Discover Hvar: Cultural Heritage and Island Destinations
Accommodation in Hvar
When looking for a hotel in Hvar, it helps to first weigh up the main focus of your stay: the historic old town, the ferry journey, coastal destinations off Hvar, or excursions around the island. Renaissance architecture, collections, and an active theater shape the city’s cultural offering; the Pakleni Islands add beaches, swimming spots, coves, and secluded shores.
Choose your arrival route and focus
Hvar is connected to the mainland in the Split area by ferry services. Catamarans run directly between Split and Hvar several times a day. The car ferry, by contrast, operates on the Split–Stari Grad route. If you’re traveling by car, this distinction is important for planning: the car ferry goes to Stari Grad, while the catamarans go directly to Hvar. Check the schedule for the route that suits you before departure.
Coastal destinations and landscapes
Off the coast of Hvar lies a group of about 20 islets and rocks: the Pakleni Islands. Excursion destinations there include beaches, swimming spots, coves, and secluded shores. The island group is also protected as an important landscape and forms part of the European ecological network. Its protected features include Posidonia seagrass, sea caves, reefs, and sandy seabeds. The Pakleni Islands therefore offer a different focus from the historic buildings in the city: here, the coastal landscape and its varied shorelines take center stage.
Culture in the town of Hvar
Most of Hvar’s major cultural sights are in the historic old town and can be explored on foot. The summer residence of the poet Hanibal Lucić is an example of Renaissance country-house architecture. The residence also houses the Museum of Hvar’s Cultural Heritage and a landscaped garden. The Loggia also displays Renaissance architecture; it formerly served as the town courthouse. The Cathedral of St. Stephen has a Renaissance-Baroque appearance, a bell tower, and a valuable art collection. In the old town, you’ll encounter different functions and styles: a poet’s residence with a museum and garden, a former courthouse, and a cathedral.
The painting “The Last Supper” by Mateo Ponzoni Pončun is displayed in the Franciscan monastery. If you specifically want to see the work, check the current display arrangements in advance, as they may change. The Fortica houses a collection of amphorae; it also offers panoramic views of Hvar, the Pakleni Islands, and the sunset. The Ivan Vučetić Museum of the Mysterious is also located in the town center. It is in the house where Ivan Vučetić lived and worked while in Hvar. The Arsenal Gallery is a collection in the Hvar Heritage Museum.
Theater, island history, and other activities
The Hvar Historical Theatre opened in 1612 and is still active. It hosts performances, concerts, and cultural events throughout the year. It is described as Europe’s oldest public theater. This means you can experience the town’s long theater history alongside a current program of events. If you’re planning a specific visit, it’s worth checking the latest event dates.
There is also an important cultural landmark outside the town of Hvar: the Stari Grad Plain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a largely intact cultural landscape. The cultivation of grapes and olives has been preserved there from Greek times to the present day. For cyclists, the signposted “Malo Grablje 710” route is another named option. It runs from Hvar via Milna, Velo Grablje, and Brusje, and back to Hvar. If you’re planning this route, check the current surface and access conditions, as they may change. Hvarska gregada, a fish dish typical of Hvar and part of Hvar’s culinary tradition, is another local point of interest.
Discover more destinations: Brusje, Sveta Nedjelja, Velo Grablje, Milna, Zaraće.
Go to the broader travel overview: Općina Hvar.
