Spotlight on Hvar: More than a Party Island

Spotlight on Hvar: More than a Party Island

One of the top tourist destinations in all of Croatia is the island of Hvar, and the small port city of Hvar.

This is because of its beautiful landscape, its nightlife, its lively bars, nearly all-year-round perfect Mediterranean weather and many other features that make it ideally suited for visiting. This is also due in no small part to its reputation as one of the world’s top party islands. While it is true that there are hotels, bars, and clubs there where visitors can find all kinds of indulgences in which to partake, there is so much more to the island. There are countless sights to see and places to go after the party ends. Here are just a few of those things and places.

• Episcopal Museum (Biskupské museum): This museum in Hvar adjoins a cathedral and is one of several museums there including the Stari Grad Museum, the Fisherman’s museum, Malo Grablje and Napoleon Fortress (Napuljn). The museum houses silver chalices, embroidered liturgical robes, numerous Madonnas, a 13th-century icon, an elaborately carved sarcophagus and an invaluable stamp collection dating back to antiquity.
• The Arsenal: Known by some as “the most beautiful and most useful building in the whole of Dalmatia”, the Arsenal was built in 1611 to replace a building destroyed by the all-powerful Ottomans. And although the main part has been closed for many years, visitors can still see parts of this magnificent structure.
• Spanish Fort
• Venetian Loggia and Clock Tower: This opulent example of renaissance architecture, Hvar’s
  Loggia was once much larger than it is now. It was damaged by an Ottoman attack in the late-1500s and reduced in size. The clock tower here was added in the 1800s after the original one was destroyed by the Turks centuries earlier.
• Pakleni Islands: Of course, we would not like to deprive you of enjoying the islands in the area. You can enjoy the beach bars and pristine shores of Palmizana in near perfect seclusion as you and a loved one discover the coves and stock up on food and drink.
• Wineries and Wine Tasting
• Water Adventures: Sea Kayaking, Boating, Swimming, Beach time
• Restaurants/Food
• Other charming cities on the island like Stari Grad, Jelsa and Sućuraj

So, glitz and glamour aside Hvar has more depth to it than the casual visitor who is here only because of the island’s party reputation can imagine. And while adventure travel companies may only give you an incomplete view of your destination, we at Adventures Croatia want you to travel Croatia with a clear appreciation of all it has to offer.