Comparison · Dubrovnik vs Hvar · Croatia
Dubrovnik vs Hvar
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Zysko serhii, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Dubrovnik for City walls, Stradun and day trips; choose Hvar for Hvar Town harbour and Pakleni Islands. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 147 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 147 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Dubrovnik
- May–June and September–October
- Best time for Hvar
- May–June and September
Side by side
| Dubrovnik | Hvar | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Croatia | Croatia |
| Known for | City walls, Stradun and Republic of Ragusa | Hvar Town harbour, Pakleni Islands and Lavender |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September–October | May–June and September |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $170–$300 | $160–$300 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 29°C (84°F) | July, 30°C (86°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 12°C (54°F) | January, 12°C (54°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 5 | 6 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 4 |
| Beaches | Banje Beach | Palmižana |
| Airports | DBV | SPU |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Dubrovnik for…
City walls, Stradun and day trips. Dubrovnik's Old Town is a car-free, limestone-paved city inside almost 2 kilometres of medieval walls, jutting into the Adriatic at the southern tip of Croatia. Once the capital of the independent Republic of Ragusa, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose…
Choose Hvar for…
Hvar Town harbour and Pakleni Islands. Hvar is a long, narrow island off the Dalmatian coast, about an hour by catamaran from Split. Hvar Town, at its western end, has a Renaissance main square, a hilltop fortress and a harbour full of yachts, and it is known for its summer nightlife and the…
Top sights compared
| # | Dubrovnik | Hvar |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | City Walls of Dubrovnik | St Stephen's Square and Hvar Cathedral |
| 2 | Stradun | Fortica (Spanish Fortress) |
| 3 | Fort Lovrijenac | Arsenal and Hvar Theatre |
| 4 | Rector's Palace | Franciscan Monastery |
| 5 | Mount Srđ and the cable car | Pakleni Islands |
Food compared
| Dubrovnik | Hvar |
|---|---|
| Black risotto | Hvar gregada |
| Peka | Peka |
| Grilled fish with blitva | Hvar paprenjak |
| Ston oysters | Grilled fish with blitva |
Which is cheaper?
Dubrovnik and Hvar cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $170–$300 in Dubrovnik and $160–$300 in Hvar (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Hvar on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Dubrovnik and Hvar are about 147 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Dubrovnik and 4 in Hvar.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Dubrovnik or Hvar cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $170–$300 in Dubrovnik and $160–$300 in Hvar (estimates).
+Is Dubrovnik or Hvar better for a first trip?
Pick Dubrovnik for City walls, Stradun and day trips, or Hvar for Hvar Town harbour and Pakleni Islands.
+How far is Dubrovnik from Hvar?
About 147 km in a straight line.