T
he island of Hvar likes to play hard to get [to] – but it’s worth the trip. There are 700+ islands in Croatia, but few are more widely known or visited than Hvar. With amazing beaches, lavender fields, boat excursions, and a wide array of accommodation options, it’s no surprise that travelers are intrigued by the allure of this island. If you’re planning a trip, you need to know exactly where to stay in Hvar.
How To Get To Hvar
First, let’s break down how to get to Hvar. If you’re flying, it makes the most sense to fly into Split Airport. From the airport, walk just outside the entrance doors to the left and board the next Pleso Prijevoz bus headed for Split’s ferry port. You’ll pay the driver approximately $5 as you board. The ride takes just 30 minutes and you get a stunning view of the city across the water.
Once you arrive at the port, you’ll see an overwhelming amount of ferries and boats, all headed for various islands. Check the large boards to find the next ferry to Hvar and purchase your ticket from the corresponding company. Do note, there are multiple companies selling ferry tickets to Hvar, but any are fine to use. I took the Jadrolinija ferry and loved it!
The ferry ride takes about 2 hours. If you sit outside, you’ll get a stunning view of the mountains and passing ships. Ferries to Hvar dock in both Hvar Town and Stari Grad, two towns that offer different tastes of Croatian island life. You should decide where to stay in Hvar based on the type of trip you seek.
Pleso Prijevoz bus to ferry port
View of Split, Croatia from the ferry
Split's Harbor
What’s Your Travel Type?
All travelers have types, whether we like to admit it or not. Are you looking for adventure or relaxation; to stay out late, or be in bed by 9? Here at Baggage, our type is all things ecotourism. When we decide where to stay, we do so with the planet in mind.
Even if you know exactly what you’re looking for, it can STILL be hard to find the perfect accommodation in the most ideal location (not unlike finding the right guy). When it comes to Hvar, the two main towns are each quite distinct – so you can decide where to stay in Hvar based on your type.
Stari Grad or Hvar Town?
To be clear, both Stari Grad and Hvar Town are great places to stay. But what’s right for one isn’t always what’s right for another. Stari Grad is more quaint, while Hvar Town is more lively. Stari Grad is more remote, while Hvar Town is more touristy. Stari Grad is more resort-esque, while Hvar Town has the best hostels.
To help you decide where to stay, we’ve created dating profiles for both Stari Grad and Hvar Town, so you can pick your perfect match.
Stari Grad’s Profile
Age: one of the oldest towns in Europe
Location: on the northern side of the island of Hvar in Dalmatia, Croatia. A bit more remote, so be prepared to call a cab if you want to leave the resort you’re staying on
Looking for: resorts, relaxation, beaches, great views, quaint old town
Drinking: at the hotel bar, with dinner at the restaurants in town, out on a wine tasting
Kids: the more the merrier! Stay in a stunning family friendly resort and take the kids to one of many nearby beaches
Interests: beach bumming, poolside cocktail sipping, lavender field frolicking
Perfect First Day(te): Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and head for a dip in the ocean at the nearest beach (Oslic Beach is right outside of Stari Grad’s town). Then, find a restaurant you fancy in Stari Grad’s Old Town for lunch. In the afternoon, Head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stari Grad Plain and do a wine tasting at Hora Winery. Catch the sunset from the Glavica Hill viewpoint. Finally, head back toward your hotel for dinner and a night-time dip in the resort-style pool or the crystal blue Mediterranean waters.
I’m Known For… UNESCO World Heritage site Stari Grad Plain, lavender fields
It’s Meant To Be If…you’re looking for a true vacation, and you don’t mind being a bit further from the tourists and bars
Hvar Town’s Profile
Age: part of the Venetian empire from the 13th to 18th centuries, this town is OLD. You’ll want to check out the 700 year old walls that are still standing
Location: on a bay in the south coast of the island, opposite Stari Grad. The hub of island nightlife
Looking for: nightlife, bars and restaurants, day trips
Drinking: all night long – many bars and nightclubs stay open until 4 am
Kids: less than ideal – town gets rowdy at night and accommodation tends to be more tightly packed, without ample space for families
Interests: night-clubbing, meeting others, beach clubs
Perfect First Day(te): Start your day early with breakfast in one of the town’s cafes. Stroll the streets of the old town and take photographs. Then, change into your swimsuit and head for either Bonj Les Bains (a beach club) or Pokojni Dol beach (a pebbly beach about 20 minutes walk from town). Spend your day relaxing and recharging in the sun before you head back to your hotel and get ready for a night out. Go for a late dinner and then hop from bar to bar (or club to club) until the sun comes up.
