Following our week in Dubrovnik, we took a bus to Split and then a ferry to Hvar, one of the biggest islands off this part of the Dalmatian coast.

Hvar is a lovely little island with its main hub, Hvar Town, comprising a picturesque historic port with some great architecture in a spectacular setting. This is another historic World Heritage town sat on a harbour with a backdrop of mountains with a hilltop fortress and fortified city walls. There are amazing views from the top of the hill looking down on the town and harbour which is constantly busy with boats going backwards and forwards all day long taking tourists to and from nearby islands and beaches.

Hvar is regarded as quite glamorous and it certainly attracts a glam crowd who pack the many bars and restaurants in the evening. There are some excellent restaurants but as usual there are options for all budgets with inexpensive cafes and the omni-present bakeries for those of us with not so deep pockets.

Here are some photographs from the harbour area

 

 

 

Some photos around town

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And some views on and from the hillside and from the fort above the city…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stari Grad

 

Stari Grad is Croatia’s oldest town and lies about half way along the island of Hvar near the main ferry port. It’s a pleasant enough excursion as the journey is scenic and there are some interesting old buildings to stroll around for an hour or two. The town was almost totally dead on the day we visited and there didn’t seem a lot of accommodation for tourists around the place. We completed a quick tour, sunk a couple of beers and got back on the bus to Hvar Town. Here are a few pictures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

We spent 5 nights in Hvar staying in a nice apartment 10 minutes outside of the old city. Five nights was perfect for us as slow travellers but this is really a very small place and everything the town has to offer can be seen in a leisurely day trip and is by many visiting via a cruise ship.

 

Next stop Split!