Aerial view of Hvar town, its harbour and fortress, island of Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia

Croatian Islands

Hvar Island

A Venetian harbour town, lavender villages and the Pakleni islands offshore.

Best time to visit

June, September

Ideal trip length

2–4 days

Main highlights

Hvar town, Pakleni islands, Stari Grad

Placeholder introduction – write two or three concrete sentences about Hvar: where it is, what it is like and who it suits.

Why visit

A concise editorial overview. Be specific – streets, beaches, distances, seasons – instead of general praise.

Where to stay

Which areas suit which travellers – old town for atmosphere, seafront for swimming, countryside for quiet – with walking distances and the parking situation. See also where to stay in Croatia.

Getting around

How to arrive (nearest airport, bus station, ferry port, motorway exit) and how to move around: walking, cycling, local buses, taxis.

Parking

Where the main car parks are, which zones apply, typical summer prices and whether the old town is closed to cars.

Day trips

Nearby destinations

  • Bol's stone waterfront square beside the harbour, with moored boats and hills behind the town

    Croatian Islands

    Brač

    The big island opposite Split – Zlatni Rat beach, Vidova Gora and white Brač stone.

  • Korčula Town’s red-roofed old town beside the blue channel, framed by pine trees

    Croatian Islands

    Korčula Island

    A green island in southern Dalmatia with a walled medieval town, white wines and quiet bays.

  • Croatian Islands

    Kornati National Park

    A maze of bare, rocky islands south of Zadar, best seen by boat.

  • Croatian Islands

    Mljet

    Forested island near Dubrovnik with a national park, two saltwater lakes and a monastery on an…

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit?

June and September offer warm sea, long days and fewer crowds than July and August.

Do I need a car?

Not in town, but a car makes it much easier to explore beaches and villages nearby.

Is it expensive?

Prices are moderate outside July and August. Eating in konobas away from the seafront saves money.

Explore

Places in Hvar Island

  • Aerial view of Hvar town, its harbour and fortress, island of Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia

    Croatian Islands

    Hvar Town

    The island’s harbour town: a grand square, a hilltop fortress and the Pakleni islands offshore.

  • Boats moored beside the bridge and stone waterfront buildings in Jelsa harbour at sunset.

    Croatian Islands

    Jelsa

    A relaxed harbour town on Hvar’s north coast, between pine woods and vineyards.

  • Statue of Petar Hektorović in Stari Grad, set against a pale stone building.

    Croatian Islands

    Stari Grad

    Hvar’s oldest town, founded by the Greeks, beside a UNESCO-listed plain.

  • The stone fortified church in Vrboska, with its clock tower glowing in warm evening light

    Croatian Islands

    Vrboska

    A small village on a narrow inlet, nicknamed “little Venice” for its bridges.

Your practical guide

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