Hvar Dalmatian Islands
5
Day Itinerary •
Croatia
Five days in Hvar and the Dalmatian Islands give the complete extraordinary sweep of Croatia's finest island chain, from the lavender-scented Hvar Town piazza and the remarkable Stari Grad UNESCO plain to the extraordinary Pakleni Islands boat day, the remarkable former military island of Vis with its extraordinary Blue Cave and the medieval walled town of Korcula said to be Marco Polo's birthplace. This route covers the complete Dalmatian islands experience. Hvar Town and the Fortica, the extraordinary Stari Grad UNESCO ancient Greek landscape, the remarkable Pakleni Islands boat day, the extraordinary Vis island with its Blue Cave and authentic fishing villages, and the remarkable Korcula medieval walled town with the Moreska sword dance.
Best Time To Visit
May to Jun and Sep to Oct. Vis and Korcula excellent in these months.
Getting There
Catamaran from Split to Hvar Town 1 hour. Ferry via Stari Grad also.
Getting Around
Boats for Pakleni. Ferry for Vis and Korcula. Scooter or taxi on Hvar.
Budget Per Day
Approx EUR 130 to EUR 300 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking and boats
DAY 1
HVAR TOWN
MORNING
HVAR TOWN PIAZZA AND FORTICA
Hvar Town's extraordinary main square is the largest piazza in Dalmatia, the fine Cathedral of St Stephen with its remarkable 17th-century campanile, the extraordinary Arsenal with Croatia's oldest public theatre and the remarkable Venetian loggia giving the finest Renaissance square on the Adriatic. The extraordinary Fortica fortress above the town with its remarkable panorama over the Pakleni Islands, the lavender hills and the distant Brac and Vis gives the finest island view in Dalmatia. Fortress entry approx EUR 8. Travel: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
HVAR OLD TOWN HERITAGE WALK
Hvar's extraordinary old town lanes contain the finest collection of Renaissance palaces on any Croatian island, the remarkable Hektorovic Palace with its fine loggia, the extraordinary Benedictine convent with its remarkable collection of Agave lace made over 800 years and the fine Church of St Francis with its extraordinary cloister giving the finest heritage
AFTERNOON
PAKLENI ISLANDS EVENING SWIM
The Pakleni Islands' extraordinary evening light on the pine forests and the remarkable crystal-clear water give the finest late afternoon swimming experience in the Dalmatian islands. The fine Stipanska beach and the remarkable Mlini bay with its beach bar give the finest easy Pakleni afternoon. The boat back to Hvar Town for sunset over the piazza is outstanding.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Hvar lavender fields around Brusje village are the most extraordinary agricultural landscape on the island, the remarkable terraced dry-stone walled lavender plots on the hillside above Hvar Town giving the finest walking and photography in June when the lavender is in full bloom. Entirely free. 15 minutes by scooter from Hvar Town.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe on Hvar piazza Outstanding morning coffee on the largest piazza in Dalmatia. | Lunch: Konoba Menego, Hvar Outstanding Hvar konoba. Local lobster and Hvar island wine. | Dinner: Gariful, Hvar Outstanding harbour restaurant. Local fresh lobster and Dalmatian wine.
