Beaches · Hvar · Croatia
The best beaches in and near Hvar
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: F.G., CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Palmižana (About 20 minutes by taxi boat from Hvar Town). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in June–October.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 6
- Swimming season
- June–October
- Warmest sea
- 25°C (77°F)
The beaches
About 20 minutes by taxi boat from Hvar Town · Families and long beach lunches
1.Palmižana
Sheltered sandy and pebble coves on Sveti Klement in the Pakleni Islands, with restaurants among the pines.
About 10 minutes by taxi boat · Naturists and quick escapes
2.Jerolim
The closest Pakleni island to Hvar Town, with rocky coves and a long-established naturist area.
About 8 km east of Hvar Town · Couples and photographers
3.Dubovica
A picture-perfect pebble bay with clear water and a beach restaurant, reached by a steep path from the road.
About 2 km east of Hvar Town · Easy beach days from town
4.Pokonji Dol
A pebble beach with a small islet and lighthouse offshore, within walking distance of Hvar Town.
About 5 km east of Hvar Town · Families
5.Mala Milna
A pebble cove with shallow water and seafood restaurants, east of Hvar Town.
About 15 km from Jelsa through the Pitve tunnel · Quiet swims and snorkelling
6.Zavala
Small pebble beaches below south-coast vineyards with very clear water and few crowds.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C (57°F) | 12°C (54°F) |
| February | 13°C (55°F) | 12°C (54°F) |
| March | 14°C (57°F) | 14°C (57°F) |
| April | 16°C (61°F) | 18°C (64°F) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
| June | 23°C (73°F) | 27°C (81°F) |
| July | 25°C (77°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| August | 25°C (77°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| September | 23°C (73°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| October | 21°C (70°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| November | 18°C (64°F) | 17°C (63°F) |
| December | 15°C (59°F) | 13°C (55°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$ · Best for families, quiet stays, beach and food lovers
Jelsa
Jelsa, in the middle of the north coast, is a relaxed small town around a harbour and a square of plane trees and cafés, with pine-shaded beaches within walking distance and wineries nearby. It is a good base for exploring the whole island and for the tunnel to the south-coast beaches.
- Good
- Relaxed atmosphere; Beaches within walking distance; Central for touring the island
- Watch out
- Fewer ferry connections; Limited nightlife
- Nearby
- Vrboska, Pitve, Jelsa harbour
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — Island buses link Stari Grad's ferry port with Hvar Town (about 20 km), Stari Grad and Jelsa, with more departures in summer.
- Boat — Taxi boats from Hvar Town harbour run to the Pakleni Islands and the beaches of Milna and Dubovica, and private boat hire is widely available.
- Ferry — Catamarans link Hvar Town with Split, and some routes continue to Korčula, Mljet and Dubrovnik; car ferries run between Split and Stari Grad, and between Drvenik on the mainland and Sućuraj at the island's eastern tip.
- Scooter — Scooters and cars can be rented in Hvar Town, Stari Grad and Jelsa, giving access to the lavender villages, south coast and remote coves.
- Car — A car is useful for exploring the whole 70-km-long island, though roads are narrow and parking in Hvar Town is limited.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in June–September. The busiest of those is July, so book early.
Beach safety
Hvar is generally relaxed. Take care with summer heat, strong sun and dehydration, and with sea urchins on rocky beaches. Roads are narrow and winding, so drive or ride scooters carefully. In Hvar Town, drink sensibly at night and respect local rules on public drinking. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Hvar have beaches?
Yes: Palmižana, Jerolim, Dubovica, Pokonji Dol, Mala Milna and Zavala.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Hvar?
Usually June–October, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Hvar?
Palmižana: Sheltered sandy and pebble coves on Sveti Klement in the Pakleni Islands, with restaurants among the pines.