Hvar & Croatia
Travel Journals
Planning a trip to Hvar? Or seeking some guidance for your upcoming Croatia vacation? You’ve come to the right place. Our travel journals have helped countless visitors turn their holiday from good to great. Whether you are planning to stay in one of our villas or not, we want you to experience everything that this beautiful, historic country has to offer.
Croatia
A COMPLETE TRAVEL GUIDE
CROATIA TRAVEL JOURNALS
INSPIRING ITINERARIES
Is Croatia worth visiting? Two overrated destinations
Croatia is an incredible place to vacation, but all of its endowments have led to an influx of tourists in recent years. Overtourism is sadly a reality. Learn what to watch out for and discover some outstanding destinations a little bit off the beaten path.
HOW TO & NOT TO
How not to travel in Croatia: 5 mistakes to ruin your trip
Without a doubt, Croatia is a dream holiday destination. But! Much of it, particularly on the islands, is still a little bit off the beaten path, and it’s easy to overlook important details. Read how to dodge tourist traps and common pitfalls.
TRAVEL INSIGHTS
Is Croatia good for families? 5 reasons it’s a no-brainer
If there is a better destination for family holidays than Croatia, we haven’t heard of it. Safety? Food? Affordability? Activities? Find out why Croatia is a must if you’re vacationing with kids.
TRAVEL INSIGHTS
Is Croatia dog friendly? How to travel with a pet
As with any destination, a little preparation goes a long way towards creating a great experience for pets and pet owners alike. TO that end, we’ve gathered some key points, insider tips, and a list of Croatia’s dog friendly beaches for a fun, stress-free visit.
ALL ABOUT HVAR
How to rent a villa on Hvar: What to know first
Hvar, one of Croatia’s most iconic islands, has a few hotels, but most guests stay in privately-owned villas or apartments. Here are some tips and best practices that will ensure you and your loved ones rent an incredible villa at a fair price when you come to Hvar.
TRAVEL INSIGHTS
Croatia Blue Cave tour: Is it worth it?
The Blue Cave Tour is on a lot of “must-see” lists for visitors to Croatia. Before you book, read this honest, unbiased guide. We’ll tell you what Blue Cave is really like and offer our tips for making the most of your trip.
HVAR TRAVEL JOURNALS
INSPIRING ITINERARIES
What to do on Hvar: 3 incredible itineraries
Hvar is small, but it doesn’t lack for things to do. Although the entire island is just three-fifths the size of Prague and has less than 1% as many residents, Hvar feels bigger than it is. There are so many facets to the island that you could spend a lifetime here (like us!) and still only scratch the surface. But these three, day-long itineraries will help you get the most out of even a brief visit.
ALL ABOUT HVAR
Where to stay on Hvar: A 2024 guide to the island’s regions
You have a Mediterranean vacation no your mind, and you’ve heard good things about Hvar. Maybe you even visited long, long ago – for a wedding, yacht week, or a family holiday. But you are not quite sure how it all works... Is Hvar a city? Or the entire island?
ALL ABOUT HVAR
Best beaches on Hvar
You’re in Hvar to soak up the sun – lucky you! Hvar has incredible beaches. This journal will help you find the best spots for whatever you’re seeking: total tranquility, family fun, a party atmosphere, or something in between.
TRAVEL INSIGHTS
Why is Hvar so popular? The ultimate repeat destination
Europe has so many incredible destinations, but there is something about Hvar that puts it in a special class of places. Understated luxury, heritage, and natural beauty come together here to create a place that feels like a home away from home, or the place where we wish we could be all the time.
ALL ABOUT HVAR
Hvar wine: A guide to the island’s tastings and tours
As far back as written history goes, there has been wine on Hvar. Despite this storied history dating back millennia, Hvar's wines remain a rarity outside of Croatia. But the wine created here is just as it should be: passionate, creative, unpretentious, and natural.
How To & Not To
How to get to Hvar: Flights, cars, ferries, and catamarans
Getting to Hvar is fairly easy, once you know how things are laid out. Most importantly, Hvar is an island. People often confuse the town of Hvar with the island of Hvar. Read on for our best tips on getting to the island without stress.
All About Hvar
Hvar tours and its great outdoors: A paradise for sport and nature
There is so much to fall madly, obsessively in love with on Hvar: the coastline, the history, the culture, the food. To that list, one must also add outdoor recreation and sports, because Hvar is a paradise for activity of all kinds. Pretty much anyone visiting Hvar takes advantage of the beaches. But the island’s other outdoor activities and tours of its natural assets are sometimes overlooked. If you’re looking to get active, here are some ideas.
