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By 
6/28/2016
Hvar, a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea, is just one of the thousand islands dotted along the Dalmatian Coast and a perfect yacht charter destination
Less busy than Ibiza but just as chic as St Tropez, Hvar’s location allows yachts to combine itineraries with visits to Dubrovnik, Split, Trogir, the Makarska Riviera, Brač, Korčula, Vis, Mljet Island and Montenegro.
A Croatian jewel
Hvar has an interesting history that has resulted in a diverse range of cultural buildings and attractions. There is a broad range of sightseeing and things to do from swimming in the cerulean blue waters, strolling the promenade at dusk in Hvar Town, to sampling Croatian wine at one of the island’s vineyards or savouring fresh seafood at a harbourside restaurant.
Hvar Town is the busiest destination with a pretty harbour, busy nightlife and attractions including the St Stephen’s Cathedral overlooking the main square, the Franciscan Monastery and Fortica Španjola, a historic fortress dominating the town from above.
Stari Grad on the north coast offers a quieter base and is popular for Dubovica Beach, beautifully restored stone houses and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Stari Grad Plain that is an ancient geometrical system of land division used by the Ionian Greeks in the 4th century BC.
The island’s interior should not be forgotten; here you’ll find an aromatic wonderland with lavender fields, wildflowers, fig and olive plantations, grapevines and citrus orchards.
Close to Hvar Town, the Pakleni Islands are a lovely escape with clear water, pebbly coves and secluded beaches – drop anchor at Vinogradisce Bay or Palmižana on the island of Sveti Klement (St Klement). After a day of diving (Croatia has a vast number of shipwrecks, many protected under the Ministry of Culture), visit the botanical garden heady with the scents of salt-dusted rosemary, eucalyptus and mimosa before dining at either Zori Restaurant or Toto’s Beach Restaurant, both with exceptional sea views and fresh seafood to make any island castaway envious.
2. Beekeeping has been important on Hvar since Roman times. Buy some of Hvar’s herb- infused honey with health benefits from rosemary, sage or lavender.
3. Sample Hvar’s diverse nightlife ranging from a rooftop cocktail at the Top Bar at the Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel, to a glass of Croatian wine with tapas at Marco’s Wine Bar to a chilled beer while clubbing at Carpe Diem Beach.
4. Wander Hvar Town’s white cobblestoned alleyways before climbing up to Fortica Španjola. The fortress dates back to the 1st millennium BC and the current fortress was finished in the 16th-century by the Venetians (you can see the Venetian Coat of Arms above the southern gate); the walk to the top is worth the effort for panoramic views across the town and to the Pakleni Islands and in summer a cafeteria is open offering a pleasant place to pause for refreshments.
5. Dive into a plate of Dalmatian cuisine such as gregada (white wine stew with seafood and potatoes), goats cheese coated with sugar, smoked squid with rosemary gnocchi or octopus salad drizzled in olive oil and served with warm crusty bread.
For luxury yacht charters to Hvar and around Croatia, contact luxury yacht charter specialists Bespoke Yacht Charter.
If we have convinced you to sail around islands, we also recommend you to go and explore the Iberic Islands with Mallorca day trips.
Hvar Town is the busiest destination with a pretty harbour, busy nightlife and attractions including the St Stephen’s Cathedral overlooking the main square, the Franciscan Monastery and Fortica Španjola, a historic fortress dominating the town from above.
Stari Grad on the north coast offers a quieter base and is popular for Dubovica Beach, beautifully restored stone houses and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Stari Grad Plain that is an ancient geometrical system of land division used by the Ionian Greeks in the 4th century BC.
The island’s interior should not be forgotten; here you’ll find an aromatic wonderland with lavender fields, wildflowers, fig and olive plantations, grapevines and citrus orchards.
Close to Hvar Town, the Pakleni Islands are a lovely escape with clear water, pebbly coves and secluded beaches – drop anchor at Vinogradisce Bay or Palmižana on the island of Sveti Klement (St Klement). After a day of diving (Croatia has a vast number of shipwrecks, many protected under the Ministry of Culture), visit the botanical garden heady with the scents of salt-dusted rosemary, eucalyptus and mimosa before dining at either Zori Restaurant or Toto’s Beach Restaurant, both with exceptional sea views and fresh seafood to make any island castaway envious.
When to go to Hvar
Summer is predictably high season, especially when people visit Hvar for the Lavender Festival (June), Ultra Europe music festival (July) or Jelsa Wine Festival (August). However, Hvar has high sunshine hours throughout the year and the shoulder season is also ideal when the weather is favourable and restaurants, nightlife and attractions are less frenetic.Five Must-Do Experiences in Hvar
1. Head to Bastijana in the small coastal town of Jesla to sample Prošek, a Dalmatian dessert wine or Plavac Mali, a red wine grape variety which has grown well over the rocky karst terrain that sculpts the Croatian Adriatic Coast.2. Beekeeping has been important on Hvar since Roman times. Buy some of Hvar’s herb- infused honey with health benefits from rosemary, sage or lavender.
3. Sample Hvar’s diverse nightlife ranging from a rooftop cocktail at the Top Bar at the Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel, to a glass of Croatian wine with tapas at Marco’s Wine Bar to a chilled beer while clubbing at Carpe Diem Beach.
4. Wander Hvar Town’s white cobblestoned alleyways before climbing up to Fortica Španjola. The fortress dates back to the 1st millennium BC and the current fortress was finished in the 16th-century by the Venetians (you can see the Venetian Coat of Arms above the southern gate); the walk to the top is worth the effort for panoramic views across the town and to the Pakleni Islands and in summer a cafeteria is open offering a pleasant place to pause for refreshments.
5. Dive into a plate of Dalmatian cuisine such as gregada (white wine stew with seafood and potatoes), goats cheese coated with sugar, smoked squid with rosemary gnocchi or octopus salad drizzled in olive oil and served with warm crusty bread.
For luxury yacht charters to Hvar and around Croatia, contact luxury yacht charter specialists Bespoke Yacht Charter.
If we have convinced you to sail around islands, we also recommend you to go and explore the Iberic Islands with Mallorca day trips.
