Nightlife · Hvar · Croatia
Hvar nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Hvar, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: User: Stop_The_Lies, Public domain
Quick answer
Hvar Town is one of the Adriatic's best-known party towns in summer, with harbour-front bars, sunset beach bars and boat parties. The rest of the island is quiet, and the scene almost disappears outside June to September. The main areas are Hvar Town harbour, Sunset beach bars west of town and Pakleni Islands beach clubs.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 3
- Stay near the action
- Hvar Town
- Local drink
- Plavac Mali
Where to go out
Hvar Town harbour
Bars along the waterfront, including the long-running Carpe Diem, fill from late evening in July and August.
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.
Pakleni Islands beach clubs
Beach clubs on islands such as Stipanska run late parties, reached by taxi boat.
Nightlife tips
- Venues and opening seasons change; check what is running before you go.
- Taxi boats back from the Pakleni Islands stop late at night, so confirm the last departure.
- Remember the local fines for drinking in the street or walking around in swimwear.
What to drink
- Plavac Mali — Dalmatia's main red grape, grown on the steep south-facing slopes of Hvar, produces powerful, full-bodied wines.
- Bogdanuša — An indigenous white grape of Hvar, grown mainly on the Stari Grad Plain, producing light, fresh wines.
- Prošek — A sweet dessert wine made from dried grapes, traditionally served to guests with biscuits.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 22°C (72°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 16:44 | 6°C (43°F) | 11 |
| April | About 19:36 | 11°C (52°F) | 8 |
| July | About 20:32 | 22°C (72°F) | 3 |
| October | About 18:12 | 15°C (59°F) | 9 |
Getting home late
- Walking — Hvar Town, Stari Grad and Jelsa are compact and easy to explore on foot, though the climb to the fortress is steep.
- Bus — Buses often meet the car ferries at Stari Grad; check the timetable posted at the port.
- Ferry — Book catamaran and car-ferry tickets ahead in July and August.
Staying safe at night
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.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$$ · Best for nightlife, first-timers, luxury and couples
Hvar Town
Hvar Town wraps around a harbour beneath the Fortica fortress, with St Stephen's Square, the cathedral and the Arsenal at its centre. It has the island's widest choice of hotels, restaurants and bars and the taxi boats to the Pakleni Islands, but it is expensive and very busy and loud in July and August.
- Good
- Most restaurants and bars; Taxi boats to the Pakleni Islands; Catamaran to Split
- Watch out
- High summer prices; Noise and crowds in peak season; Car-free centre means carrying luggage
- Nearby
- St Stephen's Square, Fortica, Pakleni Islands, Franciscan Monastery
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Hvar?
Hvar Town harbour, Sunset beach bars west of town and Pakleni Islands beach clubs. Bars along the waterfront, including the long-running Carpe Diem, fill from late evening in July and August.
+Which area of Hvar is best for nightlife?
Hvar Town: Renaissance square, fortress and yacht-filled harbour at the island's western tip.