A guide to the best unique activities in Hvar, Croatia

I did a lot of traveling in the past month, but I have to say that Croatia was the most memorable. Originally I had planned to go to Dubrovnik, but I’m so happy our group booked Split & Hvar instead. Both towns originally became popular because of yacht week and partying, but they offer so much more! If you’re looking for a guide to the best unique activities in Hvar, Croatia, read on.

Why this trip is worth it

Visiting Hvar this summer was one of the best trips I’ve had in a long time. It’s perfect for a few friends or a family, since there are plenty of group activities you can do. But it’s also great for couples, with plenty of romantic sunsets and intimate restaurants.

It reminds me a lot of Greece, the first time I went a decade ago. Very clean, beautiful buildings and limestone streets, and the people are kind and welcoming. There aren’t many dishes in terms of local cuisine, but the baked goods are phenomenal. Most people speak English, but they will appreciate a “hvala” (thank you) or a “zdravo” (hello).

Hvar or Split?

I highly recommend going the extra hour by ferry and staying in Hvar. Split is beautiful, but Hvar is much more quaint and romantic. It also has more beach clubs close by if you’re looking to party.

How to get there

Getting to Hvar is easy. The town of Split is about 20 minutes from the airport, which has a ton of direct flights from major cities in Europe. Hvar is just an hour ferry from the port of Split – look for the direct routes than run a few times per day, through the company Jadrolinija.

Where to stay

Hvar is a fairly large island. I recommend staying in Hvar town near the port, since it’s easy access to all the best activities.

Best hotel for couples

Our friends stayed at the Adriana Spa Hotel, which had a great breakfast included. Their room was the Terrace Spa Suite, which had an epic private roof terrace (trust me, the pictures don’t do it justice). It’s a great place to hang out in the evenings, since it has a day bed with an excellent view of the sunset. The room also has a luxury tub and updated finishes. It’s a little farther down the port, but still a very easy walk to restaurants and beach clubs.

Best hotel for groups

We stayed at Hotel Park, which is the perfect location to walk into the port or the nearby beach clubs. The rooms themselves are a little outdated, but clean and spacious. The rates also include breakfast on a gorgeous outdoor terrace. Plus it has a bar below that plays live music.

Best luxury hotel

Our hotel was right next to the Palace Elisabeth, which is the first 5 star hotel in Hvar. Super glamorous with a gorgeous terrace, so if you’re more of a luxury traveler definitely book a room here.

What to do

Since Hvar is famous for yacht week and partying, I’ve naturally included a few recommendations for beach clubs below. However, my favorite activities were actually much more relaxing (and you can do them as a couple or with a group).

Charter a boat

This is a MUST do activity in Hvar. It was the most memorable experience for us on our trip. Renting a boat for the full day really allows you to see If you get sea sick, make sure you bring some dramamine and sea bands for your wrists (these are the best). You can rent through clickandboat.com (I have used this service in the past and highly recommend it), or go through the experiences page on AirBnb.

Since we were a large group our tour was private, which means we were able to dictate the stops we had. You can also rent a boat to drive yourself, but I highly recommend having a captain. It’s safer, and they know all of the best stops.

Visit the blue cave

Another must see on your trip to Hvar – I’ve never seen anything like the blue cave. It was so perfectly gorgeous and serene that it reminded me of a ride at Disneyland – it’s THAT beautiful. The sunlight reflects off of white sand underneath the water and into the cave, causing a bright blue glow.

It’s a UNESCO heritage site so you aren’t able to swim in the cave, but it’s easy to get to by a special boat you can catch when the tide is low. You can also visit the green cave which allows swimming, but in my opinion the blue cave is more beautiful and a better experience.

Visit Stiniva beach

We stopped at several swimming locations, including the famous Blue Lagoon. However, the small Stiniva beach on the island of Vis was definitely my favorite. It’s a quiet and secluded cove, with a picturesque little beach bar cottage (remember to bring cash for this). You can access it by foot if you happen to be on Vis, but it can be a bit difficult. It’s much easier to access by boat, and because the tide is so calm it’s an easy swim or float into the bay.

Carpe Diem

This was the best evening experience, if you want a more upbeat club vibe. There are actually two Carpe Diems: one in town that closes at midnight, and one on another island across the water that is open until 5am. The clubs run a ferry between the two, starting at 12:30am.

The bar in the port is fun, but the real party is on the island. The music is fantastic (think European house vibes), and they have entertainment on stage like dancers and saxaphone players. The whole place looks like it’s out of Alice in Wonderland!

Just be aware that although the ferry to the island is free, you do need to pay an entrance fee (~20-25 euro when we went in the summer of 2021).

Beach Club Hvar

Beach Club Hvar is a must visit, especially if you’re looking for a more subdued daytime experience. It’s perfect for couples or a group. We rented a cabana area on a deck that was a good size for six people. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth the price since it includes a bottle of Moët and full service for the day. You can jump off into the ocean (just be careful of water depth), and it had a private ladder to climb back to your cabana.

Where to eat

As I mentioned, there aren’t too many specialty Croatian dishes – it’s mostly seafood that you would find in many countries along the Mediterranean or Adriatic sea. However, you should definitely grab a cheese burek pastry, which you can find at any bakery. If you’re looking for sit down lunch or dinner options, here are my recommendations.

Fig

We had dinner at Fig on our last night, and I have to say the food was delicious. It’s an interesting mix of Mexican and Mediterranean – I recommend trying the pulled pork. They are open most of the day, so it’s also a good place to stop for breakfast if it’s not included in your hotel.

Plava Alga

Plava Alga was recommended to us by the staff at Hvar Beach Club. It has a beautiful terrace overlooking the port, and is conveniently located next to Carpe Diem. The local seafood dishes were very good, and the service was great as well.

Mamato beach bar

Mamato is another place that is really only accessible by boat. We had one of the most memorable meals here – the view is incredibly picturesque, and the food was outstanding. Get the Croatian seafood, or have the chef recommend a selection of dishes. Service is quite slow as everything is fresh, so plan to spend at least 2 hours here for a lunch.

What to wear

Since the streets are uneven stones, flat sandals are best. I did pack a pair of low heeled mules, which worked for evenings out to dinner or to the beach clubs. Black and white dresses are always classic, but bright colors like red, orange, and pink will also work well here. And of course, don’t forget to pack a swimsuit!

• Black and white midi dresses for evenings (some good options here)
• Red, orange, or pink sun dresses for daytime
• Flat sandals
• Low heeled mules
• A straw or rattan bag
• A sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Swimsuits!