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Things to do in Hvar Island

Stylish port towns, fine dining, and beach parties make this Croatian gem the place to be on the Adriatic Sea.

Our most recommended things to do in Hvar Island

From Split & Trogir: 5 Islands Day Trip with Blue Cave

1. From Split & Trogir: 5 Islands Day Trip with Blue Cave

Visit 5 of Croatia’s islands in style with a fun-filled day trip by speedboat. Head on an adventure where you explore caves, swim and snorkel, and discover Dalmatian towns.  Choose either Trogir or Split as your starting point. And best of all, choose from either a small-group or private experience.  Cruise on a 90-minute speedboat journey to reach the island of Biševo where the Blue Cave is located. Hop into a smaller local boat and explore the stunning Cave from the inside and admire its vibrant blue glow.  Continue next to the island of Vis. Explore the village of Komiža with 1 hour of free time. Discover the traditional Dalmatian fishing village with its narrow streets, pebble beaches, and inviting promenade.   Swing by Stiniva Cove next, accessing the cove at the sunniest time of the day for a quick 15-minute dip. Then head to Budikovac Island for your next activity: snorkeling and swimming in the Blue Lagoon. Borrow the snorkeling gear onboard to enjoy a relaxing hour-long dip here, or even a refreshment on the beach. Last up is a visit to Hvar, with some free time to eat lunch and do some sightseeing in the picturesque port city. Highlights include the historic town center and the Španjola Fortress’ views of the Pakleni Islands. Relax and enjoy the scenery as you are then transported back to Split or Trogir.

Split: Blue Cave, Vis & Hvar Full-Day Trip by Speedboat

2. Split: Blue Cave, Vis & Hvar Full-Day Trip by Speedboat

Get an ultimate snapshot of central Dalmatia on a full-day speedboat tour. Depart from Split and visit the spectacular Blue Cave, the picturesque Pakleni Island, and the charming town of Hvar. Set off from Split and head first to one of Croatia’s most stunning natural wonders; the Blue Cave on Biševo Island. Watch the rays of the sun turn the grotto blue. The next stop is Seal Monk Cave, another beautiful natural landmark. Soak up the sun in Stiniva Cove on Vis Island. Marvel at the beauty of the pebble beach enclosed by vertical cliffs.  Explore its beauty from the speedboat and take a picture of this unspoiled attraction. Then, submerge yourself in Budikovac’s turquoise lagoon, or let curiosity guide you past the extended pebble beach of Dalmatia’s only island with a single inhabitant. Explore the Pakleni Islands, a collection of 14 untouched islets. Go to one of the cocktail bars with great music, or swim in the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic. Continue to Hvar Town in style and visit the charming seaside town with 8 centuries of architecture waiting to be explored. Climb the stairs to the ancient Fortica Fortress, wedged into the landscape above the town. Breathe in the pine-scented breeze as you admire the vistas of the old town below and the Pakleni archipelago in the distance. See one of the first public theaters in Europe, and keep this as your point of reference before entering the labyrinthine backstreets of town to pop into craft shops and cafés, tucked into old Venetian palaces. Finally, return to Split in the early evening.

From Hvar: Blue and Green Cave Day Tour

3. From Hvar: Blue and Green Cave Day Tour

Enjoy a speedboat tour from Hvar to the Green Cave on Ravnik. Enter the Blue Cave on Biševo island and stop for a refreshing dip at Stiniva Cove. Cruise through the Paklinski islands and visit the turquoise waters of Vinogradišce bay.  Take a speedboat to have an extraordinary experience swimming in the Green and Blue Caves. Swim, sunbathe, and relax in pristine waters and amongst stunning scenery. Meet your skipper and other tour guests at the seafront in Hvar where you'll board a speed boat for an adventurous ride while enjoying the sun and waves. The first stop is the Green Cave on the Islet of Ravnik, well-known for its gorgeous color. Here you will have the chance to swim inside the cave and enjoy the natural, emerald light show. Your skippers will share interesting stories and fun facts about the places see. Next, head to the Island of Biševo, where the Blue Cave, one of the wonders of the Adriatic coast, is located. After reaching Biševo, disembark from the speedboat and board the Blue Cave’s shuttlecraft, which will take you directly inside the cave. You will have enough time to take pictures and enjoy the silvery-­blue color created by the sun as it bathes the inside of the cave through an opening in the roof and is reflected back by the sandy sea bottom below. From the Blue Cave, head to a small, hidden bay named Stiniva Cove where you can jump from the speedboat into the sea to take a short swim through the Stiniva Gates. You'll find yourself inside a beautiful cove, surrounded by magnificent rocks. Enjoy swimming or get out on the pebble beach of Stiniva to take breathtaking photos, sunbathe, or have a cold drink at the beach bar. The Pakleni Islands, a chain of islands located right opposite the town of Hvar, are the final stop on the tour. Discover one of the archipelago’s most popular bays, Vinogradišce at Palmižana, where you can have a seaside lunch at one of the best restaurants in the Adriatic (at your own expense). After lunch, you'll have time to enjoy more swimming, relaxing, or sunbathing before you head back to Hvar at sunset.

