Practical Travel Tips for Hvar Island, Croatia

Hvar Island is one of our favorite places in Croatia. Sitting in the azure Adriatic Sea, the idyllic spot boasts quaint towns, hilltop forts, gorgeous beaches and a spectacular atmosphere.

We fell for this little slice of paradise on our first visit to Croatia in 2011 – and have returned countless times since. In our opinion, it’s one of the Best Croatian Destinations!

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Offering an array of entertainment, planning a trip to Hvar can get complicated. However, there is absolutely no need to stress.

We are imparting our best travel tips for Hvar Island to help you easily plan and make the most of your Croatia trip!

Top Travel Tips for Hvar Island

Based on our personal experiences, we are sharing our honest advice for visiting Hvar Island. We provide even more tips for visiting the country in our Guide to Planning a Croatia Vacation.

#1 Determine Where To Stay on Hvar

Hvar Island is the 4th largest island in the Adriatic – but there are just a few settlements that dot the magnificent landscape.

On our many trips to Hvar, we have stayed in both Hvar Town and Stari Grad – the two most popular destinations (and also the two easiest to reach).

Each offers historic settings, sublime beaches and plenty places to eat and drink. Direct ferries run to both Hvar Town and Stari Grad from Split. (We share more tips on the ferries later.)

Hvar Town offers a bit of glitz and glam, but it can get crowded, rowdy and expensive during the height of the summer season. It also has the most restaurants, accommodations and activities available.

Stari Grad is far more low-key and better located to explore Hvar Island. While it has some excellent restaurants and a few bars, it does not have much in the way of nightlife.

Two other towns to consider are Jelsa and Vrboska – and they are just a stone’s throw from one another. Although we have not stayed in either, we have visited both.

Jelsa offers small town appeal, but is not quite as atmospheric as Stari Grad. Vrboksa is a historic fishing village in close proximity to secluded beaches. Both are charming and could be ideal for a relaxing getaway.

Once you determine which suits your travel style, it’s time to search for the perfect place to stay. But first, read our tips for Hvar Island hotels and how to score the lowest prices.

#2 Plan the Best Time To Go to Hvar

Deciding when to visit Hvar, Croatia will depend on many factors – as there are pros and cons for each season.

Summer

Summertime is, by far, the most popular time to visit Hvar. You can expect temperatures to be in the upper-80s Fahrenheit (or higher) and ocean temps in the mid-70s.

It is ideal for enjoying the sea and sunny outdoor places. Better yet, everything is open, giving you a wide variety of choices for dining and lodging.

The downside to visiting Hvar in summertime is that it can feel very crowded. In Hvar Town, it might be difficult to find a place to stay if you don’t plan ahead and the prime restaurants may be fully booked.

Another major consideration is the cost. Prices in Hvar have increased dramatically over the past few summers, often surprising first time visitors to Croatia.

Shoulder Season

The shoulder season on Hvar grows shorter every year, but it’s basically April, May and October. During these months, everything is less expensive and less crowded.

The weather tends to be slightly cooler (especially in April), but there is still usually copious amounts of sunshine

It is important to note that tourism on Hvar is extremely seasonal. Many of the most popular places to go out are only open for a few months. Also, options for organized tours begin to dwindle drastically.

Off-Season

The winter months – November through March – mark the off-season in Hvar. Unless you’re looking for absolute solitude, it is not the best time to visit.

Although winters are mild by European standards, it can be wet and windy. Most sights are closed and restaurants are shuttered. Additionally, many properties undergo noisy renovations.

Don’t fret though – there is an upside! Winter is an incredibly affordable time to go to Hvar. Plus, the cooler temperatures can be ideal for long hikes or bike rides.

#3 Use Our Tips for Hvar Activities

We love Hvar Island because it boasts a diverse number of activities that appeal to a wide range of travelers.

Whether you are into late-night clubs or ancient history, coastline walks or luxury cruises, Hvar delivers.

When planning your trip, you will want to scout out what to see and do during your vacation so that you will be prepared.

Hvar clubs have dress codes and coastal trails require proper footwear. Meanwhile, if there are top-rated excursions you wish to take, it’s a good idea to pre-book.

Those who would rather lounge in the sun and sightsee at their own pace won’t have to worry too much about planning in advance. That said, we have created a few guides that will help.

For Hvar Town, check out our list of What To Do and our Free Self-Guided Walking Tour. Travelers heading for Stari Grad can use our rundown of the Best Things To See.

#4 Figure Out How To Get to Hvar

Car ferries and catamarans can be used to reach Hvar from the mainland cities of Split and Dubrovnik. Plus, there are a peak season connections to other Dalmatian Islands (like Korcula, Brac and Mljet).

The largest ferry companies serving the island’s three ports are Jadrolinija and Krilo. During the summer, private Hvar Island Transfers are available, as well.

