Day Trips from Hvar

The Pakleni archipelago sits just offshore from Hvar Town and offers some of the best swimming and dining in the Adriatic. Palmizana on St. Klement island is the most popular stop, with pine-shaded beaches, a sculpture garden, and excellent waterfront restaurants. Other islands offer secluded coves with barely another soul in sight.

The island of Vis was a closed military base until 1989, which preserved its unspoiled beauty. A full-day tour from Hvar typically includes the famous Blue Cave on Bisevo island — a natural grotto where sunlight creates an ethereal blue glow — plus swimming stops, the charming fishing village of Komiza, and Stiniva Beach, voted Europe's best beach.

Regular catamaran services connect Hvar Town to Split, making it an easy day trip to explore Croatia's second-largest city. The UNESCO-listed Diocletian's Palace is the main attraction — a living Roman monument where ancient walls house shops, restaurants, and apartments. The Riva waterfront promenade is perfect for an afternoon stroll.

The walled medieval town of Korcula sits on a small peninsula and is often compared to a mini-Dubrovnik. Claimed as the birthplace of Marco Polo, the town features a stunning cathedral, narrow herringbone streets designed to reduce wind, and a vibrant food and wine scene. Korcula's wines, especially Posip and Grk, are among Croatia's finest.

The island of Brac is home to Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn), arguably Croatia's most recognisable beach — a striking white pebble spit that changes shape with the wind and currents. Day trips from Hvar typically combine Zlatni Rat with a visit to the charming town of Bol and swimming stops along the way.

Explore the quieter side of Hvar island with a trip to Stari Grad, one of the oldest towns in Europe, and the surrounding UNESCO-listed Stari Grad Plain — an ancient Greek agricultural landscape still in use today. Continue into the interior to discover abandoned stone villages, fragrant lavender fields (blooming June-July), and panoramic viewpoints.