Why is Hvar so popular? – 5 reasons it’s at the top of every traveller’s bucket list

We have shared some of the reasons we believe Hvar is consistently at the top of every traveller’s bucket list. Beyond beaches, nightlife, and endless sunshine, there’s a subtle magic underpinning it all. Discover what makes this island so beloved by its residents and visitors alike, then browse our hand-picked Hvar villas. Please contact us for even more of our recommendations for rental villas in Hvar or guidance in choosing the right villa for you.

Hvar, and Dalmatia more broadly, seem to be impervious to the vicissitudes of time. Fifty years of socialism, followed by thirty years of capitalism have barely made a dent on the deep values and habits that characterise life here.

You won’t encounter much residue of Yugoslavian life, but nor will you spot a McDonalds or Starbucks. Thankfully, unlike so many beach destinations, the island has been spared huge resorts or kilometre after kilometre of hastily slapped up concrete condos. In their place you will find donkeys braying, grapes growing, and men fishing.

Hvar is Hvar. It changes people who come here, not the other way around. It’s common for a family to pick olives from the same tree for centuries and drink wine from their vineyards for their entire lives. This timelessness means that, if the past is prologue, the things you and your children enjoy here will still be here in ten years, or even much longer.

The island takes care of those who understand that its past is its future – and those who know how to fully enjoy its present.

Hvar’s beauty emerges from the best elements of its past connecting with its future: its heritage, environmental purity, and peace. Although glitz and glamour are certainly on offer, they do not dominate the island’s character.

Instead, the simple dignity of Hvar’s architectural styles and the relaxed geniality of its residents create an atmosphere of luxurious authenticity and escape. Sail enthusiasts, busy professionals, and families all find refuge here on Hvar.

Some travel destinations are places to lose oneself, but Hvar is a place to be yourself.

Until 2015, Croatia’s official tagline was “So Beautiful, So Close”, yet for the last decade, Croatia has promoted itself under the slogan “Croatia Full of Life”. Both are absolutely true; Croatia is full of beauty, full of life. Yet, especially for Europeans, one of the best things about Hvar is its location that makes it an easy weekend trip, convenient enough to pop in throughout the summer – with friends and family, as a romantic getaway, or for some restorative solitude.

Split Airport has direct flights to 20 destinations. It takes less than two hours to trade Berlin’s overcast skies for cloudless blue coastline. Croatia’s main ferry operator, Jadrolinija, runs multiple daily routes to several towns on the island, Split to Hvar and vice versa being the most frequent one during peak season. Even the island’s underrated bus service makes getting between the main towns easy and affordable.

The island also has conveniences that are essential for a repeat destination. It has several large new grocery stores, as well as all the other necessary stores and services, from a tailor to auto repair. There is an emergency room and a helicopter service to KBC Split, one of Croatia’s main hospitals.

Hvar is brilliant for all ages and stages. Find out why Croatia is such a favourite for families travelling with kids. For groups and families coming back year after year, the island offers nostalgic memories, but also some excitement to keep things fresh.

Parents and little kids will love low-key days on the beach, but there’s a lot of fun things to do in Hvar for more adventurous families. Older children can look forward to activities like biking, snorkelling, diving, and climbing. On the piazza, kids of all ages and nationalities roam and play together as mum and dad watch from a relaxed distance.

College-age children and young adults will love the nightlife in Hvar Town. Yes, there’s been a big shift in Hvar Town’s approach to tourism – the era of heavy party tourism is over – yet those seeking good music and good times can still have memorable nights in the island’s capital. And they can spend their days exploring Hvar on their own with quad bike tours, buggy rentals, skydiving, and other high-adrenaline diversions.

To add a little depth to the fun and sun, the island offers cultural and ecological riches. A Tintoretto tucked away in a shaded abbey. Wines harvested from the steepest hills of the sun-dazzled south side. Paths of ancient Illyrian warriors and Greek nobility. And more endemic species than almost any other country in Europe, with pheasants and wild boar darting among pines and black oaks.

Whether it’s sailing, foraging for wild herbs, or a summer fling, every member of your tribe will find something or someone to fall in love with here.

One of the reasons why Hvar is so popular is that you can never choose a wrong time to visit. Of course, each season brings something different. Explore which one might suit you best in our comprehensive guide to the best time to visit Hvar.

In spring, Hvar quietly comes alive. Wild asparagus sprouts freely in the hills and fields – perhaps around your your private luxury villa – inviting you to forage and cook like a local. For an experience you won’t find in any guidebook, skip the Google recipes and take a walk through a nearby village. Find an old woman or man tending to their garden, and ask them how they’d prepare the day’s harvest. Language may be a hurdle, but don’t be surprised if you leave with a smile, a recipe spoken in gestures, and a few fresh eggs from the hens behind their house.

Even the island’s best restaurants can’t offer that kind of authenticity. Dining out while on vacation is of course wonderful. But when you connect with locals – share their rituals, follow their footsteps – you become part of the island, not just a visitor. That’s a side of Hvar most visitors don’t get to see. And for that kind of magic, come in the spring.

