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Hvar

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Hvar [1] is an island off the coast of Croatia.

Gently rolling hills painted a brilliant purple by the fertile flowers, lush vineyards nestling at the foot of ragged mountains, gorgeous beaches with tiny inlets and secluded coves, luscious restaurants, boutiques, and a vibrant nightlife amidst the medieval streets of Hvar Town are just a few of the treats to enjoy on this dream of an island.

Imposing fortifications hover above the fluid blend of grey stone and orange cascading roofs. The remains of walls built by a long list of invaders descend towards the wide promenade edging the brilliant blue sea and the quaint fishing harbor. Marble streets reveal one of the largest squares in Dalmatia, Trg Sveti Stjepana as well as the prized Cathedral of St. Stjepan and the Renaissance theatre.

Hvar Town may be the most stunning town on the island but Starigrad, the oldest village on the island, and Jelsa, as well as a smattering of small villages, dotting the coast or nestled in the lush interior are well worth a visit.

Culture and History

Island Hvar and especially Hvar town is one of the most popular destinations in the Adriatic. During the season (May to September) it can be very busy, especially during August when large numbers of Italians visit. Hvar was relatively cheap, without an extensive tourist infrastructure, and it attracted a lot of young people. However, this is changing as large five star hotels are being built and the standard of living in Croatia is rising.

Travel to Hvar & Visa Requirements

  • By either car ferry (approx. 2hrs) or fast ferry [a hydrofoil] (approx 1hr) from Split, services operated by Jadrolinija.
  • Jadrolinija also brings you from Hvar town to Vela Luka (Korčula) and to the island Lastovo, and from Sućuraj in the east of Hvar to Drvenik (mainland).
  • There is also another company which operates fast ferries from Hvar town to Split. The car ferries run most regularly (approximately three per day and more during the high season (May to September) and call at Stari Grad. The fast ferries run less frequently but also operate to and from Hvar town. There are also ferries to other destinations, most notably Italy [2].

Tours & Getting around Hvar

Buses meet the car ferries at Stari Grad and run to various destinations such as Hvar town.

You can easily rent a car for about 350 kuna a day if you wish to explore other parts of the island. The rental agencies have firm policy of a minimum of one day rental (no hourly rentals). You can also rent a scooter or moped for about 250 kuna a day. There are hourly rates for the mopeds and scooters. The roads on hvar can be steep and windy and there are no guard rails, so be careful especially if riding a rented moped which is old and has already done tens of thousands miles.

There is a convenient water taxi that will take you directly from Stari Grad harbour to the ferry for 15 Kuna.

Hvar attractions and sightseeing

HISTORY

The Town Square in Hvar is among the most beautiful and the largest in Croatia. The square measures 4500 square meters, and the town has developed around this square, starting north of the square in the 13th century and then circling to the south of the square in the 15th century. There is also a fortress at the top of the hill with walls that encompass parts of the city. It's an easy walk, although uphill, to the fortress...it's worth the trek however because of the wonderful views you have of the harbor and surrounding areas. Don't forget to bring your cameras. There is a small eatery in the middle of the fortress where you can purchase drinks and snacks.

ARCHITECTURE

The Cathedral of St. Stephen dominates one end of the Town Square, and was built during the 16th and 17th centuries. The bell tower of this cathedral is four-stories high, with each level more elaborately decorated than the last. The cathedral was built over a previously existing cathedral that was destroyed by the Turks. Parts of this older cathedral can be seen inside the church, but most of the interior was rebuilt.

THE ARTS

Unique ceramics decorated with spiral ornaments in red, yellow, brown, and white were found at a Neolithic archeological site, Grapčeva špilja, near Hvar Town. Since such ornaments and engraving methods have only been found on the island of Hvar, archeologists have named this kind of Neolithic art "hvarska kultura" (Hvar's Culture). The island of Hvar also has the tradition of making lace, but from the threads of agava leaves. Nuns from the Benedictine monastery in Hvar are masters of this unique craft.

HIKES AND WALKS

Take a water taxi to the nearby Pakleni archipelago, where secluded strands of white sand, hiking trails and pine groves await. Or hike for 2 hours along the Hvar's southern cliffs from Dubovica to the winery of Zlatan Otok for a late lunch, a swim and a boat ride return to Hvar Town.

