Real reviews from real travelers.
Hvar Pages by TheWanderingCamel
| Page Views: 830 Last Visit to Hvar: August, 2007 | Hvar - holiday heaven by TheWanderingCamel - last update: Aug 27, 2007 |
Considered the most beautiful of all the Adriatic islands with its Venetian-inspired towns of creamy stone and warm terracotta, more of the same in small fishing villages, vineyards, fields of lavender and rosemary, pine- and oak-clad hills, not to mention more hours of sunshine than any other place along this coast - is it any wonder Hvar is the most popular of all Croatia's islands?
It may be the favourite destination of the fashionable sailing set but you don't have to be rich and famous to enjoy the charms of Hvar. Whether you come for just a day or two as part of an island-hopping holiday or choose to stay longer to explore the island between soaking up the sun, swimming, shopping, snoozing and whatever else you like to do when on vacation, you're sure to fall under the spell of this lovely place.
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|  | Where shall we stay? Stari Hvar's the island's main town and most popular destination, the old centre a mediaeval maze of narrow lanes and steep steps rising up from a sheltered harbour for small boats and the newer parts packed with accommodation of all sorts - all overlooked by a massive fortress, but we opted to stay in Vrboska, a pretty little place set along either side of a winding sea creek at the end of a well-sheltered bay. It's more out of the way though and without a car getting away to other parts of the island would be difficult. With a hire car and a dear little stone house right in the midle of the village, it suited us beautifully.
Other places to consider are Stari Grad, Hvar's oldest town, near the ferry port, and slightly smaller Jelsa, which is growing fast. These towns are all at the western end of the island and offer the best accommodation options. Further afield there's little accommodation to be found though there are some good local restaurants and lovely beaches.
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| | Where were the crowds? Guidebooks will tell you Hvar gets crowded in high summer - one even says "frenzied" - and that might put you off. All I can say is we were there in early August and, if that's what's considered crowded, I hate to think how the writers would cope in some other places I've found myself in high season! The most people we saw were in Hvar Town itself, and that was no more than made the main square pleasantly busy. The beaches were fine (and I'm an Australian who likes her beaches all but deserted, but this is Europe so allowances have to be made). Vrboska and the other towns and villages we visited were delightfully uncrowded and there were plenty of places we visited that we found ourselves virtually the only people around.
Things do get busier I'm sure, but this is not Dubrovnik where the cruise ships disgorge thousands into the narrow streets of the old walled city each day and hotels and apartments cover the slopes all around the bay. Avoid the very peak of the season if you can, but even in mid-August you'll find peaceful spots in which to relax and unwind. From the moment the ferry left the dock at Split for the 1 1/2 hour cruise to the island, our days on Hvar really were a little bit of holiday heaven.
leyle |
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 Comments for TheWanderingCamel about Hvar | | | | |
MalenaN Fri Aug 29, 2008 14:29 UTC
Hvar looks beautiful! Croatia is a country I really want to visit, but I don't know when to find the time (or money). Well written tips! | JLBG Sat Aug 9, 2008 07:48 UTC
Excellent page, fully documented, on this wonderful island. It is some time since I last went to Hvar and I miss the place! Thanks for the virtual visit! Interesting Bunja! | saraheg77 Mon Apr 21, 2008 01:23 UTC
That looks like a charming house you stayed in... and I bet the lavender fields are lovely!! | mircaskirca Tue Oct 16, 2007 07:34 UTC
The scent of lavender always reminds me of long holidays that I used to spend in stari Grad with my friends from ex Yugoslavia. Fantastic page!! How nice that you visited all those small villages and abandoned places! Love the house you were staying! :) |
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