Its long, bay decorated coastline is home for lots of coves and stunning beaches, lush vineyards and charming little villages to explore. Besides the stunning scenery, Hvar is harbouring some of the most idyllic little towns with authentic look and feel. On Hvar island there are lots of historical attractions, exquisite hotels, fine dining restaurants and a lively nightlife to complete your day.

Arriving in Hvar

If you sail to Hvar, here are the GPS coordinates to it: 43°09'17.6"N 16°39'08.7"E.

If you plan to sail in Hvar, Split International Airport should be the entry point of arrival in Croatia. You can take a taxi from the Airport to the Ferry terminal for Hvar.

• Check here for ferry departure time
• Check here the price list

If you plan to sail to Hvar, best options would be one of the two marinas with charter opportunities: ACI Marina Split or Sportska lucica Split.

Take the course to South between islands of Solta and Brac. On Hvar island you will find two marinas on the Northern part of the island: Nautical port Stari Grad – Faros and ACI Vrboska. On the sout-western part of the Hvar island there is Hvar Port and Marina, or you can search for harbor in Paklinski otoci island next to Hvar, ACI Marina Palmizana.

Weather in Hvar

Best time to sail in Hvar is from April to October, but best of sunshine you will get from June to August. In summer, temperatures during the day tend to average 25-30°C. This warmth extends into September with an average of 24-26°C during the day. Daytime temperatures in May tend to be 5°C higher than in April, and already averaging the low-to-mid 20s.

Sea temperature during summer is peaking at 25 °C.

Average wind speed in summer is 6.5 knots and mostly the wind will blow from N-NE, but the best season for sailing is from October to May with an average of 10.5 knots.

Explore Hvar Island

Find out below the top things to do in Hvar to fill your holiday by exploring top destinations and relax in the most astonishing bays and beaches.

• Pakleni Islands
• Mlini Beach
• Dubovica Beach
• Mekicevica Bay
• Grapceva Cave
• Visit Stari Grad
• Lunch in Jelsa
• Visit Hvar Town
• 360 view from Tcrdava Fortica
• Sunset and Hula Hula Beach Bar
• Pit-stop in Vrboska
• Traditional dinner in Humac

1. Pakleni Islands

On the southwestern part of Hvar, there is the small archipelago of Pakleni, home to some stunning landscape, with a total of 16 different isles and islets for you to explore. Surrounded by crystal-clear waters, the limestone isles are coated in pine forests, with their indented coastline hiding secluded coves and bays as well as breathtakingly beautiful beaches.

If you are a fan of diving explorations, there are several diving spots around the island, including the wreck of English merchant boat Paulina, which came to grief in a nearby lagoon in the 1800s. Since home to all manner of bright sea creatures, the Paulina provides divers with ample scope for adventure. There are several diving companies offering tours to Paulina shipwreck, we recommend DiveBooker.

These are the best diving spots around Hvar:

• Vodnjak Reef
• Stambedar
• Vela Garska
• Paulina Wreck
• Poseidon Pillar
• Anchor Wall

Sveti Klement is the biggest of the islands in Pakleni, so you will find a large variety of bars and restaurant like Restaurant Marina Palmizana and next to it, Way Point Café. For accommodation we recommend Villa Marija with starting price from 50 EUR / night.

2. Mlini Beach

Often overlooked by visitors to Hvar, Mlini Beach is located 1 nautical mile east from ACI Marina Palmizana. Bordered by sparkling turquoise waters with breath-taking views over the nearby islands, the pebble beach is the ideal place to drop the anchor, if you want to sunbathe or swim in an amazing place.

As a couple of small restaurants and cafes can be found not far from the beach, you can easily spend an afternoon or even an entire day here quite happily. While Mlini Beach is quiet and peaceful for most of the year, during the summer months, it can get quite busy. While on shore, we recommend you to have lunch at Mlini Restaurant.

3. Dubovica Beach

Located close to Hvar town, Dubovica is one of the most renowned beaches on Hvar Island, and that’s way in summer becomes quite crowded even by sea, becoming a busy anchorage point for many sailors.