DAY 2
STARI GRAD
MORNING
STARI GRAD UNESCO PLAIN AND OLD TOWN
Stari Grad on Hvar is one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in Croatia, founded by the Greeks in 384 BC. The remarkable old town with its extraordinary Tvrdalj castle of the Renaissance poet Petar Hektorovic, the fine Dominican monastery and the remarkable Stari Grad Plain UNESCO World Heritage Site preserving the Greek field division system intact for 2,400 years give the finest heritage morning on any Dalmatian island. Travel: 30 min drive or bus
MIDDAY
VRBOSKA FISHING VILLAGE
Vrboska between Stari Grad and Jelsa on Hvar is the most extraordinary small fishing village on the island, the remarkable settlement spanning both banks of a narrow inlet with extraordinary stone bridges, the fine 16th-century fortified Church of St Mary and the remarkable working fishing harbour giving the finest undiscovered village afternoon on Hvar. The extraordinary local art gallery is outstanding. Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
JELSA TOWN AND THE NORTHERN COAST
Jelsa on the northern coast of Hvar is the most extraordinary alternative base on the island, the remarkable Venetian tower on the harbour, the fine main square with its extraordinary plane trees and the remarkable beaches of Mina and the Grebisca bay with their extraordinary clear water give the finest quieter-side Hvar afternoon. The remarkable walking path to Vrboska along the coast is outstanding.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Tvrdalj castle of poet Petar Hektorovic in Stari Grad is the most extraordinary Renaissance garden in Croatia, the remarkable 16th-century fortified manor with its extraordinary fish pond still in use and the fine inscribed Latin verses in the stone walls. Entry approx EUR 3. The finest hidden Renaissance monument on Hvar.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast in Hvar Before the Stari Grad drive. | Lunch: Konoba in Stari Grad Outstanding local konoba. Hvar lamb and local wine. | Dinner: Restaurant in Jelsa or Hvar Outstanding northern Hvar seafood dinner.
DAY 3
PAKLENI ISLANDS
MORNING
PAKLENI ISLANDS FULL DAY BOAT
PAKLENI ISLANDS FULL DAY BOAT Full day The Pakleni Islands full day from Hvar gives the most extraordinary island hopping in Central Dalmatia, the remarkable series of pine-forested coves including the extraordinary Vinogradisce beach, the fine Palmizana botanical garden restaurant bay, the remarkable Stipanska and the extraordinary Mlini bay giving the finest collection of swimming coves accessible from any Croatian island harbour. Small boat hire from Hvar approx EUR 80 to EUR 120 for the day. Travel: Boat from Hvar harbour
MIDDAY
PALMIZANA LUNCH AND AFTERNOON SWIM
Palmizana on Marinkovac island is the most extraordinary restaurant destination in the Pakleni Islands, the remarkable Meneghello family restaurant in an extraordinary botanical garden of succulents and exotic plants with the finest terrace view over the Hvar channel giving the most memorable lunch setting in the Dalmatian islands. The remarkable swim in Palmizana bay before and after lunch in extraordinary clear water is outstanding. Travel: Boat back to Hvar
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO HVAR AND SUNSET APERITIVO
The return to Hvar Town in late afternoon gives the finest Adriatic light on the old town from the water, the extraordinary cathedral campanile and the Fortica fortress turning golden as the sun drops. The remarkable aperitivo culture at the harbour bars and the fine sunset from the Fortica steps give the finest island evening in Croatia.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Zdrilca passage between Hvar and the Pakleni Islands at sunset is the most extraordinary hidden viewpoint in the Dalmatian islands, the remarkable narrow channel with the brilliant red sky behind Hvar Town giving the finest sunset photography spot accessible by small boat. Free with any boat hire. The finest hidden sunset location in the Pakleni Islands.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast in Hvar Before the Pakleni boat day. | Lunch: Palmizana restaurant, Marinkovac Outstanding island restaurant in extraordinary botanical setting. | Dinner: Lola, Hvar Town Outstanding creative Hvar restaurant. Local produce and Posip wine.
DAY 4
VIS ISLAND
MORNING
FERRY TO VIS ISLAND
Vis is the most extraordinary island in Dalmatia, the former Yugoslav military island closed to foreigners until 1989 and still largely undeveloped giving the finest authentic Dalmatian island experience in Croatia. The remarkable Vis Town with its extraordinary Roman ruins, the fine Venetian palaces and the remarkable local Vugava and Plavac Mali wines give the finest cultural morning on any southern Dalmatian island. Travel: Ferry to Vis
MIDDAY
KOMIZA VILLAGE AND THE BLUE CAVE
Komiza on the western tip of Vis is the most extraordinary fishing village in Dalmatia, the remarkable fortified Venetian tower above the extraordinary harbour, the fine fish market and the remarkable Benedictine monastery give the finest working fishing village in the southern islands. The extraordinary Blue Cave on Bisevo island near Komiza, where sunlight creates an electric blue glow in the remarkable sea cave, is one of the finest natural wonders in Croatia. Cave approx EUR 15. Travel: Ferry back
AFTERNOON
VIS TOWN SUNSET AND LOCAL WINE
Vis Town's extraordinary Kut neighbourhood of Renaissance palaces and the fine wine bars of Vis Town give the most remarkable authentic island afternoon in Dalmatia. The local Vugava white wine, the extraordinary indigenous variety grown only on Vis, and the remarkable local cuisine of Vis including the fine viski brodetto fish stew give the finest wine and food afternoon on any Croatian island.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Green Cave on Ravnik island near Komiza is the most extraordinary undiscovered sea cave near Vis, a remarkable cave with an extraordinary green light effect similar to the Blue Cave on Bisevo but with almost no visitors. Boat trip approx EUR 15 from Komiza. The finest hidden cave near Vis Island.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Hvar before ferry Early departure for the Vis ferry. | Lunch: Konoba Jastozera, Komiza Outstanding Komiza lobster house. Local lobster from the extraordinary tank. | Dinner: Pojoda, Vis Town Outstanding Vis fine dining. Local Vugava wine and traditional Vis recipes.
