• 1

A QUICK GUIDE HVAR

Things to Know
Hvar is the fourth largest of the Dalmatian islands and frequented by travelers looking for a sunny holiday, coupled with diverse scenic and urban attractions. Covered with rich vegetation – pine and oak forests, olive trees, fruit orchards, and lavender – the hillsides slope down to a generous coastal plain, which is fertile thanks to fresh water springs. Hvar has shared a similar history with the rest of Croatia where the Venetians played a major role. Noteworthy of mentioning is that Hvar was the home of two of the most important Croatian writers – Hanibal Lucic and Petar Hektorovic.
Things to See
Town of Hvar
With a lovely harbor full of yachts, excellent cafes and restaurants, and many international visitors, Hvar town has the atmosphere of a much larger cosmopolitan city. Here are some must-see places to visit:

- Main square called Trg Svetog Stjepana (St. Stephen’s Square).

- 17th century Venetian Arsenal - a repair dock for Venetian galleys - the second floor was converted into a Baroque style theater.

- 16th – 17th century St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Bishop’s Treasury.
Hvar Benedictine Convent
Learn about the fascinating story of the two nuns who founded the monastery in the 1600s. Its display of fine lacework made by the nuns from agave cactus has made this monastery internationally famous.
15th Century Franciscan Monastery
The Franciscan Monastery houses several significant paintings, the most important being the 17th century ‘Last Supper’ fresco that covers the entire wall of the refectory and is attributed to Matteo Ingoli of Ravenna.
Grapceva Spilja
Located on the southern side of the island, this is one of the best preserved Neolithic cave dwellings around the Mediterranean. The cave is decorated with polychrome ceramics from the Ionian and Aegean Sea and is full of stalactites and stalagmites.
Things to Do
Seaside Fun
West of town along the coast, most of the beaches are privately run by hotels and are typically quite busy during high season. Along the eastern coast you will find a number of excellent and less crowded beaches.
Milna Beaches
A protected cove with two child friendly sandy beaches, separated from each other by pine forest.

Type: Organized with various amenities.
Location: 4 miles / 6km away from Hvar town in a protected cove.
Mala Milna Beach
This beach is only a few steps from the waterfront promenade.

Type: Pebble beach, and not organized.
Location: West of the center of Hvar.
Uvala Dubovica Beach
The picture-perfect cove of Dubovica is a well-known picnic area and a spacious pebble beach and interesting underwater landscape. It is also known for its view to the countryside house of the Kasandric family from the 18th – 9th century.

Type: Pebble beach, and organized.
Location: 5 miles / 8km east of town on the southern shore.
Pakleni Islands
If you’re up for venturing further out, the crystal-clear waters, the hidden beaches and deserted lagoons of the Pakleni Islands are pretty incredible. The largest of the islands is Sveti Klement, which has three villages, a marina and a pebble beach. The closest island to Hvar is Jerolim and offers a lovely coastline for swimming. Marinkovac island offers a ‘clothing optional’ beach at Stipanska Bay as well as a well-known beach club. Other options on this island are Marinkovac and Zdrilca Bay and the pretty Mlini beach.