Island of Hvar, Croatia

Hi everyone! Today we will be talking about Hvar island. It's an interesting place, notably: the most lush landscapes of all the Croatian islands, the sunniest part of the country (2724 hours of sunshine per year), and, together with Dubrovnik, the most popular tourist destination in Croatia. The town of Hvar, which is the island's capital, is dominated by sophisticated hotels, elegant restaurants, modern bars and clubs, popular with posh sailboat crews and, in general, is a place for those who like to look good and get noticed. Stari Grad and Jelsa are the island's cultural and historical centres and the most tranquil and pristine places in Hvar.

Hvar Island

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Hvar is also famous for its green and purple lavender fields, as well as for other aromatic plants such as rosemary and heather. You will discover that some of the truly luxurious hotels use skincare products made with these wonderful aromatic plants.

A lavendar field in Hvar

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The local car ferry which leaves Split docks in Stari Grad three times a day and five times a day in July and August.

In addition to the local ferries which go from Split to Hvar, there are also some which go to Italy in Summer. Jadrolinija ferries circulate between Rijeka and Dubrovnik and dock in Stari Grad (Hvar) twice weekly in winter, and four times a week from June to the start of September, before continuing on towards Korcula.

Jadrolinija ferries travel between Rijeka, Dubrovnik and Hvar

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There are always buses waiting at the ferry port of Stari Grad, which go to the towns of Hvar and Jelsa. There are six buses a day from Stari Grad to Hvar town in summer, although these services are reduced on Sundays and during low season. A taxi costs quite a bit of money. Radio Taxi Tihi has cheaper vans if all the car seats are filled. They are easy to recognize with the painted Hvar image on one side of the vehicle.

You can take a bus from Stari Grad to Hvar town

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If you go in your own car from Stari Grad to Hvar town, you should take care as there are two routes: a panoramic, narrow road that winds between the middle of the mountains; And a direct modern road by which you quickly reach the city.

So, onto the town of Hvar itself. It's not only the epicentre, but also the most well known place on the island, and welcomes an estimated thirty thousand people per day during high season. It is incredible that this small town, with its bay full of brutally ornate gothic palaces and pedestrianised marble streets (Marble! Is that a joke? Marble streets for the love of God! ) and surrounded by walls can accommodate so many people.

The town of Hvar

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You will find people wandering around the main square, exploring the sights of the winding stone streets, you can take a dip in the numerous beaches or go off to strip naked on the beaches of the Pakleni islands, but most people save themselves for the town's nightlife, and so should you.

A party in Hvar

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There are some good restaurants and fabulous hotels, but the island is feeling the strain from the sheer number of wealthy visitors, and this is reflected in the prices. But don't be disheartened if you are travelling with little money as certain accommodations and some hostels are aimed at young people. Thank you, nice people for thinking of us!

A beach in Hvar

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This is part one... we will continue the commentary with what there is to see in Hvar in the next part. Until then!

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