--- type: "Article" title: "Hvar: from fishing village to jetset haven" description: "In the old days, it was still a well-kept secret, but now Hvar has become one of Croatia's trending destinations with jetsetters and opulent yachts." resource: "https://travelmemo.com/croatia/hvar-fishing-village-jetset-haven" author: "Walter Schaerer" publisher: "Travelmemo" photo_count: 24 tags: ["Experience", "Summer", "Croatia"] entities: - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/croatia" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/ibiza" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/switzerland" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/experience-travel" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/restaurant" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/sea-travel" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/vehicle-rental" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/excursion-tips" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/luxury-travel" - "https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer" generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2026-07-04T14:24:26+00:00 } verified: - { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer", at: 2017-09-28T19:29:39+00:00 } sources: - id: photos resource: hvar-fishing-village-jetset-haven.md#photos title: "Original photography by Walter Schaerer" author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer" last_modified: 2017-09-04 timestamp: 2026-07-04T14:24:26+00:00 --- # Hvar: from fishing village to jetset haven > Hvar is a Croatian island in the Adriatic known for its lavender fields, crystalline waters, and glamorous harbor — often called the St. Tropez of Croatia for its jetset yachting crowd and buzzing nightlife scene. ## Destination Hvar Island, Dalmatia, Croatia ## Getting there Car ferries run from Split to Stari Grad 4–6 times daily (about 2-hour crossing); catamarans from Split serve Hvar City and Jelsa. Book via Jadrolinija; no reserved slot — arrive 60–90 minutes early, especially in high season. ## When to go Early summer for lavender in bloom; go early in the morning to beat crowds at sites like Španjola Fortress, which overflows with tourists by noon. ## Why visit A blend of dramatic Mediterranean scenery — rocky coves, emerald water, olive orchards — with a lively harbor promenade, beach clubs, lavender products, and charming fishing villages. ## What to see - **Španjola Fortress** — 16th-century Venetian-era fortress with panoramic views, an amphora collection, and a dungeon worth visiting; gates open at 9am. - **Stari Grad** — Picturesque fishing village ('old town' in Croatian) with white cobblestoned streets; also the car ferry arrival point. - **Jelsa** — Another charming fishing village on the island, reachable by rental car. - **Hvar harbor promenade** — Lined with designer bars and restaurants; often filled with luxury yachts including very large private vessels. ## What to do - **Explore back-alley restaurants** — Narrow streets behind the promenade hide numerous bars and restaurants — recommended over the more crowded seafront spots. - **Visit beach clubs** — Bonj 'les Bains' Beach Club, Hula Hula Beach & Bar, and Carpe Diem Bar are the main spots for music and daytime socializing. - **Day trip to Pakleni Otoci** — Small islands just offshore with at least one well-regarded restaurant (Zori Restaurant & Lounge), though reservations fill up quickly. - **Shop for lavender products** — Local stalls sell lavender soap, oil, and blossom sachets — a signature product of the island. ## Good to know Hotel Adriana is well-located on the harbor but directly beside the nightlife strip — earplugs recommended. On the car ferry, fold in side mirrors when directed to the lower deck as the ramps are extremely narrow. A ferry ticket does not guarantee a spot; first come, first served. ## Photos ```yaml photos: - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/selene-yacht-Hvar-port.jpg" caption: "Hvar port hosting SELENE, a 56m luxury sail super yacht in the blue hour" keywords: ["Hvar", "SELENE", "blue hour", "port", "sailing", "travelmemo.com", "yacht"] captured: 2017-09-03 credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/lavender-stand-Hvar.jpg" caption: "Lavender everywhere in Croatia" keywords: ["lavender", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-09-02 geo: {latitude: 43.1724, longitude: 16.4399} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Hvar-promenade.jpg" caption: "Boats in Hvar bay" keywords: ["travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-09-03 geo: {latitude: 43.1704, longitude: 16.4377} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Hvar-Mediterranean.jpg" caption: "Mediterranean near Hvar" keywords: ["travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-09-04 credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Hvar-port-sunset.jpg" caption: "Hvar port sunset" keywords: ["Hvar", "port", "sunset", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-09-01 geo: {latitude: 43.1685, longitude: 16.4432} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Adriana-hotel-rooftop-bar-Hvar-Croatia.jpg" caption: "The Top rooftop bar" keywords: ["Adriana", "Croatia", "Dalmatia", "Hvar", "bar", "hotel", "rooftop", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-09-01 credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/breakfast-buffet-Adriana-hotel-Hvar.jpg" caption: "Varied breakfast buffet" keywords: ["Adriana", "Croatia", "Dalmatia", "Hvar", "breakfast", "buffet", "hotel", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-09-02 geo: {latitude: 43.1723, longitude: 16.4394} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/breakfast-buffet-Adriana-hotel-Hvar-Croatia.jpg" caption: "Healthy muesli breakfast buffet" keywords: ["Adriana", "Croatia", "Dalmatia", "Hvar", "breakfast", "buffet", "hotel", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-09-03 geo: {latitude: 43.1721, longitude: 16.4393} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/breakfast-Adriana-hotel-Hvar.jpg" caption: "Breakfast by Hvar's port" keywords: ["Adriana", "Hvar", "breakfast", "hotel", "terrace", "travelmemo.com"] geo: {latitude: 43.1723, longitude: 16.4394} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Adriana-hotel-sunrise-Hvar-Croatia.jpg" caption: "Hvar port view from Adriana hotel room during sunrise" keywords: ["Adriana", "Croatia", "Dalmatia", "Hvar", "hotel", "palmtree", "port", "sunrise", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-09-02 geo: {latitude: 43.1722, longitude: 16.4394} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Adriana-hotel-Hvar-port-view.jpg" caption: "Port view from Adriana hotel room" keywords: ["Adriana", "Croatia", "Dalmatia", "Hvar", "hotel", "port", "sunrise", "travelmemo.com"] geo: {latitude: 43.1722, longitude: 16.4394} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Gariful-restaurant-Hvar.jpg" caption: "Gariful restaurant terrace at sunset" keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "Gariful", "Hvar", "restaurant", "sunset", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-09-01 geo: {latitude: 43.1705, longitude: 16.4415} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Divino-Wine-Studio-terrace-Hvar.jpg" caption: "Divino Wine Studio terrace" keywords: ["Croatia", "Dalmatia", "Divino Wine Studio", "Hvar", "restaurant", "terrace", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-09-01 credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Macondo-restaurant.jpg" caption: "Macondo restaurant" keywords: ["travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-09-02 geo: {latitude: 43.1727, longitude: 16.4423} credit: "Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/bonj-les-bains-beach-club-palm-tree.jpg" caption: "Wedding setup by night" keywords: ["Bonj 'les bains'", "Croatia", "Dalmatia", "Hvar", "beach club", "travelmemo.com"] captured: 2017-09-02 geo: {latitude: 43.1718, longitude: 16.4349} credit: "Walter Schärer" ```