Things to do in Hvar Island are more than turquoise beaches and lavender hills.
This island of Croatia — known as Hvar Island in Croatia or simply the island of Hvar — hides ancient stories, from Greek settlers to Roman ruins, and whispers them through sunlit villages and vineyards.
I spent five slow days exploring, walking through Stari Grad’s history, swimming in peaceful coves, tasting olive oil in Jelsa, and climbing to Hvar Fortress.
Here’s my 5-day itinerary with the best things to do in Hvar Island, a mix of nature, history, food and encounters.
Hvar Island is a living tapestry of lavender-scented hills, paradisiacal coves, sun-kissed streets, red earth planted with olive trees, vineyards, rosemary… and a history stretching back thousands of years.
Article published on August 16, 2025 – experience lived in June 2025
Things to Do in Hvar Island: My 5-Day Itinerary
Here’s my day-by-day program — each with its theme, highlights, and practical tips — to help you discover the best things to do in Hvar Island.
Jour 1 – Keep calm and enjoy Hvar
Arriving on the early morning Krilo catamaran from Korčula, the light was soft and white. My apartment was high above the old town, reached by steep steps and cobblestone alleys. Descending toward the harbour, the view opened onto Hvar Fortress and the shimmering port.
Highlight
My first steps led me straight to the ancient city gate – once the threshold to the outside world – with fading paintings still visible. I filmed it instinctively, the first of many short videos you can find on my YouTube channel.
Practical Tips
- If staying uphill, bring comfortable shoes: stairs are everywhere.
- Visit the Tourist Office — they sometimes offer free events (tours, concerts).
- Don’t forget a mask and snorkel: the water near the port and nearby beaches on Hvar Island is crystal clear.
By late afternoon, I was floating in the sea, the sun soft, the water fresh… and it felt like Hvar whispered: “Slow down, you’re home now.”
Day 2 – Stari Grad: Walking on 2,400 Years of History
The bus rattled through olive groves, vineyards, sea and mountains, revealing ancient UNESCO-listed stone walls at each bend.
Highlight
Stari Grad, the ancient Greek city of Pharos, later Roman.
Here, you’ll find antique stones and altars, polished pavements, doorframes carved by long-gone builders. Hidden below: medieval tombs, mosaics, Roman roads, ancient churches, aristocratic homes, medieval wells, city walls, Greek amphorae and coins.
In autumn, when tourists leave, archaeologists return to work.
Stari Grad truly is an open-air museum.
Taste to Remember
Black pasta with seafood, eaten on a terrace facing the sea. Its deep, salty flavour lingering long after the last bite.
Practical Tips
- Check opening hours of the museum and palace — they close early in summer.
- Take your time, don’t rush from village to village.
- Wander the streets in late afternoon to enjoy the golden light.
Day 3 – Jelsa → Vrboska: Lavender, Olive Oil and Sandy Coves
Loving Stari Grad so much, I returned to the area the next day – this time to Jelsa and Vrboska.
Highlight
Jelsa welcomed me with quiet alleys and locals selling handmade products.
A scenic coastal walk led to Vrboska – “Little Venice” – with calm canals and sandy beaches perfect for swimming.
I ended the day crossing the Stari Grad Plain, a living archaeological site dating back to the Neolithic, perfectly preserved since Greek times and UNESCO-listed since 2008.
Taste to Remember
Stop in Jelsa to try olive oil, prošek wine, and lavender oil from family-run homes.
Practical Tips
- Bring a snorkel for the coves between Jelsa and Vrboska.
- Walk the Stari Grad Plain if you enjoy peaceful, history-rich landscapes.
Day 4 – Geopark & Nonica Pastry: Rocks, Sugar, and an Unpredictable Sea
A change of lodging meant a change of scenery.
Today was about two stories: the story of stones that remember, and the comfort of sweet flavours.
Highlight
Under my fins, millions of years frozen in time.
