Hvar belongs to the group of central Dalmatian islands and is located between the islands of Brač, Vis and Korčula, the Pelješac peninsula and the Makarska Riviera. At 298 square kilometres, it is the fourth largest Croatian island, with over 250 kilometres of coastline. It has 11,500 inhabitants and its largest towns are Hvar, Jelsa and Starigrad.
The Island of Hvar is the sunniest island in Croatia, and has been ranked among the ten most beautiful islands in the world by many travel magazines worldwide. Pleasant climate with numerous sunny days, clear air, crystal clear sea, lush sub-tropical vegetation, well-maintained vineyards and olive groves, as well as its rich history make it a unique tourist destination.
The entire region of Dalmatia has Mediterranean natural and climate characteristics, with long warm summers and short and mild winters. The average summer air temperature is around 26 degrees Celsius, while the average winter air temperature is around 7 degrees Celsius. The average air temperature throughout the year is 17,3 degrees Celsius. The town and the island of Hvar are the sunniest locations in Croatia, with 2718 hours of sunshine annually.
A group of 20 something isles and rocks situated in front of Hvar, by the name of PAKLENI OTOCI - Hell Islands (or Hvar’s isles as locals would refer to them) is a unique and the most recognisable natural beauty of Hvar. Once bare, tame isles covered in fragrant heather, with a few fields (in olden day people sowed there wheat), and a small village Volker; today represents a spacious tourist resort of Hvar - famous by far Hvar’s sunny Arcadia.
Divers describe HVAR’S SUBMARINE LIFE as one of the prettiest in the Mediterranean. The most interesting location is the very end of the western part of the isles - Sitka do Vodnjoka, that is made up of a group of vertical rocks covered in thick layers of gorgonium, and rich in fish and shells. The most impressive among these rocks is Kampanel - a narrow rock that streams vertically as a tower from 46 m deep to some 15 m below the level of sea.
Starigrad is the oldest town on the island and one of the oldest in Europe. It was founded by the Ionian Greeks from the island of Pharos in 385 BC, when they started to colonize the island of Hvar. Take a walk along Starigrad’s waterfront, as well as the Starigrad plain where the Greek division of land into plots 2500 years ago is still retained - one of the few examples of its kind in the world. Visit the most significant architectural monument in Starigrad, the fortified palace of Tvrdalj, a Renaissance palace which was the home of the poet Petar Hektorović
Vrboska was established in the mid-15th century. It is located in a very deep and narrow bay, surrounded by pinewoods with a beautiful and warm beach. Take a walk along the Vrboska waterfront and you will have the impression of being on one of the Venetian canals. Visit the three-ship St. Lawrence’s church with five marble portals and artwork by local and Venetian artists. Don’t miss the unique Renaissance church-fortress of St. Maria - an extremely rare monument of its kind in Dalmatia.
CRVENE STIJENE (RED ROCKS), 8 km east of the town of Hvar, are an unusual and picturesque play of nature. Layers of lime-stone, between which were once layers of breccia, have risen vertically in ancient geological history of Hvar. The softer breccia layers were washed out by the rain and sea, creating the vertical hollows of a reddish colour that today appears as a gigantic organ streaming from the bottom of the sea.
Sveta Nedjelja is an ideal place for a half-day excursion. It is located on a cliff under the Sveti Nikola mountain top (626 meters), and surrounded by steep vineyards and olive groves which are difficult to reach. Sveta Nedjelja is located in one of the supreme wine-growing areas on the island and the entire country.
SVETA NEDILJA CAVE is situated above Sv. Nedilja village. Its size is grand and it’s interior impressive. Ancient people used as a cover, and for religious services. In 16th century a small hermits’ refuge was built there, and traces of it can be still found today. Visitors can reach the cave easily.
