5 days in Hvar

Day by day

1. Day 1: St Stephen's Square and Hvar Cathedral and Fortica (Spanish Fortress)

   St Stephen's Square and Hvar Cathedral, Fortica (Spanish Fortress) and Arsenal and Hvar Theatre, then Hvar Town harbour in the evening.

   1. Morning

      St Stephen's Square and Hvar Cathedral

      See it early in the morning before the crowds, when the stone glows and the cafés are setting up. (30 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Fortica (Spanish Fortress)

      Walk up at sunset, when the light over the Pakleni Islands is at its best. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Hvar gregada

      Konobas in Hvar Town, Stari Grad and on the Pakleni Islands; ask the day before if it is not on the menu.

   4. Afternoon

      Arsenal and Hvar Theatre

      Combine it with the cathedral and square; it makes a good stop during the midday heat. (45 minutes, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Hvar Town harbour

      Bars along the waterfront, including the long-running Carpe Diem, fill from late evening in July and August.

2. Day 2: Pakleni Islands and Franciscan Monastery

   Pakleni Islands, Franciscan Monastery and Stari Grad Plain, then Sunset beach bars west of town in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Pakleni Islands

      Catch an early boat, find a cove and book lunch at a beach restaurant in Palmižana before it fills. (Full day, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Franciscan Monastery

      Swim at the small pebble beach next to the monastery after your visit. (45 minutes, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Peka

      Inland konobas and village restaurants; reserve in advance.

   4. Afternoon

      Stari Grad Plain

      Cycle the farm tracks in the morning; the visitor centre in Stari Grad has maps of the ancient grid. (2–3 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Sunset beach bars west of town

      Bars on the rocks west of Hvar Town, such as Hula Hula, are popular for sunset drinks and music.

3. Day 3: Tvrdalj Castle and Stari Grad old town

   Tvrdalj Castle, Stari Grad old town and Vrboska and Jelsa, then Pakleni Islands beach clubs in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Tvrdalj Castle

      Read the translated inscriptions; Hektorović carved his thoughts on life and hospitality into the stone. (45 minutes, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Stari Grad old town

      Spend an evening here: dinner in a konoba on one of the back lanes and a walk along the bay. (2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Hvar paprenjak

      Bakeries, souvenir shops and local producers across the island.

   4. Afternoon

      Vrboska and Jelsa

      Walk or cycle the coast path between the two in the late afternoon and stop for a swim on the way. (Half a day, free).

   5. Evening

      Pakleni Islands beach clubs

      Beach clubs on islands such as Stipanska run late parties, reached by taxi boat.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Split

   About 1 hour by catamaran each way. Getting there: Catamaran from Hvar Town.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Split

      About 1 hour by catamaran (Catamaran from Hvar Town); about 50 km.

   2. Day

      Split

      Croatia's second city grew within the walls of Diocletian's Palace, built around 300 AD. Best for culture and first-timers.

   3. Evening

      Back in Hvar

      Dinner: try Grilled fish with blitva.

5. Day 5: Lavender villages of Velo Grablje and Brusje and Benedictine Convent and agave lace

   Lavender villages of Velo Grablje and Brusje, Benedictine Convent and agave lace and South-coast vineyards and Pitve tunnel, then Sunset at Fortica in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Lavender villages of Velo Grablje and Brusje

      Come in late June for the bloom; outside that season, buy lavender oil and sachets from the village producers. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Benedictine Convent and agave lace

      Buy a small piece of lace from the convent itself if you want an authentic one. (30 minutes, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Grilled fish with blitva

      Fish restaurants around the harbours; fish is priced by the kilo.

   4. Afternoon

      South-coast vineyards and Pitve tunnel

      Book a tasting in advance in summer and arrange a driver, as the coast roads are narrow and winding. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Sunset at Fortica

      Watch the sun set over the Pakleni Islands from the fortress walls above Hvar Town.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Hvar Town keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Stari Grad ($$) suits families, culture, quiet stays and budget. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 22–29 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9 hours in December to 15.4 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Hvar
• 2 days in Hvar
• 3 days in Hvar

Questions travellers ask