Places in Hvar
Hvar combines a lively harbour town with quieter bays, vineyards and old stone villages. In Hvar Town, climb to Fortica for the view, explore the historic theatre and follow the waterfront past the Franciscan monastery. Boats connect the town with the wooded Pakleni Islands, while Stari Grad offers a gentler base on the island’s northern coast. Summer brings busy terraces and late nights; outside the main season, check ferry connections and restaurant opening dates before making plans.
Fortica fortress
Hvar Town, Croatia
Climb to Fortica above Hvar Town for a view that puts the harbour, rooftops and offshore islands into perspective. The fortress gives the walk a clear destination, with defensive walls and an archaeological collection adding context to the panorama. Go when the light suits the photographs you want, rather than rushing up in the hottest part of the day. Wear comfortable shoes and check the current visitor arrangements before setting out.
The view over the harbour
Maslina Resort
Stari Grad, Croatia
Maslina sits in Maslinica Bay near Stari Grad, with rooms, suites and villas designed around natural materials and sea views. The setting encourages a slower stay, with wellness treatments, waterside dining and space for families to spend time together. Choose it when quiet surroundings matter more than walking into Hvar Town each evening. Compare the individual accommodation categories carefully, and arrange transfers around the ferry port that best suits your arrival.
Contemporary coastal design
Terra Restaurant at Maslina Resort
Stari Grad, Croatia
Terra brings a polished restaurant experience to Maslina Resort near Stari Grad. Local ingredients and seasonal Mediterranean cooking shape the menu, while the dining room and poolside terrace give the meal a calm resort setting. It makes sense as a destination dinner for visitors based elsewhere on Hvar, provided transport is arranged. Book the restaurant specifically and check the current menu, since casual poolside dining and other resort food offerings are separate experiences.
Contemporary island cooking
Zori Restaurant
Palmižana, Sveti Klement, Croatia
Zori pairs Mediterranean cooking with a waterside setting in Vinogradišće bay on Palmižana. Seafood and local produce anchor the kitchen, with the arrival by boat adding to the pleasure of the meal. This is a restaurant to plan around, rather than a casual stop made without checking availability. Reserve both the table and a return transfer, and confirm the seasonal dates: the restaurant’s published season runs from May through October.
A boat trip to dinner
Palace Elisabeth
Hvar Town, Croatia
Palace Elisabeth occupies one of Hvar Town’s most prominent positions, overlooking the main square beside the historic loggia. The hotel combines heritage architecture with contemporary rooms, a spa, pool and dining at San Marco. Staying here puts the harbour and old-town lanes close at hand, while the terraces offer a comfortable place to watch the town unfold. Specify your preferred outlook when booking, as a central address does not guarantee the same view from every room.
A landmark address
Arsenal and Historic Theatre
Hvar Town, Croatia
The Arsenal stands at the harbour end of Hvar’s main square, with the historic theatre above it. Visiting connects the town’s maritime past with a surprisingly rich performance tradition. Look beyond the exterior and allow time to appreciate the intimate auditorium when it is open. Check current admission and performance schedules before arriving; a daytime heritage visit and an evening event offer different ways to experience the same building.
A remarkable cultural landmark
Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel
Hvar Town, Croatia
Adriana faces Hvar’s marina, with the old town across the water and a rooftop pool above the waterfront. Its substantial spa makes it a good choice for visitors who want treatments and relaxation alongside sightseeing and boat trips. The location brings restaurants and harbour life into easy reach, although that also means the surrounding streets can stay lively. Check room orientation and the spa arrangements for your chosen stay if quiet or particular facilities matter.
A spa stay by the harbour
Franciscan Monastery
Hvar Town, Croatia
Follow the waterfront to the Franciscan Monastery, where a cloister and collection provide a quieter counterpoint to the harbour. The setting is especially appealing when combined with an unhurried coastal walk. Inside, the large Last Supper painting is a reason to linger rather than treating the monastery as a photographic stop. Check opening times before visiting, dress appropriately for a religious site and allow a little time simply to enjoy the surroundings.
Art beside the sea
Giaxa
Hvar Town, Croatia
Giaxa occupies a historic stone building in Hvar’s old town, where the setting gives dinner a sense of occasion without needing a waterfront table. The kitchen is known for interpreting Dalmatian dishes with a contemporary approach, making it a good choice for visitors who want regional food beyond the simplest grills. Reserve ahead for summer evenings and consult the current menu, as specific dishes described in older reviews may no longer be offered.
