Hvar Island conjures images of sweeping bays dotted with super yachts; green islands littered in the surrounding waters. The red-roofed buildings contrast against the bright blue skies and crystal turquoise waters. The colors are so vibrant, you might mistake photographs for paintings. It’s known as the sunniest spot in all of Europe, and a notorious playground for the rich and famous.
But there is so much more to Hvar: the idyllic island located just over 22 miles from Croatia’s capital city of Split. Whilst we based ourselves near Hvar town, and thoroughly enjoyed ogling the harbor and its inhabitants, the hidden spots were our favorite part. And the reason we’d revisit it in a heartbeat. The contrast of the glitz and glamour and picture-perfect nature is unmatched. And it’s essential to experience both to get a true flavor of Croatia’s Hvar Island.
Where to stay in Hvar
On a budget:
Camp Kopito Hvar
M.Marchija 40 A Hvar, Croatia
Open: Year-round
Cost: Variable depending on season: 1st July – 31st October is high season
Adults are €8 each in low season, in high
Children under four years old are €3 each in low season, €5 in high
Children four – twelve years old are €5 each in low season, €8 in high
A campervan pitch is €18 in low season, €25 in high
A tent pitch is €16 in low season, €22 in high
A mobile home is €150 in low season, €200 in high
A tent is €40 in low season, €55 in high
Pets are €8 each in low season, €12 in low
City tax is €1.50 per person, per day
Facilities:
- Drinking water
- Electricity
- Sanitary connections
- Gas stove
- Refrigerator
- Sink
- Internet access
- Swimming pool
- Sunbeds
- Barbecue area
- Picnic tables and benches
- Small stocked bar area
- Small shop selling local produce
- Excursion organization
- Transport to Hvar city
- Boat, scooter, bike and car rental
As we were travelling in a campervan, our accommodation of choice was Kopito Camping Hvar. Located just over half a mile from Hvar town center, you can jump out of bed and arrive amongst all the action after just a ten-minute walk. There’s also a beach, Pokonji Dol, just under 400 yards from the camp, that can be reached by walking along a beautiful forest trail.
The campsite is set in an olive grove that is over 100 years old, and from the site there are views of the ocean and the surrounding islands: Pakleni, Korčula, Vis and Sušac. With a fully equipped camping area with facilities such as a gas stove, refrigerator and free Wifi, it was a perfect setup for us to settle down and call Hvar home for a week. The freshwater swimming pool and sun beds were an added bonus – just watch out for the wasps!
If camping isn’t your thing, there are also two mobile homes available to rent. Both come with fully equipped kitchens and shaded balconies with seating to enjoy the camp’s panoramic views. For those on more of a budget, there are also two tents that come with mattresses, linen, table, chairs and electricity.
Splashing out:
Labranda Senses
Vrboska bb, 21463, Vrboska, Croatia
Open: Year-round
Cost: Varying prices per night depending on the season and the room booked
A standard comfort room starts at €75.60 while a double room with a sea room begins at €97.20. Suites range from €172.80 up to €199.80
Facilities:
Included:
- Wifi
- Pool towels
- Parking
- Outdoor pool with deck chairs
- Lounge terrace
- Sauna
- Gym and fitness room
- Table tennis
- Exchange office
- Souvenir shop
- Reading corner
- Live music
- Meeting room
For an additional fee:
- Boccia
- Kayaks
- Canoeing
- Volleyball
- Mini golf
- Tennis
- Football
- Handball
- Basketball
- Windsurfing
- Bicycles
- Whirlpool
- Hydromassage
- Stand-up paddle boarding
- Aquapark
- Scuba diving
- Spa and massage rooms
- Laundry service
Hvar is a popular location for a romantic break or a honeymoon, making it a perfect place to book an indulgent stay at a resort. We’ve heard great things about Labranda Senses, and the island’s one is located right on the beach, within walking distance of the stunning village of Vrbokska.
While within easy access of smaller towns and the main town of Hvar, the resort has everything travelers could possibly need for their holiday. The all-day dining restaurant provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner – all buffet-style, and are both all-inclusive and half-board options available for guests.
