When on holiday in Hvar and wanting to explore the island, you can, of course, do so by car. However, there are other options, such as renting a bicycle, an e-bicycle, a scooter, or another type of vehicle. Alternatively, you can join a quad tour, as we did.
I brought my car to the island, so we explored most of it by car. However, some places are only accessible via dirt roads, which is why we decided to try a quad tour.
We joined a tour with CroQuad in Stari Grad, as they offered a route covering most of the places we wanted to see.
In the video linked here, you can see how our trip went:
Our Quad Trip on Hvar
Our tour was scheduled to start at 17:00, and we were asked to arrive 15 minutes early, which we did.
First, we received instructions on how to operate the quad, including selecting the right gear, braking, and other essentials. We were also introduced to our guide, Ivica, a history and geography professor.
At 17:05, we left Stari Grad and headed toward our first stop, Velo Grablje (Vapnenica na Roskarnicu). The first part of the tour took us along the old road from Stari Grad to Hvar Town. This asphalt road has a steep incline in some sections.
Even with two adults, the powerful quads had no trouble climbing the steep hills. After about a 20-minute drive, we reached Velo Grablje.
Ivica and I discussed the history of the island of Hvar. I learned a lot of new information, such as the fact that Hvar was a major wine producer in the 19th century. I also discovered several other interesting details about the island, as you can hear in the video.
Then, Ivica showed us the lime kiln (Vapnenica na Roskarnicu) and explained its history.
Note: A lime kiln is a stone structure that functions as a high-temperature oven. Its purpose is to burn limestone to produce lime, which is used, for example, to paint houses.
Sveti Nikola Summit (Saint Nicholas Summit)
The next leg of our tour was a drive to the highest peak on the island, Sveti Nikola. The road was a dirt track, so the fun riding began! 😁
The drive up to Sveti Nikola was challenging. The road was full of potholes, requiring a firm grip to stay on track, but there were also sections where we could go full speed.
Around 18:00, we arrived at a small parking area below the peak. From there, we walked for 10 minutes to reach the small church at the top of Saint Nicholas.
The view was breathtaking. We could see the islands of Vis, Biševo, the Pakleni Islands, Pelješac, Korčula, and even Palagruža, an island closer to Italy than mainland Croatia.
Purkin Kuk
Our next destination was Purkin Kuk, the ruins of a Greek and Illyrian fortress overlooking Stari Grad. The ride to the fortress was more challenging, as the road was narrower, but after a 20-minute ride, we arrived, parked the quads, and walked for about 5–7 minutes to reach the fortress.
Ivica explained the history of the fortress, which dates back to around 1000 BC. The walls were likely constructed by the Greeks and Illyrians to defend against the Romans in the 2nd century BC.
As you can see in the photo linked here, the view of Stari Grad from the fortress is quite impressive.
Konoba Kokot
From the fortress, we took a 20-minute dirt road drive down to our next stop, Konoba Kokot, a traditional Croatian restaurant located in Dol. Some parts of this trip were quite challenging, as the road had large potholes and was mostly downhill.
At Konoba Kokot, we stopped to enjoy a small, protein rich drink 😉and took a look at the restaurant. Normally, the tour includes lunch or dinner at the restaurant, but as we had to be back before 20:30, we had to skip it. Judging from what I saw on the barbecue (peka), that might have been a mistake. 🤔
Stari Grad Plain
The final stop on our tour was the Stari Grad Plain. The trip there was on a regular asphalt road, so we had to go full speed to keep up with the traffic!
Once we arrived, Ivica explained the history of the plain, particularly why it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Who would have thought that the best preserved example of ancient Greek agriculture is located on an island in Croatia!
From the Stari Grad Plain, we drove back to CroQuad in Stari Grad to return our quads.
My Thoughts on the Trip
The scenery, especially the views, was absolutely stunning. It took some time to get used to riding the quads on dirt roads, but once I got the hang of it, it was easy.
Our quads were in excellent condition, and I was impressed by their power. They seemed capable of handling any road conditions.
At CroQuad, you can also rent vehicles instead of joining a guided tour. I believe this option is available in most towns on Hvar, but I was thrilled that we chose the guided tour. Ivica shared a wealth of fascinating knowledge about the island and Croatian history in general, which was truly impressive!
The tour covered about 30 km, which felt just right.
FAQ
How much does a quad tour cost?
You can rent an ATV for two people starting at €60, and guided tours are available from €60 per person.
Do I need a driver’s license to rent a quad?
Yes, you must have a valid car driver’s license to rent an ATV. Remember to bring your license with you.
What should I bring for the ATV trip?
You only need to bring appropriate footwear.