Ivan Dolac – THE 2026 TRAVEL GUIDE

You have landed on our guide to Ivan Dolac, a delightful coastal village on Hvar Island. We are Hvar Away, producing detailed local guides and travel journals to help you make the most of your visit to Hvar.

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Ivan Dolac is situated on the southern coast of Hvar and it is one of the island’s most picturesque settlements. The village is located on a slope, which affords breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea and the surrounding landscapes. It's a great place to watch the sun go down.

The village has several beautiful pebble beaches and secluded coves, making it an ideal spot for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. Compared to some of the more bustling towns on the island of Hvar, Ivan Dolac maintains a more tranquil and family-friendly atmosphere.

Ivan Dolac is an excellent choice for travellers seeking a relaxing vacation away from crowds, while all the everyday facilities remain within easy walking distance: a minimart, a fresh market stall, along with some restaurants and café bars.

While Ivan Dolac gives you plenty of reasons to stay put, its location also makes it a convenient base for exploring further afield on the island, as you will see below. The nearest town is Jelsa, a 20-minute drive away. There you will find a wider choice of restaurants and bars, daily farmers' markets, a vast children's park, and even an open-air cinema. Jelsa's beautifully kept riva is lined with gelato shops, offering a buzzy change of pace to the tranquillity of Ivan Dolac. It is an easy spot for an evening out or to stock up on supplies, with a petrol station just outside town along with two substantial grocery stores nearby.

The finest activity in Ivan Dolac is often doing very little: what locals term ‘fjaka’, a kind of relaxed siesta that embraces all manner of pleasant idleness. The village has a main beach, which is a (sometimes crowded) family favourite, but you can simply wander left or right along the shore to claim your quieter patch of pebbles.

Once you have properly recharged, the surrounding area provides plenty of options for day trips and outings if the mood for a bit more activity strikes.

The village of Sveta Nedjelja is just 5 kilometres, or an 8-minute drive, west of Ivan Dolac. It is a small, ancient settlement with a long history of fishing, trading, and winemaking, much like Ivan Dolac.

There are three stand-out things to do here:

A short boat ride from the coast near Ivan Dolac brings you to Šćedro, a small island protected as a nature park. Its two deep, sheltered bays and fertile soil have long made it a safe refuge for sailors. Even now, it is a popular anchorage for yachts and sailboats looking for peaceful waters.

Remarkably, this peaceful island was once the scene of a major naval battle in the ancient world. In 47 BC, Julius Caesar's forces clashed with those of Pompey here, giving Caesar control over nearby Vis and, in time, the wider Adriatic.

Divers find Šćedro especially rewarding, thanks to several intriguing underwater sites. Highlights include a well-preserved 2nd-century BC shipwreck carrying more than 80 intact amphorae, the wreckage of a Second World War fighter plane, and a submerged Roman villa in relatively shallow water. The blend of rich history and natural beauty makes the island a standout choice for anyone discovering this part of Hvar.

A perfect day on Šćedro often starts with a short private boat trip, allowing you to explore the quieter corners at your leisure. Standout spots include Tufera Cove on the western side, a rare sandy beach by local standards, and Portoruša Beach on the southern coast, with its smooth fine pebbles and generous shade from the bordering pines. If you would rather keep things straightforward, simply moor in the main bay using the designated buoys. There is plenty to enjoy without venturing further.

The bay hosts several solid restaurants worth seeking out. Restaurant Jakas earns consistent praise for its lobster dishes and attentive service. Amfora Food & Wine is a dependable choice for expertly prepared sea bass, while on the western side of the bay you will find Rato's Grill. Here the owner, Roberto, serves straightforward grilled catch straight off the fire.

Just around the corner and easily reached by boat or a short coastal path, Restaurant Moster occupies a quieter bay and offers a proper slow food experience. Book a table and it is yours for the evening. The set menu keeps things straightforward as a family-run restaurant helmed by local fishermen. Choose from the catch of the day, fresh fish or ribeye steak, two side dishes and their daily homemade bread, baked just like grandma used to do.

While you are in Moster Bay, take a gentle walk uphill to the ruins of the Church of St. Mary of Mercy, an ancient stone chapel that carries a quietly mystical air amid the surrounding pines and olive groves.

Despite its air of seclusion and historical intrigue, Šćedro is remarkably straightforward to reach from Ivan Dolac. If you do not have your own boat, drive just 10 minutes east along the coastal road to Zavala. From there, daily water taxis depart at 10:00 and 11:00, delivering you to the island without any fuss, and returning in the later afternoon.

