For a trip to Hvar, you can consider the town’s history and coastal excursions as separate priorities. Most of the key cultural sights are in the historic Old Town and can be explored on foot; off the coast of Hvar, the Pakleni Islands offer beaches, swimming spots, coves and secluded shores as excursion destinations. If you are considering Hvar as a place to stay, this distinction can help you weigh up your interests for the trip.
Getting to Hvar
Ferry connections link Hvar with the mainland in the Split area. Catamarans run directly between Split and Hvar several times a day. If you are travelling by car, take the car ferry via Split–Stari Grad. These are two different connections to consider: the direct catamaran to Hvar and the car ferry to Stari Grad. Check the timetable for the connection that suits you before departure.
Discover the town’s history on foot
Most of Hvar’s key cultural sights are in the historic Old Town. Notable buildings include the Loggia, an example of Renaissance architecture that formerly served as the town courthouse. St Stephen’s Cathedral has a Renaissance-Baroque appearance; its features include a bell tower and a valuable art collection. The buildings offer different ways to explore the town’s history: through the Loggia’s former civic function and the cathedral’s architecture and art.
The summer residence of the poet Hanibal Lucić is also worth seeing for its Renaissance features: it is considered an example of Renaissance country-house architecture. The residence also houses the Museum of Hvar Heritage and a landscaped garden. The Franciscan monastery adds another facet to this picture with Mateo Ponzoni Pončun’s painting “The Last Supper”, which is displayed there.
Fortica combines cultural heritage with scenic views. It houses a collection of amphorae, and offers panoramic views of Hvar, the Pakleni Islands and the sunset. In the town centre, the Ivan Vučetić Museum of Mysteries is located in the house where Ivan Vučetić lived and worked during his time on Hvar.
Theatre, island destinations and a cycling route
Hvar’s Historic Theatre opened in 1612 and is described as the oldest public theatre in Europe. It is still active and hosts performances, concerts and cultural events throughout the year. If you have a particular programme in mind, it is worth checking the latest listings before your visit.
The Pakleni Islands, a group of about 20 islets and rocks off Hvar, offer excursion destinations with beaches, swimming spots, coves and secluded shores. They are also protected as a significant landscape and form part of the European ecological network. Protected features include Posidonia seagrass, sea caves, reefs and sandy seabeds. Coastal excursions and the protection of this landscape are thus two sides of the same island destination.
Another way to explore the island is the signposted “Malo Grablje 710” cycling route. It runs from Hvar via Milna, Velo Grablje and Brusje and back to Hvar. The route follows a specific sequence of places; surface and access conditions may change. Check them before setting out.
The island’s cultural landscape and cuisine
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Stari Grad Plain is also on the island of Hvar: a largely intact cultural landscape where the cultivation of grapes and olives has been preserved from Greek times to the present day. This offers a different perspective on Hvar’s cultural heritage from the town’s buildings and museums. Hvarska gregada, a fish dish typical of Hvar and its cuisine, offers a culinary connection to the island. When planning your trip, you can therefore prioritise different interests, from urban cultural heritage and coastal destinations to cultural landscapes and island cuisine. Exhibitions and visiting arrangements may vary; check the latest information for the dates you plan to visit.
Discover more destinations: Velo Grablje, Brusje, Milna, Zaraće, Sveta Nedjelja.
Return to the main travel overview: Općina Hvar.