SCENERY AND NATURE

One visitor describes Havr as "beautiful, crystal-clear blue sea, big green hills, clean air and lots of old stone." At sundown a stroll up old lanes from the square in Hvar Town leads up to another lane which, high above the others is extremely attractive and shouldn’t be missed.

RELIGION AND RELIGIOUS SITES

The Bishop's Treasury, adjacent to the cathedral, contains silver vessels, embroidered Mass robes, numerous Madonnas, icons dating from the 13th century, and an elaborately carved sarcophagus.

Hvar city tours

Rent a boat (5 horse power) for about 350 kuna a day and explore the Pakleni Islands on your own. You can rent boats right in the main square in Hvar town. The islands are very close and make for an amazing adventure. Take a picinic or a bottle of wine. The boat can be anchored anywhere around the islands or tied to the rocks.

There are also frequent water taxi that go the the Pakleni Islands that run every half hour or so.

Go dancing at carpe diem. This is not to be missed. The dj's are usually on the international circuit and the energy is high.

Hvar souvenirs & shopping

Hvar is known for its lavender...you can see it blooming in the summer over large areas. Don't forget to purchase bunches of lavender or lavender oils in beautifully painted glass bottles the lingering fragrances will remind you of the lovely time you spent on the island of Hvar.

Hvar Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

grilled squid...wonderful with olive oil. don't forget the cucumber salad.

  • Restoran Antonio, Burak 3, Zdrilca(island of Zdrilca, rent a boat in Hvar town to get here), ☎ ''+385'' 21741485(info@antonio-patak.com), [3]. Great seafood and a good view over the bay 100 Kn.  edit

Hvar nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

  • Carpe Diem, At the end of the riva(At the end of the riva on the right side). It's all big cushions, sofas, hammocks and mood lighting. Drinks leave something to be desired. It's a real shame, because it's the perfect spot to drink cocktails, but they make them with flavoured syrups instead of fresh fruit, and they all taste like bubble-gum. edit
  • Prsuta Tri, (on the narrow street just behind the main square), ☎ 098 9696193(vimales@inet.hr). Good vine bar, has cheese, olive, and prosciutto edit
  • Teraca, Placa(On the long terrace above the main square). Friendly small bar with an amazing view over the square and harbour25 kuna beers, drinks for 18 kuna.  edit

Hvar cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

At every arrival of a ferry, a bunch of people offering private accommodation will show up.

  • Anna, Buzolic Tonci & Anna Glavica bb, ☎ ''+385'' 917303517(anna.buzolic@hotmail.com). checkout: 10am. Friendly and clean apartment just up the steps from the main square.200 Kuna per person.  edit
  • Aparthotel Pharia, ☎ +385 21 735 393([4].  edit
  • Accommodation in Sucuraj (east cape of the island) [5] - more then 30 different apartments, pensions and houses with direct contact with owners.
  • Apartments and Pension, ☎ + 385 21 773 250(apartmentslavic@yahoo.com), [6]. Two air-con double room apartments, one air-con studio-apartment, and two rooms.35€ (studio apartment).  edit
  • Apartments Bibić, ☎ + 385 (0) 21 741 683(hvar.cro@gmail.com), [7]. Accommodations 10 minutes walking distance from center of town and 20 meters from the sea. edit
  • Kuca Sofia tel: +385 911 18 12 74 [8] "Sofia" dates back more than 400 years and is traditionally constructed from local stone. It is a spacious two floor apartment in quiet surroundings, located in the historic centre of Hvar Town.
  • Mladen Apartments [9] - 50 m from the sea in Sucuraj. Useful for travellers approaching the island with ferry from Drvenik on Dalmatian coast. Short & long term rentals.

TIMESHARE: There is one timeshare near Hvar Town, it can be exchanged into with RCI. Timeshares are not a concept that has gotten to Croatia yet. Thank goodness. There are many other ways to stop, see and stay in Croatia without the pressures of the typical time share purchase racket.

Get out

The beautiful and unspoilt (and popular naturist) islands of Jerolim and Stipanska are accessible by taxi-boat from Hvar town square. While naturism on the islands is not mandatory, everyone around you will be naked.

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This page was last edited at 12:48, on 15 November 2008 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Niels Elgaard Larsen, David, Johan Jönsson and miro, Wikitravel user(s) Eiland, Morph, Marin, Texugo and Ertw23, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.

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