Hvar, a peaceful quiet island located just off the coast of Split in Croatia, is one of the best places to visit if you are looking to escape the typical touristy places like Split and Dubrovnik and enjoy a nice quiet time by the Adriatic Sea without breaking the bank.
Hvar Itinerary Map
| ❤️ Must Visit: | Fortica Fortress |
| 🥘 Place to Eat: | Fig Hvar |
| 🚶♂️ Great Day Trip: | Explore the island |
5 Best Things To Do In Hvar
1. Climb Up To Fortica Fortress
Hvar is known for its small charming old town and beautiful coastline and there is no better way to appreciate it than to climb up to the top of Fortica Fortress and admire the view of the city, the Adriatic Sea, and the surrounding islands from up there.
Fortica Fortress or Spanish Fortress is a historic fortress built by the Venetians in the 16th Century as a way to fortify and defend the island from intruders. The fortress is situated on top of a hill behind Hvar’s old town which offers a great vantage point over the entire area.
To get up there, you are going to have to hike up the hill which is not particularly hard as you stroll along the cobblestone street up through the staircase of the old town onto the foothill before it zigzags its way up to the fortress which you should be able to complete in under 20 minutes
The views up there are pretty amazing and it was definitely worth every sweat you shed along the trail. You can spend a few hours exploring the rampart, relaxing, and enjoying the view from the park benches in the fortress, or stroll around the museum inside.
The museum mostly consisted of archeological artifacts and not much history is explained but outside of the small museum, you have quite a bit of a big spacious open-air area to cover with several viewpoints where you can see the beautiful brown roofs of old houses in Hvar as well as Pakleni Islands and beyond.
I highly recommend you visit the fort early in the morning so that you can avoid hiking up on a mostly exposed trail during the hottest time of the day, which can be pretty brutal in the summer.
The fortress is open from 9 AM to 6 PM every day and the entrance fee is around 10 EUR. You can pay with credit cards here or you can explore the outside of the fortress for free.
The view from the outside is pretty nice already but if you really want the best view of Hvar from above without obstruction, I highly recommend you pay the entrance fee and check out the view from the top of its walls. I think it was definitely worth the price for the view you get. Definitely one of the best things to do in Hvar.
2. Admire The Beauty Of St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Next up, we visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a historic landmark located in the heart of Hvar, and it is one of the most prominent structures you should check out while you explore the old town. Constructed during the 16th century, St. Stephen’s Cathedral was built on the location of a previous church that was destroyed by the Venetians.
The cathedral boasts a unique combination of Renaissance and Baroque architectural designs and is most notable for its towering bell tower, which reaches a height of 54 meters. In order to get in, you will have to pay around 2 EUR for the entrance fee. Inside, you will find a pretty bland-looking church with some really old sculptures and stone carvings inside.
If you are interested in Christian art, you might find the interior interesting. For me, it wasn’t worth going inside as you can’t even climb the bell tower with the ticket. Personally, I would suggest you admire the beauty of the cathedral from the outside before we continue on our journey in Hvar.
3. Hang Out At St. Stephen’s Square
Surrounding St. Stephen’s Cathedral, you will find St. Stephen’s Square, a spacious cobblestone square bustling with both locals and tourists, while being surrounded by some of the most beautiful medieval houses you will find in Hvar.
Walking around the square feels almost as if you were transported back to medieval times. Within these old houses, you will find all sorts of restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops you can indulge yourself in.
It is a great place to escape the heat during the hottest time of the day, as well as a place to relax and enjoy a nice cup of coffee before we continue our exploration.
4. Explore The Port Of Hvar
Right out of the bat, the moment you arrive in Hvar, you will find yourself in the Port of Hvar surrounded by a promenade lined with palm trees and elegant Venetian-style buildings.
The port is considered to be the gateway to the island and it is bustling with people and all kinds of shops and restaurants along the promenade you can indulge yourself in. That said, the best part about the port for me was not the promenade area but the narrow streets between these Venetian-style houses that you can stroll in.
While most people hang out at the promenade, you won’t find as many people exploring the quaint streets of Hvar, which is a shame because the streets are extremely pretty with beautiful old houses, cobblestone streets, and a small shops and cafes, always lurking somewhere in the corners.
It is these narrow hidden streets, away from all the tourists, that make Hvar one of my favorite island excursions to make in Croatia. It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Hvar and so if you are not sure what to do here, be sure to spend some time and explore or get lost in Hvar’s beautiful crisscrossing streets.
5. Check Out Franciscan Monastery
As you continue to walk along the seaside promenade, you will soon stumble upon Franciscan Monastery, Hvar’s most treasured landmark that dated back to the 15th century boasting a breathtaking Gothic-Renaissance architectural style, unlike any other structures you find in Hvar.
One of the highlights of the monastery is the stunning cloister, a peaceful courtyard surrounded by palm trees and lush greenery that I highly recommend you check out as you explore the monastery.
Inside the monastery, you will also find a fascinating collection of artifacts, including religious art, rare books, and historic documents. The monastery also houses a small museum, which offers insight into the lives of the Franciscan monks who once called this place home.
In front of the monastery, you will also find a 300 years old leaning Cypress that creates a nice shaded area where you can relax as you look out to the Adriatic Sea, stretching out as far as the eyes can see.
The monastery is open from 9 AM to 3 PM and again from 5 PM to 7 PM every day except on Sundays. The entrance fee to the cloister area is free but you will have to pay around 3 EUR to enter the museum inside.