I’m Known For… young travelers, party atmosphere, picture perfect stairways, great restaurants, Napoleon Fort, Franciscan Monastery
It’s Meant To Be If…you’re a young traveler, solo, or a group looking for a good time! If you’re happy to be in the center of the action, this is a match made in heaven
Stari Grad: What’s To Love
For the Vacationer
Stari Grad is a vacationer’s paradise. This town has many stunning resorts. Think beautiful beaches and an old town that isn’t as overrun with crowds (when compared to Hvar Town). Ultimately, this is the spot for you if you’re looking to get away, lounge around, and see a bit more of the natural beauty that the island of Hvar has to offer.
Hvar Places by Valamar
If you’re looking for an all-inclusive option, stay at Hvar Places by Valamar. This hotel is the perfect relaxing escape, with beachfront views, a stunning pool, multiple jacuzzis, a spa, day beds everywhere you look, a nightly DJ, and full bar.
Your Hvar Places stay comes with a daily credit of two meals (or you can take the cash value and spend it on drinks/apps/and extras). There is a full buffet style breakfast each morning, and a variety of food options for lunch and dinner. Like many all-inclusives, the food wasn’t to die for, but it was good enough, and certainly not a deal breaker. The breakfast buffet was most impressive, although not amazing for those of us GF/DF gals.
Hvar Places is sustainably minded. Its website states that the hotel supports local ingredients, local family farms, and local artists, keeping tourism dollars in–you guessed it– the local economy. This resort has made efforts to streamline water and electricity consumption and abolish irrigation, which goes a long way in reducing its overall carbon footprint.
Stari Grad: What’s NOT to love
Take my advice: this isn’t a great place to stay for solo travelers. The town of Stari Grad is remote and the island of Hvar only offers taxis, so you’ll be pretty isolated if you choose to stay in a resort here. Hvar Town is a 20-30 minute taxi ride from Stari Grad, depending on where you stay, so it’s not easy to get into town to experience the nightlife. Resorts also aren’t the best place to meet new people and make friends. Most travelers staying in resorts are either there with families, significant others, or both. When deciding where to stay in Hvar, this is important to know.
In addition, it’s not the ideal location for young people. This destination is more ideal for family vacations or a honeymoon. If you’re a young traveler deciding where to stay in Hvar, you’re better off choosing a hostel or hotel in the center of it all, in Hvar Town.
Hvar Town: What’s To Love
For the Traveler
Hvar Town is ideal for true travelers, looking to embrace a lively atmosphere with many different activities. There are some great hostels in Hvar Town for solo travelers and backpackers. The White Rabbit hostel is perfectly located in the center of the action in town, and you’ll be able to walk to all the best bars, restaurants, and nightclubs from here (this is where I wish I stayed when I traveled to Hvar). In addition, this is a great base if you want to take boat tours to nearby islands.
@baggagegirls What I wish someone would have told me before I traveled to Hvar, Croatia! ⚓️🌊✈️ ••• #hvar #starigrad #wheretostay #croatia #baggagegirls
♬ Confidence - Lux-Inspira
Traveling On From Hvar
If you’re looking to explore more of Croatia, you can take ferries from Hvar to other islands or to the bigger cities of Split and Dubrovnik. Croatia has stunning cities and islands, so the best itinerary probably includes a little bit of both. If you’re traveling back to Split to fly out, make sure you read our post on What To Do In Split, Croatia, so you can make the most of whatever time you have there!
When To Visit Hvar
Where to stay in Hvar is one thing, but when to visit is another important consideration. Hvar can get BUSY during the summer season. If you’re looking for the party atmosphere, don’t hesitate to come during peak months, but know that you’ll pay a hefty price for accommodation.
We recommend traveling to Hvar during the shoulder season months of May, September, and October. You’ll still get the gorgeous weather without the high prices and crowds.
Wrap It Up: Where To Stay In Hvar
So what will it be? Are you a Stari Grad girl at heart? Or is Hvar Town calling your name? Whichever you choose, you’re sure to be impressed with the natural beauty of this Croatian island and all that Hvar’s tourism economy has to offer.
Not to be dramatic, but the right accommodation can really make or break your experience when traveling somewhere new. I loved the island of Hvar, but found myself feeling isolated and alone as a solo traveler staying on a resort in Stari Grad. Hopefully you can be confident in deciding exactly where to stay in Hvar, now that you know what each town has to offer.
At Baggage, our goal is to help you plan the best trip based on your unique situation. From who you bring along with you, to how long you have to explore, we write guides to help you fall madly in love with your next destination – and ultimately, with your life.
xoxo, your Baggage girls
