Things to do in Hvar Island
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Beaches & Islands
There are coves around the Hotels Amfora and Dalmacija for swimming, but most people head to the Pakleni Islands (Pakleni Otoci), which got their name from Paklina, the resin that once coated boats and ships.
Taxi boats (30mins) leave regularly during the high season from in front of the Arsenal to the islands of Jerolim and Stipanska, which are popular naturist islands (although nudity is not mandatory), and then continue on to Ždrilica and Palmižana, the latter being a sandy beach.
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Franciscan Monastery & Museum
The 15th-century Franciscan monastery and museum overlooks a shady cove. The elegant bell tower was built in the 16th century by a well-known family of stonemasons from Korčula. The Renaissance cloister leads to a refectory containing lace, coins, nautical charts and valuable documents, such as an edition of Ptolemy's Atlas, printed in 1524. Your eye will immediately be struck by The Last Supper, an 8m by 2.5m work by the Venetian Matteo Ingoli dating from the end of the 16th century. The cypress in the cloister garden is said to be more than 300 years old.
The adjoining church, named Our Lady of Charity, contains more fine paintings such as the three polyptychs created …
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Arsenal
On the southern side of the main square, Trg Svetog Stjepana, is the Arsenal, which was built in 1611 to replace a previous building destroyed by the Ottomans. Mentioned in Venetian documents as 'the most beautiful and the most useful building in the whole of Dalmatia', the Arsenal once served as a repair and refitting station for war galleons.
The northern side of the building was used to store food, and in 1612 a Renaissance theatre was built that is reported to be the first theatre in Europe open to plebeians and aristocrats alike. The theatre remained a regional cultural centre throughout the centuries, and plays were still staged here for small audiences only. Final…
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Cathedral of St Stjepan
Another landmark building in Hvar Town is the Cathedral of St Stjepan, which forms a stunning backdrop to the main square, Trg Svetog Stjepana. The bell tower rises four levels, each more elaborate than the last. The cathedral was built in the 16th and 17th centuries at the height of the Dalmatian Renaissance on the site of a previous cathedral destroyed by the Turks.
Parts of the older cathedral are visible in the nave and in the carved 15th-century choir stalls, but most of the interior dates from the 16th and 17th centuries.
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Trg Svetog Stjepana
The centre of town is the main square, Trg Svetog Stjepana, which was formed by filling in an inlet that once stretched out from the bay. At 4500 sq metres, it's one of the largest old squares in Dalmatia. The town first developed in the 13th century to the north of the square and later spread south of the square in the 15th century. Notice the well at the northern end of the square, which was built in 1520 and has a wrought-iron grill dating from 1780.
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Konoba Menego
On the stairway above the Church of the Holy Spirit on a steep street, this is a rustic old house kept as simple and authentic as possible. Everything is decked out in Hvar antiques, the staff wear traditional outfits, the service is unobtrusive but informative and the marinated meats, cheeses and vegetables are prepared the old-fashioned Dalmatian way. Try the cheese and fig desserts and some local wine.
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Fortress Španjol
From the Main Town Gate you can climb up through a park to the Španjol, a citadel built on the site of a medieval castle to defend the town from the Turks. The Venetians strengthened it in 1557 and then the Austrians renovated it in the 19th century by adding barracks. Inside is a tiny collection of ancient amphorae recovered from the sea bed, and the view over the harbour is magnificent.
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Lavender
Lavender, lavender and more lavender is sold in small bottles, large bottles or flasks, or made into sachets. Depending on the time of year, there will be anywhere from one to 50 stalls along the harbour selling the substance, its aroma saturating the air. Various herbal oils, potions, skin creams and salves are also hawked.
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Luna
From having to climb the 'stairway to heaven' (you have to guffaw) to the rooftop terrace, to brightly painted walls, Luna is a slightly wacky place that is a refreshment from the traditional or high-class Hvar Restaurants. The menu is good with dishes like gnocchi with truffles and seafood and wine pasta.
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Carpe Diem
Look no further. You have arrived at the mother of Croatia's coastal clubs. From a groggy breakfast to late-night cocktails, there is no time of day when this swanky place is dull. The music is smooth, the drinks aplenty, and there's lots of dancing on the tables in bikinis.
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Benedictine Monastery
Northwest of the town's main square is the unfinished Gothic Hektorović Mansion. Go up a few stairs to the Benedictine Monastery, which has a re-creation of a Renaissance house and a collection of lace painstakingly woven by the nuns from dried agave leaves.
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Macondo
In a narrow alley over the main square, Macondo turns out wonderful fish dishes. The cold mixed plate offers two fish pâtés, octopus salad and salted anchovies, which makes either a tasty opening to the main meal or a good light meal.
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Bishop's Treasury
The Bishop's Treasury, behind the tower and adjoining the Cathedral of St Stjepan, houses the cathedral treasury of silver vessels, embroidered Mass robes, numerous Madonnas, a couple of 13th-century icons and an elaborately carved sarcophagus.
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Paradise Garden
This eatery, up some stairs on the northern side of the cathedral, serves up a memorable spaghetti with seafood, as well as the usual excellent assortment of grilled or fried fish. Tables are outdoors on an enclosed patio.
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Yakša
A top-end restaurant where many come not just for the food but also for its reputation as the place to be seen in Hvar. There is a lovely garden at the back and the food is excellent with lobster being a popular choice.
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Dive Center Hvar
In front of the Hotel Amfora, Dive Center Hvar is a large operation that offers a certification course, dives and all sorts of water sports (banana boating, snorkelling, water-skiing), as well as hotel packages.
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Archaeological Museum
The Dominican Church of St Marko was destroyed by the Turks in the 16th century. In the apse there is a small Archaeological Museum, which has some Neolithic weapons and ceramics on display.
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Loggia
The 16th-century loggia is in front of the Hotel Palace. In front of it is an 18th-century column Štandarac, from which governmental decisions used to be announced.
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Veneranda
A former fortress on the slope above Hotel Delfin, Veneranda alternates star DJs with live bands while the punters dance on a dance floor surrounded by a pool.
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Nautika
With the latest cocktails and nonstop dance music - ranging from techno to hip-hop - this place is another obligatory stop on Hvar's nightcrawl circuit.
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Pelegrini Tours
Pelegrini Tours organises tours of the island, trips to the surrounding islands and rafting excursions. You can also rent scooters here.
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Main Town Gate
The Main Town Gate, northwest of the town's main square, leads to a network of tiny streets with small palaces, churches and old houses.
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Supermarket
Self-caterers can head to the supermarket next to the bus station, or pick up fresh supplies at the next-door vegetable market.
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Vegetable Market
Self-caterers can head to the supermarket next to the bus station, or pick up fresh supplies at the next-door vegetable market.
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