This beautiful island in the Adriatic Sea is home to one of Europe’s most beautiful seaside towns and is known as the “sunniest place in Europe” with an average of over 2,715 hours of sunshine per year and hot Mediterranean temperatures in July and August.
The Croatian island of Hvar, off the Dalmatian coast, sits between the better-known islands of Brac, Vis and Korcula, but gets relatively little attention compared to them. In July, it can be scorching hot, with an average high of 31°C.
At 42.25 miles long and 6.5 miles wide at its widest point, the island has an area of 115 square miles, making it the fourth largest of Croatia’s islands. With a permanent population of 10,678, it is also the fourth most populous island.
There are several small islands off the south coast, including the Paklinski Islands and the island of Szczedoro.
Hvar is unique in the region in that it has an extensive fertile coastal plain, freshwater springs and rolling hills covered with pine forests, vineyards, olive groves, orchards and lavender fields, and offers beautiful hiking trails.
The island’s average high temperature in July and August is 29.5°C, with summer sea temperatures ranging from a mild 23-27°C. While Dubrovnik averages 7.2 hours of sunshine per day, Hvar enjoys an astounding 7.7 hours.
“Hvar has a special kind of sunlight that you just can’t find anywhere else,” Sarah Allard of Condé Nast Traveler told me. “As the sun gets lower, the ocean glows a turquoise and everything it hits turns like honey.”
Hvar boasts 158 miles of coastline, with a wide variety of secluded and developed beaches. There are numerous untouched bays accessible by car, bike or foot from the main town, most of which have restaurants and cafes. Beaches are generally rocky or pebbly, located in bays and surrounded by pine forests. There are also some natural sandy beaches, most of which are on the north side of the island, where strong winds (buras) and ocean waves make them more numerous.
Tourism has grown steadily and is now a major contributor to the island’s economy. The Hvar Sanitary Association, founded in 1868, was instrumental in developing the island’s infrastructure, including hotels, apartments, restaurants, a marina, museums, galleries and cafes. Today, the island is a popular tourist destination and is consistently ranked in Conde Nast’s top 10 islands.
Hvar Town is a major tourist destination. The largest public square, St. Stephen’s Square, faces the sea and fills with yachts and sailing ships in summer. The seaside promenade is bordered by rows of palm trees and old city walls from the 7th century. Particularly noteworthy attractions include St. Stephen’s Basilica and Flotica Fortress, which stands high above the town and dates back to before 500 BC. The views overlooking Hvar and the Pakleni Islands are worth a walk through the streets of the Old Town. Finally, the town hosts popular all-night discos, attracting many young tourists.
Located at the heart of the Adriatic sea routes, Hvar was an important centre for the region’s trade with Italy and the rest of the Mediterranean. The ancient Greeks founded the colony of Pharos in 384 BC on the site of present-day Stari Grad (Old Town), making it one of the oldest towns in Europe. The town is almost perfectly preserved or restored to its medieval form. Stari Grad is a more remote and quaint location than Hvar Town.
The Stari Grad Plain is a nature reserve and cultural landscape that “has remained partially intact since the original colonization,” featuring ancient stone walls and small shelters and providing “evidence of the ancient geometric land division system used by the ancient Greeks, the Chora, which has remained largely intact for more than 24 centuries,” according to UNESCO. In fact, the site was granted World Heritage status in 2008.
On TripAdvisor, visitors to Hvar Town Fortress say it’s “definitely worth a visit,” citing “stunning” views and the “great lighting at night.” Pokonji Dol Beach, about a 30-minute walk from the town center, is praised for its “clear, warm waters,” making it a great option for those looking for a “quiet beach.”
