Outdoors · Hvar · Croatia
5 best outdoor things to do in Hvar
Parks, viewpoints and open-air sights for the dry, bright days.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Rplevak, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Pakleni Islands, Stari Grad Plain and Vrboska and Jelsa. Together the 5 picks below take roughly 16–22 hours across 5 areas; 4 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 5
- Free entry
- 4
- Time to see them all
- 16–22 hours
- Areas
- Pakleni Islands, Stari Grad and Jelsa
Outdoors in Hvar
Island · Pakleni Islands
1.Pakleni Islands
Catch an early boat, find a cove and book lunch at a beach restaurant in Palmižana before it fills.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Kids
- Nature
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Historic site · Stari Grad
2.Stari Grad Plain
Cycle the farm tracks in the morning; the visitor centre in Stari Grad has maps of the ancient grid.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Outdoors
- Active
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Neighbourhood · Jelsa
3.Vrboska and Jelsa
Walk or cycle the coast path between the two in the late afternoon and stop for a swim on the way.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Photo spot
Nature · Hvar Town
4.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.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Couples
Beach · Milna
5.Dubovica
Park carefully at the roadside and wear proper shoes for the 15-minute path down.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Photo spot
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Pakleni Islands | Pakleni Islands | Full day |
| Stari Grad | Stari Grad Plain | 2–3 hours |
| Jelsa | Vrboska and Jelsa | Half a day |
| Hvar Town | Lavender villages of Velo Grablje and Brusje | 2–3 hours |
| Milna | Dubovica | Half a day |
Booking and timing
Of these 5, 4 free, 1 low cost. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Pakleni Islands; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 5 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Pakleni Islands): Pakleni Islands, at least 6 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Stari Grad): Stari Grad Plain, at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Jelsa): Vrboska and Jelsa, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Hvar Town): Lavender villages of Velo Grablje and Brusje, at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 5 (Milna): Dubovica, at least 3 hours.
The best months to be outside
- July: highs of 30°C (86°F), about 3 rainy days, very busy crowds. Hot, sunny and very busy, with the nightlife at its peak; book ferries and accommodation well ahead.
- August: highs of 30°C (86°F), about 3 rainy days, very busy crowds. The busiest and highest-priced month, with full harbours and crowded beaches.
- June: highs of 27°C (81°F), about 5 rainy days, busy crowds. Lavender blooms, the sea warms up and the season is in full swing without the August crowds.
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
- Jelsa — Harbour town with pine woods, beaches and a central square of cafés
- Milna — Small cove settlement of beaches and fish restaurants east of Hvar Town
More of Hvar
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Hvar?
Pakleni Islands. A chain of pine-covered islets just off Hvar Town, reached by taxi boats from the harbour in 10–20 minutes.
+Which of these are free in Hvar?
Stari Grad Plain, Vrboska and Jelsa, Lavender villages of Velo Grablje and Brusje and Dubovica.