Compare Hvar holidays

When to go to Hvar

When to go for the best weather

With Hvar’s famously sunny record – averaging 7.7 hours of sunshine a day – summer comes early to the island. Average May temperatures are already in the low 20s, and by June and July they’re nudging 30C. There’s very little rain during the summer months, apart from the occasional thunderstorm, but winters can be wet and chilly, with temperatures hovering around 10C.

The good weather brings crowds, however, and the island can get very overcrowded during the main holiday months of July and August, when prices will be at their highest.

When to go for cheaper prices

May and June are very pleasant times to visit, when temperatures will be mild, prices lower, and wildflowers – especially lavender – carpet the island.

By September and October, temperatures are still comfortably in the high to mid-20s but prices start to drop, making it an especially appealing time to visit. Water temperatures will still be as warm they were in late summer, and the autumn grape harvest will be in full swing.

Where to stay in Hvar

For families

Jelsa is a favourite among families thanks to its range of hotels and campsites. With an adventure park and an aquapark, there are plenty of ways to keep children entertained, too. There’s also a variety of pretty beaches all within a short drive, as well as the appealing village of Vrboska.

At the easternmost end of the island is the small village of Sućuraj, whose size and remoteness give it a peaceful atmosphere. It’s also handy for ferry trips to the mainland.

For travellers on a budget

Although Hvar Town is the most expensive place on the island, you can still find some cheaper budget hotels and campsites. That said, food and drink are considerably more expensive than in the other towns and villages, so it’s better to base yourself elsewhere if you’re looking for a cheap holiday in Hvar.

Jelsa has a good choice of affordable accommodation among its hotels, guesthouses, campsites and private apartments, and restaurants and bars are reasonably priced. It’s a similar situation in Stari Grad, as well as Sućuraj. You can also find budget private apartments in the small village of Vrboska near Jelsa.

For food and drink

While Hvar Town is the most expensive place to stay, it also has the biggest choice of restaurants and cafés – all the better for enjoying the fresh seafood the island has to offer. You’ll find some brilliant restaurants among its four- and five-star hotels. It’s also handy for the little beach restaurants just outside the town, including those in the nearby village of Milna.

Stari Grad is also a good bet, as it has more restaurants that cater for locals, and Vrboska has some classy places among its smart resorts.

For nightlife

Hvar Town is the obvious choice for nightlife. In fact, you could say it’s the only choice. Not only is it the island’s largest town, but it also has the biggest selection of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. It’s where you’ll find Hvar’s poshest hotels, some with chic rooftop bars, and the harbour is the best place to join excursions on party boats that sail the Adriatic.

The smaller towns of Stari Grad and Jelsa have their share of lively bars, but the vibe is much more relaxed.

For culture

Hvar Town has the lion’s share of the island’s cultural attractions. In addition to the Franciscan Monastery, Spanish Fortress and St Stephen’s Cathedral, it has the impressive Arsenal right by the harbour. This 16th-century nautical warehouse was built by the Venetians and has been beautifully restored, housing a theatre and a contemporary art gallery.

Stari Grad has several cultural offerings too, including its Dominican Monastery and the 16th-century fortified castle, Tvrdalj, built by the Croatian poet Petar Hektorović.