In this article by a local travel content creator, discover what to see on Hvar Island – from the picturesque natural scenery to the most famous cultural attractions, architectural landmarks, and historic styles. Explore Hvar Town and neighboring villages, and visit the towns of Stari Grad, Vrboska, and Jelsa.
What to See on Hvar Island: 3 Stories from a Local Travel Content Creator
Whenever I visit a travel destination, people ask me: “Are you here on holiday?” Well, as a travel writer and content creator, I see travel destinations as stories, even when I am on holiday. Besides, creating stories about beautiful places is also a kind of relaxation, right?
Speaking of beautiful places and stories, there is a lot to be told about the Dalmatian island that inspired me to write this article. But first, greetings from Hvar!
Lovely Hvar is my home island and the location of my summer “office”. I love writing, talking about, and photographing the natural and cultural sights of this Croatian island and top travel destination.
Here are 3 stories I’ve written about The Sunny Island.
- Discover Top Cultural Attractions in Hvar Town
- Where to Swim in Hvar – the Most Amazing Bays, Coves, and Beaches
- What to See on Hvar Island: Explore the Picturesque Towns and Villages
Discover Top Cultural Attractions in Hvar Town
The Cathedral of St. Stephen, Hvar’s patron, is the architectural highlight of the main square, known locally as “Pjaca” (Piazza). This historic square is officially called St. Stephen’s Square.
The Historic Theatre of Hvar, built in 1612 inside the Arsenal (Historic Shipyard) building on the main square, was the first public theatre in Europe.
The town’s “Loggia” (or the Lodge), originally part of the Rector’s Palace, was constructed in the 15th century and has undergone several renovations. Its decorative features reflect Renaissance and Baroque styles. Next to the Loggia is “Leroj” (the Clock Tower), dating to the 15th century, with a public clock and a bell on the roof.
The oldest section of Hvar, encircled by Romanesque town walls, is called “Groda” (The Town) and dates back to the 13th century. It features stone patrician palaces with distinctive Gothic windows typical of Dalmatia and Venice.
The Benedictine convent has preserved a tradition of making unique agave lace for over a century. This intricate craft, demanding patience and imagination, earned recognition from UNESCO. These laceworks, created by Benedictine nuns, are listed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
“Fortica”, known as the Spanish Fortress, was built in the 16th century, with repairs and additions from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. This travel attraction of Hvar served earlier as a military stronghold for Napoleon’s troops and later for the Austrian army. Today, it offers stunning views of Hvar Town and the harbor.
The Franciscan Monastery, near the town center, houses a rich collection of historical and artistic treasures. To reach it, enjoy a 15-minute seaside walk from the main square.
Related Article: Hvar – Sunny Town of Culture
Where to Swim in Hvar – the Most Amazing Bays, Coves, and Beaches
Explore the finest bays, coves, and beaches near the lively Hvar Town on Croatia’s beautiful island of the same name. Be captivated by the vibrant scenery crafted by Mother Nature—featuring the deep blue of the Adriatic Sea, lush pine forests, white pebbled beaches, stunning sunrises and sunsets, and fascinating underwater worlds. Relax on the beach, lounge, and dine in a laid-back Dalmatian style.
Paklinski Islands
Close to Hvar, a group of islands and islets showcases their majestic beauty, with the nearest just a few minutes from Hvar Town. For those preferring a serene hiking experience, forest trails through the islets of the Paklinski archipelago are perfect. Their name, Paklinski, derives from “paklina,” a type of pine resin historically used in shipbuilding.
Aromas of herbs and the crickets’ song soothe daily stress and renew strength. Swimming, sunbathing, and resting in the shade of pine trees in hidden coves provide refreshment during breaks from walking. For local culinary delights, traditional Dalmatian refreshments are served at restaurants in Palmižana, Vlaka, Ždrilca, Stipanska, and Jerolim islet.
Velo Zaraće (Large Zaraće) and Malo Zaraće (Small Zaraće)
Below Zaraće—a scenic village perched on rocky cliffs on Hvar’s south coast—two charming coves captivate visitors with their beautiful scenery above and below the sea.
Velo Zaraće faces east, while Malo Zaraće faces west, both about 6 km from Hvar Town. These coves, with their pebble beaches and crystal-clear Adriatic Sea, are ideal for family relaxation, diving, exploring underwater life, or enjoying romantic moments.
Dubovica Bay
Located around 8 km from Hvar Town on the island’s southern coast, Dubovica Bay is a favorite among locals and tourists. Famous for its crescent-shaped white, pebbled beach, turquoise waters, and scenic underwater landscape, it is also an excellent picnic spot.