It’s located in a small cove with pine forests, olive groves, and centuries-old stone houses surrounding it. Bordered by the shimmering Adriatic Sea, the beach is perfect for having lunch at Konoba Dubovica restaurant, or for a lounging afternoon.

4. Mekicevica Bay

Between Hvar and Milna towns, you can drop the anchor in Mekicevica Bay. The Mekicevica beach is also known as Robinson’s beach. While you come ashore, you will notice that water is even clearer than elsewhere on Hvar because the beach stones are bleached white.

The beach name comes from the restaurant located in the bay, Robinson which has no electricity or running water. Due to the well renowned delicious recipes of the owner (Mr. Domago) the restaurant became much prized by all sailors. Put in your order and choose from fish, lobster, octopus salad, or whatever delicacy you prefer.

5. Grapceva Cave

In the heart of Hvar island, right by the abandoned town of Humac you can find the most significant prehistoric site in the Adriatic Sea. In this cave there were discovered proofs from a culture dating 4 B.C. and they show that the prehistoric cave inhabitants were acquainted with polychrome ceramics from the Ionian and Aegean Sea.

The most curious finding in this cave is the oldest depiction of a boat in Europe, discovered on fragments of one piece of pottery.

The cave is full of stalactites and stalagmites and will amaze you with the beauty of raw nature.

6. Visit Stari Grad

Stari Grad (Old Town) hold one of the marinas we recommend you to visit, Nautical port Stari Grad - Faros. This ever so charming town is said to be the oldest in all of Croatia and one of the oldest in Europe. The Greeks settled here from 384 B.C. and named the city Pharos.

Many artefacts from that period are displayed in the Stari Grad Museum, set in the neo-Renaissance Bianchini Palace, built in 1896 by the four sons of a prominent local ship owner. Discoveries from a Roman shipwreck are ranged around an adjoining room and makes a good history lesson.

• Address: Ulica Brace Biankini 4, Hvar
• Visiting hours: May, June, September: daily (except Sundays) 10:00 – 13:00; July, August: Monday - Saturday 10:00 – 13:00, 19:00 – 21:00; Sundays 19:00 – 21:00
• Ticket: Full 3 EUR

Set on a bay of the same name, the town’s charming waterfront and old city are magical to explore. Interspersed amongst its many historical sights there are lots of exquisite restaurants, cafes and bars.  The streets are much quieter than Hvar Town so spending some quality time snapping pictures, discovering the local shops for souvenirs and grabbing some ice cream is perfect in a hot summer day.

Good B&B accommodation can be found just a few steps away from the marina, like Heritage Villa Apolon where you can book a room from 109 EUR / night.

There are also several retail stores, if you need to restock your yacht, Tommy and Studenac are among favourites.

7. Lunch in Jelsa

Another fantastic pitstop for you while in Hvar, is Jelsa town. Enjoy lunch in the small marina, and try in one of the restaurants some local dishes. Hvar’s signature dish is ‘gregada’. This dish can be best described as a stew with fish, potatoes, onions, garlic and top-quality olive oil, accompanied by bread baked on the premises.

One of the most inventive restaurants in Jelsa Me and Mrs Jones and is named after Billy Paul’s huge hit. Preferred tune of the venue’s owners, its title replaced the old name of Konoba Napoleon that once stood at this prime spot in Jelsa’s old harbour. The cuisine has been rethanked, with a modern touch on local seafood dominating the menu. You will find that Me and Mrs Jones sits slap opposite the landing point for seaplanes.

Jelsa is also well renowned for its long-time making wine history, so you definitely must taste at least one of these three wineries: Tomic Winery, Dubokovic Wine, Konoba Pinjata. People visiting the wineries consider them the best way to sample the island, enjoying the best wines and paired perfectly with local cheese, fish and meats by the knowledge and hospitality of the locals.

