Hvar Dalmatian Islands
3
Day Itinerary •
Croatia
Three days in Hvar and the Dalmatian Islands take you to the most extraordinary island destination in Croatia, from the lavender-scented hillsides and the remarkable main piazza of Hvar Town to the extraordinary crystal coves of the Pakleni Islands and the remarkable medieval walled town of Korcula said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. This route covers the essential Dalmatian island experience. Hvar Town's extraordinary piazza and the Fortica fortress panorama, the remarkable Pakleni Islands boat day with swimming in the finest coves on the Adriatic, and the extraordinary Korcula medieval old town with its remarkable cathedral and the fine Moreska sword dance.
Best Time To Visit
May to Jun and Sep to Oct. July to August very busy and expensive.
Getting There
Catamaran from Split to Hvar Town 1 hour. Ferry from Split via Stari Grad.
Getting Around
Hvar Town walkable. Boats for Pakleni. Ferry for Korcula.
Budget Per Day
Approx EUR 120 to EUR 280 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking and boats
DAY 1
HVAR TOWN
MORNING
HVAR TOWN AND THE MAIN PIAZZA
Hvar Town's extraordinary main square is the largest piazza in Dalmatia, the remarkable Renaissance cathedral of St Stephen facing the fine 16th-century Arsenal and the extraordinary loggia across the marble-paved square giving the finest single town square on the Adriatic. The remarkable Fortica fortress above the town with its extraordinary panorama over the Pakleni Islands and the lavender-covered Hvar hinterland gives the finest view from any Dalmatian island hill fort. Fortress entry approx EUR 8. Travel: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
HVAR OLD TOWN LANES AND THE ARSENAL
Hvar's extraordinary old town lanes behind the main piazza contain the finest collection of Renaissance and Baroque palaces on any Croatian island, the remarkable Hektorovic Palace, the fine Benedictine convent with its extraordinary collection of Agave lace and the remarkable 1612 Arsenal with its fine theatre, the oldest public theatre in Croatia, give the finest heritage afternoon on the Dalmatian islands. Arsenal entry approx EUR 5. Travel: 30 min boat
AFTERNOON
PAKLENI ISLANDS SWIM AND SUNSET
The Pakleni Islands off Hvar Town are the most extraordinary small archipelago on the Dalmatian coast, the remarkable pine-forested islands with their extraordinary crystal-clear coves, the fine Palmizana bay with its remarkable restaurant and botanical garden and the extraordinary Stipanska beach giving the finest island afternoon in Central Dalmatia. The boat from Hvar Town harbour takes 15 minutes. Boat rental approx EUR 15.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Lavender Museum in Velo Grablje village in the Hvar hinterland is the most extraordinary hidden attraction on the island, the remarkable traditional lavender distillery in a nearly abandoned medieval village giving the finest insight into Hvar's lavender heritage. Entry approx EUR 5. 15 minutes from Hvar Town by scooter.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe on Hvar main piazza Outstanding morning coffee with views over the largest piazza in Dalmatia. | Lunch: Konoba Menego, Hvar Outstanding Hvar konoba. Local lobster, scampi and Hvar wine. | Dinner: Gariful, Hvar Outstanding Hvar harbour restaurant. Fresh local lobster and seafood.
