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Hvar
A sunny Dalmatian island of lavender fields, vineyards, a lively harbour town and clear bays
A sunny Dalmatian island of lavender fields, vineyards, a lively harbour town and clear bays
The 16th-century Spanish fortress (Fortica) on the hill above Hvar town, reached by a short steep walk, with the best views over the harbour and the Pakleni Islands.
Go for sunset.
Photo: Falk2, CC BY-SA 4.0
A chain of small wooded islands just off Hvar town, with coves, beach clubs and clear water, reached by frequent taxi boats.
Photo: Eric Spenle, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hvar has long been known for lavender. The fields flower mainly in June and early July, and lavender oil and sachets are sold across the island.
Photo: Falk2, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fields laid out by Greek colonists in the 4th century BC and still farmed today, next to the old town of Stari Grad, one of Europe’s oldest towns.
Photo: Argo Navis, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try gregada (fish stew), hvarska paprenjak (peppery honey biscuits), lamb, local olive oil and wines such as Plavac Mali and Bogdanjuša.
Restaurants in Hvar town are pricey; villages such as Vrboska, Jelsa and Stari Grad are calmer and often cheaper.
Catamarans run from Split to Hvar town in about one hour; car ferries go from Split to Stari Grad in about two hours. Buses link Stari Grad with Hvar town and other villages.
Croatia is in the EU and the Schengen area and uses the euro. EU citizens need only an ID card; citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, with biometric registration under the EU Entry/Exit System. An ETIAS travel authorisation is also due to be introduced. Check current rules before you travel.
Hvar town is one of Croatia’s most expensive places in summer. Croatia has used the euro since 2023. Prices on the coast rise sharply in July and August.
Town, islands and countryside.
Explore the main square and cathedral, climb to the Fortica for sunset and have dinner in the old town.
Take a taxi boat to the Pakleni Islands for swimming and lunch.
Drive or bus to Stari Grad and the Stari Grad Plain, Vrboska and Jelsa, stopping at a winery.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
Croatia is in the Schengen area, which has two EU border systems for non-EU visitors.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
Book ferry and catamaran tickets in advance in summer; Jadrolinija and other operators sell online.
July and August are very busy and expensive; June and September are often the best balance of weather and crowds.
Hvar town is lively until late in summer; choose accommodation away from the harbour for quieter nights.
A car or scooter helps you explore beyond Hvar town.
Quick answers for planning time in Hvar.
Yes, Croatia joined the Schengen area and adopted the euro on 1 January 2023.
By catamaran to Hvar town (about one hour) or by car ferry to Stari Grad (about two hours).
Mainly in June and early July.
A group of small islands just off Hvar town with coves and beaches, reached by taxi boat.
Yes, it was listed in 2008.
Google Maps works well; download offline maps for islands and national parks.
Free
Croatian is the language; English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
Free
Bookable boat trips, walking tours and national park excursions.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Croatia travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.