The best time to visit Hvar – WHEN TO GO AND WHAT TO EXPECT

Peak season on Hvar is pure summer electricity: marked by high temperatures, a vibrant atmosphere, and busy beaches. For families travelling to Hvar with children, this is often the only window that matches school holidays, so the island naturally fills with children and the happy chaos that comes with them.

A word to the wise: if you’re planning to visit during peak season, book ahead! Not just a place to stay, but rental cars, boat tours, and any other desired excursions. Accommodation and ferries can, and do, sell out completely, and last-minute scrambles rarely end well.

Nightlife lovers should know that the best time to be on Hvar is unquestionably this peak summer period. Outside those months, the clubs are noticeably sleepier, and before June or from October, many close their doors entirely.

One big advantage of high summer is the increased number of transport options. Up to ten daily catamarans run direct from Split to Hvar Town, spreading departures from morning till evening and making flights into Split Airport easier to sync. The 2025 fare was around €25 one-way, but popular sailings (especially the convenient late-night ones back to Split) can sell out, so reserve ahead. Read our guide for a full understanding of how to get to Hvar.

Why People Come: Guaranteed sunshine, swimming conditions perfect, island accessibility (increased number of mainland catamaran connections), vibrant nightlife and events. Read our guide to Hvar Island’s best beaches.

Where It's Crowded: Hvar Town centre becomes genuinely packed, especially late July to the first half of August. The beaches close by the town fill considerably. Parking becomes difficult.

Where It's Still Peaceful: Countryside villages such as Pitve, Svirče, and Vrbanj remain cooler and uncrowded. Private villas with pools offer perfect escapes from crowds. Quieter coastal towns such as Jelsa retain charm.

Practical Considerations: July and August prices peak, often 30-50% higher than spring/autumn. Book well in advance. Consider visiting June or late August for better crowd/price balance.

Recommendation: If you insist on summer, try visiting June or late August; or for peak summer stays, stay in private villas with pools (avoiding beach crowds), and plan day trips during off-peak hours.

Weather: 26-33°C (79-91°F), consistent sunshine, occasional summer storms

Advantages:

Considerations:

Hvar summer is all about heat, salt, and long, lazy days. Pack light and breezy:

Evenings stay warm, so a jacket is rarely needed. The only real essentials are sun protection and something to swim in, everything else is optional.

The long, hot days and warm sea make summer the undisputed champion for:

If your dream holiday revolves around sun, sea, and that irresistible holiday buzz, summer is when Hvar turns the volume all the way up. Read our full guide: Things to do on Hvar.

Our favourite time of year on Hvar is the “shoulder-season”: late April to mid-June, all of September, and the first half of October. During these periods, the island breathes easier: crowds are thinner, restaurant tables open up without reservations, and prices are considerably lower. The weather is near-perfect: sunny days hovering between 15-25°C, soft breezes that turn every hike, bike ride, or aimless wander through stone villages into effortless pleasure. (See our guide to outdoor activities on Hvar: this is the season when the island’s rugged, fragrant wild side is at its most inviting).

Spring (especially May) is when the island slips into its most flamboyant outfit: wildflowers everywhere, bougainvillea blossoms, asparagus shoots up along the paths, and an intense green you only see after winter rain. Swimming is possible but likely brisk as the sea is refreshing rather than warm, we recommend packing a light wetsuit if you’re not so hardy. Expect the odd rainy day or gusty wind, yet the trade-off is having entire beaches and UNESCO sites virtually to yourself.

Autumn, though, is the travel connoisseur’s choice. The sea hangs onto summer’s warmth well into October (20-22°C is normal), while the air cools to a perfect 20-25°C. You can hike to abandoned villages, explore Stari Grad Plain, or climb to Hvar Fortress while breaking less of a sweat, then reward yourself with a long, lazy swim. Autumn also brings harvest season; a time when vineyards burst with activity, olive groves undergo their annual picking, and local food festivals celebrate the year's bounty. You'll witness authentic cultural traditions rather than tourist spectacles, engage with locals who suddenly have time to talk, and enjoy restaurant tables without reservations weeks in advance.

