With its rolling green hills, lovely beaches, picturesque vineyards and lavender fields, Hvar is an island full of natural beauty. More than that, this small island off the Croatian coast offers you fascinating historical and cultural attractions that will easily keep you busy during your stay. Outdoor sports such has trekking and biking are also popular activities on Hvar.
Attractions. The main attractions of Hvar include a 15th century Franciscan monastery, Cathedral of St Stephen, and the oldest communal theatre of Europe, Arsenal. The winding streets of the historically interesting Old Town and the spectacular city square are also must-sees for every tourist visiting Hvar. In addition to the town of Hvar, which dominates the western part of the island, also the eastern part of Hvar with lovely towns such as Sucuraj is worth exploring. You should also see Stari Grad, the oldest settlement in the area, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Activities. Sunbathing is the most popular thing to do on Hvar, with also nude beaches available on smaller islands near Hvar. Trekking on Hvar enjoys great popularity among visitors, as does also biking on Hvar. As for shopping on Hvar, the price level of Croatia is affordable by European standards. Nightlife on Hvar is best available in the main town of the island. The best beaches in the area are found in Pakleni Archipelago, which is a short boat trip away from the town of Hvar.
Hvar, a Croatian island full of natural beauty and historical attractions
Hvar, also known as the lavender island, is a sunny island in the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, living mainly on fishing, agriculture and tourism. The island is known for its beautiful landscapes consisting of green hills, historical villages, and sandy beaches combined with landscapes of the crystal blue Adriatic Sea surrounding the island. In addition to the nature attractions and enjoyable beaches on Hvar, you can also find historical attractions such as fortresses, churches and monasteries on the island. The main city of Hvar, which shares the name of the island, is a small and peaceful medieval town with only 4,000 inhabitants. However, during the busiest season of tourism, the medieval streets and lovely beaches of Hvar host more tourists than local people, which makes the cityscape of Hvar quite international with luxury yachts and international restaurants.Attractions. The main attractions of Hvar include a 15th century Franciscan monastery, Cathedral of St Stephen, and the oldest communal theatre of Europe, Arsenal. The winding streets of the historically interesting Old Town and the spectacular city square are also must-sees for every tourist visiting Hvar. In addition to the town of Hvar, which dominates the western part of the island, also the eastern part of Hvar with lovely towns such as Sucuraj is worth exploring. You should also see Stari Grad, the oldest settlement in the area, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Activities. Sunbathing is the most popular thing to do on Hvar, with also nude beaches available on smaller islands near Hvar. Trekking on Hvar enjoys great popularity among visitors, as does also biking on Hvar. As for shopping on Hvar, the price level of Croatia is affordable by European standards. Nightlife on Hvar is best available in the main town of the island. The best beaches in the area are found in Pakleni Archipelago, which is a short boat trip away from the town of Hvar.
Practical information for your trip to Hvar
Hvar is located in Southeastern Europe off the Dalmatian coast of Croatia.
Photo: Lena Ni, used under Creative Commons License (By ND 2.0)
For travelling and flights to Hvar, many use the connections of Split, which is the nearest big city in mainland Croatia, a one hour ferry trip away from Hvar. For getting around on the island, you can use buses available at the port. Car rental in Hvar is popular for independent touring.
Climate. Hvar enjoys a sunny Mediterranean climate with warm, sunny summers and mild winters. The island is known as one of the sunniest places in Europe. Average monthly high temperatures on Hvar are around 25 -30°C during the summer, and 10 – 15°C during the winter. Overall, weather on Hvar is at its best during the summer period between late April and early October. The wettest time of the year in Hvar is autumn.
Visitor services. Tourism industry on Hvar is rising, which means comfortable services are well available. However, Hvar is still quite far from being one of the hot spots for tourism in Europe, which makes the destination even better. You can stay in comfortable hotels on Hvar, and enjoy the excellent food and restaurants on Hvar without crowds, enjoying the natural beauty and fresh air of the island, which is particularly refreshing because of the lavender. Hvar is generally a safe place to travel to, where English is understood by many locals.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Brac, Makarska, Korcula, Split, Mostar, Dubrovnik