Hvar Town

The Port of Hvar only accommodates catamarans (not car ferries). The trip from Split takes about an hour and operates year-round. It’s a 3.5 hour journey from Dubrovnik, but there are no services in winter.

Note that once you arrive you will have to either walk to your accommodation in Hvar Town or to the bus station/taxi stand a half mile from the port.

Those staying at one of the posh hotels in Hvar – like the Amfora Resort – can be met by a porter who will transfer your luggage to the property.

Stari Grad

The Stari Grad Port is primarily served by Jadrolinija car ferries from Split and the journey takes about 2 hours.

The port is actually 1.25 miles from Stari Grad, but scheduled buses (that also go to Hvar Town) depart shortly after each ferry arrives.

There’s a seaside pedestrian path that leads into town, too, and the walk takes about 30mins. Taxis are usually available – but you will get a better rate if you pre-book.

Two reasons we prefer taking the car ferry to Stari Grad (even if we plan on staying elsewhere on Hvar) is the outdoor seating on the upper deck and the much cheaper ticket price.

Jelsa

Jelsa accommodates just one ferry line: Split to Bol (on Brac Island) to Jelsa – and vice versa – via a fast catamaran. The route is ideal for those staying in Jelsa, but service is limited to the peak months.

#5 Tips on How To Get Around Hvar

All of the towns on Hvar Island have car-free centers – which means you will need to get around on foot.

While Stari Grad, Jelsa and Vrboska are relatively flat, Hvar Town blankets a hillside. Be prepared to climb stairs…lot’s of them.

Discovering the different towns on the island and exploring the long coastline is one of the fun Hvar Island things to do – and there are a few different ways to do it.

Hvar Car Rentals

Renting a car on Hvar Island – even just for a day – is the best way to tour the sights. Although we don’t typically like to drive, Hvar has good roads and is generally pretty easy to navigate.

On our last trip we used Dino Rent A Car in Hvar Town. They offer automatic transmission cars at affordable rates (and have very friendly staff, too!).

We only needed a valid drivers’ license and a deposit. (Of course, we used our Chase Sapphire Credit Card, as it offers primary car rental insurance.)

If you decide that you want to drive on Hvar Island, it’s smart to reserve a car in advance. Just be sure to read our money-saving tips!

Hvar Island Buses

A public bus connects Hvar Town, Stari Grad, Jelsa and Vrboska. But be warned, the frequency is extremely limited. On our recent trip, there were only 4 buses to each destination per day.

The Cazmatrans Bus Company services the route. Unfortunately, their website is not very useful. For the most current schedule, check the timetable at the bus stop in the town you are staying in.

Taxi Cabs…but not Uber

Taxis are available on Hvar Island, but they tend to be quite pricey. A ride from Hvar Town to Stari Grad will cost about $50. It’s cheaper if you book in advance (we have used Hvar Taxi in the past).

Note that Uber is not available on Hvar Island! Even though it’s widely used on the mainland, there are no Uber drivers on Hvar. The app will still allow you to pre-book a ride, but no driver will be assigned!

Organized Hvar Tours

Travelers who do not want to get behind the wheel or rely on the public buses can instead explore on private or group tours. We recommend using Viator to find the top-rated Hvar excursions.

#6 Decide What To Pack for Hvar Island

Our final tips for Hvar are all about what (and how) to pack for your Croatian vacation.

Pack Light

First and foremost, keep it simple! You will most likely need to carry your luggage up and down stairs in Hvar Town and over cobblestones elsewhere. It’s much easier with a lighter load.

We like using backpacks (vs suitcases), as we find the terrain is much easier to negotiate without tugging along a hard-sided suitcase on rollers.

Bring the Right Shoes

All of the towns on Hvar Island feature slick-stone lanes and steps. Therefore, you will want durable travel shoes that are comfortable and have a slip-resistant sole. I wear these versatile sneakers and Kris prefers Merrell Trail Shoes.

Splashing around in the Adriatic Sea is one of the top Hvar things to do – but you need to protect your feet from the rough rocks and spiky sea urchins! We suggest packing a pair of water shoes for Hvar beaches.

Sun Protection

The sunshine in Hvar is intense – so you will want to properly protect your skin. Make sure to pack plenty of sunscreen and a wide-brimmed travel hat. And, of course, don’t forget your favorite sunglasses!

Travel Camera

Hvar is one of the most beautiful places in Croatia! We recommend capturing the astounding scenery with a real camera.

We use a DSLR Canon Rebel with a 18-135mm lens. It is one of the best affordable travel cameras because it takes quality photos and the kit comes with tons of accessories.

Croatia Travel Insurance

Trip insurance may cover everything from lost luggage to delayed flights to medical care if you get ill or hurt while abroad. Check rates and coverage with a reliable company, like World Nomads.

Start planning your trip to Croatia! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional tips? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more advice – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!

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