Dalmatian cooking in a historic setting
Hotel Moeesy
Hvar Town, Croatia
Moeesy offers a calmer setting along Hvar’s seaside promenade, surrounded by pine trees and Mediterranean gardens. Three heated pools and wellness facilities make it easy to spend a day at the hotel, with the sea close by and the historic centre within walking distance. The property welcomes guests aged fourteen and above. Room layouts differ noticeably: some have balconies and sea views, while the roof room uses a skylight rather than a conventional window.
Gardens and pools
St Stephen’s Cathedral
Hvar Town, Croatia
St Stephen’s Cathedral anchors the eastern end of Hvar’s main square. Its façade and bell tower are among the town’s most recognisable landmarks, while the interior rewards attention to the altars and works of art. Combine a visit with a walk through the nearby lanes, leaving time to return to the square from different angles. Check visitor access around services and remember that this remains a working place of worship.
Architecture at the heart of town
Gariful
Hvar Town, Croatia
Gariful sits on Hvar’s waterfront beside the harbour’s visiting yachts. Fish and seafood are central to the offering, supported by an extensive wine selection and a setting that makes the view part of the meal. It suits a special lunch or dinner when atmosphere matters alongside the cooking. Ask about the day’s fish and clarify weight-based pricing before ordering whole seafood. Check seasonal opening dates when travelling outside the main summer months.
A seafood occasion on the Riva
Benedictine Convent lace collection
Hvar Town, Croatia
The Benedictine Convent preserves Hvar’s distinctive tradition of making lace from agave fibres. A visit offers a more focused encounter with the island’s culture than a quick circuit of its waterfront landmarks. Look closely at the fine patterns and the patience behind them, rather than approaching the collection as a large museum. Confirm the current visiting arrangements before going, and combine it with an exploration of the quieter old-town streets.
A local craft tradition
Konoba Menego
Hvar Town, Croatia
Menego occupies an old family house along the steps between Hvar’s square and fortress. The interior, local traditions and Dalmatian cooking create an experience with a strong sense of place. It is an appealing choice for an evening away from the harbour’s more polished terraces, particularly if regional food and an intimate setting are the priority. Confirm seasonal opening and table arrangements directly before climbing through the lanes for dinner.
Traditional character
Riva Marina Hvar Hotel
Hvar Town, Croatia
Riva Marina is for travellers who want Hvar’s harbour life immediately outside the door. The boutique hotel occupies a historic waterfront building, with rooms and a social terrace looking towards the marina. BB Social Bar & Kitchen adds a convenient place for a drink or meal between excursions. Choose a marina-view category if the outlook is central to the appeal, and expect a lively setting rather than the seclusion of an outlying beach resort.
Waterfront atmosphere
Black Pepper
Hvar Town, Croatia
Black Pepper fills a picturesque old-town alley, with a garden area for a more intimate meal. Run by friends, it brings a contemporary touch to local recipes and ingredients, with peppers from different parts of the world providing a recurring theme. The appeal lies in the combination of relaxed surroundings and thoughtful cooking. Book ahead in the busy season, and mention seating or mobility needs because the surrounding lanes and steps shape the setting.
Contemporary dishes in an old-town alley
Hanibal Lucić’s summer residence
Hvar Town, Croatia
Hanibal Lucić’s summer residence provides a different view of Hvar from the harbour’s busy terraces. The historic buildings and enclosed garden speak to a more private side of island life, with a setting that rewards slowing down. It is a worthwhile addition for visitors interested in literature, architecture or gardens. Check current museum access before making a special trip, and leave room in the itinerary for the walk through town.
A Renaissance garden retreat
Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort
Hvar Town, Croatia
Amfora spreads around a bay west of Hvar’s centre, with a large cascading pool and a resort atmosphere that suits a stay divided between swimming and sightseeing. The coastal route connects it with the harbour, giving guests access to town without sleeping directly on the busy waterfront. This is a larger property than Hvar’s boutique hotels, with a broad choice of accommodation. Compare room categories and views before booking, particularly when travelling as a family.
A family resort near town
St Stephen’s Square and old-town lanes
Hvar Town, Croatia
Begin in St Stephen’s Square, then explore the lanes that rise away from the harbour. The route needs no fixed timetable: pause for the cathedral façade, look back towards the water and follow a side street when the main square becomes busy. This is a good first outing after arriving by boat, or a gentle evening walk before dinner. Comfortable shoes help on the polished stone and steps above the square.
An introduction to Hvar
Beach Bay Hvar Hotel
Hvar Town, Croatia
Beach Bay occupies a quieter waterfront position within Hvar Town, with a pebble beach directly outside and rooms facing the sea. It suits visitors who want morning swims without committing to an isolated resort or a daily drive into town. The hotel’s scale and location make it a straightforward base for exploring on foot. Check the room and terrace details carefully, and confirm seasonal opening dates before arranging an early-spring or late-autumn stay.
