Discover the Charm of Hvar: Our Recommended Tours and Activities
This is our guide to the best day trips from Hvar Island, including glorious walking city tours, delightful winery tours, sailing trips & more.
Curious travellers have always found their way to Hvar.
Favoured today by stars and partygoers alike, this island speck in the sparkling Adriatic sea has long been a Siren beckoning sailors to indulge in its picturesque Mediterranean coastlines, lavender-scented interior and rustic sandstone towns.
First came the Illyrians, followed by the ancient Greeks then Romans, the Byzantines and the Venetians; presumably drawn to its prize location in the Mediterranean trade routes - and the crystal clear waters and jaw-dropping beaches of course - and all shaping this island and its culture in their own way.
But what does this all mean for you, modern day explorer?
Well, some of the richest history, culture, and landscapes to sink your traveller’s teeth into, for a start. Beyond the glitz of Hvar town and the famous Blue and Green Caves, you’ll find centuries-old wineries, rustic villages, mouthwatering gastronomic experiences, and nearby islands to explore.
The even better news, particularly for those of you on a short break, is that they’re all easily accessible via an incredible array of Hvar day trips too.
Whether you fancy a romantic sailing trip to the Pakleni islands, a cycle tour of the island’s villages, or a deep-dive into its viniculture and gastronomy, this guide covers our favourite Hvar tours and day trips to, from, and on the island that’ll help you maximise your sightseeing while getting a real feel for the whole region.
For those based on the mainland looking for Hvar day trips from Split, we’ve got you covered too. Get ready to discover the best day trips on Hvar and surrounds now.
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HVAR TOURS
SNAPSHOT
BEST HVAR DAY TOUR | Hvar Hidden Gems tour
BEST CULTURAL TOUR | Hvar wine tasting tour
BEST DAY TRIP FROM SPLIT | Split full day 3-Island tour
EXPLORE NATURAL BEAUTY | Hvar Blue & Green Cave day tour
SOMETHING UNIQUE | Cycle Hvar day tour
THE BEST DAY TRIPS ON HVAR ISLAND
HVAR HIDDEN GEMS DAY TOUR
To get the best of the island, joining one of the numerous sightseeing Hvar tours is a winning combo.
From hidden gems and postcard-perfect views extending as far as the eye can see, to local insights into ancient history transpiring from every corner, this Hvar Hidden Gems tour will exceed all your expectations. You'll also have a chance to immerse yourself in the unspoiled countryside and experience the rural life of the small island villages Velo Grablje and Malo Grablje.
Finally, finish the tour with a mouth-watering meal (octopus peka is to die for!) in a traditional konoba that will knock your socks off.
BOOK | This Hvar Hidden Gems Day Tour
HVAR BLUE AND GREEN CAVE DAY TOUR
A trip to the region wouldn’t be complete without going on a Hvar Blue Cave day trip.
First, a speedboat will take you to the Green Cave well-known for its gorgeous emerald colour. Next, lay your eyes on the most alluring natural scenery in Croatia - the memorable Blue Cave on the island of Bisevo. Don't forget to take your camera and capture the light effects created by the sun reflecting into the cave's silvery-blue colour.
From here, you'll reach Stiniva cove which hides a pebble beach surrounded by intact nature and magnificent rocks. Swim, sunbathe or have a cocktail before heading to your final stop - the Pakleni Islands. The archipelago’s most popular bays are lovely spots for an authentic seafood lunch with a view.
For those who want to include a visit to the enigmatic island of Vis (and the movie set of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again), this tour makes the better option.
BOOK | The Blue & Green Cave Day Tour or this tour that includes Vis Island too
CYCLE HVAR DAY TOUR
This Cycle Hvar Day Tour is the coolest among all of the Hvar tours if you want to maximise your time while mixing adventure with traditional experiences. Start the day exploring the hidden stories of Stari Grad's rich history. Set out through a hilly interior surrounded by lavender fields toward Vrbovska, also known as Little Venice in Croatia. This sleepy fishing village will sweep you away with its medieval streets and numerous bridges.
Be sure to capture a perfect Insta-worthy photo before heading to Jelsa where you'll experience a slower pace of beach life with a fine cup of coffee in your hand. Finally, carry on to the heartland through many vineyards and olive groves to finish your 27-kilometer-long route.
