. If your accommodation is in the upper part, you will have to carry your suitcase by hand, so look for something in the lower part or with its own parking. And in July and August, book several months in advance: the best ones sell out and prices skyrocket.

How to get to Hvar

Hvar does not have an airport, so you arrive by boat, almost always from Split. The first thing you have to decide is whether you are traveling by car or without a car, because that changes the type of boat and the port you arrive at:

• Catamaran (without car): is the fast and comfortable option because it drops you off directly in the port of the city of Hvar. It does not carry vehicles.
• Ferry (with car): is the only option if you want to bring the car, but it does not arrive at the center: it disembarks in Stari Grad (about 20 km away) or in Sućuraj (much further away).

These are the most useful routes:

• From Split: by catamaran you arrive at the city of Hvar in about 50 minutes to 1 hour. In summer, there are up to 17 or 18 departures per day. With a car, take the Jadrolinija ferry to Stari Grad (about 1h 50m) and drive the 20 km to the city.
• From Dubrovnik: there is a direct catamaran (about 3h 40m) that leaves you in the center of Hvar, but only on foot. With a car, the most practical thing is to drive to Drvenik, cross by ferry to Sućuraj (30 minutes), and then continue quite a bit until you reach the city.

The catamarans are operated by Jadrolinija, Krilo (Kapetan Luka), and TP Line; the car ferries by Jadrolinija. TIP: in July and August they fill up, so book the ticket online days in advance and arrive at the port at least 30 minutes before to get a good seat. Off-season, you can buy it at the port itself.

One more tip: to have internet as soon as you get off the boat, it is best to bring an eSIM activated beforehand. We use Holafly and with the code RECALCULANDOVIAJES you get a 5% discount. See the eSIM plans for Croatia here.

How to get around Hvar (with or without a car)

The center of the city of Hvar is pedestrian, so the car is left in a paid parking lot (most are on Ive Milićića and Dolac streets) or, better, in an accommodation with a garage. To tour the island, the most comfortable thing is to rent a car or motorcycle; mind you, in August there is low supply and prices fly, so book in advance.

Are you going without a car? No problem: the city of Hvar can be walked in its entirety, the taxi-boats take you to the Pakleni, and there are buses that connect Hvar with Stari Grad and Jelsa (they have low frequency, so check the schedules). With that, you see the essentials without a problem, although to see the beaches we recommend a car or motorcycle.

What to eat in Hvar

In Hvar, as in the entire Dalmatian coast, you eat amazingly while looking at the sea. The highlight is fresh fish and seafood: grilled octopus, prawns, black squid risotto, and the classic gregada (a Dalmatian fish stew). If you want something more substantial, try pašticada, a meat stew served with gnocchi.

Look for the konobas, family taverns where you eat homemade and at a good price. And to accompany it, nothing better than a local wine: the red Plavac Mali or the white Pošip. For dessert, a lavender ice cream or some prošek, the sweet wine of the area. You will leave wanting to return just for the food.

Travel insurance for Hvar

Croatia is within the European Union, and although it is a safe destination, a sunstroke, a fall on the stones of the beach, or a health problem can ruin the trip (and your wallet). That’s why we never leave without insurance, and for Europe, we always go with IATI.

They have coverage designed for different types of trips, and by booking through our link, you get a 5% discount (which can reach 15% in campaigns). 👉 Get your IATI insurance quote with a discount here. It takes a couple of minutes and you travel with peace of mind.

Excursions from Hvar

If you want to add an organized plan, these are the most popular outings from the island:

• Boat tour of the Pakleni Islands: the classic, to discover the best coves with a guide and time to swim.
  ➜ Book Tour Here
• Blue Cave (Biševo), Green Cave, and the 5 islands: a full day by speedboat to one of the most impressive corners of the Adriatic.
  ➜ Book Excursion Here
• Wine tasting on the island: to try Plavac Mali directly at the wineries of Sveta Nedjelja.
  ➜ Book Tasting Here

Frequently asked questions about things to do in Hvar

Things to do in Hvar without a car?

Without a car, you can enjoy a lot. The city of Hvar (square, cathedral, Fortica, old town, and Riva) can be walked, and from the port, taxi-boats leave for the Pakleni Islands. There are also buses that connect with Stari Grad and Jelsa, so you can see the essentials perfectly.

Which are the best beaches among things to do in Hvar?

The most beautiful are Dubovica and Zaraće (Velo and Malo Zaraće), both with pebbles and turquoise water tucked into coves. If you want sand and shallows to go with children, the best is Plaža Grebišće, near Jelsa. And if you go without a car, the closest to the city is Pokonji Dol. The beaches of the Pakleni islands, such as Palmižana, are also very worth it. Almost all of them are pebbly, so water shoes come in handy.

Things to do in Hvar in two days?

Spend the first day in the city of Hvar: St. Stephen’s Square, the cathedral, go up to the Fortica at sunset, and get lost in the old town. On the second day, take a boat trip to the Pakleni Islands or a getaway to Stari Grad and Vrboska. With two days, you get the best of it.

How many days are needed to see Hvar?

With 3 or 4 days you are comfortable: one for the city, one for a boat trip to the Pakleni, and one or two to tour the island by car (Stari Grad, Jelsa, Vrboska, vineyards, and beaches). If you want a relaxing beach pace, you can add more without a problem.

What is the best time to visit Hvar?

June and September are ideal: good weather, warm sea, and fewer people than in the middle of summer. July and August are the most beautiful months for the sea but also the busiest and most expensive. If you go in high season, book accommodation and boats well in advance.

How do I get to Hvar?

The most common way is from Split. By fast catamaran (without car) you arrive in the city of Hvar in about 50 minutes; if you travel by car, you have to take the Jadrolinija ferry to Stari Grad and from there continue by bus or car for about 20 minutes.

Where to watch the sunset in Hvar?

The best viewpoint is the Spanish Fortress (Fortica), with the city and the Pakleni Islands in the background. Go up before the sun sets. If you want an even higher view, you can drive up to the Napoleon Fortress, above the city.

What to eat in Hvar?

Fresh fish and seafood: grilled octopus, prawns, black risotto, and gregada (fish stew). Look for family konobas and accompany with Plavac Mali or Pošip wine. For dessert, lavender ice cream or prošek, the local sweet wine.

Conclusion: is Hvar worth knowing?

After so many years of traveling, we can tell you that Hvar has something that stays with you. The light, the transparent sea, the stone streets, the smell of lavender, and that mix of old town and living destination make it unique. These things to do in Hvar are, for us, the essentials to make you fall in love with the island.

If you are putting together your route through the country, don’t miss our guide to all the things to do in Croatia and our posts on the neighboring islands, such as things to do in Korčula and things to do in Dugi Otok. And if you are just starting to organize, our guide on how to plan your trip and the one on the best travel insurance for Europe might be useful. Have a great trip!

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— Nanu & Facu 🌎 | Recalculando Viajes 💜