8. Visit Hvar Town

Even if it is a cliché, Hvar Town is an old town and is best just to explore randomly the amazing narrow streets and just admire the eye candy architecture. While ‘browsing’ the city with your eyes, don’t hesitate to find a place to sit down to try some of the local wine and cuisine. The renaissance structures will delight your eyes, and you’ll be snapping photos around every corner.

The main attractions in Hvar Town are St. Stephen’s Cathedral, also a renaissance structure than you can enter and enjoy paintings from the same period. The best time to visit it is in the evenings when the sun is just setting, so you will see the evening light shine through the stone arches. Besides the splendid St. Stephen’s Cathedral, there are lots of elegant and important buildings, such as the Arsenal, Bishop’s Palace, and Governor’s Palace for you to gaze upon.

Exiting the church, straight ahead is St. Stephens Square, the town’s main square and a perfect place to grab a cup of coffee and do as Croatian’s do, people watch. In the square you’ll also find several restaurants and wine bars: Giaxa, Mlinar Hvar or Prsuta 3. B&B accommodation is very common in Hvar town, however you can find also some very popular hotels: Palace Elisabeth***** starting price 459 EUR / night, Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel**** starting price 398 EUR / night or Heritage Hotel Park Hvar**** starting price 296 EUR / night..

9. 360 view from Tvrdava Fortica

Looking out imperiously over Hvar from up above, Tvrdava Fortica watched over the town for centuries. Although locals know it as ‘Spanjola’ (the Spanish Fort’) the fortifications were actually built by Venetians in 1278, although earlier versions have stood in the same spot since at least the sixth century. In 1571, the fortress proved its worth when it sheltered and saved the townsfolk from the invading Ottomans, who pillaged and destroyed the town below.

Nowadays, walking through the rebuilt town with all of its magnificent old buildings is an incredible experience as you slowly make your way up the hill to the imposing fort. From its sturdy walls, you can enjoy some of the most picturesque views over Hvar, with the amazing Pakleni Archipelago visible in good weather. Exhibits are available for visitors to view inside the fortress and coffee and refreshments are served for a steep price but excellent to enjoy with the view. Not to mention that the sunset gives an unforgettable memory about how great nature can be.

10. Sunset and Hula Hula Beach Bar

If you are up for an evening drink a dance, Hula Hula Beach Bar is the place to go to in Hvar Town. It’s a 15 to 20-minute walk from the centre of Hvar Town along the ocean, and once there you can grab a lounge chair, sit back and enjoy your drink as the sun sets behind the islands just off in the distance while sailboats make their way home. Hula Hula Hvar will leave you breathless with its one-of-a-kind sunset view, good music, tasty food and amazing people.

11. Pit-stop in Vrboska

After the party at Hula Hula Hvar, you can’t beat Vrboska - the smallest town of the island, if you’re looking for a quiet getaway. Located at the end of a long narrow bay, it is often called ‘Mala Venecija’ (the Little Venice).

A small stone bridge connects the two sides of town and it certainly does look gorgeous. Renaissance and Gothic-style buildings with paved streets makes Vrboska a very serene place, with its small fishing boats gently bobbing in the bay. Besides cafes and restaurants dotting the waterfront, there are also gorgeous places to visit St Mary’s Church Fortress, as well as the centuries-old Church of St Lawrence.

12. Traditional dinner in Humac

Away from Hvar Town harbour, much part of the island is deserted, just expanses of pine forest and lavender field and the odd depopulated hamlet, as Humac is. Though to have seen its resident leave a century or so ago, Humac welcomes visitors on its patron saints’ day of June 26, and on most evenings in high season when the Konoba Humac serves classic Dalmatian dishes by candlelight. It’s located about 8km east of Jelsa, signposted on the bumpy main road towards Sućuraj.

This is no romantic construct but a necessity – as well as no inhabitants, Humac has no electricity or running water. Lamb and white fish are prepared over an open flame.

As if being the sunniest spot to sail in Croatia isn’t enough, you should consider spending your sailing week in Hvar for the amazing food, a bunch of historical sites, luxury beaches and restaurants and clubs. So, don’t think twice, sail away to Croatia and experience all that the incredible island of Hvar can offer.