When you’re ready to hit the beach again, a little exploration can offer major rewards. Rent a boat (if you have a skipper license) or jump in the car, and start exploring.

On the south side of Hvar, you are spoilt for choice with a series of unforgettably beautiful beaches, curtained by vertiginously steep vineyards and limestone cliffs, dotted along the coast.

Drive east for 10 minutes to the neighbouring village of Zavala, where you will find a string of some of the island’s most gorgeous coves, including Skalinada, Petarčica, and Žučica on the eastern edge of Zavala, and accessible only via gravel road and a short hike.

The area surrounding Ivan Dolac has pristine beaches in both directions, though. A 5-minute drive west brings you to the neighbouring village of Jagodna and one of the island's most striking coves. Jagodna Beach stands out as a rarity on Hvar: a genuine sandy stretch, or the closest this largely pebble-covered island comes to one. After days of carefully picking your way over hot stones or depending on beach shoes, sinking your toes into its fine, sand-like gravel can feel truly luxurious.

The setting is just as captivating. A cluster of small, secluded bays sits beneath warm orange cliffs and thick pine forest, all framed by water of an almost unreal intense blue. Facilities are absent here, so arrive equipped with essentials: ample water, snacks, and some form of shade.

Press on a little further westwards to the village of Sveta Nedjelja, in the centre of which is Skala Beach. A large boulder takes up a considerable amount of space, meaning that in July and August, and especially at high tide, it can get a little crowded. Note that you won’t find any shady spots here until quite late in the afternoon.

Beaches to the west of Sveta Nedjelja are reachable by car, but the road soon becomes gravel, so a suitable vehicle is needed. The steep paths down to the coves can prove tricky on foot, particularly for little feet, making a boat approach not only easier but often far more enjoyable. Here are two that should not be missed:

Lučišća is the kind of cove that beach dreams are made of. Tucked beneath towering 500-metre cliffs on the island's southern ridge, this hidden gem rewards those who make the effort to reach it. The descent trail is undeniably steep, but the payoff is more than worth it. Naturally, arriving by boat sidesteps the hike entirely.

The water here is astonishingly clear, set against a backdrop of dense pine forest, with a handy beach bar nearby for refreshments. As with most south-side bays, do bring your own umbrella and aim to arrive before the midday sun reaches full strength.

Continue west along the gravel coastal road until it joins the island’s main road, on the side of which you’ll find the parking spots for Dubovica. This renowned beach forms a graceful sweep of smooth white pebbles, with an elegant 18th-century stone villa positioned prominently at its centre and steep limestone cliffs rising sharply behind. It has long been popular with both locals and visitors.

A zig-zagging trail leads down to the beach, taking about 10 minutes. The path is steep, so sturdy footwear is recommended over flip-flops or sandals. Natural shade is scarce, and there are no umbrellas or sun loungers for hire, so bring your own. On one side of the beach sits the small local eatery Konoba Dubovica, while Duba Beach Bar on the other offers fresh juices and cocktails.

Ivan Dolac has no hotels, so accommodation choices come down to camping, mooring your boat if you have one, or renting an apartment or villa. Given its position as a coastal village, prioritise places with genuine proximity to the sea. A 15-minute walk up a steep hill to retrieve forgotten items or a favourite snack may quickly wear thin.

The village's relative remoteness also means you will probably like to prepare several meals at home and spend a good deal of time in your rental. Look for properties with the sort of amenities, style, and space that help everyone unwind properly during those quieter evenings.

Hvar Away's properties in Ivan Dolac are carefully selected with these priorities in mind. Each one sits directly on the water or just steps away, sparing you the hassle of any cumbersome hauling of cushions, umbrellas, or heavy bags down to the beach. It means more time relaxing by the sea and less effort getting there.

For such a small seaside village, Ivan Dolac offers a surprisingly strong selection of places to eat and drink. There are two proper restaurants, each bringing its own character and making the most of the idyllic coastal setting, alongside a couple of café bars with ice cream parlours.

Like other places on Hvar’s southern coast, human activity in Ivan Dolac likely stretches back millennia, but the village first enters the historical record in the 15th century as 'Taja,' meaning 'to roll or flatten' in dialect, a name which likely refers to the steep hills which frame the settlement.