BOOK | See Hvar on two wheels on this Cycle Hvar Day Trip
HVAR ROMANTIC SUNSET SAILING TOUR
When it comes to romantic Hvar day trips, this sunset sailing trip is top of the list. Hop on a catamaran and discover the secluded locations along the Adriatic Coast. You'll have plenty of free time for swimming, snorkellin, and exploring on your own three of its gorgeous islands: Hvar, Brac, and Pakleni Islands.
Fresh fruit accompanied by local delicacies is provided so kick back, relax and soak up the Mediterranean sun before taking a dip in the crystal blue sea. And, the very best bit at the end - admire a breathtaking sunset with a glass of fine wine in the intimate setting of a small group.
BOOK | This romantic Hvar Sunset Sailing Tour
PAKLENI ISLAND HALF-DAY SAILING TOUR
Looking for the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life? Hop on this sailing adventure through the archipelago of the stunning Pakleni Islands and create memorable moments!
As you glide through the turquoise waters of the Adriatic, soak up the sun relaxing on the deck, manoeuvre the yacht yourself or simply take in the majestic scenery. You'll have plenty of time for swimming, snorkelling, or even trying your hand at paddleboarding and kayaking.
For all beach bums and adventure lovers, this is one of the Hvar tours that should be a top priority next time you're visiting Croatia.
BOOK | Set sail on this Pakleni Islands half day yacht trip
GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF HVAR TOWN
If you only have one day on Hvar, joining a walking tour for a couple of hours is the easiest way to get a feeling for the highlights of the town.
Within a 2-hour journey, you’ll stumble upon charming streets full of numerous attractions worth visiting such as one of the first municipal theatres in Europe, Hvar's amazing cathedral, and a majestic Town loggia with a 15th-century clock.
We could wander around these streets all day long, and never get tired of them! Fascinating stories and local insights along with all the important city sights, make this walking tour one of the best Hvar tours.
BOOK | Take in Hvar’s sights on foot with this guided walking tour
GUIDED FOOD TOUR OF HVAR ISLAND
Experience the best flavours in this elevated gourmet experience through Hvar's picturesque landscape. Not only will you have a chance to feast on fresh mediterranean fruits and herbs but also taste homemade honey, olive oil the island is famous for, and locally made chocolate that is to die for!
Later on, immerse yourself in the captivating atmosphere of traditional wine cellars while an expert leads you through the wine history of the island, from vineyards to glass.
We're sure tasting delicious Croatian wines complemented with toothsome desserts will linger in your memory long after your travels have ended!
BOOK | This guided tour of Hvar’s food scene
HVAR WINE TASTING TOUR
Is there a better way to get a taste of authentic Croatia than by embarking on a wine tour? This Hvar wine tasting tour is ideal for travellers who want to gain some in-depth vinicultural knowledge and learn about olive oil production to boot. From Hvar, you'll be driven to the wine region of Vinogorje where you'll visit ancient wine cellars.
At this stop, you'll taste a variety of wines paired with traditional specialities accompanied by a tasting of local olive oil. The second stop includes a visit to the small coastal town of Jelsa where you'll enjoy wine tasting and meeting a famous Croatian winemaker.
Alternatively, if you also want to sample a traditional Dalmatian meal, we recommend we recommend this wine tour instead. It follows the same itinerary as the first one but ends with a dinner in one of the charming villages.
BOOK | Discover Hvar’s wine scene on this wine tasting tour - or opt for this tour that includes dinner
THE BEST ONE-DAY SPLIT TO HVAR TOURS
Being one of the popular summer destinations, Split makes a great base for some of the coolest one-day Hvar day trips.
Keep reading our list of top recommendations for where to go and what to do.
5 ISLANDS DAY TRIP
To get the most out of your time on the Adriatic Coast, hop on one of the many day trips that include discovering both natural wonders and Dalmatian towns. This 5 islands tour starts by exploring Bisevo and the famous Blue Cave (the entrance ticket is included in the price!) followed by a visit to Vis Island.
