Top Experiences in Hvar Island

Unique things to do, curated by kimkim specialists
5.0
(5)
4 hours
·
Private group
Get to know Hvar's 2,400-year history through its vineyards. The island has produced delicious varietals for centuries, starting with the ancient Greeks who first planted vines on Hvar in the 4th century BCE. The Stari Grad Plain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and where you'll find most of the Greek and winemaking history. Wine in the region didn't stop with the Greeks. The Romans, Venetians continuously enhanced it, and even the Socialist era, when organic methods reigned (and won the island many gold medals for organic wine). One of the most famous varietals found on Hvar is Plavac Mali, a grape related to Italy's Primitivo and Zinfandel in the United States. It's believed that Plavac Mali is the original Zinfandel, and Hvar is home to the oldest Plavac Mali vineyard in the world. You'll also find several other beloved indigenous grapes on the island, including Bogdanuša, Posip, and Maraština.Discover all the flavors of Hvar on this wine tasting excursion, complete with local snacks to keep you going! This wonderful tour takes you to the most outstanding wineries on the island, where you can visit the vineyards, cellars, and production facilities and then put your newfound knowledge to test with tastings paired with local food delicacies.Discover more unique experiences on Hvar.
Hvar Town and the Pakleni Islands at sunset
Enjoy a full day of off-roading fun with your partner, friends, or family as you cover Hvar's undulating island terrain, accented with vineyard-covered hills, thick olive groves, and fragrant fields full of rosemary and lavender. Set out from Hvar Town along a dirt road to the abandoned 16th-century village of Malo Grablje before carrying on to the slightly older, UNESCO-protected Velo Grablje. Once home to a thriving lavender industry, Velo Grablje is slowly undergoing a revival. Today, only a few people inhabit the village throughout the year, but many gather for the annual lavender festival. Stop for an authentic lunch at a family-run tavern that traditionally prepares your meal using locally sourced ingredients and a peka. The peka is a large metal baking dish with a bell-shaped lid to cook food in an open fire. Next, you'll spend a little time relaxing on Soline Beach on the island's northern coast near Vrboska. Then, head up Vidikovac for views over the Stari Grad Plain, an agricultural landscape that was first colonized by the Greeks and is still maintained today, as well as Stari Grad itself, Croatia's oldest township. After a moment to absorb the breathtaking surroundings, you'll ascend Hvar's tallest peak, St. Nicholas, for additional sweeping vistas over the Adriatic and neighboring islands like Brač, Korčula, and Vis, and possibly even the east coast of Italy! On your way down the sloping hillside lies Sveta Nedija, a village surrounded by vineyards so steep...
Old village of Brusje on Hvar
4 hours
·
Small group
Ditch the crowds, get off the beaten path, and enjoy a unique exploration of the island of Hvar. With a local guide, you'll hike through the island's stunning countryside, traversing hills, passing through hidden villages, and absorbing the traditional architecture. You'll learn about the traditional ways of life that still inhabit Hvar while enjoying the island's beautiful nature. As you make your way toward the village of Malo Grablje, you'll follow the island's old trail. This route was the main road connecting Hvar Town with Stari Grad to the north in the Middle Ages. Listen to stories from your guide about the island's history as you hike from village to village. Along the way, you'll stop at a quaint restaurant for an authentic Croatian lunch. The traditional cooking method includes a "peka," an iron bell covered in hot embers.Read more about historical excursions in Croatia.
Cyclist explore plains around Stari Grad
4.5 hours
·
Small group
Discover the beauty of Hvar on a cycling tour, starting in Stari Grad on the island's northwest side, a quaint town surrounded by scenic agricultural landscapes. After getting acquainted with your bike and gear, you'll set off to explore Hvar. One of the best ways to see the entire island and get to know all sides of Hvar is on a bike, where you can take a slower pace and stop as you please. You can choose from several routes, ranging from 6 to 9 miles (10 to 15 km), although all are easy rides on mostly flat roads. All routes offer the essence of Hvar, passing through the island's beautiful lavender fields, olive groves, vineyards, palm trees, pine woods, and more. You'll start at the well-preserved ancient Greek ruins on the Stari Grad Plain—an agricultural landscape established by the ancient Greeks in the 4th century BCE (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Stop along the way to explore small villages in the inner part of the island and coastal favorites like Jelsa and Vrboska.Read more about active experiences in Croatia and other unique activities on Hvar.
Stunning aerial shot of Zlatni Rat beach
8 hours
·
Private group
Enjoy a boat tour of the scenic islands of Brač, Pakleni, and Hvar. Enjoy the scenes around you as you pass by rugged coastline, secluded coves, and forested islets. The most anticipated stop is the famous Zlatni Rat Beach on Brač Island, which juts out into the sea with a triangle of golden sand. After enjoying some time swimming and snorkeling, you'll return to the boat and make your way toward the Pakleni Islands. Stop in quiet bays and coves to swim, snorkel, and enjoy the water, then head inland to a local spot for a bite to eat. Your skipper knows all the best spots and will recommend local favorites according to your taste! The rest of the day can be as leisurely or as active as you'd like. Chat with your skipper about what other places or activities you'd like to see and do. You can simply lounge on a few idyllic beaches, find more popular spots for swimming and snorkeling, discover new sports like kayaking, paddleboarding, or windsurfing, or spend more time inland hiking or eating island cuisine.Discover more excursions in and around Split.

