Activities and excursions in Croatia

Top 10 Things to Do in Hvar

Hvar, the sunniest island in Croatia, has justifiably earned its reputation as one of the most beautiful islands around. This versatile island is not only a good party destination, but also a real stunner when it comes to nature, beaches, charming little alleys in the old town, and buildings hiding thousands of years of history. When visiting Hvar, please bear in mind that some of the nicest attractions are in its immediate surroundings, so, if you have the opportunity, make sure to hop on a taxi boat/speedboat/scooter/bus/your feet and see what the island has to offer. Here are the top 10 things every person should do when visiting Hvar!

1. CLIMB UP THE FORTRESS (FORTICA)

Hvar island

The famous landmark overlooking Hvar town, Fortica or Španjola as it is locally known, is a must-see when in Hvar. The Venetians built this fortress in the 16th century, and, within a couple of years from its completion, the fortress served as a shelter for the locals when the town was under a Turkish attack.

To reach the fortress by foot it will take around 15 minutes of walking uphill/upstairs. You can take the stairs near Loco bar on the main square and work your way up, following the signposts. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from Dolac (near the big Konzum in the center/bus station) and pay around 50 kn to take you there. The entrance fee to the fort amounts 40 kn. Also, there is a bar, in case you wish to rehydrate.

The best time to visit the fort would be in the evening hours, so you can enjoy the sunset. The panoramic view of Pakleni islands in the sunset is captivating, so we definitely suggest not to miss it! Also, don’t forget the working hours are from 9 AM to 9 PM, so make sure to get there on time.

2. EXPLORE THE OLD TOWN

One of the first sights when reaching Hvar via catamaran is its amazing old town. Take a walk around it; while there is no prescribed route you should take, anywhere you go, you will surely run into some of the most famous landmarks: Hvar public theatre, St Stephen’s church on the main square, Arsenal and the Franciscan Monastery. Around the main square, you will find plenty of charming little alleys, stairs and local shops.

3. GO TO PAKLENI ISLANDS

Pakleni islands are a story in itself. This group of islands hides numerous beaches and bays to accommodate everyone’s needs. Those who like parties or fancy beach bars will be thrilled with Carpe diem on Stipanska bay and Laganini in Vinogradišće bay. Mlini and Ždrilca are two bays perfect for families, where you will find nice pebble beaches and good family restaurants. For those who would wish to escape the crowds, there are a few spots you can reach only by renting a boat (self-drive or with a skipper) and Perna is one of those places. This tiny sand beach with crystal clear water is a great place to spend a couple of hours, but beware as there is no shade in this bay. Vlaka is one of the furthest points of Pakleni islands and it hides two amazing restaurants if you wish to have real authentic food: Tonci’s Fisherman’s house and Dionis.

4. GO ON A DAY TRIP TO THE BLUE CAVE

One of the most popular activities to do when on Hvar is to pay a visit to the famous Blue cave. Daily tours from Hvar start around 10:30 AM and they all, more or less, finish around 6 PM. The Blue cave is located on the island of Biševo below Vis and it takes around 1 hour by speedboat to get there. The tour, however, does not only stop in the Blue cave, but also on some other amazing sights, like the famous beach of Stiniva, Blue lagoon Budikovac, Pakleni islands, and more. This tour is the best thing to do if you wish to see a lot of famous landmarks in one day and swim and snorkel along the way.

5. TRY LOCAL’S FAVORITE FOOD AND DRINK SPOTS

Hvar has many bars and restaurants, and some of them, like Hula Hula or Laganini, are super popular. However, there are some local gems you should definitely not miss when in Hvar. These places are adored by the locals and offer a somewhat different perspective to mass tourism:

Teraca bar – located on the terrace of one of the most famous and central buildings in Hvar, Arsenal. Surprisingly though, this bar offers a tranquil ambiance as not many are aware of the bar’s existence. Teraca overlooks the fortress and the old town, and it is open only in the evening/night hours. You can get there using the stairs near the Tourist board office.

Glod pastries – A local pastry artist combining homegrown and organic ingredients is the secret formula for some of the most delicious cakes on this island. Glod also offers a multitude of healthy breakfast options, smoothies and a kick-ass artisanal coffee. You will find this cute shop in Burak, a long street parallel with Hvar Harbor.

Falko beach bar – Another place where the time stops, also, one of the best places to watch Hvar’s sunsets. This beach bar is located right after Hula Hula beach bar, and it takes around 20 minutes by foot to get there from the center. The walk is nice and Falko is definitely worth it!

6. CLIFF JUMP AT THE RED ROCKS

The magnificent Red rocks are a natural wonder reachable with a 20-minute boat ride from Hvar town. Given that the cliffs can only be reached by sea, the best way to visit them is by taking a private boat tour (prices go from 400 euros per boat). This way you will also be able to visit other amazing locations on the southern coast of Hvar like Lučišća, Zaraće, Sv. Nedilja, etc. This tour is often branded as Red rocks tour or South shore tour and it is a must when in Hvar, especially if you wish to skip crowded places and swim in amazing spots.

7. WATCH THE SUNSET

Due to its southwestern orientation, Hvar has some of the nicest sunsets you will ever see. It is definitely recommended to spend one evening watching the sunset. Take your significant other to one of the locations suggested above (either Falko or Fortica) or take them on a trip to the open sea.

8. TRY WINETASTING

With its perfect climate and abundance of natural fields, it does not surprise that Hvar is well-known for its wine. If you are a wine lover, you should definitely indulge in a wine-tasting experience while on Hvar. Our personal favorite is Lacman winetasting located on the beautiful hilltop village, and, if you wish to combine the winetasting and sunset, then Sunset winetasting cruise is the right thing for you!

9. VISIT THE OLD VILLAGE VELO GRABLJE

This almost deserted Dalmatian village, dating from the 14th century, will amaze you with its picturesque stone houses and narrow alleys. Although it is not often listed in the travel guides, we believe this stunning village is definitely worth a visit. By renting a scooter you can reach it in less than 15 minutes. When in Velo Grablje, you will probably run into the Zbondini tavern by the road. This charming little tavern offers not only great local delicacies for the fraction of the price you would pay in the center, but also it gives you a stunning view of the Velo Grablje village.

10. TAKE A WALK THROUGH LAVANDER FIELDS

If you find yourself in Hvar during the months of June and July, you should definitely check out the fragrant lavender fields inland. The best way to visit the fields is by renting a car and driving to one of the following locations: Bogomolje, Gdinj or Zastražišće.

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