From Hvar: Yacht Tour to the Pakleni Islands

4. From Hvar: Yacht Tour to the Pakleni Islands

Feel the excitement of sailing on a modern 36-foot yacht to the Pakleni island chain from the city of Hvar. Choose from a group trip to the island or a more exclusive private trip.  Board the ship and listen to a short safety briefing and introduction to the ship. Snap some pictures of Hvar as you depart. Have the chance to maneuver the yacht yourself on days where the weather conditions are optimal, or sit back and let your professional skipper do the sailing for you.  Soak up some sun while you sail to the Pakleni islands. Stop for an hour at a natural bay where you can snorkel or paddle through the turquoise waters. Get back on the ship and make your way around the islands.  Dive into the water at another bay and have some free time to explore the islands. Buy a coffee at a local café or head to a bar for a tropical cocktail concoction. Cruise back to your starting point in Hvar. 

Hvar: Wine and Olive Oil Tasting Tour

5. Hvar: Wine and Olive Oil Tasting Tour

Embark on an insightful adventure through the traditional wine region of Vinogorje Hvar. Visit ancient local wineries and admire views of the vast vineyards on a guided tour. Taste a variety of wines and pair them with delicious traditional treats. Drive to Jelsa and visit one of the most famous Croatian winemakers. Jelsa is a small coastal town with a long and proud wine-making tradition. In Jelsa young, admire the ambitious ”wine newcomers” without vineyards or with very small land plots. They base wine production on grapes purchased from other farmers. Here in Croatia, Dubokovic wines have become a ”must have” in the finest restaurants, hotels, and specialized wine shops. Dubokovic – Medvid wines now have the distinction of being the most expensive regular vintage wines in the country. The Carić family has been involved with vineyards for generations, however, it was not before Vino Hvar was established that they started to produce their own Carič wines. Their work in the vineyards is just as important to them as their work in the winery. There are 5 hectares of vineyards in the specially designated wine growing area known as Vinogorje Hvar. The family also grows indigenous varieties: Plavac Mali, Bogdanjuša, Kuč, Maraština, Darnekuša and Pošip. In addition they purchase a small amount of grapes from contract growers to complement their crop.

From Split: Blue Cave & Five Islands With Hvar Boat Tour

6. From Split: Blue Cave & Five Islands With Hvar Boat Tour

On this round-trip tour from Split, see 5 islands and 7 locations via speed boat. Enjoy the ultimate off-shore experience with swimming breaks, free time, and unbeatable island views. Visit the Blue Cave, Stiniva Beach, Hvar Island, and more. The journey begins in Split, then, after 90 minutes, arrive at the most famous place on the Adriatic, Blue Cave. Blue Cave on Biševo Island is one of the surreal places that remind people how amazing this world is beyond the city. After the visit to the cave, head to Pritiscina Bay where you can cliff jump or take a swim. Later, head to the southern part of the island and visit Stiniva Beach, voted the best beach in Europe. Thi beech is secluded with a sea entrance that’s just 16-feet wide. Enjoy another swimming break at the hidden turquoise Blue Lagoon on Island Ravnik. Marvel at the untouched nature of this part of the island as you get plenty of time to relax on the pebbled beach and soak up the sun. Next on the itinerary is the beautiful city of Hvar on Hvar Island. You'll have two hours for lunch and to explore this city of exquisite architecture. Before the conclusion of the trip, go to another swimming and snorkeling spot in Stipanska Bay at the Pakleni Islands.

From Split: Blue Cave and Hvar Full-Day Tour

7. From Split: Blue Cave and Hvar Full-Day Tour

Meet the group near Riva promenade and board a speedboat for an adventure. Ride 1 hour and 15 minutes to the Blue Cave on the island of Biševo. The early morning is perfect for spotting groups of dolphins. Once near Biševo, the boat will anchor 200 meters from the Blue Cave. Entry tickets allow access to the swimming area and a chance to explore the Blue Cave in a small boat. Marvel at the flickering blue lights and glowing water. Before leaving, grab a drink at a local café.  Next, visit Stiniva Cove, located in the southern part of Vis – the furthest inhabited island in Croatia. Known for its high limestone cliffs and pebble beach, Stiniva is the perfect place to swim and snorkel. Admire the clear turquoise sea, ranging from 10-15 meters.  Continue to Budikovac, a small and almost uninhabited island. Meet its only permanent resident, Mr. Andro, an ex-ship captain who runs a small restaurant on the island that serves the best traditional Dalmatian cuisine. Savor local produce fresh from his vegetable fields and visit the donkeys and chickens on the farm.  Admire Mr. Andro's Dalmatian-style stone house and take a break to check out the island. Then, it’s time to head to the Pakleni Islands where you can delve further into the local food by choosing from several restaurants overlooking the sea. Have a cocktail at a beach bar and relax on the sandy beach. Your next stop, Hvar Island, is just 15 away. Once in the port town, walk the old-town streets and pass by souvenir shops. Visit historical sites such as the Arsenal, one of the oldest theaters in Europe, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Franciscan Monastery, and the Bishop’s Palace. To catch some panoramic views of Hvar and the Pakleni islands, you can go up to the Spanjola fortress. After a tour of Hvar, begin the return journey to Split.

