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Monday, July 8, 2019

Hvar, Croatia Guide


How to Get There:

Since we were coming from Korčula, we took the Ferry Krilo — it's a giant catamaran that is super fast and runs between Dubrovnik and Split, stopping at the islands. We left in the later afternoon, arrived at dinner time in Hvar. I would highly recommend this method as I think having a car on the island would be pointless. Everything is within a five minute walk and a car would just be annoying to park. The crew running the ferry are really efficient, it takes them about 15 minutes to board the whole boat and they'll seat you by destination. There are shelves for your suitcases, a bar serving snacks (I recommend the Kviki pretzels and a Karlovačko beer) and clean bathrooms at the back of the ship. The whole thing is inside and it's so big I didn't struggle with motion sickness. The ferry lets you out right on the street that leads to the main parts of Hvar.

What To Do:


Spanish Fort

We got up and did this as our first activity for the day, which is how I suggest doing it. You'll get some of the most amazing views of Hvar and the islands that surround it from the top, plus, good history. There are tons of crevasses that all provide new and better views. You can walk up and back down, we took a taxi up and walked down — with no issues. It's quite a pretty little jaunt. 

Hvarsko povijesno Kazalište

The theater is only open for a few hours a day, but I would suggest visiting. It's a pretty spot and you walk up the stairs of the arsenal where you can get a great view of the main square. Pop your head in and enjoy the beauty. 

Walk Around

With all of my Croatia guides, I think the best thing you can do in Hvar is to simply walk around. Check out the different alleys, see if there are museums you want to visit and stop into cafes for coffee or drinks. Hvar is very laid-back and it's nice to enjoy your time.
 

Where to eat & drink: 

Konoba Bunar

I found this place while researching on TripAdvisor and it was wonderful! We sat in an alley — as per usual — and the staff were super helpful. We were going to order a certain item and he told us it was a better deal to do something else, which it totally was. We had a massive feast complete with grilled veggies, meats, cheeses, granola, pudding, bread and more.

Dva Ribara

We stumbled across this place on our way to the brewery below and it was the perfect spot. It's family-owned and not as fancy as some of the other spots — a good thing. We sat outside, on their porch and ate fresh pasta. Mine had a creamy sauce with little bits of meat in it and it was to-die-for.

Icy Bar

A gelato shop I had read about, Icy Bar didn't disappoint. I recommend getting it right before you catch the ferry, since it is right across the street. It's a little stand that's perfect for sunset viewing and yummy delights.

Vunetovo Craft Beer

Such.good.craft.beer. And such.a.beautiful.spot. You walk from the old part of town along the big riviera where you can stop in for lunch or to shop — my mom got a super cute hat. You walk passed a big resort, continue around the bend and there it is. You'll need to look out for a wooden sign and a wooden door, because it is a little hidden. If you need a better reference, it's right next to some public restrooms. The owners are super nice — they even gave us a free cheese plate — and the beer was super good. Highly, highly recommend.

Central Park Club

This was probably the weakest meal we ate our entire trip to Croatia. The place itself probably isn't that bad in the daylight, but at night they try a little too hard and it was the highest concentration of smoking we witnessed, which we weren't fans of. I had a burger, which was good, but I just don't suggest it as a nighttime meal. 

Where to Stay:

We stayed in this Airbnb and it was perfect. The location is on the literal corner of the square, right down from the Spanish Fort and in the center of it all. It's a little on the older side, but I think that adds to its charm. There were two beds, a huge kitchen/living room and a bathroom, plus, the host is super sweet. 

Other Resources:

  • Go in shoulder season, we went in May and it was perfect. We always got seated at restaurants and didn't have to wait in long lines for anything. Plus, the island just seems calm and laidback. 
  • Here is my Croatia vlog if you would prefer to watch instead of look through the photos!
  • Below is a map with everything mentioned in this guide, so you can plan your own trip.

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