Hvar town, its harbour and the Pakleni Islands from the walls of the Fortica
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Luxury in Croatia

Hvar

One of the sunniest islands in the Adriatic: a Renaissance harbour full of yachts, the Pakleni Islands offshore, lavender and vines, and Split’s Roman palace across the water.

Hvar and the Pakleni Islands from the ForticaPhotograph: Pexels

Dobro došli

An island of light and lavender

Hvar is one of the sunniest islands in the Adriatic, a long, narrow ridge of pine, vines and lavender off the Dalmatian coast. Hvar town, on its harbour, has a Renaissance square, a cathedral, one of the oldest public theatres in Europe and a Venetian fortress on the hill above.

On the north of the island, the fields of Stari Grad Plain have been farmed in the same stone-walled plots since the Greeks laid them out in the fourth century before Christ, and they are World Heritage. Off Hvar town lie the Pakleni Islands, a chain of pine-covered islets and coves where the yachts anchor.

Across the water, Split grew up inside the palace the Roman emperor Diocletian built for his retirement around AD 305, and its old town still lives within the palace walls. From Split and Hvar, a week by yacht reaches Brač, Vis and the outer islands.

A few words of Croatian
EnglishCroatianSay it
Hello (good day)Dobar danDOH-bar dahn
PleaseMolimMOH-leem
Thank youHvalaHVAH-lah
Good eveningDobra večerDOH-brah VEH-cher
The bill, pleaseRačun, molimRAH-choon, MOH-leem

Where to go

Hvar at a glance

When to go and how to arrive privately.

Hvar and Split

Best time to visitLate May to June and September are ideal: the sea is already warm, the days are long, and the harbours are calmer than in the July and August peak.

  • Stay
    None that meets our standard yet.
  • Dine
    None that meets our standard yet.
  • Beach
    None that meets our standard yet.
Arrive privately
By private jet
Split Airport (SPU / LDSP), about 30 minutes by car to Split; Hvar is an island with no airport for jets, so the onward leg is by helicopter or boat. Brač Airport (BWK / LDSB), on the neighbouring island, is an occasional alternative for some aircraft.
By helicopter
The fastest way to Hvar: transfers from Split Airport to Hvar Town or nearby landing points take about 15 to 20 minutes.
By sea
ACI Marina Split, 318 berths at the western end of Split's harbour, a few minutes from the old town; for Hvar, ACI Marina Palmižana on the Pakleni Islands takes yachts up to 40 metres, a short water-taxi ride from Hvar Town. A fast boat between Split and Hvar Town takes about an hour.

Cruises

Hvar by sea

How the ships arrive in Hvar, and the luxury lines that call.

Ships berth at Split, beside Diocletian's Palace; at Hvar they anchor off the town and bring guests ashore by tender.

The luxury lines that call here

From the lines' own 2026 and 2027 voyages. Ports change from season to season, so check the voyage before you reserve.

Luxury Cruise LinesSuites at Sea

Experience

Events and things to do in Hvar

The Hvar year: the great events, month by month; each event's own website gives this year's dates.

The great museums

Opera houses, concert halls and festivals

  • Peristyle of Diocletian's PalaceSplit

    The colonnaded court of the Roman emperor's palace, the open-air opera stage of the Split Summer Festival, founded in 1954 and held each July and August. Visit website ↗

Live

Luxury real estate in Hvar

A home in Hvar: the agencies and advisers at our standard, for the purchase and for life after it.

Prime real estate

  • Croatia Sotheby's International RealtySplit

    The Sotheby's affiliate for Croatia since 2017, covering luxury coastal property in Split, Dubrovnik, Trogir, Hvar, Brač and Primošten. Visit website ↗

All the leading agencies in Croatia ›

Looking for a home in Hvar? Write to travel@TheMediterranean.com and we will introduce you, in confidence, to the right agency.

Plan your trip

Luxury travel in Hvar and the Mediterranean: your questions answered

Plan your journey to Hvar

Where is Hvar?

An island off the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, south of Split. Split airport takes private jets; from there a private boat reaches Hvar town in about an hour, and seaplanes fly in summer.

What is Hvar famous for?

Hvar town and its harbour full of yachts, its sunshine, lavender and wine, the Pakleni Islands, the World Heritage Stari Grad Plain, and Split’s Diocletian’s Palace close by.

When is the best time to visit Hvar?

Late May to June and September are ideal: the sea is already warm, the days are long, and the harbours are calmer than in the July and August peak.

How do you arrive in Hvar by private jet?

Split Airport (SPU / LDSP), about 30 minutes by car to Split; Hvar is an island with no airport for jets, so the onward leg is by helicopter or boat.

Do you tip in Hvar?

Voluntary but appreciated: around 10% in restaurants for good service, 10–15% at upscale places in the big cities; round up for taxis. Luxury hotels: porters €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day.

What should you wear in Hvar?

Shoulders and knees covered in churches, cathedrals and monasteries. Town centres including Split and Dubrovnik issue on-the-spot fines for walking around shirtless or in swimwear. On yachts, soft-soled or bare feet on deck. Smart-casual for fine dining.

Beyond Hvar

More in Croatia

Dubrovnik and Split, and the Mediterranean beyond.

CroatiaLuxury Croatia Holidays: Dubrovnik & HvarExplore CroatiaThe MediterraneanTwenty-two countries and Gibraltar, first class onlyExplore the MediterraneanPlan your journeyFrom your home to Hvar, with the costsOpen the trip planner

Customs and etiquette

Customs and etiquette in Hvar

How Croatia does things.

Language
Croatian. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and marinas along the coast; German and Italian are common too.
Greetings
A handshake in formal settings; cheek kisses among friends and family. Dobar dan (good day) is the polite opener; use surnames and titles until invited otherwise.
Dress
Shoulders and knees covered in churches, cathedrals and monasteries. Town centres including Split and Dubrovnik issue on-the-spot fines for walking around shirtless or in swimwear. On yachts, soft-soled or bare feet on deck. Smart-casual for fine dining.
Dining
Lunch is traditionally the main meal; dinner is usually served well after 8 pm, later in summer. Meals are unhurried. Book ahead in Dubrovnik, Hvar and Split in high season.
Tipping
Voluntary but appreciated: around 10% in restaurants for good service, 10–15% at upscale places in the big cities; round up for taxis. Luxury hotels: porters €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day.
Good to know
Croatia uses the euro (since 2023). By law, shops may open on only 16 Sundays a year, so most are closed on Sundays. Climbing on monuments and drinking alcohol in public spaces also bring on-the-spot fines in many towns.

Every list on this page is checked by hand and dated: last checked October 2026. Hotels, restaurants and events link only to their own official websites, where confirmed.

The Mediterranean Season Letter

Where to be, every season

Four letters a year, one for each season: the Mediterranean from spring to autumn, and Beyond the Mediterranean, into the Alps, in winter. The one best hotel to book, and the events worth crossing a sea for.