From Split: All-inclusive Blue Cave Tour with Grilled Lunch

8. From Split: All-inclusive Blue Cave Tour with Grilled Lunch

We meet the waterfront promenade “Riva“, right in front of the Local Port authority building “Kapetanija“, 50m south of Bocca bar and Go Adventure. Take a day cruise from Split to explore Komiža and Hvar, swim and snorkel in pristine waters, and savor local cuisine on Vis island in a private bay. Enjoy beer, wine, soda, croissants, donuts, and waffles onboard. Use the snorkeling gear provided when entering the Blue Lagoon on Budikovac island. The tour starts in the morning to ensure a head start on other tour groups. Once everybody is seated you had out towards the Blue Cave where you are taken inside with small fishermen's boats for a sightseeing tour. After that, visit Komiža town on Vis island, the most beautiful fishermen's village in the Mediterranean. You can get some coffee there and go for a swim. Your next destination is Budikovac island's Blue Lagoon where you have more free time. Feel free to use the provided snorkeling gear and towels. Next, you head to a private bay on Vis island, Milna, where you will be served a freshly grilled lunch. Take a swim after enjoying your coffee and ice cream. Last but not least, visit Hvar town, where you have around 2 hours to relax and explore before heading back to Split.

Paklinski Islands: Hvar Half-Day Morning Sailing Tour

9. Paklinski Islands: Hvar Half-Day Morning Sailing Tour

Your departure time for your half-day sailing tours is 10 AM, at which point you depart from the Hvar main harbor catamaran ferry dock. Throughout your tour, experience dynamic and adventurous sailing on a 37-foot racing sailboat which is especially set up for single-handed racing. Begin with 2 hours' sailing, following which you enjoy an hour to swim and refresh yourself at some of the secluded coves of the Paklinski Islands. These coves are only accessible by boat, and following your hour there you sail back to the Hvar town harbor. Throughout your tour, travel with a professional skipper, and rest assured with full passenger and third-party insurance.. There are drinks on board, consisting of non-alcoholic beverages and bottled water. Your guide also treats you to, snorkeling gear, and a stand-up paddle board throughout your tour.

From Hvar: Blue Cave, Green Cave & 5 Islands Speedboat Tour

10. From Hvar: Blue Cave, Green Cave & 5 Islands Speedboat Tour

Enjoy a speedboat excursion from Hvar and visit the famous Blue Cave during an adventure to 5 beautiful islands. Take some time for swimming, sunbathing, or snorkeling on beautiful beaches with clear waters. After departing from the port of Hvar, zoom across the waves to the first stop on the tour at the blue lagoon on Budikovac island. Enjoy swimming or snorkeling in the crystal clear waters which have shimmering colors of blue and green under the sky. Travel next to the Blue and Green Cave, named for the colorful reflections of sunlight within, creating an enchanting natural sight. Travel next to the Stiniva Cove on the island of Vis. Admire the unique appearance of one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe with some time for relaxing in the clear blue water. Alternatively, you can swim to shore and get some great photos from the slopes surrounding the beach. On our way back to the starting point, make a stop at the Pakleni Islands. Take a short cruise around these small islands and make a stop at Palmižana, known for its sandy beach. Afterward, ride the waves back to the port of Hvar.

Other Sightseeing Options in Hvar Island

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What people are saying about Hvar Island

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 3,943 reviews

Beautiful city, many interesting things about it. We enjoyed listening to our guide who was easy to understand and follow. It was not boring or overwhelming. Nice introduction to this part of Croatia as well. It was amazing, thank you.

Hvar is a beautiful city. We really enjoyed exploring it with our knowledgeable guide. The weather was perfect and we heard many interesting stories. We recommend this tour.

Nice way to learn about the cities. We saw many interesting locations and learned wonderful stories. Definitely consider doing the tour.

Wonderful town, small but so many amazing stories and things to see. We really enjoyed this tour, definitely do it.

Hvar is a beautiful city and we really enjoyed this tour. The guide did a great job and was very nice.