Major city · Croatia
Hvar
Give Hvar Town 2–3 nights, arrive by fast ferry from Split (about 1 h), and book beds 4–6 weeks ahead for July–August.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Jun, Sep
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, peak prices), Nov–Mar (many places shut)
- Airports
- SPU · DBV
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Croatia ↗Croatia is in the EU and the Schengen area; the EU Entry/Exit System applies to non-EU visitors. Check the official EU and Croatian sources for your passport.
- Croatia ↗Book car ferries and popular catamarans ahead in summer; foot passengers still need to be early for the busiest routes.
- Croatia ↗Split and Dubrovnik fine visitors for walking shirtless or in swimwear away from beaches; carry a cover-up.
Hvar is an island, not a town: the fast ferry lands at Hvar Town, the car ferry at Stari Grad 20 km away. Most travellers want Hvar Town for the square, the fortress walk and the Pakleni Islands boat day, then a bus or scooter run to Stari Grad, Jelsa or the lavender interior. Two nights covers the town; three adds a boat day and an inland half-day. July and August are the busiest and priciest weeks of the Croatian coast.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Hvar, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR) since 2023.Croatia-wide
- SIM or eSIMHrvatski Telekom, A1 and Telemach sell prepaid SIMs at kiosks (Tisak) and shops; ID required.Croatia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe and good everywhere, including islands (some small islands rely on piped or tanked water — ask).Croatia-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10% for good service, in cash.Croatia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Croatia-wide
- SafetyHvar is a safe, low-crime island; the real risks are scooter crashes on steep roads, sun and sea, and August crowds.
- RestroomsFree in cafés for customers; public toilets in old towns cost €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).Croatia-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All emergencies · 192 police · 193 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany island restaurants, hotels and museums close November–March.Croatia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSPU Split Airport (Bus or taxi to Split ferry port, then fast ferry to Hvar Town (about 1 h) or car ferry to Stari Grad (about 2 h).).
- Getting aroundHvar Town is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
- BeerBeer on a terrace / at a bar€3.50–6 (≈ US$5–7)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miWater taxi to the Pakleni Islandscheck€2–10 (≈ US$3–12)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, a night, per room€130 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedDouble room, a night, per room€280 (≈ US$350)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €220 (≈ US$300)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SPU Split Airport (Bus or taxi to Split ferry port, then fast ferry to Hvar Town (about 1 h) or car ferry to Stari Grad (about 2 h).) · DBV Dubrovnik Airport (Seasonal fast ferries link Dubrovnik and Hvar Town; otherwise bus to Split first.)
Weather and climate
Hvar: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C54°F
6°C43°F
9 rd
Feb
12°C54°F
6°C43°F
8 rd
Mar
15°C59°F
8°C46°F
8 rd
Apr
18°C64°F
11°C52°F
8 rd
May
23°C73°F
15°C59°F
6 rd
Jun
27°C81°F
19°C66°F
5 rd
Jul
30°C86°F
22°C72°F
3 rd
Aug
30°C86°F
22°C72°F
4 rd
Sep
26°C79°F
19°C66°F
6 rd
Oct
21°C70°F
15°C59°F
8 rd
Nov
16°C61°F
11°C52°F
10 rd
Dec
13°C55°F
8°C46°F
10 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Hvar Town is walkable. Buses meet the Stari Grad car ferry and run to Hvar Town, Jelsa and Stari Grad; buy from the driver in cash and check the seasonal timetable. Car rental is about €47 a day and scooters about €33.50 a day, one-day minimum. Water taxis cross to the Pakleni Islands. There are only two petrol stations, at Hvar Town and near Jelsa.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Pakleni Islands
goDoor to door: 15–30 min
Water taxi from Hvar Town harbour, or rent a small boat
Boat day for coves and lunch; go early in July–August.
Stari Grad
goDoor to door: 30–45 min
Bus from Hvar Town, or the car ferry if you have a vehicle
Oldest town on the island and the Stari Grad Plain, a UNESCO site.
