TRAVEL JOURNALS

Hvar

    Basina, Hvar island, Croatia

    Local Guides

    Basina

    Basina is a cove on the northern side of Hvar, midway between the towns of Stari Grad and Jelsa, which offers its visitors a more serene getaway destination than either town. The surrounding landscape is one of old pines, olive trees, grapevines, and lavender fields. The deep bay is sheltered from the summer winds, and the water therefore remains calm and crystal clear, making it ideal for families with young swimmers."

    Updated on December 28, 2025
    The view from the top of Hvar Port

    Hvar rewards visitors year-round, though each season offers distinct advantages. The island’s season stretches comfortably from April to October, with the absolute high tide of visitors rolling in from late July through mid-August.

    Updated on January 12, 2026
    Blue Cave Tour

    The Blue Cave Tour is on a lot of “must-see” lists for visitors to Croatia. Before you book, read this guide. We’ll tell you what Blue Cave is really like and offer our tips for making the most of your trip.

    Updated on November 21, 2025
    A small dog on a leash looking down on Hvar Town and Pakleni Island

    If you are planning a trip to Croatia with your pet, then you are heading to one of Europe's most stunning, laid-back destinations, and you and your furry friend will be in the very best company. We've compiled some essential advice and insider tips below to ensure that you and your beloved animal have a rewarding, stress-free visit.

    Updated on December 20, 2025

    Reaching Hvar Island is straightforward from Split or Dubrovnik once you understand how things are laid out. Visitors often confuse Hvar Town with the island itself. Read on for practical tips on reaching the island smoothly.

    Updated on December 7, 2025
    Father and daughter walking in Humac, Croatia

    Local Guides

    Humac

    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 your chosen location for the ultimate peaceful vacation, Humac is a truly enchanting place not to be missed when you’re on Hvar.

    Updated on December 29, 2025
    Hidden beach on Hvar island

    Hvar's 270 kilometres of pristine coastline rivals that of any tropical paradise. From the dramatic cliffs of the secluded southern coast to the crystalline turquoise waters of the Pakleni Islands, Hvar's beaches offer an extraordinary diversity of experiences. This journal will help you find the best spots for whatever you’re seeking: total tranquillity, family fun, a party atmosphere, or something in between.

    Updated on December 1, 2025
    A couple of hikers looking at Pakleni Islands from a hike trail near Velo Grablje on Hvar Island, Croatia

    There is so much to fall madly, obsessively in love with on Hvar: the coastline, the history, the culture, the food. To that list, one must also add outdoor exploration, because Hvar is a paradise for tours and active excursions of all kinds.

    Updated on December 17, 2025
    View from Španjola fortress in Hvar town during summer

    Local Guides

    Hvar Town

    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.

    Updated on December 10, 2025
    Matt and Elisha, the founders of Hvar Away

    Hvar is a singular location for destination weddings, rich with natural beauty and traditional Mediterranean charm. Hundreds of couples tie the knot here every year. But destination weddings always require an extra degree of planning, and Hvar is no exception.

    Updated on December 24, 2025
    Wine being poured in a tasting room on Hvar

    As far back as written history goes, there has been wine on Hvar. Despite this storied history dating back millennia, Hvar's wines remain a rarity outside of Croatia. But the wine created here is just as it should be: passionate, creative, unpretentious, and natural.

    Updated on November 22, 2025
    Ivan Dolac on Hvar

    Local Guides

    Ivan Dolac

    Ivan Dolac is a peaceful, family-oriented seaside village located on Hvar, a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea known for its stunning natural beauty, crystal-clear waters, and rich history. Read on to discover what makes Ivan Dolac such a rewarding escape, well beyond its outstanding beaches.

    Updated on January 1, 2026

    Local Guides

    Jelsa

    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, farmers’ markets, a vast kids’ park, jogging paths, and a zillion gelato bars line Jelsa’s beautifully maintained waterfront.

    Updated on December 11, 2025
    Malo Grablje, abandoned village on Hvar Island, Croatia

    Local Guides

    Malo Grablje

    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.

    Updated on December 18, 2025
    Paws, Hooves & Hearts sanctuary on Hvar

    Paws, Hooves & Hearts is an animal rescue centre located in the small, inland village of Dol on Hvar Island. The foundation provides long-term care and medical support to Hvar’s abandoned and neglected donkeys, horses, cats, and dogs – offering a vital lifeline where no other such infrastructure on the island exists.

    Updated on November 9, 2025
    Pitve village, Hvar Island, Croatia

    Local Guides

    Pitve

    We adore Pitve. It is one of the oldest hamlets on the island, established to watch over the settlements and fields below from its incredible vantage point. Shaded by the rim of the island’s ridgeline, Pitve stays much greener than the rest of Hvar and enjoys a breath of cool mountain air, even in the peak of summer.

    Updated on January 3, 2026
    Stari Grad centre in the morning

    Local Guides

    Stari Grad

    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.

    Updated on December 13, 2025
    Sveta Nedjelja on Hvar Island, Croatia

    Local Guides

    Sveta Nedjelja

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

    Updated on December 3, 2025
    Svirče from above

    Local Guides

    Svirče

    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.

    Updated on December 29, 2025

    Hvar, Croatia’s most majestic island, captivates visitors with its extraordinary blend of ancient history, dramatic landscapes, and natural beauty. From the top of the ancient fortress to sun-drenched beaches and UNESCO World Heritage sites, this Croatian island offers experiences that rival anywhere in Europe.

    Updated on November 29, 2025
    Part of Vrbanj Village on Hvar, Croatia's sunniest island

    Local Guides

    Vrbanj

    Vrbanj is one of a series of extremely charming little villages nestled into the northern side of the Hvar’s mountainous ridge. Life here is all about the agricultural fields and vineyards below, and offers a feeling of refreshment and a peek at the rural Mediterranean as it once was.

    Updated on December 29, 2025
    Vrboska bridge over trubbled waters

    Local Guides

    Vrboska

    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.

    Updated on December 21, 2025
    The village of Pitve on Hvar Island

    You have a Mediterranean vacation on your mind, and you’ve heard good things about Hvar. Maybe you even visited long, long ago – for a wedding, yacht week, or a family holiday. But you are not quite sure how it all works... Is Hvar a city? Or the entire island?

    Updated on November 21, 2025
    crowds at a Hvar beach bar

    Europe has so many incredible destinations, but there is something about Hvar that puts it in a special class of places. Understated luxury, heritage, and natural beauty come together here to create a place that feels like a home away from home, or the place where we wish we could be all the time.

    Updated on November 14, 2025
    Vela Stiniva flat rocks ideal for sunbathing on Hvar Island, Croatia

    Local Guides

    Zastražišće

    Zastražišće is a small village situated in Hvar’s rural eastern half, which has been home to agriculture and shepherding for centuries. For those who like to get off the beaten path, the village is well worth the effort, and boasts some of the most stunning beaches on the island.

    Updated on December 29, 2025

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