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Split-Dalmácia · Croatia
The port and the Fortica of Hvar, the Pakleni islands and the agricultural landscape of Stari Grad, with two bases on the same island.
In the photo: Starogradsko polje and Stari Grad
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
The island of Hvar combines a port town facing the Pakleni islands and a historic base in a bay on the north coast. In the town of Hvar, the route goes by the square, the cathedral and the climb to the Fortica. In Stari Grad, the visit focuses on Tvrdalj and the agricultural plain recognized as a World Heritage site.
The two towns are connected by road. The choice of boat determines arrival: a passenger catamaran to Hvar is not the same as the vehicle ferry to Stari Grad. Checking the terminal prevents planning accommodation as if all boats landed on the same waterfront.
Croatian and local names appear on tickets and signs. May, June and September usually allow combining walks and crossings with milder temperatures than in July and August.
This destination brings together 2 cities: Hvar, Stari Grad.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Contornos: © OpenStreetMap contributors, via geoBoundaries (ODbL 1.0). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.
Confirm before buying. Arrive to the region via Split and check whether the chosen boat serves Hvar or Stari Grad.
Suggested arrival point: Hvar
Hvar is laid out around a sheltered port and a square that reaches the Cathedral of Sveti Stjepan. The Fortica occupies the hillside above the center. Offshore, the Pakleni islands offer boat trips with different stops. The town and the island share the same name, but they are not the same landing point.
Stari Grad occupies a bay on the north coast of the island of Hvar. Petar Hektorović’s Tvrdalj brings architecture and literature together, while the Stari Grad plain preserves the layout of an ancient agricultural landscape. The ferry terminal is outside the town center and should be factored into arrival and departure plans.
The local experience
The Fortica occupies the hillside above the town of Hvar. The fortress follows the elevated position of the historic core and allows views over the port, the roofs and the Pakleni islands in the background. The visit combines the ascent from the town's streets with movement within the compound.
The Tvrdalj of Petar Hektorović is the fortified house associated with the Renaissance poet Petar Hektorović in Stari Grad. The complex combines residential architecture, defensive elements and a garden. The visit connects the history of writing with the organization of domestic space on the island of Hvar.
Katedrala sv. Stjepana closes one end of Hvar's main square. The building and its bell tower form a landmark for those arriving at the port and walking through the center. The visit allows relating the religious space to the layout of the square and surrounding streets.
The Starogradsko polje is the agricultural landscape near Stari Grad whose organization dates back to the Greek colonization of the island. Stone walls and paths mark cultivation plots. The interest lies in the persistence of this layout in land use, rather than visiting a single building.
The Pakleni otoci form a group of islands off Hvar. Coves, wooded stretches and rocky coasts make up a landscape experienced by boat and by stops at accessible areas. The archipelago is not connected to the town by bridge or land route.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
May, June and September tend to favor the combination of town, countryside and sea. The availability of tours usually grows from May to September; from December to February there are shorter days and more rain.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Four to six days allow time for both towns and an outing to the Pakleni, leaving margin for crossings.
Hvar favors the passenger port, the square and departures to the Pakleni. Stari Grad brings you closer to Tvrdalj and the plain, and hosts the vehicle ferry terminal outside the center. Compare access with luggage and the buses between the towns.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Hvar favors departures to the Pakleni; Stari Grad serves the agricultural landscape and the arrival of the vehicle ferry.
No. The road allows combining both from a single base, depending on available transport.
Read the port name on the ticket: the island name is not enough to identify the terminal.
It is a working agricultural landscape. Follow authorized paths and look for the site's interpretation.