Experiences in Hvar Island, Croatia

Views of Dubrovnik
Top Historical Experiences in Croatia

Croatia is a prime spot for history buffs, with numerous cultural influences from centuries of various rulers and empires. In Zagreb, enjoy "mini Vienna" with grand Austro-Hungarian architecture and museums depicting life from the Bronze Age to the time of Yugoslavia. Head west to Istria for true Italian vibes, or venture south along the coast and visit some of Europe's most historical relics, including Diocletian's Palace in Split and the walled city of Dubrovnik. Even the islands host an abundance of unique rural history!

Hvar Town at Sunset
The Best Things to Do on Hvar

Hvar Island encompasses everything visitors love about Croatia: golden beaches, emerald waters, lavender fields, craggy peaks, ancient towns, and unique cuisine. For these reasons, it's one of the most popular islands. On Hvar, you can hike on medieval trails to scenic vistas, explore villages founded by the Greeks, go wine tasting, kayak to secluded coves, and visit neighboring islands. When hungry, eat a traditional meal cooked in a peka and take advantage of Hvar Town's buzzy nightlife.

Split's waterfront at sunset
Best Things to Do in Split

Split is Croatia's second-largest city, complete with a vibrant waterfront promenade, ferry connections to the Dalmatian Islands, and an Old Town nearly enveloped by the 4th-century Diocletian's Palace. In one day, you can explore the city's original Roman cellars, relax on a quiet beach along Marjan Park, discover the Illyrian Kliss Fortress, and nosh on fresh seafood. Enjoy your days meandering the marbled streets or hiking, kayaking, or taking day trips to the islands, national parks, and nearby medieval villages.

Discover Croatia with an active excursion
Top Active Experiences in Croatia

With a diverse landscape filled with rocky mountain peaks, jagged cliffs, rushing rivers, and endless coastline, there's always something active to do in Croatia. Explore the country's idyllic scenery by paddleboarding through archipelagos, hiking to hidden viewpoints, kayaking along the coast, or cycling through vineyards. In addition, Croatia has some of Europe's most beautiful national parks, all perfect for an active outdoorsy itinerary.

Learn more about Hvar Island : Best of Hvar Island
Top experiences in popular travel destinations in Croatia: Split · Dubrovnik · Hvar · Trogir · Zadar · Zagreb · Korčula · Istria · Plitvice Lakes · Brač Island · Rovinj · Vis Island · Motovun
Top experiences in Croatia