Hvar (Croatia): what to see on the island of Dalmatia


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What to see in Hvar, attractions and places to visit in the magnificent island of Croatia, ideal for beach holidays in the Dalmatia region.


Tourist information

The island of Hvar, in Italian Lèsina, has a territory 68 km long and maximum 10.5 km wide, crossed lengthwise by a chain of limestone heights that plunge into the sea in the southern part of the island, where the mount Sveti Nikola of 628 meters above sea level it represents the highest altitude, while towards the north it slopes gently into the Velo Polje plain.

The territory is covered by Mediterranean scrub, vineyards and lavender fields, with a coastline characterized by more rectilinear coasts in the south and very indented in the north.


The island of Hvar has a thousand-year history, since ancient times the privileged position has allowed it to be at the center of the nautical routes of the Adriatic Sea. Already inhabited by the Illyrians, it was occupied by the Greeks who founded the city of Pharos, Stari Grad.

Later it was controlled first from Rome and then by Byzantium. From 1420 to 1797 it underwent Venetian domination, in that period it became the richest province of all Dalmatia. After the fall of Venice, the island passed under the sovereignty of the Austrian empire, then of France and England.

From 1918 to 1921 it suffered Italian occupation and subsequently the island became part of Yugoslavia.


Today it is part of the independent Republic of Croatia.

What see

The city of Hvar is located on the southwestern coast of the island of the same name and is the most important center of the whole island.

The port of the town, located in a bay protected by the Pakleni islands opposite, was a safe haven for ships that sailed the Adriatic Sea in antiquity. The city that lies behind it testifies to its glorious past.


Among the places to visit, the square and the Cathedral of Santo Stefano are very beautiful, the Kazaliste theater, the first public theater in Europe, the Franciscan monastery, the Spanish fortress, located above the upper city, where you can admire the beautiful panorama of the city and the Pakleni islands.

Stari grad, the old town, is the second most important place on the island.

Recommended readings
  • Istria: what to see in the largest Adriatic peninsula
  • Meleda (Croatia): what to see on the island
  • Korcula (Croatia): what to see on the island of Dalmatia
  • Makarska (Croatia): what to see on the Riviera
  • Bol, Supetar and Sutivan (Croatia): what to see on the island of Brac

In its fascinating historic center, the Church of San Giovanni and the ancient fortified castle are worth visiting. In front of this town lies the Kabal peninsula with beautiful coves and hidden beaches.

Vrboska, located at the bottom of a deep inlet, hides an interesting architectural heritage and intact vegetation.

Jelsa is a small port with a village behind it composed of ancient Venetian houses.

Hvar, Croatia: Made for Relaxing (March 2024)


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