--- title: "Hvar Town" description: "Hvar Town, Croatia: explore a UNESCO-listed Venetian fortress, Pjaca main square, lavender-scented streets, and Adriatic ferry connections to Split and the Pakleni Islands." url: "https://viatravelers.com/neighborhoods/hvar-town/" published_at: "2026-03-28T12:42:17-06:00" updated_at: "2026-06-04T11:30:37-06:00" author: "Kyle Kroeger" --- Hvar Town sits on the southwestern coast of Hvar island in the Split-Dalmatia County, built around a deep natural harbor facing the Pakleni Islands. The town center preserves one of the best-maintained ensembles of Venetian Gothic architecture on the Adriatic, including the longest piazza in Dalmatia. It draws visitors seeking history, beaches, and some of Croatia’s most active summer nightlife. ## What is Hvar Town known for? Hvar Town is known for its Venetian-era architecture, the 16th-century Fortica fortress above the harbor, the Renaissance Cathedral of St. Stephen on Pjaca square, and a reputation as one of the Adriatic’s busiest summer destinations, attracting yachters and cultural travelers in equal measure. The surrounding island is also Croatia’s sunniest, averaging around 2,700 hours of sunshine per year, and lavender cultivation on the inland plateau has historically defined the local economy. - Fortica (Spanish Fortress) overlooks the entire town and harbor - Pjaca — the main square — is the largest piazza on the eastern Adriatic coast - Cathedral of St. Stephen dates to the 16th–17th centuries with a Renaissance bell tower - Arsenal building on Pjaca houses one of Europe’s oldest public theaters, founded 1612 ## Best things to do in Hvar Town The single most rewarding activity in Hvar Town is climbing to the Fortica fortress for panoramic views over the harbor, the Pakleni Islands, and the open Adriatic — the walk from Pjaca takes roughly 20 minutes on a marked stone path. Beyond the fortress, visitors can take water taxis from the main harbor to the Pakleni Islands for swimming at spots like Palmižana, tour the Arsenal and its historic theater, and walk the medieval city walls. - Hike to Fortica fortress for Adriatic panoramas - Take a water taxi to Palmižana on the Pakleni Islands - Visit the 1612 theater inside the Arsenal on Pjaca - Walk along Riva promenade at sunset beside the harbor - Explore the Franciscan Monastery and its 16th-century cloister near the harbor ## Where to eat and drink in Hvar Town Hvar Town’s dining scene concentrates around Pjaca square, the Riva harbor promenade, and the narrow lanes of the old town, where konobas serve grilled fish, peka-cooked lamb, and local Plavac Mali red wine from Hvar’s Sveta Nedjelja wine region. Grška ulica and the streets behind the cathedral hold smaller, locally oriented restaurants away from the main tourist strip. - Plavac Mali red wine, grown on the island’s southern slopes - Peka — slow-cooked lamb or octopus under an iron bell — is the signature dish - Fresh grilled Adriatic fish at harbor-front konobas along Riva - Lavender-infused honey and liqueurs sold at stalls near the market ## How to get to Hvar Town Hvar Town is reached by a combination of ferry and road: the most direct route is a Jadrolinija car ferry from Split to Stari Grad on the northern coast of Hvar island, followed by a 30-minute bus or taxi ride to Hvar Town; a faster passenger catamaran runs seasonally directly from Split harbor to Hvar Town’s Riva dock. A local ferry also connects Drvenik on the mainland to Sućuraj on the eastern tip of the island. - Jadrolinija ferry: Split to Stari Grad, then bus to Hvar Town - Seasonal Krilo or Jadrolinija catamaran: Split directly to Hvar Town Riva - Water taxis connect Hvar Town harbor to Pakleni Islands year-round in summer - Local buses link Stari Grad ferry port to Hvar Town bus station ## Where to walk in Hvar Town The essential walking route in Hvar Town runs from Pjaca square through the old town lanes past the Cathedral of St. Stephen, along the Riva promenade, and up the steep stepped path to the Fortica fortress, covering the town’s main historic and scenic highlights in under two hours. A second walk heads east from the harbor along the coastal path toward the small beaches below the city walls. - Pjaca to Fortica: stone-paved lanes, city wall sections, fortress summit - Riva promenade east toward Bonj beach and the town’s eastern coves ## Best time to visit Hvar Town May, June, and September offer the best balance for visiting Hvar Town — temperatures are warm (22–28°C), the Adriatic is swimmable, ferry connections run full schedules, and the extreme July–August crowds that clog Pjaca and the harbor are significantly reduced. July and August bring the peak of Hvar’s famous nightlife season centered around the harbor area but also the highest prices and longest queues at restaurants and water taxis.