Travel tips · Hvar · Croatia
Hvar travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Hvar has a long history as a Greek colony, a Venetian naval base and a wine and lavender island. Its Catholic traditions are strong: the Za Križen procession, held through the night between Holy Thursday and Good Friday in six villages, is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list. Island life slows sharply outside the summer season.
Key facts
- Language
- Croatian
- Currency
- EUR
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is generally safe to drink, but in high season many visitors and…
- Emergency
- 112 (European emergency number)
Things to know
- Hvar Town has fined visitors for walking around the town in swimwear or without tops and for drinking on the streets; dress for town and drink in bars.
- Cover shoulders and knees in churches.
- Greet shopkeepers with 'Dobar dan'.
- Respect quiet hours in residential areas and villages, especially late at night.
- On naturist beaches such as parts of Jerolim, follow the local norms or choose another cove.
- Stay in Stari Grad or Jelsa instead of Hvar Town for much lower accommodation prices.
Tipping
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. Leave about 10% in restaurants for good service and round up in cafés and taxis.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dobar dan | Good day / hello |
| Hvala | Thank you |
| Molim | Please / you're welcome |
| Račun, molim | The bill, please |
| Živjeli | Cheers |
What to wear
Light, casual summer clothes, sandals and swimwear for the beach, with a cover-up for walking through town. Bring water shoes for pebble beaches and comfortable shoes for the climb to the fortress.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is generally safe to drink, but in high season many visitors and some hosts prefer bottled water.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Phone and internet
- Mobile coverage is good in towns but patchy in some coves; EU roaming applies to European SIMs.
- Time zone
- Europe/Zagreb
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.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Croatia's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Hvar?
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. Leave about 10% in restaurants for good service and round up in cafés and taxis.
+Can you drink the tap water in Hvar?
Tap water is generally safe to drink, but in high season many visitors and some hosts prefer bottled water.
+What plugs are used in Hvar?
Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Hvar?
Croatian.