There are also enough activities on offer to keep everyone entertained. From volleyball to kayak rental, the beachfront location offers travelers so many options. A spa and wellness center tops it all off, with the option for massages both on-site and on right on the beach.
Where to visit, Hvar Island:
Plaža Dubovica and Duba Beach Bar
21450, Lesina, Croatia
Open: The beach is open year-round 24/7 and the beach bar is open seasonally
Cost: The beach is public and free to visit. Cocktails at the beach bar start at €13
Facilities:
- Restaurant and beach bar
- Toilets for customers of the above
If you only make time for one day trip during your time on Hvar Island, make sure it’s one to this beach. It’s only fifteen minutes from Hvar town and you can choose to splash out on a boat taxi if funds allow; but your best (budget-friendly) bet is to self-drive. If you don’t have a car of your own, rentals are widely available and your accommodation is normally able to organize this for you. This option also means you have the opportunity to explore more of the island at your own leisure before or after a trip to the beach.
We were lucky enough to be visiting with our own vehicle so we arrived at this idyllic spot just after dawn; and had the whole place to ourselves. If we hadn’t been recommended it by previous visitors, we would have no idea it even existed. Access is off a main road, and passing cars will have no view whatsoever of the beach below. There’s a layby to park in, which fills up pretty quickly as the day goes on, and a steep rocky trail to follow that leads you down to the bay. When you see it, it’ll take your breath away.
The sweeping cove is bordered by a 17th-century church and 18th-century family homes, all made from beautiful natural stone. Although the beach is also stoney, rather than sand, the pebbles are white and smooth, and provide the crystal clear water that’s so iconic of the location.
We spent a day doing nothing but swimming, spotting sea life and sipping on watermelon mojitos in the beach bar. There’s a restaurant too, if you fancy some fresh fish, just look out for the other sea life: sea urchin stings are not recommended! Snorkels are though; for a good look at everything under the crystal clear waters.
Vrbroska
21463 Vrboska, Hvar, Croatia
Open: The village is open and accessible 24/7 year-round but check online for local business opening times
Cost: Public and free to visit
Facilities:
- Beaches
- Hotels
- Private rentals
- Sport facilities
- Churches
- Museums
- Artisan shops
Known as ‘The Little Venice of Croatia’, Vbroska is a settlement on the north coast of Hvar Island, around 15 miles east of the city of Hvar. Founded as a fishing harbor in the 15th century, the village is now best known for its bridges over the canal, allowing the welcome comparison to the famous city in Italy. To reach Vbroska, there are regular buses available from the larger towns which run up to ten times per day during the peak summer months.
Visitors are drawn to the village as an alternative to the hustle and bustle of Hvar town. It’s a quiet, sleepy place and feels like a world away from the superyachts and busy bars of the island’s capital. The ideal way to spend an afternoon here is to wander without any real agenda, getting lost in the small stone streets and allowing time for anything you may stumble upon.
Keep an eye out for St Mary Church, a fortified 16th-century building that was built to protect the village from Turkish attacks. If you’re lucky enough to be there when it’s open (Monday-Saturday between 10am and 12pm), you can climb to the roof for views of the surrounding countryside and ocean. There’s also a Fisherman’s Museum, to honor the history of the village and hold a collection of traditional equipment. Like many European establishments, the museum is only open in the mornings and evenings: 10:30am – 12:30pm and again at 18:30pm – 21:00pm.
All roads will eventually lead back to the harbor, where you can admire the traditionally made wooden fishing boats in a real-life setting, against a backdrop of limestone homes. This is also where you’ll find the village’s best dining options, and what else to try in a fishing village but the local speciality. We chose Konoba Lem: a family-run restaurant with an outdoor terrace right on the canal. Choose from homemade pasta or fresh seafood and you won’t go wrong.
The island of Hvar has so many options for visitors and whilst many are available from the town of Hvar, we hope you’ll take the opportunity to venture off the beaten track to enjoy our favorite hidden spots.