The oldest hamlet in the area, it served as a seasonal settlement for people from the inland village of Svirče, and already had a monastery. An early Gothic church dedicated to Mary, enlarged in 1535, still stands in the upper village, where the feast of the Queen of the Rosary has been marked on 7th October for over 500 years.

In 1606, Venice granted land in Ivan Dolac and nearby Zavala to Tadija Kačić, a pirate prince from the powerful Kačić clan, in reward for fighting the Ottomans. The gift aimed to resettle refugees fleeing Turkish advances on the mainland, though local resistance pushed most newcomers to Zavala instead. The ruins of Kačić’s tower in western Zavala remain today as a testament to this turbulent period in Croatia’s history.

Hardship struck at the turn of the 20th century when phylloxera devastated the vines, causing widespread suffering. An inscription by the Church of St Mary commemorates it. The crisis reduced the permanent population almost to nothing by the 1920s. It took until the late 20th century, with the rise of tourism, for Ivan Dolac to recover and repopulate.

Before roads arrived in the 1970s, reaching the south coast from the north side meant arduous journeys on foot or with donkeys. It is a reminder worth pausing over today as you pass through the tunnel.

If Ivan Dolac is on your travel plans, you are set for a treat. First, make your way to the island of Hvar itself. Visitors sometimes mistakenly assume Hvar Town and the island are the same thing. In reality, Hvar Town is the lively southwestern hub known for its sophisticated nightlife and occasional celebrity appearances. Hvar Island, however, is far larger: a slice of land in Croatia's southern archipelago, roughly three times the size of Manhattan.

Ivan Dolac sits quietly on the southern coast of Hvar Island, a relaxed, family-friendly village sloping down from the island’s mountainous ridge towards the sea. It forms part of a trio of small seaside settlements, alongside Sveta Nedjelja to the west and Zavala to the east.

The most straightforward major gateway to Hvar Island is Split, the vibrant coastal city on the mainland that deserves a visit in its own right. Split has an international airport, train and bus stations, and a bustling ferry port, all handily located close to the atmospheric old town.

From Split Ferry Port, you can board a car ferry (if you are bringing your own vehicle) or a faster passenger catamaran to Hvar Island. Services connect to the island’s major hubs: Hvar Town, Stari Grad, and once daily to Jelsa.

For a full understanding of your options, have a look at our comprehensive guide to getting to Hvar.

Once you arrive at any of the island’s main towns, finding a taxi is usually straightforward. Fares to Ivan Dolac vary depending on your starting point, with Jelsa being the most affordable option thanks to its proximity at around 10km (20 minutes). From Hvar Town, the journey is longer at roughly 34km and typically takes about 45 minutes.

If you are travelling from the Croatian mainland onto Hvar Island with your own car or a rental, note that there are only two car ferry ports: Sućuraj and Stari Grad. The island has other ports (Hvar Town and Jelsa) but they only serve catamarans, which are boats that carry only pedestrians. The only company that runs car ferries is Jadrolinija.

Arriving in Sućuraj only really makes sense if you are driving from Dubrovnik or other locations on the mainland south of Split. You will have an adventurous 1.5 hour drive featuring a stretch of narrow, winding road with steep, unguarded drops, but can save considerable time compared to driving up to Split, waiting for the ferry, and then taking the two-hour boat to Stari Grad.

If you take the more conventional Split to Stari Grad route, the drive to Ivan Dolac is shorter (about 30 minutes) and also beautiful, albeit less white-knuckle.

Both directions will lead you through the picturesque village of Pitve and the Old Tunnel of Hvar. Carved out mostly by local men in the 1960s, the 1.4km tunnel is single-lane and unlit. This being Dalmatia, there is a wine cellar inside, just to the left of the entrance from the Pitve side, not that we would encourage you to pause and inspect.

Once you emerge from the tunnel, you will be greeted by a glorious view of the sea shimmering below. But don’t get too carried away, and be sure that your brakes are in good order. A series of steep switchbacks await you as you navigate down to the shore.

If you are basing yourself in Ivan Dolac for your stay on Hvar and travelling without a car, one of the simplest and most enjoyable routes is to take the catamaran from Split directly to Hvar Town. From there, hire a private boat to whizz you along the southern coast straight to the village. It turns what might otherwise be a lengthy land transfer into an enjoyable boat ride, helping your holiday start on a relaxed note right from the outset.

If you are staying at one of our Hvar Away villas, your dedicated concierge will happily handle all the transfer details for you. Options include a private speedboat straight from Split Airport to Ivan Dolac, or the quicker hop across from Hvar Town.