With Croatia’s coastline in the spotlight as a sought-after summer escape, the Dalmatian island of Hvar has long been topping lists as a hotspot for nightlife and a haunt for celebrities who drop anchor on its shores while sailing the Adriatic. 

But there’s so much to do on Hvar that makes it a diverse and layered island destination that ticks many a box — including the glitz and glamour of Hvar Town, the spectacular beauty of its beaches and islets offshore, and the layered history and UNESCO heritage of Stari Grad. 

There’s also the hidden side of Hvar, from secret underground wine cellars, restaurants on deserted islands, tastings from the world's longest continually cultivated vineyards, and endless fields of lavender. Here’s an insider’s guide to Hvar’s lesser-known attractions.

Where to Taste Wine and Olive Oil:

With abundant sunshine (close to 3,000 hours per year), a mild Mediterranean climate, and fertile soil, the island has amazing biodiversity and natural bounty, with flora including palm trees, pine forests, lavender fields, and wildflowers. Its agriculture dates back to ancient times, so Hvar is home to some of the world’s oldest vineyards, planted in the pretty fields of the Stari Grad Plain in the fourth century B.C.E. These fields are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and still produce original varietals 2,400 years later. 

For a singular take on wine tasting, book the Waves and Wines tour and hop aboard a speedboat to the Cliffbase wine cellar, which sits inside an old limestone cave. Down a couple of winding stairs and accessible by boat only, the cellar is located on the island’s south side, famous for its incredibly steep and spectacular vineyards that yield organic wine. Try the limited-production Plavac Mirko, all-natural and aged in Slavonian oak barrels. 

In the hills above the storybook coastal town of Stari Grad, visit the Lacman Family Winery, the island’s first and only winery dedicated exclusively to the production of natural wines, where guided wine tastings come paired with glorious views of lush green hills and bright blue sea. Check out their small-batch wine fermented in amphora mud vessels. 

The island is home to a few must-try wine rarities, like the indigenous Bogdanuša (a dry golden yellow grape whose name translates to “God-given”) and the bright and robust Plavac Mali, the pride of Dalmatian reds. 

Wine aside, the island is home to another type of liquid gold: Artisanal olive oils from the island have been winning global awards, most recently at the New York International Olive Oil Competition in 2024, where OPG Garmica from Hvar won gold for its medium intensity Levantinka varietal. Several producers offer guided tours in their tasting rooms, like SECA family farm near the scenic inland village of Gdinj in the eastern part of the island or Božić Uje in the village of Svirče (here, a blind tasting features their award-winning oblica oil). 

Where to Go for Adventure:

Hvar is a playground for outdoor adventures of all kinds — starting with heavenly swims in the Adriatic. The European Environment Agency recently ranked Croatia #1 in Europe for having the cleanest coastal bathing waters. With excellent visibility that can reach up to 100 feet, Hvar is also renowned for stellar snorkeling and shipwreck diving. For more water-based fun, book a sea kayaking tour to the Pakleni Islands, an idyllic archipelago just across from Hvar Town where you can paddle from one pristine bay to the next, snorkeling and taking shade under pine trees.

Hvar’s diverse and rugged landscape is perfect for land exploration, too. You can hike through the abandoned villages of Malo and Velo Grablje and take in the lavender fields strewn across the island’s interior. Climb the Via Ferrata Hvar from the almost vertical vineyards of Sveta Nedjelja to the plateau just below Sveti Nikola, the island’s highest peak. The route includes a thrilling trek over a bridge suspended 260 feet in the air, protected with iron steps, bridges, and cables. There’s also plenty of fun to be had on two wheels, with more than 100 biking trails crisscrossing the island. The most iconic is the cycling route through the pretty vineyards and fields of the Stari Grad Plain. 

Where to Stay:

The island’s most dazzling hideaway is Maslina Resort in a verdant bay close to Stari Grad and its UNESCO-protected old town. A blend of French chic, Asian minimalism, and Mediterranean mood, this 53-unit stunner is all about “mindful luxury.” Fragrant Aleppo pine forests and the turquoise sea surround a clutch of Larchwood pavilions featuring panoramic rooms with sun-kissed loggias, garden suites with private plunge pools, and, if you want total privacy, standalone villas. Ease into your day with a morning movement class or a sound bath; refresh with a Biologique Recherche facial; or have an aloe sun soother body wrap at garden-to-skin Pharomatiq Wellness that uses handpicked herbs from Maslina’s seafront garden. Food is another highlight at this Relais & Châteaux property, where a fusion of French cooking techniques and creative Mediterranean fare inspired by the seasons (and that draws on local herbs from the organic garden) awaits. 

Over in Hvar Town, which gets the most crowds and attention, grand dame Palace Elisabeth is the island’s only five-star heritage hotel. Right on the seafront and overlooking the main square, the stunning hotel dates back to the 13th-century Venetian era when it was the ducal palace. In 1899, the palace was rebuilt for the famous Austrian empress Sisi. Today you can see this rich history in original architectural elements preserved throughout, as well as handpainted murals in each of the plush rooms and suites. 

Where to Eat:

In a narrow stone alleyway in Hvar Town, the tiny Leporini restaurant showcases island ingredients through bold flavored dishes, with tables spilling out on the alfresco deck. The main star of its contemporary Dalmatian cuisine is fresh, locally sourced seafood, including grilled octopus with broad beans, mussels on Dalmatian Buzara-style black pasta, and Brudet, a traditional local dish with monkfish, shellfish, and shrimp.

On the island’s south side in Sveta Nedjelja, the award-winning wine producer Zlatan Otok runs the Bilo Idro restaurant on a small pier surrounded by water and the precipitous vineyards as the backdrop. The menu focuses on traditional Dalmatian fare, highlighting fish hauled in by local fishermen and served with their own wines. Make sure to pop downstairs to check out the stone wine cellar located below sea level, complete with wooden barrels and lit-up windows. 

For a unique feast in the middle of a field at the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, book a meal at Poje. This slow food, family-run experience highlights locally grown ingredients and traditional island recipes that you can savor right at the source. Enjoy simple dishes like goat cheese in their own extra-virgin olive oil, salted blue fish, pickled sea flowers, briny capers, and black cuttlefish risotto — all paired with local wines and homemade herbal grappa. 

How to Get to Hvar:

Hvar island is connected to the mainland coast of Croatia with frequent boat connections from Split in the summer months; there’s a less regular boat from Dubrovnik, too. The closest airport to fly into is Split, which has direct flights from several European cities. If you’re renting a car for your stay in Croatia and want to take it over to the island, make sure you book a car ferry (trajekt) or otherwise take one of the passenger boats (katamaran). 

The Best Time To Go:

July and August are the busiest months on Hvar, the island’s peak season with the hottest temperatures and the largest crowds. The prime time to go is September and even into the middle of October, when the crowds have emptied out, the sea is still warm enough for swimming, and the sunshine plentiful. April through June is another lovely stretch on the island, great for outdoor adventures after the cold winter winds have eased and nature has sprung back to life. In June, the annual Lavender Festival in the inland village of Velo Grablje celebrates the island's lavender fields with a local produce fair, art, and music.

What to Know Before You Go:

- Watch the weather forecast, especially in the fall and spring seasons when boats can sometimes get canceled due to strong winds. 
- Ferry connections are less frequent in shoulder months. Check out the up-to-date schedules at Jadrolinija, Krilo, and TP Line. 
- In summer months, the island’s busiest, make sure to reserve wine tastings, restaurants, and tours ahead of time.