Take a chance to discover beauty of islands located just off the mainland. The islands of Hvar, Brac and Korcula have an interesting story to tell that goes back to the Middle Ages. Unspoiled nature at a comfortable distance from mainland life can easily be reached on a day trip with many of the excursion vessels operating between the islands.
Hvar island
Hvar is located in the Adriatic Sea a bit southwest of Split along the Dalmatian coast and is one of the largest islands in the Croatian archipelago. The island is 68 km long and has an area of 297 km2. There are about 12,000 permanent residents on the island and the town of Hvar is with 4,000 inhabitants the island’s largest city. Ranked as one of the most sun-safe islands, Hvar is a real gem and a natural choice for many when it comes to sun holidays. There is no airport on the island, but you can easily get here by ferry from Split or using one of many private charters situated att almost all villages along the Makarska Riviera coast.
Here you can go to Napoleon’s fort, visit a museum in the Franciscan monastery, visit the many vineyards or enjoy the cultural landscape on the plains between the towns of Stari Grad and Jelsa, which are now on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The ancient Greek antiquities and olive groves make this an excellent combination of culture and dining experiences.
Getting around the island is not difficult. There are many local buses in shuttle traffic and also lots of boats that take you around the popular islands out in the archipelago. Beaches and coves can be seen not only on Hvar, but also on the small archipelago outside known as the Pakleni Islands. However, the best way to see the island is to rent a bike or take a jeep safari to discover the hidden gems. Otherwise, you can look around the area on foot if you have the energy and time.
When you then want to eat a bite, just turn your head to find one of the island’s many delicious restaurants serving typical Croatian food. Wild cabbage that grows everywhere, goat cheese from the island’s goats and all different kinds of fish are important parts of the food here. Try Gregada or Rosada and rinse it down with that juicy food wine or a sweet dessert wine.
Hvar is full of surprises and wonderful beaches where you can both swim naked and fish, picnic or just enjoy the view. Countless lagoons are waiting to be discovered, most of them uninhabited. Some of them are larger in model and offer a complete experience in a smaller format. A good example is Vrboska on the north coast of the island.
Hvar is an excellent base for exploring the nearest major neighbors in the Dalmatian archipelago. Brac attracts with the protruding dream beach at Bol while Vis attracts with its villages with vineyards and orchards and a slow pace.
