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Hvar

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Sun-Kissed Island with Vibrant Culture

Hvar is a coastal island in Croatia known for its sunny weather and clear waters. The landscape features rolling hills covered with vineyards and olive trees, while stone villages sit along the shoreline. Local markets sell fresh seafood, fruits and handmade crafts. Hiking trails connect quiet beaches to historic sites like old fortresses and churches. Ferries link the island to nearby towns and mainland ports. Visitors can swim in small coves or explore nearby islands by boat. The pace of life remains slower here compared to busier tourist spots.

Island in Croatia
Climate zone: Mediterranean

Mediterranean: Mid-latitude climates with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, typical of coastal regions around the Mediterranean Basin.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
See price details
Safety: 7.5
General Safety:8
Health & medical:7
Accessibility:5
Tap water:8
Read details
Tourist English: 4/5
English is widely spoken in tourist areas, especially among younger locals and those working in the hospitality industry. Communication in English is generally smooth and hassle-free.
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Hvar Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work
Great for island beaches and nightlife. Swim in clear Adriatic waters, sail between islands, explore historic streets and enjoy sunset bars.
Place score
7.7
Best at:
Islands
10
Sea
8
Beaches
7
Walkable
7
Spotless
7
Personal score
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Suited for
👶 8
Families
🧓 7
Seniors
🛡️ 9
Travel Beginners
❤️ 9
Couples
Croatia – Quick facts
Power Grid: 230 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type C , Type F
Type C:
Diagram of a Type C power plug
Type F:
Diagram of a Type F power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Euro (EUR)
£1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info: Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted, but some smaller businesses may prefer cash.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. Leaving 5-10% in restaurants is common.
Public drinking: Public drinking is generally allowed, especially in tourist areas.
Public smoking: Smoking is restricted in public places but allowed in designated areas.
Statehood Day
(May)
Events and closures occur.
Easter
(March/April)
Religious observances and closures.
Christmas
(December)
Markets and celebrations.
Emergency contact: Emergency Number: 112
Taxi apps: Uber, Bolt, Cammeo
Other: Island-hopping and exploring the Adriatic coast are highly recommended. Summer can be crowded.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Hvar, Croatia
🌤️
Jan
🌬️
Feb
☀️
Mar
☀️
Apr
☀️
May
☀️
Jun
☀️
Jul
☀️
Aug
☀️
Sep
☀️
Oct
🌦️
Nov
☀️
Dec
High season: June - Sep.
Shoulder season: April - May, Oct.
Crowdedness: 8 (Very crowded)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Most hotels, restaurants and beach clubs close from November to March, main season June to September
Ferry and catamaran connections run far less often from October to April, and bad weather can cancel them
Lavender blooms from late May to June, harvest and lavender products in June

Why travel to Hvar?

Hvar offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. With over 2,700 hours of sunshine annually, it's one of Europe's sunniest spots. The island boasts pristine beaches, historic sites like the 16th-century Fortica Fortress and renowned vineyards producing exquisite wines. Whether you're looking to relax by the sea, explore ancient towns or dance the night away, Hvar has something for everyone.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Franciscan Monastery
  • 2 Stari Grad Plain
  • 3 Tvrdalj Petra Hektorovića
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Tomić Winery
  • 2 Mlini Beach
  • 3 Bonj 'les bains' beach club
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Grapčeva Cave
  • 2 Uvala Mala Milna
  • 3 Dubovica
  • 4 Jagodna uvala
  • 5 Malo Zaraće Beach
  • 6 Red rocks
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 Studenak Market
🎈Events
  • Hvar Summer Festival
  • Lavender Festival
  • Stari Grad Wine Festival
  • Hvar Half Marathon
  • Fishermen's Nights
  • St. Stephen's Day Celebration
  • Hvar Theatre Days
  • Grapčeva Cave Tours
  • Assumption Day Festivities
  • New Year's Eve in Hvar

Knowledge before you go

  • Ferry from Split. Book catamarans early in peak summer.
  • Hvar Town buzzes with nightlife; explore Pakleni Islands for secluded beaches nearby.
  • Rent scooter or bike to reach Stari Grad Plain, UNESCO site with ancient fields.
  • Visit lavender fields in June-July; hike to fortress for panoramic views over the island.

How to travel to Hvar

To reach Hvar, fly into Split Airport (SPU), the nearest major airport. From Split, regular ferries and catamarans operate to Hvar Town and Stari Grad, with journey times ranging from 1 to 2 hours. During peak season, it's recommended to book ferry tickets in advance due to high demand.

Access summary

  • From Split Airport (SPU): Shuttle to Split, ferry to Hvar, about 2–3 hours.
  • From Split: High-speed catamarans to Hvar Town, usually 50–75 minutes.
  • From Dubrovnik: Seasonal catamarans to Hvar, sailing roughly 3–3.5 hours.

Where to stay in Hvar

Hvar offers a range of accommodations, from luxury hotels to charming guesthouses. In Hvar Town, you'll find upscale options with stunning harbor views, while Stari Grad and Jelsa provide more tranquil settings with boutique hotels and family-run B&Bs. For a unique experience, consider staying in renovated stone houses or agrotourism farms inland.

How to get around Hvar

Getting around Hvar is relatively easy. The island has a network of local buses connecting major towns like Hvar Town, Stari Grad and Jelsa. Taxis and rental scooters are also popular options for shorter distances. For island hopping or visiting secluded beaches, water taxis and boat rentals are readily available. Keep in mind that some remote areas might have limited public transport, so planning ahead is advisable.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-2 %
Daily expenses in Hvar are around 2% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£58
£140
£391
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£26
£60
£150
🍝 Food per day
£26
£72
£213
🚕 Transportation per day
£5
£8
£28
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£34
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£13
🍟 Fast food combo
£7
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£9.50
☕ Cappuccino
£2.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£4.50
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£1.15
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£17
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£1.30
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£13
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£39
🤧 Cold medication
£6.50
💇 Basic haircut
£7

Safety information overview

General safety
8
Hvar is considered safe for tourists, with low crime rates. However, standard precautions like safeguarding personal belongings and avoiding poorly lit areas at night are advisable.
Health & Medical
7
Medical facilities on Hvar are adequate for basic needs, with clinics and pharmacies in major towns. For serious medical emergencies, transfer to mainland hospitals may be necessary.
Accessi­bility
5
Hvar's terrain includes hilly areas and cobblestone streets, which might be challenging for travelers with mobility issues. However, main tourist spots are generally accessible and accommodations often cater to various needs.
Tap water
8
Tap water in Hvar is safe to drink and of good quality. Public drinking fountains are available in some areas, but carrying a reusable water bottle is recommended, especially during outdoor activities.

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