Comparison · Hvar vs Split · Croatia
Hvar vs Split
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Hvar for Hvar Town harbour and Pakleni Islands; choose Split for Diocletian's Palace, Riva promenade, lower day-to-day costs and free sights. Split is generally less expensive, and the two are about 37 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 37 km
- Less expensive
- Split
- Best time for Hvar
- May–June and September
- Best time for Split
- May–June and September
Side by side
| Hvar | Split | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Croatia | Croatia |
| Known for | Hvar Town harbour, Pakleni Islands and Lavender | Diocletian's Palace, Riva promenade and Island ferries |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September | May–June and September |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $160–$300 | $140–$250 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 30°C (86°F) | July, 31°C (88°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 12°C (54°F) | January, 11°C (52°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 4 | 6 |
| Beaches | Palmižana | Bačvice |
| Airports | SPU | SPU |
Which one is right for you?
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…
Choose Split for…
Diocletian's Palace, Riva promenade, lower day-to-day costs and free sights. Split, Croatia's second-largest city, grew inside and around the palace the Roman emperor Diocletian built on the Dalmatian coast around 300 AD. The palace walls still enclose a maze of lanes, cafés, homes and the cathedral, listed by UNESCO in 1979, while…
Top sights compared
| # | Hvar | Split |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Stephen's Square and Hvar Cathedral | Diocletian's Palace |
| 2 | Fortica (Spanish Fortress) | Peristyle and Vestibule |
| 3 | Arsenal and Hvar Theatre | Cathedral of Saint Domnius and bell tower |
| 4 | Franciscan Monastery | Temple of Jupiter |
| 5 | Pakleni Islands | Palace substructures (cellars) |
Food compared
| Hvar | Split |
|---|---|
| Hvar gregada | Pašticada |
| Peka | Black risotto |
| Hvar paprenjak | Brudet |
| Grilled fish with blitva | Peka |
Which is cheaper?
Split is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $140–$250 per person there, against $160–$300 in Hvar (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Split on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Hvar and Split are about 37 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Hvar and 4 in Split.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Hvar or Split cheaper?
Split is usually less expensive: about $140–$250 a day mid-range against $160–$300 (estimates).
+Is Hvar or Split better for a first trip?
Pick Hvar for Hvar Town harbour and Pakleni Islands, or Split for Diocletian's Palace, Riva promenade, lower day-to-day costs and free sights.
+How far is Hvar from Split?
About 37 km in a straight line.