More than 30 kilometres of trails in Sućuraj are used for cycling, running and walking. There are also beaches with very different shoreline profiles and historical landmarks ranging from churches to a fortress. The Municipality of Sućuraj is therefore not just a coastal destination, but also a place to explore on foot, by bike and through its local history.

Beaches with different profiles

Česminica is a beach in Sućuraj with a shallow, sandy seabed. The shore is partly pebbly and partly rocky; the beach has a café-bar and a shower. Bilina is on the north side of Sućuraj, 500 metres from the town centre. The pebble and rock beach offers views of the Makarska coast and the Biokovo mountain range. Perna Bay is considered a beach in Sućuraj: the sea is turquoise, the shallow area is large and the seabed is sandy.

The differences are apparent from the seabed itself: Česminica combines a shallow, sandy seabed with a mixed shoreline, Bilina is pebbly and rocky, and Perna is mostly shallow and sandy. Together with their respective views and beach features, these places offer different coastal experiences within the destination.

Trails and cycling routes

Sućuraj’s old footpaths run along the sea or over hills, as well as through forests and olive groves. They are increasingly used by people seeking recreation, but primarily serve agricultural purposes and help with fire prevention. Their use by visitors therefore goes hand in hand with their practical function. For some trails, it is worth checking the current conditions in advance.

The cycling routes also differ considerably in length and surface. The Sućuraj 700 loop is 17.8 kilometres long, starts in the town centre and combines paved sections with off-road trails. The paved Lesina 712 cycling route passes through Sućuraj and is 174.2 kilometres long. Comparing the route lengths and surfaces gives a clear sense of how differently the routes are laid out. Surfaces and trail conditions can change, so check the latest information before setting out.

Churches, buildings and traditions

Bogomolje is home to a small Baroque parish church dating from the 17th century. Jerkov dvor there comprises an old residential house, a kitchen and a bread oven dating from 1898; a fossil collection is kept in the house. These historic places bring together architectural history and insights into earlier ways of living and everyday life.

In Sućuraj, Fortica fortress was built in 1613. The Church of St George is mentioned as early as the Hvar Statute of 1331. It has a cruciform floor plan and a statue of St George slaying a dragon. The surviving Church of St Anthony was built in 1663. The Baroque Church of St Anthony of Padua houses the oldest painting in the town. It depicts St Paschal, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Roch. The Franciscan monastery dates from the 19th century and is considered the oldest surviving building in the town.

The lighthouse is another historic landmark: built in 1889, it stands on the easternmost cape of the island of Hvar. According to local legend, the site of Koščak-Oglavak is where the court of the Illyrian Queen Teuta was located. A surviving wall known as “Teuta’s Wall” is found there; amphorae from sunken Roman galleys have been found in the surrounding sea. The legend and the finds offer different ways of engaging with the area’s past.

Local cuisine and fishing

Recommended dishes in Sućuraj include grilled fish, octopus salad and mussels prepared in the Hvar style. Local traditions also include making spirits such as Lozovača, Travarica, Mrtinovača and Rogačuša. For those interested in fishing, the fleet comprises ten trawlers, and the local trawling technique is called “kalada”. The composition of the fleet may change.

Getting there by ferry

The Jadrolinija ferry line connects Sućuraj with the Makarska Riviera via Drvenik; the crossing takes 30 minutes. As timetables can change, check the current schedule before travelling.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Sućuraj, Selca Kod Bogomolja, Bogomolje, Municipality of Jelsa, Stari Grad, Municipality of Hvar.

Return to the overview of the wider destination: Hvar.