Destination guide
Hvar
Croatia
Hvar is an island off the coast of Croatia with a population of about 11,000 people (2011). Imposing fortifications hover above the fluid blend of grey stone and orange cascading roofs.
AI insights
AI-written from the Wikivoyage listings, transport section and the video stats on this page
When arriving by ferry at the Stari Grad port, use the local bus service to reach Hvar town rather than the taxis waiting at the dock, which are known to be overpriced.
For a genuine meal, visit Tonci, where you can enjoy wine produced from their own vineyards and fresh figs plucked directly from the trees in the garden. If you choose a spot for the atmosphere, such as Konoba Humac, call ahead by phone to reserve, as they do not use email or messaging and some traditional dishes require advance notice.
Avoid the common mistake of assuming all harbor-side cocktail bars offer quality drinks. Spots like Carpe Diem, which focus on mood lighting and high-energy music, often rely on flavored syrups; seek out smaller wine bars or terrace spots like Teraca for a more authentic local experience.
Balance your time by splitting your stay between the vibrant, social atmosphere of the main square in Hvar town and the quieter villages like Jelsa. This allows you to enjoy the nightlife when you want it, while also having access to the island's quieter, more traditional coastal lifestyle.
How we vet these picks
Every pick is drawn from real sources — YouTube creators, Wikivoyage, and Wikipedia. We only surface sources that actually exist and that we've checked for authenticity — no filler, no dead-end searches.Watch first
Ranked by views and how well each landed with the people who watched it, judged against the other coverage of this place — plus a local creator where we found one.
Hvar: Vodič za putovanje i naša iskustva
The ULTIMATE Travel Guide: Hvar, Croatia
Otočke priče by Luka Tomaš - Otok Hvar
Hvar, Croatia: Made for Relaxing - Rick Steves’ Europe Travel Guide - Travel Bite
Hvar Croatia 4k Island Travel Tour Video
Hvar, Croatia | 10 Best Things to Do in Hvar 🇭🇷
TOP 15 Things To Do In Hvar 🇭🇷 Travel Guide
Hvar Croatia Travel Guide: The Most Beautiful Island in Croatia (Backpacking Europe Vlog 3)
Best time to go
Best window: March–October
Kind weather all year — there is no month to avoid.
Rated from ten years of daily temperature and rainfall recorded at this destination, via Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Hover a month for its real numbers.
Getting around
Getting around
Buses meet the car ferries at Stari Grad and run to various destinations such as Hvar town. Don't take taxis from the ferry port, they're a rip-off. Buses on Hvar Island is run by Cazmatrans and ticket can be bought from the driver with cash.
Transport notes from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
What to see
Places are listed from Wikivoyage and our own sourced research. Worth it means a second, independent source names the place too; “3 sources agree” means three or more do — and each card names them, so you can check.
Fortica (Spanish Fortress)
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
A 13th-century Venetian citadel above Hvar Town reached by a zigzag path, lit up at night and giving the best sunset views in town over the Pakleni Islands.
Vetted sources
Grapčeva cave
drive to Humac and take the designated food path to the cave entrance
a typical Dalmatian cave with stalactites and stalagmites, where archeological findings, especially engraved and colored ceramics, have been made and prove neolithic settlement of the island
Vetted sources
What to do
Pakleni Islands boat trip
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
A short boat ride to a scatter of pine-covered islets with hidden coves and crystal-clear water just off Hvar Town's harbour.
Vetted sources
Sv Nikola summit hike
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
Hvar's highest point, a hike rewarded with sweeping views across to Korčula, Lastovo and the Pelješac peninsula.
Vetted sources
Adventure park Hvar Jelsa
Near Hotel Fontana Jelsa
Offers paintball, splatmaster, cageball, beach volleyball, badminton, human table football, archery, bocce, giant boxing.
Vetted sources
What to eat
Konoba Menego
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
A rustic stone-walled tavern in Hvar Town's old quarter serving Dalmatian seafood plates that read like edible artwork.
Vetted sources
Mediterraneo
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
A family-run restaurant on Hvar Town's main piazza cooking local delicacies since 1953, complete with a complimentary glass of house grappa.
Vetted sources
Carpe Diem
at the end of the riva on the right side
It's all big cushions, sofas, hammocks and mood lighting. Drinks leave something to be desired. It's a real shame, because it's the perfect spot to drink cocktails, but they make them with flavoured syrups instead of fresh fruit, and they…
Vetted sources
Tonci
Sveti Klement, Vlaka· Moderate
Beautiful little restaurant in a garden of fig and mandarin trees. They make their own wine from the vineyards next to the restaurants, the fish they catch in the nearby water.
Vetted sources
Konoba Humac
Humac, Jelsa
In between of traditional houses and fields, this restaurant takes you out into a scenic and romantic atmosphere (there is no connection to running water and the electricity grid).
Vetted sources
Teraca
on the long terrace above the main square· Cheap
Friendly small bar with an amazing view over the square and harbour.
Vetted sources
Prsuta Tri
on the narrow street just behind the main square
Good vine bar, has cheese, olive, and prosciutto.
Vetted sources
Where to stay
Apartmani Grgičević
Vitarnja, Jelsa· Moderate
Welcoming house in Jelsa, 30m from the sea, low prices. 5 apartments (2+1, 4+2, 4+3 persons), ground or first floor. Nice mediterranean garden, balcony or terrace for guests, WiFi, grill, pets welcome.
Vetted sources
Guesthouse Huljic
Jelsa bb
Great location in very centre of Jelsa on Hvar island. Nice clean rooms with private bathrooms.
Vetted sources
Apartments and Pension
· Pricey
Two air-con double room apartments, one air-con studio-apartment, and two rooms.
Vetted sources
Apartments Bibić
Ten minutes walk from center of town and 20 meters from the sea.
Vetted sources
Anna
Buzolic Tonci & Anna Glavica bb· Pricey
Friendly and clean apartment just up the steps from the main square.
Vetted sources
Apartments Komazin
Nice seaview apartments for 2, 3, 4 and 5 persons.
Vetted sources
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Travel content from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Encyclopedic context from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Videos via the YouTube Data API.