The Peaceful Side of Hvar, Croatia

Arrival

You might have had a long journey of planes and ferries to get to Hvar. So spend your first day relaxing at your hotel. Enjoy being by the water, whether it’s a pool or the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic.

Explore and dine

Unless you’re trying to join the party in Hvar town, you’ll probably enjoy peaceful Stari Grad much more. Stari Grad literally means “old town” in Croatia, and its narrow streets lined with old stone houses will make you feel like you’re on a movie set. You wouldn’t expect a town so small to have much of a food scene, but you’d be wrong — the food here is much, much better than anything you’ll find in Hvar town. At restaurants in Stari Grad, it’s not uncommon to be served by the owners themselves, which is such a special experience. The dishes are fresh, local and thoughtfully prepared. I recommend Blue Doors (get the truffle and shrimp triangles) and Jurin Podrum (get the wild boar gnocchi).

Ride at your pace

Croatia has become a pretty popular cycling destination due to its hilly terrain and beautiful scenery. Join in on the fun by renting bikes (electric or regular) from Hvar Life in Stari Grad. The staff will be happy to map out some routes for you, but here are my recommendations:

• For an easy ride, head east towards Jelsa. You’ll get to ride through a (very flat) UNESCO world heritage site full of ancient stone structures and vineyards, plus several small towns. Jelsa is a charming town on the water where you can enjoy a coffee, lunch or ice cream break. Extend your ride by riding through the other coastal towns in the area before making your way back to Stari Grad.

• If you’re up for a challenge, ride the Old Road to Hvar town. Because there’s now a tunnel connecting Stari Grad and Hvar, there are hardly any cars on this road. It climbs up to the top of the mountain, where you’ll get some gorgeous views of the water and surrounding islands. You’ll also ride through some charming old towns and, if it’s June, Hvar’s iconic lavender fields. Enjoy lunch in Hvar town before making the trek back to Stari Grad. You can make this a loop or an out-and-back, just ask the Hvar Life staff for directions!

Relax, again

You had a big day yesterday! So take another day to chill by the pool or the beach. Maybe even treat yourself to a massage?

Boat Tour

Getting out on the water while in Croatia is an absolute must! There are a lot of options for this on Hvar. Try Hvar Adventure for sailing tours to the Pakleni Islands right off the coast of Hvar town. These islands are known for swimming coves and beach bars.