How To & Not To
How to plan a wedding on Hvar
Hvar is a singular location for destination weddings, rich with natural beauty and traditional Mediterranean charm. Matt and Elisha, the Hvar Away founders, had the pleasure to hold their own wedding on the island in June 2023. In this guide, they offer useful tips to couples considering the island for their nuptials.
ALL ABOUT HVAR
The best time to visit Hvar
Tourism on Hvar is extremely seasonal. The season generally spans from mid May to early October, with the peak arriving explosively in late July and continuing through to mid August, when both temperatures and prices soar.
HVAR DESTINATIONS
Plan away
Explore Hvar's most delightful locations with our curated collection of destination guides. Each guide unveils the island’s most charming towns, villages, or hamlets – find insider tips on how to get there, must-sees and must-dos, and our recommended eateries.
HISTORIC TOWNS
LOCAL GUIDES
Hvar Town
As a global magnet for yacht travel and high-end thrills, Hvar Town has everything you would expect: gorgeous architecture, phenomenal DJs, indulgent spas, and outstanding restaurants. But what we love most is that these exceptional luxuries are just a gateway to an even richer experience.
LOCAL GUIDES
Stari Grad
The second largest and oldest town on the island, Stari Grad was founded by the ancient Greeks in the 4th century BC. It’s no surprise that the understated luxury of this ancient settlement has won the hearts of the world’s most passionate sailing and yachting aficionados.
LOCAL GUIDES
Jelsa
A seaside town with a dazzling view across sea and mountains, Jelsa is a quietly elegant summer destination ideal for families. Bars, art galleries, an open-air cinema, fine dining, farmer’s markets, a vast kid’s park, jogging paths, and a zillion gelato bars line Jelsa’s beautifully maintained waterfront.
CHARMING VILLAGES
LOCAL GUIDES
Vrboska
This quaint former fishing village is defined by its charming canal, flanked by classic Dalmatian stone houses and elegant bridges. Though small, Vrboska brims with vibrant life above its calm waters, with delightful restaurants and cafe bars lining its harbour.
LOCAL GUIDES
Ivan Dolac
This peaceful, family-oriented seaside village is located on the southern coast of Hvar. Ivan Dolac is located on a slope, which affords breathtaking views of the Adriatic and the surrounding landscapes. It's a great place to watch the sun go down.
LOCAL GUIDES
Vrbanj
One of a series of extremely charming little villages nestled into the northern side of the island’s mountainous ridge, Vrbanj offers a feeling of refreshment and well-appreciated shade in the summer heat of the rural Mediterranean.
LOCAL GUIDES
Zastražišće
Few visitors encounter the small village of Zastražišće, but for those who like to get off the beaten path, it is well worth the effort, boasting some of the island’s most stunning beaches and a glimpse at a forgotten way of life.
LOCAL GUIDES
Sveta Nedjelja
Sandwiched between sheer cliffs of the island’s highest point and the clear sea into which they rapidly descend, Sveta Nedjelja’s geography is quite unlike any other. This sharp collision of mountain and sea has formed some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
LOCAL GUIDES
Basina
On Hvar’s northern coast, midway between Stari Grad and Jelsa, Basina is renowned for its picturesque beauty and convenient location. It's a place families return to year after year, checking every box on the list for a memorable, kid-friendly holiday.
HERITAGE HAMLETS
LOCAL GUIDES
Pitve
Pitve is one of the oldest hamlets on the island, established to watch over the settlements and fields below from its incredible vantage point. There is no new construction here, just beautifully restored stone houses in a setting that would suit a Mediterranean fairy tale.
LOCAL GUIDES
Humac
Once a bustling pastoral village, the abandoned hamlet of Humac now stands as a pristine preservation of agricultural life as it once was. Whether for a half-day trip or as the setting for your vacation, Humac is a truly enchanting place not to be missed.
LOCAL GUIDES
Malo Grablje
Just a few kilometres inland from Hvar’s southern coast, the abandoned ethnovillage of Malo Grablje tells the story of a bygone Mediterranean era. Wander the village’s hauntingly beautiful ruins in which time seems to have stood still.
We’re here to craft your dream Mediterranean villa escape.
Feeling inspired? Talk to our on-island team to make your travel dreams a reality.