Beach access close to the centre
Dalmatino
Hvar Town, Croatia
Dalmatino is a family restaurant in the centre of Hvar Town with a broad menu spanning fish, steaks, gnocchi and Dalmatian dishes. Its range makes it a useful choice for a group whose tastes differ, with options that extend beyond a seafood-only meal. Reserve for the evening you want rather than assuming an easy walk-in. The restaurant currently announces a seasonal closure and a return in April 2027, so plan future bookings accordingly.
Fish, steaks and familiar favourites
Konoba Fig
Hvar Town, Croatia
Konoba Fig sits in a small lane just off Hvar’s main square. Its travel-inspired menu brings variety to the island’s dining scene, from breakfast eggs and burritos to flatbreads, vegetable dishes and curries. Vegetarian and vegan choices are clearly marked, making it especially useful for a mixed group. Follow the restaurant’s directions to find the tucked-away entrance, and check the current service arrangements if planning a particular meal or visiting outside summer.
Vegetarian choice and global flavours
Stari Grad Plain
Near Stari Grad, Croatia
The Stari Grad Plain reveals another side of Hvar through fields, vines and stone boundaries rather than waterfront glamour. Explore it slowly to appreciate a landscape still shaped by cultivation and old routes. Walking or cycling lets you notice details that disappear from a car window. Plan a manageable route from Stari Grad, carry water in warm weather and keep to public paths so that a visit respects the working farms around you.
A working cultural landscape
Podstine Boutique Beach Resort
Hvar Town, Croatia
Podstine sits above a rocky bay edged by palms and mature pines, away from Hvar Town’s busiest waterfront. Its beach terraces and swimming access are the main reason to stay, with spa treatments and Restaurant Amo providing options on site. A pedestrian coastal path links the property with town. Choose it for sea-focused days and a quieter evening setting, and discuss the steps and terrain directly if straightforward access to the water is essential.
A sheltered bay
Alavia
Velo Grablje, Croatia
Alavia takes dinner into Velo Grablje, away from Hvar Town’s busy waterfront. The restaurant serves Dalmatian food in a village setting, with an outdoor terrace that makes the journey part of the experience. It is a good choice for visitors keen to explore the island beyond the harbour and beaches. Book the meal and return transport together, especially if wine is part of the plan, and ask about dishes that require advance ordering.
Village dining with a view
Pakleni Islands boat trip
Off Hvar Town, Croatia
The Pakleni Islands lie just offshore from Hvar Town, offering wooded shores, swimming coves and waterside places to eat. A boat outing is one of the simplest ways to change the pace of a stay without crossing the island by road. Choose the itinerary for the bays and time ashore you want, rather than the longest list of stops. Confirm the return arrangements, weather policy and any meal reservations before leaving the harbour.
A day among the bays
Hotel Fortuna
Milna, Croatia
Hotel Fortuna stands by the beach in Milna, around five kilometres from Hvar Town. The family-run hotel offers a different rhythm from the harbourfront addresses, with the village and sea shaping the day. It is a useful choice for visitors who plan to spend more time swimming than following the town’s nightlife. Arrange transport for evening visits to Hvar and compare room outlooks before booking, especially if a direct sea view is important.
A village beach base
Red Rocks by boat
South coast of Hvar, Croatia
Hvar’s Red Rocks form a distinctive stretch of reddish cliffs along the island’s southern coast. Seeing them from the water gives the clearest sense of their shape and colour, often as part of a wider boat outing. Choose an operator who allows enough time to enjoy the coastline rather than promising a rushed photograph. Conditions govern the day, so confirm the route and swimming opportunities locally and follow the skipper’s guidance around the rocks.
A striking coastal landscape
Heritage Hotel Park Hvar
Hvar Town, Croatia
Hotel Park puts Hvar’s harbour and old-town streets within easy walking distance. Its rooms and suites combine historic stonework with modern comforts, with a choice of town or sea views. For more space, consider a suite with a separate sitting room; selected categories also have balconies overlooking the harbour. A garden terrace, restaurant and cocktail bar make it easy to settle in after exploring. Confirm the exact room layout and arrival arrangements when booking.
Harbour-side heritage suites
Laganini Restaurant & Lounge Bar
Palmižana, Sveti Klement, Croatia
Laganini combines a restaurant and lounge bar on Palmižana, making it an appealing place to extend a day among the Pakleni Islands. The restaurant, sushi offering and drinks service give visitors several ways to spend time here, so decide which experience you want before reserving. Plan the boat journey and return carefully, especially for an evening meal. Check current seasonal opening and any table or lounge conditions directly rather than assuming all seating works alike.
A leisurely waterside outing