Hvar Holidays

Queen of the Dalmatian Islands, beautiful Hvar, is favoured by wealthy Croatians and discerning Italians whose luxury yachts anchor off the coast during the summer months. It's a 105 minute ferry journey from Split to the main port of Stari Grad, which set around a bay, is the oldest settlement on the island and a charming little town with a host of restaurants, bars and shops, and more subdued and low-key than delightful, but busy, Hvar Town which is considered the real star of the island.

Approaching by boat, it's easy to see why Hvar Town is the darling of the yachting crowd: Baroque cathedral, hilltop castle and Venetian-era stone houses set a stunning scene. There are palaces and churches, delightful cafés, restaurants and bars. The Riva, the central thoroughfare, leads from the picturesque harbour to 16th century St Stephen's Cathedral which dominates the main square, and up to the Fortica Fortress.

Hvar Town has become hugely popular with crowds that embrace everybody from celebrities and owners of superyachts, to backpackers and partygoers of all ages. Lazy days spent on the palm-lined promenade, and amongst elegant flower-filled piazzas heady with the scent of good coffee, give way to late evenings of pure escapism and some particularly exuberant partying in the now legendary beach bars which have gained a reputation to rival that of Ibiza. Carpe Diem, on the nearby island of Stipanska, has recently been voted one of the best beach clubs in the world.

There is access to the sea from rocky shores or bathing platforms in the town, or for a day on a secluded pebble beach the nearby, pretty pine covered islands of Pakleni Otoci can easily be reached by regular taxi boats from the town harbour.