Where to stay in Hvar?

Stay in the heart of the capital: Hvar town

Located on the western tip of the island, the town of Hvar, also known as Hvar town, is the island's capital. It's Hvar's largest town and, above all, its busiest.

During the summer months, many celebrities come here to party at beach parties or chic soirées in very large yachts. In fact, it's considered the Croatian Saint-Tropez, thanks to its festive atmosphere and luxurious feel.

If you choose to stay here, you'll find yourself in a bay surrounded by the Pakleni Islands and the Adriatic Sea. It's a lively place, especially at the height of the season, with the port and quays filling up with boats, each more sumptuous than the last.

You can also stay close to St. Stephen's Square, the largest square in Dalmatia. It is characterized by typical Renaissance architecture.

It's a vibrant area to stay. This area is home to small cafés, restaurants and trendy artisan boutiques. Staying here means you'll be close to Carpe Diem, a popular waterside party bar.

Staying in this tourist area will also give youeasy access to keyactivities such as :

• the port,
• st. Stephen's Cathedral
• the Hvar fortress, which offers a breathtaking view of the Pakleni islands from its hilltop,
• heavenly beaches and coves such as Piscena and Mikicevica,
• the theater,
• thearsenal,
• hektorovic Palace.

As far as accommodation is concerned, Hvar requires a certain budget to stay. Its capital is one of the most expensive areas in which to stay. Indeed, it's a very touristy and rather luxurious place, so the price range is relatively high. You'll need to book well in advance to take advantage of lower prices, or stay out of season.

To get around, the bus network is fairly well served from the capital. So it's not necessarily necessary to rent a car in this area. In fact, the bus links most of the neighboring districts. The ferry also passes through the port of Hvar, especially if you're arriving from Split on the mainland. The capital has an airport, but it's used purely for tourist purposes.

Accommodation in the Old Town: Stari Grad

Stari Grad, which translates as Old Town in Croatian, is the ideal place to stay for history buffs. In fact, it'sone of Croatia's oldest cities. It still holds many vestiges of antiquity. It's a more authentic area, with architecture dating back to ancient times.

Located north of Hvar and set deep in the bay, Stari Grad is a fairly small area, surrounded by a huge pine forest. With its picturesque landscape dotted witholive groves and vineyards, it's a quiet place to stay.

Accommodation can be divided into two parts within Stari Grad: the first comprises the northern part of the bay, at the foot of Glavica Hill, from where you can watch magnificent sunsets. Here you'll find classic accommodation (houses, hotels, villas).

The other part is more unspoilt, with accommodation more typical of the Mediterranean. Indeed, the houses are built from stone and have retained a more traditional architecture.

A nice place to stay is the Borik district. It's both close to the beach for swimming and to the center for strolling and walking.

From a historical point of view, if you choose to stay in Stari Grad, you won't want to miss:

• skor Square,
• st. John's Church with its Byzantine mosaics,
• petar Hktorovic's fortress,
• biankini Palace,
• dominican monastery,
• the Staroga Grada Museum.

If you choose to stay in the Old Town, you'll find yourself close to the Stari Grad Plain, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is an ancient agricultural area that was used by Greek settlers in the 4th century BC.

Staying in this area will also allow you to enjoy taverns and restaurants serving local cuisine.

Accommodation-wise, this part of Hvar has very few hotels, and prices are quite high. So it's important to book in advance to secure a room in one of the few establishments on Stari Grad.

The center of Hvar is a 30-minute bus ride away. To travel to other villages in the area, you'll need to rent a car or scooter, as bus connections are only possible from the capital.

Staying in Jelsa: an authentic village

Jelsa is a small town in the center of the island. It is therefore strategically located for those wishing to stay and visit the surrounding area.

Staying in Jelsa is perfect for those looking for a relaxing stay by the beach. It's also a place with a lot of nature all around, especially in the south with the pine forest that occupies a large part of the island.

Jelsa is a tourist town, and if you choose to stay here you won't be bored. The terraces are often lively, and there are a number of restaurants and stores in the center. For sightseeing, there are a number of places worth a visit: St. Mary's Church, the central square, St. John's Square, the harbor, the museum and the Dubokovic vineyard.

Staying in this part of Hvar means you'll be able to find more affordable accommodation. Far from the luxury of the capital or the vestiges of the Old Town, Jelsa offers simpler, more classic accommodation.

Note that there are no hotels in this area. Sleeping here is therefore ideal for individuals or families wishing to retain their privacy and independence by renting an apartment or, on the contrary, to get in touch with the locals by staying in a bed & breakfast with a local.

For those wishing to stay in Jelsa, you'll have easy access to the ferry for excursions in Croatia in general. Otherwise, it's a 40-minute drive to Hvar. Once again, the bus only serves towns from the capital. So if you want to visit the surrounding area, you'll have to go through Hvar to catch another bus. For greater freedom, we recommend renting a car.

