10 Best Things to Do
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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