Must-See Places

Our hand-picked selection of places you shouldn't miss when visiting Hvar island.

Hvar Town

Fortica (Spanish Fortress)

Perched high above Hvar Town, this 13th-century fortress has watched over the harbour and the Pakleni Islands for eight centuries. A 20-minute uphill walk from St. Stephen's Square takes you through shaded pine paths to the top, where the panoramic views stretch across the entire southern coastline. Inside, a small museum displays maritime artifacts and ancient amphorae. Time your visit for sunset and watch the whole town glow gold below you.

20-minute walk from St. Stephen's Square
Best visited at sunset for incredible views
Small museum with maritime artifacts inside

Hvar Town

St. Stephen's Cathedral & Square

The beating heart of Hvar Town is the largest historic square in all of Dalmatia. Dominating one end is the 16th-century Cathedral of St. Stephen, a graceful blend of Renaissance and Baroque architecture with a distinctive four-tiered bell tower. The square is framed by centuries-old stone buildings and lined with cafés where locals and visitors alike pass the afternoon over espresso. It's the kind of place where every corner tells a story.

Largest piazza in all of Dalmatia
Beautiful Renaissance-Baroque cathedral
Surrounded by cafés — perfect for people watching

Hvar Interior

Velo Grablje

Hidden in the hills above Hvar Town lies a nearly abandoned medieval stone village that was once the beating heart of Hvar's legendary lavender industry. Today only a handful of residents remain, and the empty stone houses, narrow cobbled paths, and collapsing walls create an atmosphere that feels suspended between centuries. Every July the village wakes up for its annual Lavender Festival, when the whole community gathers to celebrate its fragrant heritage.

Historic centre of Hvar's lavender industry
Lavender Festival held every July
Hauntingly beautiful abandoned stone architecture

Stari Grad

Stari Grad Plain (UNESCO)

Stretching across the island's fertile interior is an agricultural landscape that dates back to the 4th century BC, when Greek colonizers divided the land into the geometric plots still visible today. The ancient stone walls, wells, and field boundaries remain remarkably intact, and vineyards and olive groves continue to thrive here just as they did 2,400 years ago. It's one of the oldest continuously cultivated landscapes in the entire Mediterranean.

UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008
Ancient Greek agricultural landscape from 4th century BC
Still actively cultivated with vineyards and olive groves

South Coast

Dubovica Bay

Tucked between dramatic cliffs on Hvar's southern coast, Dubovica is the postcard-perfect Adriatic bay you've been dreaming of. The turquoise water is crystal-clear, the pebble beach arcs in a gentle crescent, and an old stone house sits alone by the shore as if painted there for effect. Reaching it requires a short downhill walk from the main road, which thankfully keeps the crowds away and preserves the sense of discovery.

Crystal-clear turquoise water in a dramatic bay
Short downhill walk keeps the crowds away
One of the most photographed spots on Hvar

North Coast

Vrboska — "Little Venice"

This charming little town wraps around a narrow inlet crisscrossed by small stone bridges, which is why locals have always called it the Little Venice of Hvar. The star attraction is the unusual fortress-church of St. Mary, built in the 16th century with defensive walls to protect the villagers from Ottoman raids. With its sleepy harbour, honey-coloured stone and near-total absence of crowds, Vrboska feels like a welcome counterpoint to bustling Hvar Town.

Known as 'Little Venice of Hvar'
Unique 16th-century fortress-church of St. Mary
Much quieter and more authentic than Hvar Town

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