HVAR ISLAND
This Croatian gem is an hour’s ride by ferry from Split. Purchase your boat tickets a day or two in advance (especially in high season) at the port kiosk. The boats are generally full to capacity, with not a free seat to be had. One can take a day trip or plan to spend several days exploring all the beauty and charm that the island has to offer.
Hvar Town is picture-perfect. It shimmers in the sunshine. Boats rock gently in the marina, bathers set their towels out on the rocks, and lower themselves into the turquoise waters via the steel staircases. People stroll along the horseshoe marina, encircled by bars and restaurants offering exquisite views.
The hulking Fortica Fortress, built on a steep hill, reigns over the town and commands a spectacular view of the Pakleni Islands, an archipelago of 16+ islets.
In the late 13th century, the Venetian rulers ordered fortifications to be built on the hill. In the mid-16th century, the current massive fortress was built to protect Hvar against Ottoman raids. The fortress can be reached via the walking trail or by taxi.
Hvar Town Square is a grand, central meeting place, dominated by the Cathedral of Stephen, known for its elegant Venetian architecture. Shops, art galleries, and restaurants line the U-shaped plaza, while small cobbled alleys are home to boutique, family-owned coffee shops.
Steps away on Dolac 8, the Hvar fresh fruit and vegetable market is open daily. It also offers cheeses, olive oil, nuts, honey, and several alcoholic drinks, such as brandy and bitters.
Visit the art Galleries
To dig deeper into the beauty of HVAR, spend a few idyllic days exploring the more peaceful, lesser-known coastal towns and the inland villages.
A highlight from mid-June into July is the fields carpeted in purple lavender. Lavender is to Croatia what tulips are to Amsterdam!
The intoxicating aroma fills the air. In the last days of June, the village of Velo Grablje hosts a Lavender Festival, featuring a plethora of lavender products: Lavender oil, honey, soaps, body and hand creams, bath salts, ice cream, cookies, cakes, granulated sugar, and juice.
