FOUR NIGHTS IN PARADISE

During our Croatian road trip last September, we had just spent over a week running around the pretty cities of Istria, beautiful Zadar and the cobbled streets of Split when we found ourselves craving some chill time. We knew we wanted to visit one of the islands close to Split and after numerous recommendations, we jumped on a boat and headed to Hvar. We had no plans other than to chill in the sun and swim as much as possible. In high season Hvar quickly fills up with party-goers and yachting-types, but when we visited in September, we found ourselves a sleepier, more charming island, full of quaint towns and secluded beaches. Paradise on the Adriatic. Here are just some of the best things to do in the island.

EXPLORE HVAR TOWN

During our stay on Hvar island, we based ourselves a ten minute walk away from Hvar town on the seafront. Every morning we woke up to the sound of the sea and the gentle hum of boats floating past. Time in Hvar town was spent wandering the cobbled streets on the hunt for coffee, meandering along the the palm-lined promenade and sitting overlooking the sparkling harbour. We took in the views over Hvar town and the nearby Pakleni islands from the Hvar Fort, people-watched in St Stephen's Square and spent balmy afternoons dipping in and out of the sea. In the evenings we snaked our way through the maze of candlelit, cobbled back streets, to find tucked away bars serving local wine to unwind after a day exploring.

SWIM SWIM SWIM

The crystal-clear waters are just one of the reasons many flock to Hvar each summer but it is most definitely the top reason we’re always dreaming about returning. At every given opportunity we were frolicking in the warm waters. The entire island has idyllic swimming spots around every corner and with endless sunshine and snorkel in tow, we could think of no better way to spend our time on the island.

VISIT JELSA

We stopped at Jelsa just long enough to meander along the cobbled streets and to enjoy dinner. We Sat overlooking the harbour and watched as yachts came and went. It was a lovely little town to stop off at after a day of driving around and beach hopping.

EXPLORE STARI GRAD

Stari Grad is the perfect place for those looking to stay somewhere quieter than Hvar town but with the same charm. The beautiful harbour and winding cobbled streets made this one of our favourite towns to visit on the island, ideal for a stroll in the sunshine. We only visited for an afternoon but could have happily stayed a few days in this lovely town.

RENT A BOAT AND HEAD TO THE PAKLENI ISLANDS

Our boat trip to the Pakleni islands was most definitely our favourite day on Hvar. The pakleni islands sit just off the coast of Hvar and are famous for their bright blue coves, pine forests and idyllic swimming spots. It’s no wonder that this adventurous day trip from Hvar is top of everyone’s to-do list. We hired a little Pesara boat and after a hilarious, albeit slightly terrifying sail through the harbour dodging giant boats in the process, we found a dreamy bay all to ourselves to drop anchor. We slipped into the sea and enjoyed swimming in some of the clearest waters we have ever seen. The rest of the day was spent island hopping, finding picturesque coves to snorkel in and pine-covered beaches to lounge on, stopping only to lunch at a cute little restaurant. The most blissful day and an absolute must during your own trip to Hvar.

HUNT OUT THE BEST BEACHES ON THE ISLAND

Croatia knows how to do beaches and there’s certainly no shortage of beautiful ones on Hvar island. We explored popular spots next to Hvar town and then jumped in our rental car and traveled around in search of quieter, more secluded hideaways. We were not disappointed with what we found. Here are just a few of our favourites.

MALO ZARACE BEACH
This little gem was absolute paradise and there was no one else around the day we discovered it. We had the whole turquoise blue cove to ourselves.

POKONJI DOL BEACH
Located a short walk from Hvar town, this beach is ideal for those who aren’t planning on exploring the rest of the island outside of the main town. The water is a bright turquoise blue, sunbeds are available all day and two restaurants sit either side of the beach, making it super easy to spend the whole day here.

DUBOVICA BEACH
Possibly my favourite beach we visited, Dubovica is hidden away in a secluded bay surrounded by pines and olive trees. We parked at the top of the cliff and jumped out to see the gleaming Adriatic below. You have to climb down steep terrain to get there but the effort is worth it. We were rewarded with the perfect spot to chill out and go for another swim. This beach can get very busy during peak season but wait until late summer like us and you will almost have the entire beach to yourself. There is a restaurant and a beach bar to keep you fed and watered if you want to spend the entire day.

MASLINICA BAY

We found this dreamy spot near the town of Jelsa just as the sun was about to set. We sat on the rocks watching the sun go down and then jumped in and swam until dusk. Like many of the spots we visited, there was hardly anyone around and we felt like we had the entire place to ourselves.

We loved our time on Hvar and fell in love with the tiny towns and gorgeous beaches. Going with the flow and simply exploring was most definitely the best way to experience the island.

We can’t wait to be back!