History · Hvar · Croatia
8 historic sites to see in Hvar
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Start with St Stephen's Square and Hvar Cathedral, Fortica (Spanish Fortress) and Arsenal and Hvar Theatre. Together the 8 picks below take roughly 8–10 hours across 2 areas; 3 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 3
- Time to see them all
- 8–10 hours
- Areas
- Hvar Town and Stari Grad
Historic sites in Hvar
Landmark · Hvar Town
1.St Stephen's Square and Hvar Cathedral
A 16th-century well stands in the middle, and the Arsenal and theatre close the harbour end.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Architecture
- History
Castle · Hvar Town
2.Fortica (Spanish Fortress)
A shaded path through pine woods and agave climbs from the town in about 20 minutes.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- History
- Kids
Historic site · Hvar Town
3.Arsenal and Hvar Theatre
On its upper floor, the theatre founded in 1612 is one of the oldest public theatres in Europe, open to people of all classes from the beginning.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Religious site · Hvar Town
4.Franciscan Monastery
A waterfront walk leads there from the square in about 10 minutes.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Off the beaten path
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Historic site · Stari Grad
5.Stari Grad Plain
It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Outdoors
- Active
Castle · Stari Grad
6.Tvrdalj Castle
It sits a short walk from Stari Grad's waterfront.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Neighbourhood · Stari Grad
7.Stari Grad old town
It has a lived-in feel compared with Hvar Town.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Couples
- Food
Museum · Hvar Town
8.Benedictine Convent and agave lace
Their small convent museum displays the lace and other treasures.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Hvar Town | St Stephen's Square and Hvar Cathedral, Fortica (Spanish Fortress), Arsenal and Hvar Theatre, Franciscan Monastery and Benedictine Convent and agave lace | 30 minutes + 1–1.5 hours + 45 minutes + 45 minutes + 30 minutes |
| Stari Grad | Stari Grad Plain, Tvrdalj Castle and Stari Grad old town | 2–3 hours + 45 minutes + 2 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 3 free, 5 low cost. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Stari Grad Plain; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 3 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Hvar Town): St Stephen's Square and Hvar Cathedral → Fortica (Spanish Fortress) → Arsenal and Hvar Theatre → Franciscan Monastery → Benedictine Convent and agave lace, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Stari Grad): Stari Grad Plain → Tvrdalj Castle, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Stari Grad): Stari Grad old town, at least 2 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- February: highs of 12°C (54°F), about 9 rainy days, very quiet crowds. Quiet, with almond trees in blossom by the end of the month and small local carnival celebrations.
- March: highs of 14°C (57°F), about 9 rainy days, very quiet crowds. Spring begins with wild flowers and sunny days, but many businesses are still closed.
- January: highs of 12°C (54°F), about 11 rainy days, very quiet crowds. Mild but wet and windy, with most hotels and restaurants closed and limited ferry schedules.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Hvar Town — Renaissance square, fortress and yacht-filled harbour at the island's western tip
- Stari Grad — Ancient harbour town at the end of a deep bay, by the main car ferry
More of Hvar
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Hvar?
St Stephen's Square and Hvar Cathedral. Hvar Town's main square, one of the largest in Dalmatia, runs from the harbour to the Renaissance-Baroque Cathedral of St Stephen and its four-storey bell tower.
+Which of these are free in Hvar?
St Stephen's Square and Hvar Cathedral, Stari Grad Plain and Stari Grad old town.