Accommodation in Vrboska

Vrboska is located on the north coast of Hvar. It's the ideal place to stay for those looking to recharge their batteries in a natural setting. In fact, it's a very natural little village, dotted with olive trees. And while the forest is an integral part of the area, there are also breathtaking beaches.

Vrboska, Hvar 's smallest town, is also known as Little Venice, as the bay divides into several canals that cross Vrboska. To get from one side to the other, you have to cross stone pontoons.

Like Stari Grad, Vrboska retains a certain authenticity. In fact, the buildings feature typical Mediterranean architecture, combining Gothic-Renaissance and Baroque styles.

In terms of tourism, staying here gives you easy access to the Fishing Museum, which tells a little of Vrboska's history, the 15th-century boat-shaped fortress of St. Mary of Mercy, and other religious buildings.

Staying here means you can sample the local cuisine, with freshly caught fish on your plate. In fact, maritime activity is an important part of the village's economy, so many restaurants offer dishes based on fresh fish.

It's a quiet place to stay, although a few parties are organized during the high season. For more activities, you'll have to go to larger areas like Jelsa or Stari Grad, which are close by. To get there, a vehicle will be more appropriate, but to move around Vrboska, it won't be necessary.

Staying calm: Milna

Just 4 kilometers from Hvar, Milna is a small village on the southern part of Hvar. It boasts the only two sandy beaches on the island: Vela and Mala. To the west, some of the buildings feature typical Hvar architecture, with a mix of Baroque and Renaissance styles.

Accommodation in this little corner of Hvar will suit those with a refined palate. Indeed, tourists come especially to sample the local specialties. There are a dozen restaurants serving typical Croatian dishes from the sea. They also offer excellent wines. Staying here means you can enjoy some of Hvar's finest cuisine every day.

If you choose to stay here, a very special local attraction attracts the attention of tourists: a donkey ride. It's the most original way to visit Milna during your stay.

To sum up, Milna is all about sandy beaches with clear water and restaurants serving delicious food. Staying here will give you a relaxing vacation, lulled by the sound of the waves.

Accommodation-wise, it's hard to find a suitable hotel, and Milna remains a fairly expensive place to stay. But if you plan ahead, you may be able to find more affordable accommodation. Once again, seasonal factors need to be taken into account when booking.

For a relaxing break: Zavala

Zavala is a small fishing village located 30 kilometers from Hvar. It's the ideal place for a relaxing beach vacation. Staying here will allow you to put yourself in the shoes of an islander for the duration of your stay. What better way to discover a new place?

If you're looking for a place to stay that's sunny most of the time, Zavala is the place for you. Indeed, it's lucky enough to be located south of Hvar, making it one of the sunniest areas in the world.

Finding accommodation in this area will allow you to enjoy magnificent sunsets. There are no hotels in this area, but accommodation prices are more affordable than elsewhere on Hvar.

For something a little more lively, it's best to stay near the seafront promenade , where you'll find lots of people strolling around in the evenings. You can also enjoy a picturesque view of the Adriatic Sea.

A number of bars and restaurants can be found near the port. If you're staying here, you'll be able to enjoy the view and a good meal!

The village is very small, so everything is within walking distance. If you want to get out of Zavala and visit the surrounding area, a car or scooter will be more practical. Unless you have time to take the bus to the capital and then take another line. Cabs are also a good alternative.

Staying east of Hvar: Zastrazisce and Sucuraj

If you're looking for a place away from the hustle and bustle of tourism, Zastrazisce is the place for you. It's a small village in the hills above Hvar. It offers a breathtaking view over much of the pine forest that covers a large area of the island.

If you want to stay overnight, you'll find it easier to visit the church and the Grapceva cave. If you have a car, you can drive to Humac in less than a quarter of an hour to see Croatia's oldest olive tree, which is around 2,000 years old.

Accommodation is limited and in the mid-price range.

Sucuraj, on the eastern tip of the island, opposite Hvar, is an area still relatively unknown to tourists, who prefer to head for the island's west coast. It is therefore not very touristy. If you stay here, you'll be close to the mainland, as it's the closest part of Hvar to the mainland.

If you choose to stay here, you'll be able to enjoy a peaceful vacation while taking advantage of beaches such as Cesmica, Mlaska or Perna. In the heart of Sucuraj, you can visit two buildings: the church of Saint Anne Padovanski and the monastery of Saint Agustin. There are also a number of stores and restaurants.

In terms of accommodation, there are almost exclusively apartments on offer. The good thing is that prices are more affordable!

Generally speaking, as everywhere else in Hvar, especially in less touristy areas like these, it's advisable to have a vehicle to be able to move around freely.