Visiting Hvar Island, especially Hvar Town, during the peak summer season has its own undeniable appeal. Even though in 2025 the town made a conscious shift away from its former party-centric image, it still pulses with Mediterranean energy and endless opportunities for a fantastic time. Simply strolling the cobbled streets, surrounded by sun-kissed stone, vibrant history, and effortlessly stylish visitors, is enough to lift anyone’s spirits and recharge the soul.

If you love the vibrant buzz of Croatia’s peak tourist season but prefer to avoid the shoulder-to-shoulder feeling of, say, Dubrovnik’s city walls, you may find your more personal piece of heaven on one of Hvar’s best beaches. The island is dotted with idyllic coves that provide just the right mix of energy and tranquillity – and some, like Malo Zaraće, feel like hidden slices of paradise even in the heart of summer (if you wake up early enough to beat the crowds).

Waking up early to reach Malo Zaraće is well worth the effort, arguably even more so than the better-known, most famous beach on Hvar: Dubovica. Just a 10 minute drive from Hvar Town, Malo Zaraće rewards early risers with calm, crystalline waters and a sense of stillness that’s hard to come by in high season.

Access to the famous Dubovica Beach can be a challenge during summer, parking spots above the beach are sparse and the walk down is steep. This can be said of the majority of Hvar’s best beaches, which is why many choose a private boat tour of the island’s southern coast as a preferred alternative. Many such tours will include stops at both Dubovica and Malo Zaraće (and much more) in a single trip – giving you a chance to enjoy the best beaches in Hvar, without the hassle.

For seasoned travellers, the shoulder season – that’s spring and autumn – might just be the ideal time to visit Hvar. With lower travel costs and thinner crowds, these months offer a more relaxed pace and a far more authentic connection to the island.

Take wine tastings, for example. In the quieter seasons, you're not just another booking on the calendar – you might find yourself sharing stories with the winemaker himself, perhaps even lucky enough to taste a rare vintage pulled from a private archive, one that never appears on the official wine list.

That kind of experience is nearly impossible in peak summer. Not because the winemaker wouldn’t want to share that special bottle, but because long, packed days leave little room for lingering conversations. In shoulder season, time stretches – and Hvar opens up in ways the high season rarely allows.

Even in the depths of winter, Hvar is worth visiting thanks to the island’s mild climate. You can still wander its ancient stone streets without bundling up like you're heading beyond the Wall. Winter here doesn’t bring White Walkers – but it does come with a few hauntingly beautiful traditions.

In the town of Stari Grad, the mysterious Lancuni procession stirs old superstitions, and just weeks later, the island comes together for “Za Križen”, which translates to “Following the Cross” – a UNESCO-protected ritual that has endured for over 500 years. Through wars, plagues, and modern distractions, the people of Hvar have never let go of their traditions.

But even if you’re not one for folklore and pageantry, an off-season trip to Hvar offers its own rewards for visitors: panoramic views from quiet hilltops, the comfort of a few excellent local restaurants that stay open year-round, and the simple pleasure of preparing a homemade meal, perhaps in a villa that feels like home. For those seeking a deeper connection to the island, and perhaps to themselves, winter on Hvar is a well-kept secret.

Clearly, choosing the right time of year to visit your favourite holiday destination is key – it sets the tone for the entire experience. But just as important, especially when it comes to Hvar Island, is deciding where to go once you get there.

Stretching 68 kilometres (42 miles) from one end to the other, Hvar is the longest island in the Adriatic and one of its most diverse. Each region offers something distinct, from buzzing nightlife to quiet village charm. Our comprehensive guide to where to stay on Hvar can help you find your perfect match.

Hvar Town is the best place for those seeking fun-filled days and unforgettable nights – whether you're making memories with friends or meeting new ones along the way. In 2025, the City Council introduced new regulations limiting noise pollution to 65 decibels. While this did tone down the party scene, the intention behind it was to transform one of Europe’s most iconic nightlife destinations into a more relaxed, family- and couple-friendly haven.

That said, if you're travelling with children or simply seeking a slower pace, don’t miss other places to stay on Hvar. Smaller towns and villages on the island are often overlooked, and might suit you even better. In places like Stari Grad, Jelsa, and Vrboska, it’s not unusual to let your first-grader head off for their own ice cream.

In smaller villages, like Zastražišće or Ivan Dolac, you can witness yet another side of Hvar Island: its warmth becomes even more personal. Here, your child might end up helping a “nona” (grandmother) tend to her vines or gut fish on the shore – returning not just with a bag of fresh catch and a bottle of wine for you, but with a story they'll remember for the rest of their life.

There are countless reasons why Hvar is so popular and has captured the hearts of so many. You only need one. And whatever yours may be, thanks to Hvar Away, you’ll always have the perfect place to stay and a local team on-hand to craft your ideal island escape.