DAY 2
PAKLENI ISLANDS
MORNING
PAKLENI ISLANDS FULL DAY BOAT
PAKLENI ISLANDS FULL DAY BOAT Full day The Pakleni Islands boat day from Hvar Town gives the most extraordinary island-hopping experience in Central Dalmatia, the remarkable series of pine-forested islands with extraordinary swimming coves, the fine Palmizana bay's restaurant in a remarkable botanical garden, the extraordinary Vinogradisce beach and the remarkable Mlini bay with its fine beach bar giving the finest full day on any Dalmatian island group. Boat hire from Hvar harbour approx EUR 80 to EUR 120 per day. Travel: Boat from Hvar Town
MIDDAY
PALMIZANA BAY LUNCH AND SWIM
Palmizana on Marinkovac island is the most extraordinary restaurant bay in the Pakleni Islands, the remarkable Meneghello restaurant in a fine botanical garden of exotic plants, the extraordinary clear water of the bay and the fine terrace overlooking the Hvar channel giving the finest lunch setting accessible from Hvar. The remarkable swim before and after lunch and the extraordinary clarity of the water are outstanding. Travel: Boat back
AFTERNOON
HVAR TOWN EVENING AND SUNSET
Hvar Town in the evening is the most extraordinary scene in the Dalmatian islands, the remarkable main piazza filling with visitors as the sun drops behind the Fortica fortress, the extraordinary golden light on the cathedral facade and the fine aperitivo culture at the harbour bars giving the finest island evening in Croatia.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Gdinj village on the eastern Hvar peninsula is the most extraordinary undiscovered settlement on the island, a remarkable ancient stone village in the lavender fields far from the tourist crowds with extraordinary views over the Neretva delta and the distant mountains of Bosnia. Free to visit. The finest hidden village on Hvar.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast in Hvar Before the Pakleni Islands boat day. | Lunch: Palmizana restaurant, Marinkovac Outstanding island restaurant in an extraordinary botanical garden. | Dinner: Lola, Hvar Town Outstanding Hvar restaurant. Local produce, fresh fish and Hvar Posip wine.
DAY 3
KORCULA ISLAND
MORNING
FERRY TO KORCULA ISLAND
Korcula Island is the most extraordinary medieval island town in Dalmatia, the remarkable walled old town on a narrow peninsula said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo giving the finest single medieval island town in the Adriatic after Dubrovnik. The extraordinary herringbone street pattern of the old town, the remarkable Cathedral of St Mark with its extraordinary Tintoretto paintings and the fine Marco Polo museum give the finest single day on any southern Dalmatian island. Travel: Ferry from Hvar or Split
MIDDAY
KORCULA OLD TOWN AND MARCO POLO
Korcula's extraordinary medieval old town with its remarkably intact 14th-century walls, the fine Town Tower, the extraordinary Abbey Treasury with its remarkable paintings and the fine Moreska sword dance performance give the finest heritage afternoon in the southern islands. The remarkable Marco Polo House in the old town, the traditional birthplace of the great explorer, and the extraordinary narrow lanes of the walled town are outstanding. Museum entry approx EUR 5. Travel: Ferry back
AFTERNOON
KORCULA SWIMMING AND RETURN
The extraordinary coves of the Korcula peninsula south of the old town give the finest swimming near the medieval walls, the remarkable Banje beach and the fine coves of Lumbarda village with their extraordinary sandy beaches giving the finest beach afternoon on any island in the Dalmatian islands group. The return ferry to Hvar or Split gives the extraordinary view of Korcula's walled town from the sea.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Vela Luka bay on the western tip of Korcula is the most extraordinary undiscovered town on the island, a remarkable fishing village with extraordinary cave sites from the Mesolithic period and the finest authentic Dalmatian waterfront far from the Korcula old town tourist crowds. Entirely free. The finest hidden town on Korcula Island.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Hvar before ferry Before the Korcula ferry departure. | Lunch: Konoba Maslina, Korcula Outstanding Korcula konoba. Local fish, lamb and Gk Posip white wine. | Dinner: Restaurant in Hvar or Split on return Outstanding farewell Dalmatian islands dinner.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Hvar Town, Nights 1 to 3 Hotel Adriana or Riva. Harbourfront. Approx EUR 120 to EUR 400. Alternative Palace Elisabeth or smaller guesthouses in the old town. Approx EUR 80 to EUR 200.
Top Tips
1. Hvar Town main piazza is most beautiful early morning and at sunset before the evening crowds arrive.
2. Book Palmizana restaurant in advance in summer. It fills completely by midday in July and August.
3. Hire a small boat from Hvar harbour for the Pakleni Islands. No licence required for small vessels.
4. The Moreska sword dance in Korcula performs regularly in summer. Check dates at the town gate.
5. Hvar lavender is in full bloom late May to June. The fields around Brusje are the finest on the island.
6. Ferry tickets for Korcula should be bought at the harbour. No advance booking needed except peak July.
Total Budget
Approx EUR 120 to EUR 280 per person per day