The traditional village of Komiza will blow your mind with its charming promenade and cobbled-stone streets, and Budikovac island with its Blue Lagoon is perfect for swimming and snorkelling.
Stiniva Cave makes another notable spot for enjoying the Mediterranean sun, while last but certainly not least, you'll have enough time to explore the Old Town of Hvar.
BOOK | Discover the best of Dalmatia on this 5 island day trip
HALF-DAY BLUE LAGOON TOUR FROM SPLIT
If you're short on time, this half-day speedboat tour makes for a great option. From visiting the UNESCO-listed town of Trogir and wandering around Solta to trying local cuisine in Maslenica and enjoying the turquoise water of the incredible Blue Lagoon, this scenic ride combines history, culture, and plenty of free time for water activities.
If you opt for the morning tour, Martinis Marchi castle makes a lovely spot for lunch with a view of the nearby marina (their lavender and almond dessert is a must-try!)
SPLIT FULL DAY 3 ISLAND TOUR
This full-day excursion to three Dalmatian islands along the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea definitely merits mention on this list of the best Hvar day trips. Begin your journey with the Pakleni Islands, a stunning archipelago surrounded by incredibly crystal blue water and green Mediterranean pine.
Next, stroll around the sunny streets of picture-perfect Hvar, kick back with an espresso, and celebrity-watching on the main square. Finally, the alluring bay near Brac makes a lovely spot for swimming and snorkelling.
The best thing about it? Lunch and drinks on board the catamaran while admiring breathtaking views!
BOOK | Sail the Croatian seas on this full day tour of 3 islands
SPLIT FULL-DAY HVAR & PAKLENI ISLANDS CATAMARAN TOUR
This Hvar and Pakleni Islands catamaran trip makes for a fun day out with a group of friends. Take a dip off the shores of Brac Island and dive into the shimmering water of the Pakleni Islands’ secluded bays.
Between all that swimming and snorkelling, hop on a guided tour of the historical centre of Hvar with enough time to buy souvenirs and wander on your own.
Just bring your bathing suit and sunscreen because everything else is provided: delicious lunch, fine wine, unlimited water, homemade cakes, fresh fruit, and of course, music. Also, the Adriatic Coast looks wonderful from the water, so be sure to snap up a seat on the edge of the catamaran.
BOOK | Enjoy this full-day Hvar and Pakleni islands catamaran tour
WHY TAKE A GUIDED TOUR OF HVAR?
If you know us, you’ll know we’re all about slow, considered, mostly independent travel. We like to take our time in each destination, exploring each and every corner ourselves, camera and notebook in hand.
But every now and then, when we’re looking for a deeper understanding of a destination’s history and culture, context to the incredible landmarks we see, or to really delve deep into the flavour of a place, we take tours. In Hvar’s case, the history and culture of the island are rich and varied, and an organised tour conducted by locals is a great way to really sink your teeth into it.
They’re also a perfect way to maximise on sightseeing if you’re short on time, and a great way to meet new people (we’ve still got lifelong friends from tours we’ve taken around the world!). And finally, they allow you to visit places otherwise off-limits for tourists - like some of the coastline and inlets that are otherwise inaccessible (or secret!).
So whether you’re on Hvar for a day, a week, or a month, consider taking a tour or two.
HVAR TRAVEL INFORMATION
WHERE IS HVAR?
The island of Hvar is located in the Adriatic sea, off Croatia's famous Dalmatian coast. It's surrounded by a number of islands including Brac, Korcula and Vis, and is around an hour’s boat ride from Split. The island is the longest and sunniest in Croatia and has around 11,000 inhabitants.
On the opposite side of the Adriatic lies Italy, and important ports such as Ancona.
WHEN TO VISIT HVAR, CROATIA
We strongly believe that visiting the island during the shoulder seasons (April - early June, Sept-Oct) is the best time to visit. The weather is still delightful, the vibe lively, but the crushing summer crowds and heat haven’t descended yet.
Visiting during the peak summer months of mid-June to August means you'll have to contend with upwards of 20,000 daily visitors to the island, which in our opinion is both unsustainable, a detriment to the island, and also just generally unpleasant to deal with as a traveller!
