Enjoy the beautiful natural and cultural sights of wonderful Hvar, a historic town on the enchanting island of the same name in Dalmatia, Croatia. See the best cultural attractions, architectural landmarks, beaches, coves; sightseeing tours, and romantic date ideas. We guide you through an itinerary for a 5-day stay in Hvar. In this article, a local travel writer reveals a few tips on what to visit and do in this top Dalmatian travel destination. :)
Every Day – Savour Nutritious Meals with a Hvar View
We suggest you start your morning with a nutritious breakfast from the local ingredients. Hvar’s market, shops, restaurants, and cafes offer a wide choice of breakfast/lunch/dinner ideas – some are traditionally Dalmatian (Mediterranean), and others are international. To make the culinary experience even more delicious, every meal on Hvar is best served – with a view. Refreshing sea view, relaxing garden or park view, feast-your-eyes-on-cultural-attractions view… Enjoy your meal – dobar tek! :)
1st Day – See the Best Cultural Sights of Historic Dalmatian Town
Sightseeing charming streets, squares, and parks of this historic Dalmatian town – you’ll enjoy the sights of cultural attractions and natural beauties. Let’s start this walk in the main square of Hvar town, St. Stephen’s Square, also known as Pjaca. In St. Stephen’s Square, you’ll see one of the most beautiful cultural landmarks – the Cathedral of St. Stephen – the Patron of Hvar. Among the artistic gems are the first public theatre in Europe – The Historic Theatre of Hvar, the Arsenal, the Hvar Town Loggia, and the clock tower.
Groda (the Town – in translation from the local dialect) is the oldest part of Hvar town, where you can explore the stone-paved streets, palaces, museums, and shops. We suggest you start by discovering the famous Hvar lace from agave – in the Hanibal Lucic Art Collection (part of the Benedictine convent).
After a few minutes of walking along the seaside, you’ll encounter the Franciscan monastery – a historic architectural landmark that houses the renowned art collection.
As a “cherry on the top” of this first day of sightseeing, enjoy amazing views of splendid Hvar town and harbour from Fortica (the Spanish Fortress). The views are picture-perfect throughout the day – from the bright morning to romantic sunset colors.
Find out more in this related article – Discover the Best Cultural Attractions in the Hvar Town.
2nd Day – Visit Top Bays, Coves, and Beaches
Discover lovely bays, coves, and beaches near the vibrant town of Hvar. Feast your eyes on the spectacular artwork created by Nature – the crystal clear blueness of the Adriatic Sea, the calming greenery of pine trees, the pure whiteness of pebbled beaches, colourful sunrises and sunsets, and undersea landscapes.
Mala Milna (Small Milna) is an inviting cove full of natural beauty in the Dalmatian style – olive trees, lavender… Velo Zaraće (Large Zaraće), and Malo Zaraće (Small Zaraće) are two picturesque coves that attract visitors with their vivid landscapes – above the surface of the sea as well as below the surface. The well-known bay of Dubovica is a beloved picnic spot with a very photogenic white pebble beach of a crescent shape. The adorable beach is hidden in a cove of Lučišća at the foot of about 500-meter-high cliffs close to the village of Sveta Nedjelja. In the proximity of the town of Hvar, a famous group of nearby islets stands in all their magnificent beauty – the Paklinski Islands archipelago. Pokonji Dol is a stroll away from the centre of the town of Hvar. The locals and visitors equally love this delightful beach. One of the most photographed vistas from this pebbled beach is of the islet with a typical Dalmatian lighthouse.
Enjoy delightful summer holidays, designed in the fashionable style of sunny Hvar. Swim in the freshening Adriatic Sea, sunbathe on white pebbled beaches, relax to the chirping of crickets in the lush pine tree forests, and taste the Dalmatian refreshments. We hope you like our tips on beach time in Hvar.
Get to know more in this related article – Where to Swim in Hvar – the Most Amazing Beaches.
