Over the past 20+ years, I have been living in Croatia, and Hvar town is the place in Croatia where I have spent the most mini holidays (and lately, also longer holidays).
Why do I enjoy visiting Hvar town?
- Well, living in Split, I of course have beaches and a historic town to enjoy, but Split is also my place of work, so sometimes I just need a break.
- Getting to Hvar from Split is super easy. The catamaran from Split is there in 1 hour, and going by car, which I have been doing for the last 4 years, only takes about 3 hours.
- The town is beautiful and has a great vibe; I have often been to Hvar town for a two or three day trip with family and friends visiting us in Split. (They have all loved the place).
- Outside of the main season, it is not too overcrowded, and for my type of holiday, I find the prices reasonable.
My Video from Hvar Town
Here is a video I recorded at my last visit to Hvar town.
In the video, I show you the old town of Hvar, and I also take you to the Pakleni Islands, as well as the two fortresses guarding Hvar from above.
My introduction to Hvar Town
My family and I first visited Hvar Town in the fall of 2007 when we got invited there by an employee of mine whose parents were living in the town of Hvar. We immediately fell in love with the place and have been visiting ever since.
On all our visits before Covid, we stayed in apartments in different parts of the town, usually a bit away from the main square, as this was way cheaper; I recall us paying 100 Kuna per night per person (13 Euros), the first many years we went there (this was, of course, all in the shoulder season).
Over the years, I have brought family and friends to Hvar Town, all of them loved the place.
The last 4 years (and hopefully the next many years), I have stayed in a bay, a 5-minute drive from Hvar Town, why? Well, I am out of the party and going out age. I am more into barbecuing, swimming, reading, and relaxing. And on top of that, our family now includes Oskar, a Westie dog who loves chilling and swimming. The spot we have found is optimal for that. (More about the place below).
What should you do when in Hvar?
Hvar town is not a destination I would go to for a typical beach holiday, although the city has some nice beaches; the best beaches are found elsewhere on Hvar Island or other parts of Croatia.
When visiting Hvar Town, I would recommend the following:
- Obviously, priority number one is to experience the town itself, the riva, the small streets. Sit somewhere for dinner, or enjoy a coffee or a drink. If you are lucky, you will see a celebrity on one of the megayachts lined up along the Riva.
- Walk to fortress Spanjola (20 minutes uphill),
- Take a boat to the Pakleni Islands, and spend a day on the beach. Return ticket only 10 to 15 euros, depending on the Island.
- Rent a scooter, drive the old road to Stari Grad, visit the Napoleon fortress, and the observatory on the way. Stop in Brusje for a Coffee.
- Even better, rent a Quad and explore the Island, ride to the peak of the Island, Saint Nicholas Summit, and visit the UNESCO-listed Stari Grad Plane.
- Take a boat to Dubovica Beach and spend a day on one of the nicest beaches the Island has to offer.
- A boat trip option goes to Bilo Idro in Sveta Nedjelja, a restaurant with an underwater wine cellar.
- If you have a car at your disposal, visit Stari Grad, Jelsa, and drive through the Pitve tunnel to see the south side of the Island, where you can visit several great wineries.
Here is a small gallery of most of the places I mentioned above.
Who should go to the town of Hvar?
Hvar Town is mostly suited for adults; anybody who likes historical towns with a Mediterranean vibe will like the place.
If you travel with younger kids, pick another location on the Island and then visit Hvar on a day trip. If you insist on staying in Hvar Town, have a look at Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort.
Hvar Town has been and still is a place where celebrities and wealthy people go, so you might see famous people if you stroll along the Riva.
Would I recommend a day trip to Hvar?
Yes, for sure, I would. If you are in the Split area, a self-arranged day trip to Hvar Town is for sure something worthwhile doing. Take the fast ferry from Split to Hvar Riva; it’s only a 1-hour sailing trip.
If you are 3 or more and have a car, the more economical choice is to take the car ferry from Split to Stari Grad and then drive to Hvar Town. This trip takes 2.5 hours, but also enables you to see other parts of the Island. NOTE: Remember to pre-buy tickets in both directions; otherwise, you might get stranded on the island 😉.
Where do I spend my Holiday on Hvar?
As mentioned above, I have moved my Hvar holiday spot a bit away from town. My wife, I, and Oskar now enjoy our holiday in a quiet bay 4 km from town Hvar.
This, of course, does not mean that we do not visit Town Hvar. During our holiday, we go for dinner 2 to 3 times, and I visit the town almost every morning to have a coffee and do the grocery shopping.
The place we are in now is just fantastic. If you don’t believe me, check out these photos.
Cost of my 2-week holiday on Hvar
Accommodation:
As you can see from the photos above, we are staying in a waterfront house, where we rent a studio apartment, which has a sleeping room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. The size is probably around 30m².
Outside, we have a gorgeous terrace, with a 4-person eating table, 2 deck chairs, and access to a perfect barbecue 💓
From the apartment door, I have 10 meters to the water.
In June, we pay 80 euros a night, so a total of 1,120 euros for 14 days.
Ferry Cost
As we are bringing our car, we travel by car ferry from Split to Stari Grad. The cost of the ferry is €64.40 one-way, so a total of €128.80 for the return trip.
Eating out
Hvar has expensive restaurants, but there are also restaurants with reasonable prices. We usually pick a restaurant where we can eat a meal and have a drink for 60 to 70 euros. We do that 2 to 3 times during our holiday, so our total budget for eating out is €200.
Food, drinks, and miscellaneous
This is what we also spend money on during our trip.
Most days, we ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the apartment, so we had to go shopping for groceries, meat, etc.
For the evening barbecue, we of course needed a bit of protein-free drinks 🍷, and something for the evening on the terrace.
Additionally, we spend money on morning coffee, sandwiches, ice cream, and other stuff we enjoy when we take a trip around the island.
The total amount we spend on this budget item is €450.
All in all, we spent around €1,900 on our two-week holiday on Hvar Island. I personally find that absolutely reasonable.
Please let me know in the comments what you think about the amount.
FAQ Hvar Town
Is Hvar Town a good place to bring kids?
I think there are better places in Croatia for a holiday with younger kids. Of course, you can bring kids there, but I just don’t think it is ideal.
Is Hvar Town expensive?
Yes, and no, it all depends on your holiday preferences. We spent €1,900 for a 14-day holiday on Hvar, which is €68 per person/day.
Should I bring a car to Hvar Town?
Yes and No, if you are going to stay in Hvar town, you don’t need a car; if you want to explore the Island, or enjoy cheaper accommodation a bit away from Hvar town, then yes.
Is Hvar Town only for rich people?
No, I am a normal guy, and I go to Town Hvar almost every year; the place does not have to be super expensive; if you are mindful, you can visit on a budget.
Can I visit Hvar town on a day trip?
Yes, of course, during the summer season, there are plenty of ferries between Split and Hvar town; the trip takes only 1 hour.
How do I get from Hvar to Vis Island?
Twice a week, there is a fast ferry; on other days, you will have to book a private boat to travel between the Islands.
Is Carpe Diem still working?
Yes, Carpe Diem is still working, the Carpe Diem bar is open with some sound restrictions, and the Carpe Diem beach bar on Pakleni Islands is open without restrictions.
How many days for a Hvar town visit?
You can visit the town Hvar on a day trip, but if you really want to get the “Hvar” vibe, you should have at least one overnight stay.
Does Hvar town have good beaches?
Hvar town has some OK beaches, but the better beaches are located elsewhere on the Island.