Jelsa and the lavender villages
goDoor to door: 30–50 min
Bus or scooter via the D116 across the island
Half-day; Humac and the inland fields need your own wheels.
Vis
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h
Seasonal fast ferry from Hvar Town
Worth a night or two, not a rushed return trip.
Split
goDoor to door: 1–2 h
Fast ferry to Split, or car ferry from Stari Grad
The mainland link; see the Split guide for what to do there.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hvar Town
Square, riva and fortress on foot; loudest and priciest in July–August, book early.
Stari Grad
Car-ferry port, calmer, cheaper beds; 20–30 min by bus to Hvar Town.
Jelsa
Mid-island base near the lavender villages; good for a car or scooter.
Pakleni Islands
A few guesthouses and beach restaurants; boat-only, quiet at night.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €55–85 (≈ US$65–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €180 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room1 × 3 nights × €130 | €390 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × €110 | €660 |
| Fast ferry Split → Hvar Town, one way2 × €15 · check | €30 |
| Car ferry Split → Stari Grad, one way, car plus driver1 × €60 · check | €60 |
| Scooter rental, one day2 × €34 | €68 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €123 |
| Trip total≈ €225 per person per day, bed included | €1,351≈ US$1,600 |
2026 estimate in euro; ferry and flight costs excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Grilled squid or fish main | €15–28 (≈ US$18–35) |
| Beer on a terrace / at a bar | €3.50–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Scooter rental, one day | €33.50 (≈ US$40) |
| Car rental, one day | €47 (≈ US$55) |
| Water taxi to the Pakleni Islandscheck | €2–10 (≈ US$3–12) |
| Fast ferry Split → Hvar Towncheck | €10–20 (≈ US$12–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Skip taxis at the ferry port; buses are far cheaper.
- Roads are steep and winding with few guard rails — ride a scooter carefully.
- August brings the biggest crowds and the highest room rates.
- Many hotels, restaurants and ferries close from November to March.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies
- 112
- Police
- 192
- Fire
- 193
- Ambulance
- 194
- Sea rescue
- 195
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
HvarHvar
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Na ovu adresu, molimTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies112
- Police192
- Fire193
- Ambulance194
- Sea rescue195
Embassy
Croatia has no foreign embassies on Hvar; most are in Zagreb, with consulates in Split. US, UK and other travellers should register with their embassy in Zagreb before island travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fast ferry Split → Hvar Town: about 1 h, €10–20 (≈ US$12–25) (check)
- Car ferry Split → Stari Grad: about 2 h, car plus driver about €60 (≈ US$70) (check)
- Bus Stari Grad → Hvar Town: €3.50 (≈ US$5), about 30 min (check)
- Water taxi to the Pakleni Islands: €2–10 (≈ US$3–12) (check)
Say or show
- Dobar dan — Hello (DOH-bar dahn)
- Hvala — Thank you (HVAH-lah)
- Molim — Please (MOH-leem)
- Koliko košta? — How much is it? (KOH-lee-koh KOHSH-tah)
- Račun, molim — The bill, please (RAH-choon MOH-leem)
- Gdje je trajekt? — Where is the ferry? (gdyeh yeh TRAH-yekt)
112 works from any phone, including mobiles without a local SIM.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Hvar. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun, Sep · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, peak prices), Nov–Mar (many places shut) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry contract for Split–Hvar: fast ferry versus car ferry, last departures and the Stari Grad bus link.
- Four walking clusters in Hvar Town: square and cathedral, fortress lanes, riva and harbour, beaches south.
- Place pages with verified hours and entry (fortress, cathedral, Bishop's Treasury, Stari Grad Plain) and eat pages with last orders.
- Boat-day fixtures for the Pakleni Islands, including water-taxi fares and weather cutoffs.
Sources
- officialHvar Tourist Board
- officialJadrolinija ferries
- officialKrilo fast ferries
- officialCroatia tourism
- secondaryWikivoyage: Hvar, revision 5340186 (CC BY-SA 4.0)