Related Article: Enjoy the Most Wonderful Beaches in Hvar, Croatia
What to See on Hvar Island: Explore the Picturesque Towns and Villages
Discover the scenic Hvar Island and its charming historic towns and villages, offering a closer look at traditional and contemporary Dalmatian architecture. On a self-guided or guided tour, visit places like Milna, Malo Grablje, Velo Grablje, Brusje, Stari Grad, Vrboska, and Jelsa.
Charming Villages
Milna, a seaside settlement on Hvar’s southern coast, is a popular picnic destination. Malo Grablje (Small Grablje) and Velo Grablje (Large Grablje) villages showcase traditional Dalmatian rural life and historic stone architecture set within natural landscapes. Malo Grablje has been abandoned since the mid-20th century, offering a glimpse into rural life in the past. The stone houses in Brusje also exemplify local rural architecture.
Related Article: Beautiful Sights of Vibrant Hvar Island on an E-Tuk-Tuk Tour
Stari Grad (the Old Town)
As its name suggests, Stari Grad (the Old Town) is the historic heart of Hvar, with a history of over 2,400 years. Originally called Pharos (Lighthouse), it was founded around 384 B.C. by Greeks from Paros Island in the Aegean Sea. The Romans later named it Pharia. The island’s name, Hvar, derives from both ancient names—Pharos and Pharia.
Explore Stari Grad by walking its stone-paved streets. Top attractions are the Stari Grad Plain, a Greek cultural masterpiece, and Tvrdalj Castle, the fortified summer residence of Renaissance poet Petar Hektorović—the most famous building in the town. Hektorović saw Tvrdalj as a microcosm, a small world where fish, birds, plants, and people share a vibrant, free space.
Related Article: Petar Hektorović’s Tvrdalj Castle: Best Travel Attractions in Stari Grad
Vrboska
Vrboska is the smallest town on the sunny Hvar Island, also known as Little Venice for its islet in the middle of the cove and the bridges over a canal. This charming town, built in the 15th century, sits beside a narrow, winding fjord.
Walking through Vrboska, you will notice narrow, winding streets, typical Mediterranean stone architecture, historic churches, traditional Dalmatian townhouses with Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque features, and luxurious contemporary villas. Vrboska consists of two parts. Pjaca is the eastern part, and Podva is the western part.
The Church (fortress) of St. Mary of Mercy, from the 15th/16th century, is the best-known treasure of the town’s architectural heritage. The beauty of the church (fortress) is known in Croatia, and it’s also among the most attractive in Europe from that time.
A lush pine forest surrounds Vrboska, and the town is also known for its beautiful pebble and sandy beaches, fresh air, crystal-clear blue sea, and untouched nature.
Jelsa
Jelsa is smaller than Hvar Town and Stari Grad; however, it’s closely connected to many surrounding villages and settlements that have a rich agricultural tradition. Lavender is one of the main aromatic plants growing on the island, making it very present in various walks of life, including a local superhero cartoon character, Lavanderman.
Jelsa has a lovely New Waterfront, which is a great place for a stroll. Many beaches are also very close, within walking distance. Along the waterfront, I noticed quite a few works of art. One of the art highlights is the statue that celebrates a symbol of the island’s past way of life: the Donkey Memorial by Ivan Škrmeta, a self-taught sculptor.
This “little town in the middle of Hvar Island”, as the song says, is divided into two parts by a stream that carries rapid-flowing waters from the surrounding hills to the sea. “Vela banda” and “Mala banda” (“Big Side” and “Little Side”) are connected by a small stone bridge. There is also a park, offering a cooler spot during summer heat.
On a cultural walk through Jelsa, discover these historic and artistic treasures:
- The Fortified Church of Our Lady’s Assumption and the Lapidarium
- The Church of Our Lady of Health
- The miniature octagonal St. John’s Chapel, in its Renaissance-Baroque Square
- Jelsa Council’s Museum
After the walk, enjoy the leisure time at the Piazza, the Square of Croatia’s National Revival.
I hope you enjoyed reading my guide about what to see on Hvar Island. Beautiful natural scenery, refreshing beaches, and cultural attractions await you in this top Dalmatian travel destination. Greetings from Danica Maričić, Design & Travel Communications! 🙂
Photos: Danica Maričić, Krunoslav Ćosić, Antonio Rent Hvar
For more design & travel communications, you are welcome to follow Danica Maricic, Editor-in-Chief, on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and discover these related articles.