WHAT TO DO ON HVAR
For all the details you need to plan your trip to Croatia’s beautiful island paradise, check out our comprehensive Hvar travel guide for the lowdown on what to do, where to eat, what to know before you go, and how to get there/around.
READ OUR GUIDES:
ACCOMMODATION ON HVAR
From cosy, family-run guesthouses to extravagant beachside resorts, and forested campsites to party hostels, there are plenty of accommodation options on Hvar to suit every style, traveller or budget.
We’ve written the following guides to help you find your perfect stay:
Where to stay on Hvar island: hotels, guesthouses and hostels for every budget
The best hotels in Stari Grad
Short on time? We recommend the following options:
LUXURY | PALACE ELISABETH HVAR HERITAGE HOTEL
As the name suggests, the Palace Elisabeth Hvar Heritage Hotel is a hotel fit for royalty.
With a history dating to the 13th century, grand Venetian and Austrian gothic and renaissance architecture, and named in honour of popular Austrian Empress Sisi (patron of its conversion into a hotel in the 19th century), staying here is a deep dive into Hvar’s rich history — but with all the luxury of a modern 5-star hotel complete with pool, terrace, and luxurious spa. It’s not cheap, but we recommend it for the ultimate splurge!
MID-RANGE | HOTEL ANTICA STARI GRAD
Not to be confused with our favourite restaurant in town, Antika, the Hotel Antica Stari Grad is ideally situated right next to the ferry and with gorgeous views over the clear blue bay.
This 4-star hotel is a super comfortable option for your time in Stari Grad with all the creature comforts you could want; the staff are wonderfully pleasant, and a buffet breakfast (with plenty of vegetarian options) is included in the price.
BOOK | Hotel Antica Stari Grad
BUDGET | WHITE RABBIT HOSTEL
We walked past The White Rabbit hostel every day on our way into town, and there were always cool people milling about, reading or chatting with friends. Set in a renovated 15th-century palace smack in the middle of town, this is definitely more your ‘glam packing’ style accommodation, with private rooms and small dorm rooms — including bunks with proper storage underneath, and the holy grail of backpacking: showers that are both hot and powerful! — that are cheery, clean and welcoming.
BOOK | White Rabbit Hostel
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN CROATIA
If you can't afford travel insurance, you really can't afford to travel. As the current global situation has taught many people, things can go wrong anywhere in the world - and insurance is often the only way of mitigating any issues with minimal expense or stress for you.
For all travellers | HeyMondo - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel + medical insurance, an app with 24-hour medical support, and no out-of-pocket fees. *Get 5% off your policy by booking through our link here.
Car Insurance | Insurance4CarHire - a great annual car insurance policy
ARE YOU PLANNING TO VISIT CROATIA SOON?
We have a heap of essential reading before you travel to the paradise island of Hvar:
HVAR GUIDES | The best things to see and do in Hvar Town, Read this before you travel to Hvar island, 11 amazing things to do in Stari Grad, Hvar, How to visit pretty Vrboska, Our guide to the stunning Pakleni Islands, Our complete guide to Hvar’s best beaches
HVAR ACCOMMODATION | The best places to stay on Hvar Island, and the best Airbnbs on the island too, The best hotels in Stari Grad
HVAR DAY TRIPS | The best day trips to, from, and on Hvar
HVAR PHOTOS | 42 incredible photos of Hvar island that will inspire you to visit!
HOW TO GET AROUND | How to get from Hvar to Stari Grad, how to get from Split to Hvar
DUBROVNIK | 10 Essential things to do in Dubrovnik, Croatia
TRAVEL INSURANCE | Don’t leave home without travel insurance (seriously, don’t!). Click here to get the best deals with World Nomads, our trusted travel insurance provider
PHOTOGRAPHY | Love our photography? Wondering what gear we use to get all of our photos around the world? Click here to view our detailed photography gear guide, as well as our top travel photography tips!
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL | Responsible travel is important. REALLY IMPORTANT. Learn our top responsible travel tips to help you, your family and your friends travel more consciously around the globe
ECO-FRIENDLY PACKING ESSENTIALS | Don’t leave home without our favourite eco-friendly travel essentials
HEADING TO CROATIA? YOU’LL LOVE THESE GUIDES
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