Travel Journals

Hvar Town stands as the beating heart of Croatia’s sunniest island, a fortified harbour settlement where Renaissance palaces and marble-paved squares rise straight from the water’s edge. Perched on the island’s southwestern tip, this compact town holds more history, culture, and waterfront glamour per metre than almost anywhere else in the Adriatic.

Stari Grad, which in Croatian just means “Old Town”, is indeed the oldest town on the island and one of the oldest in Europe. The entire town, with buildings and streets hewn from local stone, is an archaeological site, dating back thousands of years. With its deep harbour meeting an immortal landscape of olives, vineyards, and forested hills, Stari Grad feels a world away from glitzy Hvar Town.

A seaside town with a dazzling view across sea and mountains, Jelsa is a quietly elegant summer destination ideal for families. Cafe bars, al fresco dining, an open-air cinema, farmer's markets, a vast kids’ park, jogging paths, and a zillion gelato bars line Jelsa’s beautifully maintained waterfront.

This quaint former fishing village is defined by its charming canal, flanked by classic Dalmatian stone houses and elegant bridges. Though small, Vrboska brims with vibrant life above its calm waters, with delightful restaurants and cafe bars lining its harbour.

This peaceful, family-oriented seaside village is located on the southern coast of Hvar. Ivan Dolac is located on a slope, which affords breathtaking views of the Adriatic and the surrounding landscapes. It's a great place to watch the sun go down.

Sandwiched between sheer cliffs of the island’s highest point and the clear sea into which they rapidly descend, Sveta Nedjelja’s geography is quite unlike any other. This sharp collision of mountain and sea has formed some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

Few visitors encounter the small village of Zastražišće, but for those who like to get off the beaten path, it is well worth the effort, boasting some of the island’s most stunning beaches and a glimpse at a forgotten way of life.

On Hvar’s northern coast, midway between Stari Grad and Jelsa, Basina is renowned for its picturesque beauty and convenient location. It's a place families return to year after year, checking every box on the list for a memorable, kid-friendly holiday.

Pitve is one of the oldest hamlets on the island, established to watch over the settlements and fields below from its incredible vantage point. There is no new construction here, just beautifully restored stone houses in a setting that would suit a Mediterranean fairy tale.

Svirče is one of a series of delightfully picturesque villages situated in the lowlands at the foot of Hvar’s highest point. Life here revolves around the sprawling agricultural fields and vineyards, offering a refreshing glimpse into the rural Mediterranean of the past.

Just a few kilometres inland from the coastal summer bustle of Hvar, the abandoned village of Malo Grablje tells the story of a bygone Mediterranean era. Wander the village’s hauntingly beautiful ruins in which time seems to have stood still.

One of a series of extremely charming little villages nestled into the northern side of the island’s mountainous ridge, Vrbanj offers a feeling of refreshment and well-appreciated shade in the summer heat of the rural Mediterranean.

Once a bustling pastoral village, the abandoned hamlet of Humac now stands as a pristine preservation of agricultural life as it once was. Whether for a half-day trip or as the setting for your vacation, Humac is a truly enchanting place not to be missed.