Stop ! Inhale… and relax. Island of Hvar is probably the most famous Croatian Island, a true posh location on the Dalmatian coast. With is turquoise waters, excellent cuisine, and good night- life it attracts celebrities to spend their holidays on the yachts anchored in the calm lagune right outside the old port.
But Hvar is much more than this ..let me briefly introduce the “face” of the island that I love. I like it’s beautiful clear and turquoise sea, the sunny weather, lovely countryside, many hidden and tranquil bays, great food, and excellent wines.
Croatia has more than 1.200 islands of different sizes, and Island of Hvar is one of the biggest (with 68 km length). In my memory I keep the name “The sunny Hvar” since it is one of the sunniest places in Europe (with 2.800 hours of sunshine per year) and a mild climate all year round. If you want to reach the island of Hvar you have to take the ferry of hydrofoil from Split (or Drvenik).
A ferry to Hvar island
Let me start “my virtual tour” at the end …. not in the popular town of Hvar but in the less crowded beaches, small towns, and abandoned towns in the inner part of the island.
If you visit Hvar in the early summer, you will have the chance to see flourishing lavender fields at Velo Grablje area. Once large production of lavender is very niche today, but you will still find excellent lavender oil and lavender cosmetics to buy and bring home. My timing wasn’t good, since they already picked up the flowers, but it was still pleasant to visit the small villages. The stone houses were really charming.
Lavender fields
Town of Velo Grablje
You can hike many smaller paths and discover the most secret part of the island or hike of the highest point of the island – St. Nicolas – from where you will have magnificent view of the area and realize how steep is the terrain on the southern part of the island.
View from St. Nicolas
Passing through verry dark and narrow tunnel you arrive on the southern part of the island. My wife didn’t enjoy the ride in dark through the rocky tunnel, while the youngest participant of the trip was thrilled 😊.
The tunnel Plitve
Back on the day light we made a stop at a great wine producer in Sveta Nedelja. We visited the wine cellar, which is under the sea level, and have great lunch with pasta and fresh sea food.
Wine cellar at Svete Nedelja
Fresh adriatic shrimps & fish pâté
And since I’m mentioning the food, …mmmmm…., you have really a great variety of local restaurants, from elegant ones to more rustic, like tavernas, all offering fresh and homed food. The Adriatic seafood and fish is gorgeous, but you have to try also the lamb.
Fresh adriatic shrimps & fish pâté again 🦐
Grilled sea bass & grilled squids🐟
Smoked swordfish and marinated anchovies
Grilled lamb
A welcoming atmosphere is present all over the island. But my preference is with the towns of Vrboska and Stari Grad.
Vrboska town, that local calls also “Little Venice”, is for sure the hidden gem of the island. If you are visiting the town in the less popular months, it will be verry calm, and the walking along the canal admiring the stone houses is really relaxing.
Vrbovska centre
Stari Grad in Croatian language means “the old town” and in fact it is, since the area was inhabited already by the Neolithic tribes. The town as it is today, with beautiful stone houses and cobbled street dates back in 17-18th century.
In the vicinity of Stari Grad town there is “Stari Grad Plain” – Hora or Ager - an agricultural site by the ancient Greeks, dating back in 4th century BC. From 2008 it is listed as a UNSECO World Heritage Site.
And finally, there is the charming Hvar town (the main town of the island and the island itself they both have the same name😊).
Hvar town is the lively center of the island, with numerous cafes, restaurants, and vivid nightlife. It is not a big place and in summer months can be quite crowded. I prefer to visit the town in the morning and walk along the small open market and enjoy a coffee looking at the harbor where you will fur sure see some big and luxury yachts.
It is great to walk on a hill above the town, and visit the old fortress, that also give a unique panorama on the whole Hvar town and the Pakleni islands.
Pekleni islands are 21 islands located on south- western coast of Hvar Island and are perfect place swimming in the clear water or enjoy any underwater activity. They are easily reachable with small taxi boats from the Hvar port.
I’ve saved the last words for Hvar beaches and turquoise sea. It is rally great location for summer vacation, although some of the beaches are world know and can be crowded during high season, you can also find some less known but still beautiful places.
If you are planning your next vacation on Hvar and you need a hint I will be glade to share it with you.
Thanks for reading,
feel free to leave a comment, I will be glad to reply to.
Best regards, 