8 Reasons Why You Should Visit the Croatian Island of Hvar

The crystal clear blue waters of the Adriatic Sea should be enough reason to start packing your bags for a vacation to Hvar. It’s so clean and clear that you can literally see all the way to the sand beneath your feet without any problems. Upon reaching the island, you can go swimming, diving, snorkeling, and island hopping to really enjoy the water.

If you don’t have a lot of time but want to explore more of Croatia during your vacation, there are day tours to Blue Cave from Split that will take you to five islands in the area. These day tours include stops at Blue Cave in Bisevo Island, Stiniva Bay in Vis Island, Blue Lagoon in Budikovac Island, Hvar town in Hvar Island, and Paklinski Islands which is a group of small islands surrounding Hvar. All of these destinations will take your breath away with their natural beauty and wonder.

The Španjola Fortress, also known as Fort Fortica, was built in the early 16th century during the Venetian rule. It sits on top of a hill in the old part of Hvar, which makes it a great viewing point if you want to see the city below its walls and the ocean beyond it. It also has an exhibit of relics from the Middle Ages for those who want to learn a little bit of Croatian history.

Restaurant Paladini is a popular food destination among tourists who want a taste of the local cuisine. The restaurant is located in an alley near St. Stephen’s, the main town square. Aside from traditional Croatian food, it also serves seafood dishes and pizza, which you can pair with a glass of local wine.

Hvar is also called the Lavender Island because of its beautiful lavender fields that bloom in full and are most beautiful in July. The entire island smells like lavender during this time, which is just so lovely to experience. When the flowers are in bloom, stores in the island sell a lot of lavender-infused items such as perfumes, soaps, scented oils, and potpourri pouches. If you love lavender and want to see purple fields as far as the eye can see, plan to visit in July.

If you’re visiting Hvar, Croatia, you should save a day to hike to Sveti Nikola, the highest peak of the entire island. Here, you’ll find a small chapel with a stone cross that both date back to the 15th century. It’s a difficult and rocky hike, but the view from Sveti Nikola will make everything worth it. You’ll see nearby islands such as Brac, Korcula, and Vis, and your eyes can gaze upon the line where the sea touches the sky. If you want, you can stay for a while and find a spot by the chapel where you can have a little picnic while enjoying the view.

St. Stephen’s is the historical town square of Hvar, Croatia. It contains stories of centuries past with its oldest structures dating back to the Middle Ages. It is also one of the biggest town squares in the Dalmatian region at 4,500 square meters. Around the perimeter of the square, you will find cafés and restaurants where you can eat and drink coffee, souvenir shops where you can buy trinkets to bring home, and the St. Stephen church which is where the square got its name from.

Folklore is embedded in the culture of Hvar, Croatia. Around St. Stephen’s square and the surrounding alleyways, you’ll find musical storytellers that continue the oral tradition of folklore that’s been passed down from generation to generation of people living in the island. Especially around Easter, a lot of these musicologists are spread around town, telling their stories through song.

You have clear blue waters, beautiful natural scenery, culture, history, and food, and a lot more reasons to visit the Croatian Island of Hvar. Aside from the list above, you’ll also enjoy the nightlife in this island town. When in Hvar, make sure to make the most out of your time by exploring other nearby islands. Surely, by the time you get home from your vacation, you won’t regret the time you’ve spent in Hvar, Croatia.