Best things to do on Hvar Island
Known for its large number of sunny days, “the sunny Hvar” is the ideal summer destination for anyone looking for a true Mediterranean experience. This charming island has been inhabited since ancient times, of which there is endless proof today in the form of cultural sights. The island Hvar in Croatia will mesmerise you with its lavender fields, romantic vineyards, and fascinating shipwrecks you can snorkel to.
Here, you can discover cultural sights such as the beautiful summer house of Croatian poet Petar Hektorović, natural beauties like the Blue Cave, and even enjoy the summer nightlife in Hvar.
What to do on Hvar Island?
Depending on how long you plan on staying, you’ll get to check more or less of these things off your list but definitely try to find time to explore both the cultural and natural beauty of this island.
Discover the Blue Cave
Although not located exactly on the island of Hvar, one of the most peculiar things to do here is go on a boat tour to the Hvar Blue Cave. It’s located on the small island of Biševo, and you can enter it only by a small vessel. It’s a unique sea cave that is filled with blue light because of the refraction of light and the special position of entrances. When sailing through this cave, it seems as if the sea emits light rather than it coming from the outside – it’s truly a unique experience.
If you’re interested in other underwater sights, book a snorkeling or diving tour to some of the shipwrecks or even to the sunken plane. These wrecks have become homes to various sea life so you’ll discover how a tragic story became a place of life.
Wine tasting at a local vineyard
One thing you can’t skip when visiting Hvar is wine tasting. This island has a long-standing tradition of winemaking starting from the Ancient Greece. The wines of Hvar have been international stars since Ancient times, and that quality still stands today with the most popular being Bogdanuša, Pošip and Prč. There are numerous local wineries with picturesque vineyards that offer tours and wine-tasting – the perfect experience for a romantic sunset.
Aside from great wines, Hvar offers a gourmet food offer. The best restaurants on Hvar where you can get local food are “Dva Ribara”, an old restaurant with an autochthonous Mediterranean taste, “Meneghello” on the islet of St. Clement that has kept its reputation since the 1906th, and the “Zbondini” tavern which offers the authentic taste of Hvar.
Stroll along the fields of aromatic herbs
Aside from the grapevine, many other plants grow on Hvar’s fields. You’ll find beautiful fields of lavender or rosemary which create landscapes ideal for strolling or cycling by. In the 20th century, around 10% of the world’s supply of lavender came from Hvar which speaks of the opus of this tradition. Explore the wide variety of lavender products such as cosmetics, cookies, oil, and the characteristic small pillows filled with lavender used for storing clothes.
Explore the old towns
There are numerous charming old towns on this island, each of them special in some way. Stari Grad is one of the oldest towns in Croatia, with stone houses and beautiful old architecture that create a magical atmosphere. It’s home to the Tvrdalj Castle; the summerhouse of the Croatian poet Petar Hektorović with a charming fishpond. Then there’s the Hvar Town with the famous Hvar fortress or Fortica and the Franciscan Monastery with a 300-year-old cypress in the garden.
What are the best Hvar beaches?
Even though there are endless great beaches on Hvar, some are simply breathtaking. The first one is Dubovica Beach which isn’t accessible by cars so you’ll have to hike to it, but on your way to it, you’ll pass by a well-preserved church of St. Stjepan which overlooks the bay. This beach is pebbled, and there are plenty of rocks around it perfect for jumping.
The largest pebbled beach you can find on Hvar is the Pokonji Dol Beach which you can get to by car and it offers several activities such as scenic canoe rides through the bay. There are a few restaurants nearby so you can plan a whole day family stay at the beach.
Some other amazing beaches are also located on the small archipelago around Hvar – Pakleni Islands. Rent a boat or take a day tour to these islands where you’ll be overwhelmed by the smell of classic Mediterranean vegetation such as sage, chamomile, thyme, fennel, laurel and many others. Wherever you stop for a swim, you won’t miss, and there’s a wide gastronomical offer here too.
How to travel to Hvar?
The best way is by taking a catamaran from Split to Hvar if you’re coming by plane to Split Airport. Even if you’re travelling by bus, car or train from the mainland, your best option is travelling through Split since it’s the closest large city to Hvar and has a regular ferry line. For maximum flexibility when travelling, contact our limo service in Split.
However, if you’re coming from the south, take a ferry from Dubrovnik to Hvar – we also offer private taxi services in Dubrovnik. This boat stops at some other islands such as Korčula and Lastovo before getting to Hvar, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing since it means that Hvar is also connected to neighbouring islands which makes it a perfect destination for island-hopping.
Visit the sunny Hvar
Overall, Hvar is a fantastic summer destination because it’s filled with culture and natural beauty. We suggest you explore the old towns in the morning, stop for lunch at one of the amazing local restaurants, then swim in the secluded bays in the afternoon, and head to a wine-tasting tour in the evening. The offer’s wide enough to satisfy solo travelers, romantic pairs, or whole families, and the number of sunny days is definitely large enough to cover the entire summer!
