Hvar Island, located off the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia, is the perfect destination for friends or couples looking to have a fun party weekend in a beautiful setting. Hvar is known for its lively nightlife, hip beach clubs, and gorgeous beaches. My husband and I spent three nights in Hvar in August with another couple. It was my third visit to Hvar and we had a blast! Here is my quick guide to Hvar with tips to help you have the perfect getaway on this picturesque party island.
HOW TO GET TO HVAR ISLAND
The closest major airport to Hvar is Split which can be easily reached by a direct flight from many cities across Europe. If you are flying in from the USA you can book a flight into London and then from London it is just a quick (and cheap) 2.5hr flight to Split. It use to be time-consuming to get to Hvar Island from Split – on my first trip I took the Jadrolinja Ferry. This is the cheapest mode of transport to Hvar, but I would not recommend it as it takes several hours to get there and the choppy ride can make you seasick.
On this trip we booked transport directly from Split airport to Hvar with Dalmatia Express. They pick you up at the airport in a Mercedes van and transport you down to the dock that is right in front of the airport (previously you had to drive to Split Harbor which adds 30 minutes on to your trip). With their fast speed boat and ideal departure location Dalmatia Express will get you from Split airport to Hvar island in just 55 minutes!
We chose their 9 meter open boat which was 360 Euros. It can hold 6 passengers plus luggage comfortably and when you split this cost between 4 or 6 people it is very affordable. We arrived in the evening and had a beautiful night ride to the island under the stars. Our driver was very nice, and knowledgeable about the Dalmatian Coast, which made the boat ride a very part of the trip!
WHERE TO STAY ON HVAR ISLAND
From my experience there are not many great hotels on Hvar. On my two previous trips to Hvar I stayed at the Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel which is the nicest hotel on the island. It is in a great location but it is very expensive and the rooms are small.
On this trip we booked a very nice place through Airbnb which was in an awesome location and perfectly set up for two or three couples or a group of friends. If you are visiting Hvar with four or more people I recommend booking a place to stay through Airbnb as you get a lot more for your money.
Sign up to Air BNB with this link and receive a US $35 off your first booking!
HVAR BEACH CLUBS
Hvar is famous for its amazing beach clubs! From relaxing seaside with a cocktail in hand to partying well into the early morning hours, Hvar has an array of luxury beach clubs offering something for everyone.
My favorite beach club to relax at on Hvar Island is Bonj ‘les bains’. This beautiful, chill beach club provides the perfect place to have lunch, swim, tan, nap and relax seaside with a cocktail in hand. Bonj ‘les bains’ is a quick and easy walk from the Hvar town center.
If you are looking for a lively beach club to party then head to Hula Hula. If you watch my Hvar video above you will see some clips of Hula Hula towards the end of the video. Do not be fooled by how mellow it looks in my video.
From dusk onward this place goes off with music blasting and people up on the tables dancing and partying well into the night. If you visiting with couples or a group of friends you can splurge on a table here and have your own space to dance and hang out together. Hula Hula is also an easy walk from Hvar town center.
My favorite Hvar beach club is Laganini! Laganini Beach Bar & Restaurant is actually not on Hvar Island, it is located on Palmižana Island which is just a short water taxi ride away. Laganini offers a diverse selection of fresh Adriatic fish and sushi, and a fun luxury beach club “shaped by nature” and perfectly situated on a picturesque cove.
If you are visiting Hvar with a group of people I recommend splurging on a cabana here where you can spend the day lounging, eating, drinking and swimming in the crystal blue, warm water. You can check out our afternoon at Laganini in my Hvar video above.
HVAR NIGHTLIFE
In the last few years Hvar has become a popular tourist destination for its fun beach clubs and lively nightlife! There are an array of bars to party at on Hvar Island but the best one is Carpe Diem.
Carpe Diem has Carpe Diem Bar on Hvar Island, and Carpe Diem Beach which is their beach club and after hours club. If you want to have a fun party night in Hvar I recommend starting at Carpe Diem Bar and then taking a boat over to Carpe Diem Beach where you can party until the early morning hours in a unique outdoor setting, under the trees and stars!
HVAR RESTAURANTS
There are an array of excellent restaurants on Hvar Island. For delicious breakfast and great coffee and in a hip outdoor setting try ka’lavanda. At night ka’lavanda turns into a music bar and is a fun place to have cocktails before or after dinner.
For lunch I recommend eating seaside at a beach club – Laganini and Bonj ‘les bains’ both have excellent food. For dinner try Passarola which offers excellent Dalmatian cuisine in an upscale setting. We liked the food here so much that we ate here twice during our stay!
HVAR GUIDE – WHAT TO DO BESIDES PARTY
Hvar is a small island but there is still a lot to do beyond partying. Hvar’s main port of Stari Grad is also the oldest town in Croatia. Check out the Stari Grand Museum to learn more about how the Greeks settled in Hvar from 384 BC. Go diving and uncover historic sea wrecks with Diving Center Viking or sail the Pakleni Islands with Hvar Adventure.
Hiking to Hvar Fortress is also a must! This quick and easy, 15 minute hike rewards you with sweeping views of Hvar. It was cloudy and raining the day we did this hike, so my video footage and pictures do not do justice to how beautiful the views are from the fortress. If you only do one thing beyond partying in Hvar I recommend at least doing this hike so you can take a few minutes to sit back and soak in what a truly magical spot you are in.
I hope this Hvar guide inspires you to visit the fun party island of Hvar. This is by no means an extensive Hvar guide but this is a good start to help you plan your getaway to the most happening island in Croatia. Enjoy!
Have you been to Hvar or another destination in Croatia? Please share your tips or questions in the comments below.
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Read More About Croatia
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- Dubrovnik: The Real Kings Landing
- 6 Reasons You Should Book A Flight To Split, Croatia
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Ivana Split says
It seems you gals had a great time!