3rd Day – Spectacular Red Rocks Tour
Inviting beaches and picturesque scenery await you on the Red Rocks tour. Enchanting azure sea, marvellous natural stone formations, hidden cave, sun-illuminated pebble beaches, coves and islets, lush pine forests, lavish vineyards, calming sounds of the waves and chirping of the crickets – a celebration for the senses. Whether you are looking for a relaxing beach time, swimming and snorkelling in the crystal clear Adriatic Sea, exploring the heights of Red Rocks, romantic date ideas, visits to the renowned winery and vineyards, lunching or enjoying a drink in the famous lounge bar by the beach – the tour can be tailored to your wishes.
The Red Rocks tour starts at 10:30 am, from the pick-up point at Hvar harbour. Some of the destinations are the Green Lagoon, the coves of Zaraće, the bay of Dubovica, Red Rocks, a cove of Lučišća, Plenković winery in the village of Sveta Nedjelja, Palmižana, Mlini, Ždrilca – the Paklinski Islands archipelago. You are welcome to join us on this best-selling tour.
4th Day – Rent a Car, Scooter, or E-Bike and Explore the Charming Island of Hvar
Explore the story of charming historic towns and villages and get a closer perspective on the Dalmatian rural architecture. Milna, Malo Grablje, Velo Grablje, Brusje, and Stari Grad are some of the places you can see on a self-guided trip along the island of Hvar. Whether you are discovering the secrets of this beautiful Croatian island in the company of your family or friends – renting a car, scooter or e-bike is a fun way to go. Antonio Rent will gladly assist you.
Milna is a seaside settlement on the south coast of the sunny island of Hvar, and one of the most popular picnic spots. The villages of Malo Grablje (Small Grablje) and Velo Grablje (Large Grablje) reveal the story of the traditional Dalmatian lifestyle and historic rural stone architecture intertwined with natural landscapes. Malo Grablje village has been abandoned since the mid-20th century and takes you back in time by offering a glimpse into a rural way of life from many years ago. Like the previously mentioned villages, the stone houses in Brusje are also an example of Dalmatian rural architecture.
Stari Grad (the Old Town), as the name reveals, is the historic center of this Dalmatian island with a long history. Firstly named Pharos, Stari Grad was founded over 2,400 years ago (384. B.C.) by the Greeks from the island of Paros in the Aegean Sea. Later, the Romans named the town Pharia. The name of the island of Hvar originates from both of these ancient names – Pharos and Pharia. Discover the story of Stari Grad by walking the stone-paved streets. Also, we suggest you get to know Stari Grad Plain – one of the masterpieces of Greek culture, and Petar Hektorovic, a famous Renaissance poet, and his well-known Tvrdalj castle.
Related Article – What to See in Beautiful Hvar – Local Travel Writer’s Tips
5th Day – Romantic Hvar Sunset Private Tour
After discovering the natural and cultural sights of sunny Hvar, beaches, coves, and islets in the vicinity, and nearby towns and villages in the first four days of your visit to this lovely Dalmatian island – we suggest you start your fifth day by leisurely strolling the historic streets in the town centre. These stone-paved streets will reveal a lot about the history of Hvar as well as about the creativity of local people. Artwork, home decor inspiration, fashionable clothes and jewellery by native artists and international brands, beauty products, and food made from locally sourced ingredients such as lavender, olives, and grapes – you can find all of the previously mentioned souvenirs in shops and galleries along the streets of Hvar.
In the afternoon and evening, it’s time for the grand finale of your 5-day visit to one of the most romantic islands in the Adriatic Sea. Hvar Sunset Private Tour is a 2-hour cruise around the Paklinski Islands archipelago. Whether you are looking for a memorable romantic date or a proposal idea, watching the amazing sunset from a boat while sipping wine is a great way to create memories with your significant other. The tour can be tailored to your wishes.
Hvar awaits you with all the sights, sounds, and flavours. Welcome to this sunny island and top Dalmatian travel destination! :)
For more Hvar travel inspiration, check out other articles on Antonio Rent’s blog.
Tour the Landscapes, Towns, Villages, Hills, and Beaches of the Beautiful Hvar Island
Explore the landscapes, towns, villages, hills, and beaches of this picturesque Croatian island. Antonio Rent will gladly assist you in sightseeing the beauty of Hvar Island. Discover our offer of cars, scooters, e-bikes – and private tours tailored to your needs. Contact us, and let’s talk.
Author: Danica Maričić, Design & Travel Communications
Photos by Antonio Rent