DAY 5
KORCULA
MORNING
FERRY TO KORCULA MEDIEVAL TOWN
Korcula's extraordinary medieval walled town on its narrow peninsula is the finest single medieval island settlement in the Adriatic after Dubrovnik, the remarkable 14th-century walls encircling the extraordinary herringbone street pattern, the fine Cathedral of St Mark with its remarkable Tintoretto altarpiece, the extraordinary Land Gate with its Revelin Tower and the remarkable Marco Polo House giving the finest heritage morning in the southern Dalmatian islands. Travel: Ferry from Vis or Hvar
MIDDAY
KORCULA CATHEDRAL AND ABBEY TREASURY
Korcula Cathedral of St Mark is the most extraordinary Gothic-Renaissance church on the Dalmatian islands, its remarkable Tintoretto painting of St Mark with Saints Jerome and Bartholomew, the fine carved portal and the extraordinary Abbey Treasury with its remarkable collection of paintings, goldsmith work and ancient Greek items give the finest single church and treasury experience on any Croatian island. Cathedral entry approx EUR 5. Travel: 30 min walk
AFTERNOON
LUMBARDA VILLAGE AND THE SAND BEACH
Lumbarda east of Korcula Town is the most extraordinary village on the island, the remarkable ancient Greek settlement with fine vineyards producing the extraordinary Gk Posip white wine and the remarkable sandy beach of Przina, the finest sand beach on any island in Central Dalmatia, giving the finest final afternoon in the Dalmatian islands.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Moreska sword dance in Korcula is the most extraordinary living tradition in the Dalmatian islands, the remarkable costumed battle dance performed by two groups of warriors telling the story of a kidnapped queen performed every Thursday and Monday evening in summer in Korcula Town. Entry approx EUR 20. The finest living cultural experience on any Croatian island.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Hvar or Vis before ferry Before the Korcula ferry. | Lunch: Konoba Maslina, Korcula Outstanding Korcula konoba. Local lamb, fish and Posip wine. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Korcula Outstanding farewell Dalmatian islands dinner. Local lobster and wine.
Where To Stay
Hvar Town, Nights 1 to 3 Hotel Adriana or Palace Elisabeth. Approx EUR 100 to EUR 400. Vis Town, Night 4 Hotel San Giorgio or Villa Nona. Approx EUR 80 to EUR 200. Korcula Town, Night 5 Hotel Korcula or Marko Polo Hotel. Approx EUR 80 to EUR 220.
Top Tips
1. Book Palmizana restaurant in advance in summer. It fills completely by noon in July and August.
2. The Blue Cave on Bisevo near Vis is most extraordinary between 11am and 12 noon when light enters.
3. Vis Island has the finest local wine in Dalmatia. The Vugava white and Plavac Mali red are both excellent.
4. Hvar Town piazza is most beautiful at 8am and at sunset. Avoid midday in July and August.
5. The Moreska sword dance in Korcula performs Thursday and Monday evenings in summer. Book at the gate.
6. Hire a small boat in Hvar. No licence needed for small vessels. Essential for Pakleni freedom.
Total Budget
Approx EUR 130 to EUR 300 per person per day