Hvar Geopark reveals the trace of the meteorite impact that ended the dinosaur era 66 million years ago – a thin line of sediment formed by the tsunami that followed. Dolomites, twisted limestone, and fossilized shells tell their own chapters of Earth’s history.
But the day also brought reminders of fragility: sea urchin spines through my water shoes… and the sombre sight of a fisherman’s body being recovered after two weeks at sea. The sea always returns what it takes.
Taste to Remember
Before the rocks, a stop at Nonica, a beloved bakery. My pick: a Rococo – coconut, hazelnut, caramelized sugar, tender yet crunchy. And the mysterious Fadango, a pastry that reminded me of the Basque dance – a bridge between worlds.
Practical Tips
- Wear sturdy water shoes to avoid sea urchin spines.
- Respect the sea’s moods – currents can be strong even in good weather.
- Visit the Geopark with curiosity and reverence: every stone has a story.
Day 5 – Fortica & Farewell: Beauty, Crowds and Human Warmth
Highlight
A final wander through Hvar town before climbing to Fortica Fortress for sweeping views: terracotta rooftops, the cathedral, the turquoise sea, and the Pakleni Islands (“Hell’s Islands”).
Instead of the main road down, I took a pine-scented hiking path with island views opening at every bend.
Back in town, I returned to Nonica. The staff shared stories over iced coffee, showing me videos from the previous night: traditional klapa singing in a Romanesque church, blue light streaming through stained glass. A gift of beauty and kindness before my ferry.
Taste to Remember
- Rococo or Fadango at Nonica.
- an iced coffee, a perfect hit before the ferry.
Practical Tips
- Check ferry schedules — the 16:30 ferry to Vis arrives before nightfall.
- Allow extra time for unexpected moments (they’re often the best).
Visiting the Hvar Pakleni Islands
From Hvar, it’s easy to reach the Pakleni Islands by taxi-boat, especially Palmizana on Sveti Klement, Marinkovac, Jerolim, and Stipanska.
I chose to focus on Stari Grad’s surroundings and the Geopark instead, as the beach atmosphere there didn’t suit me.
But with one more day, I’d have chosen:
Sailing trips around the Pakleni Islands
A sailing trip around the Hvar Pakleni Islands.
Kayak adventure to hidden coves
A self-guided kayak tour to explore hidden coves.
Beaches on Hvar Island: Where to Swim and Relax
Most of the beaches on Hvar Island are pebbled or rocky – perfect for crystal-clear waters, but don’t expect sandy stretches in Hvar Town itself. Still, the city’s beaches are excellent for sunbathing, snorkeling and swimming, all within walking distance from the centre.
If you’re willing to explore a little further, hiking along the coast rewards you with hidden coves where the water shines turquoise against pale rocks. Some of these small bays even surprise you with patches of sand.
One of the loveliest sandy spots is found on the coastal walk between Jelsa and Vrboska, a peaceful area where you can snorkel, swim, or simply relax away from the crowds.
So whether you’re after lively town beaches or secret coves discovered on foot, the island of Hvar offers countless places to swim, float, and slow down under the Adriatic sun.
Conclusion : BEST Things to do on Hvar island
Hvar Island reminded me that true beauty often hides behind contradictions.
Between the dazzling blue of its coves and the shadows of its human stories, it demands that you look differently, listen more deeply.
After five days, I understood that the best things to do in Hvar island are not only its stunning beaches or boat trips to the Hvar Pakleni Islands.
It’s also about walking slowly through history, listening to the silence of ancient stones, and sharing coffee moments with locals.
This is the kind of double reading – landscapes and memories – I want to weave into my future immersive travel experiences: itineraries that connect, honour, and transform.
Notes & References.
All my articles about Croatia – Ethno Travels
Tour selection for Croatia – Get Your Guide
Catamaran Korcula – Hvar – Krilo
My YouTube channel – The Female Tintin
City Gate short – YouTube
Hvar Tourism board – website
Nonica Pastry Shop in Hvar: local specialties include Rococo and Fadango sweets.
Prošek: a traditional Dalmatian dessert wine, not to be confused with Italian Prosecco.
