The Island of Hvar is located 30 miles from the Croatian coastline on the far west and only 3 miles on the east. For an islander, it’s a world in itself. Hvar would be Croatia’s Long Island, while Split is within reach. That makes it perfect for all the travelers flying in Croatia. Due to its diverse history, it’s an unmatched melting pot of cultures and heritage: Illyrians, Greeks, Romans, Venetians, French… you name it! They all came here, one way or another. Everybody left their mark: in architecture, language, wine, fishing techniques, or simply admiration for the island of Hvar.
Today, Hvar is a paradise for those lucky enough to discover it. And in this article, we’ll go through 10 reasons why you should visit it.
1. The island of Hvar is magically beautiful
Influential magazines chose it numerous times among the 10 most beautiful islands. For me, it’s simply mesmerizing with its untamed beauty.
When you climb the highest peak of the island of Hvar, called St.. Nicholas, the sight of the open Adriatic sea is breathtaking. People start crying out of the blue when they see that endless beauty in front of them. It’s beautiful and a privilege to witness that, as if their soul is freed.
Mother Nature does that to you. Well, you can be the judge.
2. The Island of Hvar has insane vineyards
Wine growing is a big part of the island’s history. If Greeks were on the island of Hvar, and they were, then there are at least 2500 years of wine-growing history on the island. The soil, the amount of exposure to the sun, and the air – plenty of factors that pour something remarkable into our bottles.
In the old times, people made terraces. Dalmatia is packed with them all over. And it was on those terraces we grew. Like giants lived here and built enormous stairs, just because they could.
I did that in my life. I’m a local, and that’s a skill you learn when you’re a kid – building tresses and fixing dry stone walls. It’s a fulfilling experience when you turn around and see what you have achieved. But to get there, it takes months, it takes years of work and persistence. And then you realize you’re not even a dot in the sea of those stone terraces and dry stone walls. It becomes clear how you’ll never fully understand the effort that took to build it through decades, centuries, and millennia.
Besides terraces, you’ll find vineyards on the southern slopes of the island of Hvar. These vineyards look like enormous vine paintings placed on the slopes of the island of Hvar
3. Traditional Dalmatian music is a part of daily life
Wine, good food, and a song are big elements of everyday life. After eating well and drinking even better, you start carrying a tune. It simply happens because of joy.
The song rises out of joy and content. One person kicks off with a tune, and others follow. These are traditional folk songs that everybody knows. Not to mention, many of them are a big part of pop culture in Dalmatia. And that’s how “Klapa”, traditional a cappella Dalmatian music, is born.
Throughout the year, concerts of this type of music are organized in different places: Hvar, Stari Grad, Jelsa, Pitve, etc. Besides that, it’s very much a part of daily life. So you can stumble upon a group of people singing ‘klapa music’ in restaurants after having dinner because they feel like it.
4. It’s a melting pot of people, culture, and nightlife
The Island of Hvar is known for its nightlife. But that’s an understatement. It’s the people from all over the world who make it even more vibrant.
Within a year, you can learn English, French, Spanish, German, Chinese, whatever. And all thanks to people from all over the world who are arriving with the same idea: ‘I want to meet the world’. So, come to the island of Hvar and meet people from all over the world.
5. It’s flooded with Mediterranean Architecture
Mediterranean architecture, from Spain to Greece, undoubtedly can be found all through the island of Hvar. From ancient civilizations till today. Everybody left their mark on this timeless island.
Monasteries, churches, palaces, fortresses, stone houses, pavements, ports, lighthouses… they all carry elements of heritage and old times. For example, my family lives in a house built in 1711, and that’s recent!
6. Outdoor activities are endless
Sailing, soccer, swimming, kayaking, cycling, rock climbing, windsurfing, running, donkey racing… Got ya! 🙂
But yes, it’s a polygon for all kinds of outdoor sports. It’s an endless ocean of possibilities for nature lovers and early-rising enthusiasts. And yet you can lean back in the middle of the winter – as I am on the 13th of February – and enjoy coffee in the sun while getting a tan.
Throughout the year, different sports events are organized on the island of Hvar, from swimming or running marathons to, most recently, Spartan.
It all depends if you want to be active or lie back and enjoy the sun.
7. There are 6 UNESCO-protected things on the island of Hvar
Benedictine convent is known for its agave laces and is UNESCO protected.
Stari Grad is known for Stari Grad Plain, where the original division of space made by the Greeks in 384 BC can still be found. The town itself has layers of history, literally one above the other.
Klapa, a traditional Dalmatian acapella singing, is another UNESCO protected cultural heritage.
The procession „Following the Cross“ is held every Eastern is Jelsa. Today, it’s UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Mediterranean diet, a part of everyday life, is UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
And, of course, the previously mentioned dry stone walls are another UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
8. An unbelievable pallet of wines is grown on the island
Bogdanjuša, Prč, Drnjekuša, and Plavac Mali are just some of the wines grown on the island.
It takes time to taste them all, and what’s the point of describing wines? They should be tasted. So I won’t waste our time on words. Check it out for yourself.
9. Local-grown food and traditional dishes
The island of Hvar is covered with vineyards, olive fields, and small family farms. Dalmatia gave us some of the most excellent sailors and fishermen. Adriatic is our fish market. Add a bit of pride to it, and you’ll understand why Croats are so obsessed with making a perfect dish and standing tall behind it.
We wouldn’t be able to carry a tune if our bellies weren’t content.
10. Numerous hidden gems all across the island
One of the numerous hidden gems is a cave under the island’s highest peak, at around 550m (around 1600 feet). It overlooks the Adriatic Sea towards Italy. In the cave are remains of a 15th-century Augustinian monastery. Below it, slopes lead steep straight downhill to the sea. It’s around a 45-degree angle. On those slopes are vineyards. At the very bottom is a village. Below the village and the sea level is a wine cellar.
I’ll let you find the other gems on your own. If you need a hand, don’t be a stranger; give me a call.
