By air
Split (SPU), then ~1 h by ferry
Europe · Croatia
Hvar, Croatia
Lavender, sunsets and island nights
Getting there
Best time to visit
June to September — summer
Don't miss
Hvar Town
The Fortica
The Pakleni Islands
Stari Grad
Things to do
The Fortica fortress
Beach clubs
The lavender fields
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Gaúcho · CC BY-SA 3.0
What to pack
Swimwear
A quieter corner
The abandoned village of Malo Grablje
Questions travellers ask
How do I get to Hvar?
Fly into Split (SPU), then it is about an hour by ferry.
When is Hvar in season?
June to September, in the summer. Pack swimwear.
What is there to do on Hvar?
See Hvar Town and the Fortica fortress, walk among the lavender fields, head out to the Pakleni Islands and wander Stari Grad. For island nights, there are the beach clubs.
What should I try to eat on Hvar?
Gregada, a fish stew. For a quieter outing, find the abandoned village of Malo Grablje.
About Hvar
- Island
Where it is
Hvar is a long, narrow island in the Adriatic Sea off the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, south of Brač and a ferry ride from Split, with Hvar Town at its western end.
History
Greek colonists from the island of Paros founded Pharos, today's Stari Grad, in 384 BC, and the fields they laid out on the Stari Grad Plain are still farmed and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Under Venetian rule for centuries, Hvar Town became an important naval harbour, guarded by the Fortica fortress above it.
People
Islanders speak Croatian with their own Chakavian dialect, and many villages still live from olives, grapes, fishing and lavender. The Za Križen procession, held through the night before Good Friday, is on UNESCO's list of intangible heritage.
Known for
- The Fortica fortress above Hvar Town
- The Pakleni Islands' coves
- Lavender fields and lavender oil
- The ancient Stari Grad Plain
- Nightlife in Hvar Town
Did you know?
The theatre above the Venetian arsenal in Hvar Town, opened in the early 17th century, was one of the first public theatres in Europe.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.