top five guide: hvar, croatia

Just a one hour ferry ride from Split, Hvar (pronounced like “huar”) is a gorgeous island with a little something for everyone. Though it may look small on a map, don’t be fooled: there is A LOT to do here, from relaxing beach days to scenic hiking to culinary tours to nightlife and more. While we originally planned to spend just a few days here, we extended our trip to be a week and still felt it wasn’t enough! I hope to someday return and explore more of the nooks and crannies of this idyllic getaway.

Here are my top five tips if you plan to visit Hvar:

1: beach days

In Hvar you are surrounded by some of the most beautiful water in the world. Obviously a beach day (or 2...or 5) should be at the top of your list! For a more secluded, natural, and relaxing experience, take a 20-40 minute hike from town to Robinson (pictured) or Mekicevica beach. If you're game for something a bit more pampered and posh, rent a lounger at one of the beach clubs and have rosé delivered right to your hand. The fanciest club is Beach Club Hvar (renting a chair in advance recommended), Hula Hula is mid-range, and Splash Club is most basic.

2: ...and beach nights

The best sunset party on the island is undoubtedly Hula Hula (pictured). You can enjoy a fantastic view, frozen cocktails, and a live DJ as the sun goes down. As the evening winds on, this place gets busier, eventually turning into full-on club vibes. After Hula Hula, rest up, grab dinner, and rally for a night at Carpe Diem. This famous nightclub is quite the experience: it doesn’t open until midnight and is located on a separate nearby island, which means you will need to take a (rowdy) 10 minute boat taxi. Expect expensive drinks, ~$40 cover charge, guest DJs, dancers…basically everything you want out of a club.

3: boat tour

Although Hvar has plenty to offer on the island, renting a boat or joining a tour to explore the surrounding islands is a must. We took a full day tour from Mario Rent Boat Tours to visit nearby islands, crystal clear lagoons, beaches, and the famous Blue Grotto (truly it is out of this world). Our two guides were fun, knew the best spots, provided us with free beer, and - critically - had a positively banging playlist. HIGHLY recommend!

4: hvar town eats

Hvar Town is the walkable, charming heart of the island and where we spent every night of the trip. Our favorite dinner was at Black Pepper (pictured), which had fantastic and friendly service, upscale yet unstuffy ambiance, and superb food (make a reservation). For a more laid back meal, Lola Bar serves yummy cocktails and globally-inspired small plates on a lively narrow street. Finally, Fig (which also has a location in Split) is a tucked away gem serving fresh, globally-inspired food for brunch or dinner. No reservations accepted, so expect a (worthwhile) wait!

5: lunch at notos

Because there is simply so much to do in Hvar, we hardly had time to explore much of the island beyond its main hub, Hvar Town. That said, one place we did visit was Notos in the small village of Milna. This was part of our boat tour, and it was the perfect stop for a very vibey and fresh seafood lunch! The patio is lovely and I recommend ordering the octopus and lobster roll.

You can't always do it all, so one thing we didn’t do but wish we had:

Explore more of the island by scooter or ATV rental. As I mentioned above, this is a large island that is impossible (or at least very impractical) to see by foot alone. There are many rental options that allow you to explore more of the wild parts of the island, including smaller towns, Sv. Nedilja mountain peak, and the summertime lavender fields.

Have a great trip! Feel free to leave a comment with your own favorites. You can also find these recommendations (and more!) in map format by following me on the Out of Office app.