Note that popular spots, such as Hvar Town and Stari Grad, won't be entirely uncrowded. Early September is nearly as busy as July and August (especially on weekends), but the crowds subside the farther you get into shoulder season. By the first week of October, some restaurants are already closing down for the winter.

Financially, spring and autumn holidays offer exceptional value. Villa prices drop by 30-50% compared to peak summer rates, whilst the quality of your experience arguably improves. You'll find available flights, uncrowded beaches, and the luxury of spontaneity: deciding each morning whether to visit that famous archaeological site or simply lounge by your private pool.

Why Travellers Love It: Spring delivers Hvar’s nature at its best, temperatures are comfortable for walking, crowds remain manageable, and prices haven't peaked. By autumn, crowds thin considerably, prices drop, and weather remains ideal with the seas at their warmest of the year.

Where to Stay: Everywhere works beautifully. Hvar Town and Stari Grad retain lively atmospheres without the summer intensity. Beaches invite swimming without crowds. The countryside and mountain villages are quiet. Spring and autumn are arguably the best seasons for experiencing authentic Hvar.

Challenges: Minimal, but some restaurants/attractions reduce hours outside summer; and occasional rainfall requires flexibility.

Recommendation: If possible, visit Hvar in spring or autumn. You'll experience the island at its absolute best – ideal weather, manageable crowds, great prices, authentic atmosphere.

Weather: Spring sees temperatures of 15-25°C (59-77°F), occasional rainfall, and increasingly sunny days. Autumn sees temperatures of 17-25°C (62-77°F), generally sunny, low rainfall, perfect swimming conditions.

Sea Temperature: 13-18°C (55-64°F) in Spring; 18-22°C (64-72°F) in Autumn

Spring and autumn weather requires versatile packing. Daytime temperatures support summer clothing – light dresses, shorts, linen shirts – whilst evenings often need a light jacket or cardigan. Include:

The moderate temperatures and thinner crowds make spring and autumn ideal for activities that would otherwise be challenging in summer's heat:

Winter on Hvar tells a very different story. The island sleeps, dreaming of the next season’s arrivals. But for those in search of restorative peace, this quiet chapter may be the most magical of all. Most restaurants pull down their shutters, ferries thin out, and the streets belong to the locals and the wind. For anyone craving genuine quiet, this is when Hvar feels most itself.

November through December the island sees a lot of rain, although nothing like the UK or the Low Countries. January through March can be surprisingly bright and mild (10-15°C), perfect for long coastal walks, sketching empty bays, or writing the book you’ve been putting off. The light is softer, the colours muted, and the only soundtrack is waves on stone and the occasional church bell.

Facilities are deliberately sparse. A handful of cafés in the towns stay open, the village bakery still fires up at dawn, and there’s always one konoba that decides winter is the perfect time to perfect its peka. A small, hardy band of expats (us included!) keeps the social flame flickering with fireside gatherings and the odd pop-up dinner.

Winter on Hvar is not a holiday for ticking boxes; it’s one for filling journals. A select few of our villas remain open all winter, wood stoves lit, linen warmed, and we’re here to help craft slow, intentional days: a private olive-oil tasting, a guided off-season hike, or simply the luxury of waking to utter silence and deciding the agenda over coffee.

Hvar doesn’t hibernate; it simply glows quieter. And for some of us, that’s when it’s at its most beautiful.

Our carefully curated selection of luxury villas across Hvar provides the perfect foundation for your holiday at any time of year. Each property combines exceptional locations with thoughtful design, private pools, and the space to truly relax. In summer, our villas usually book months in advance, whereas autumn and spring offer greater availability and flexibility.

Our villas feature characteristics particularly valuable for out-of-season stays: