Urban Luxury Getaways
•
Choosing where to stay in Hvar for different travel styles
Understanding where to stay in Hvar starts with clarifying your travel style. The island offers lively town experiences, peaceful stone house retreats, and refined hotel stays that suit couples, families, and solo travelers. When you match your expectations with the right town or village, your stay on Hvar island feels both effortless and deeply rewarding.
Hvar Town is the primary hub, and many visitors consider this town the best area when they want nightlife, dining, and easy access to the Pakleni Islands. If you prefer quieter evenings, Stari Grad offers a historic core, Venetian architecture, and relaxed waterfront cafés that make the town Stari feel timeless and serene. Between these two, you already see how each town on Hvar Croatia shapes a different rhythm for your days and nights.
Families often ask where to stay when they want beaches and space, and Jelsa stands out with its sheltered beach bay and gentle waterfront promenade. Nearby, the smaller village of Vrboska offers marina views and calm nights, ideal for couples who want a romantic stay Hvar without constant crowds. These northern coast towns balance access to the rest of the island with a slower pace that many guests consider the island best compromise.
On the southern side of Hvar island, villages like Zavala and Sveta Nedjelja appeal to travelers seeking vineyards, dramatic cliffs, and sea facing apartments or a private house. Here, you trade busy streets for stunning views and direct paths to hidden beach coves that feel almost private. Sućuraj at the eastern tip provides a practical base with budget friendly hotels and rooms, especially convenient for short stays thanks to its ferry link to the mainland.
Hvar Town and the Pakleni Islands for vibrant coastal energy
For many travelers asking where to stay in Hvar, Hvar Town is the immediate answer. The town Hvar concentrates many of the island’s best hotels, waterfront restaurants, and late night venues in a compact, walkable setting. If you enjoy stepping from your hotel Hvar lobby straight into a lively promenade, this town will likely feel like the best area for your trip.
Staying in Hvar Town places you close to regular boat transfers to the Pakleni Islands, a chain of islets known for clear water and sheltered beach bay inlets. Day trips to these islands are easy from most hotels and apartments near the harbor, which is why many guests choose to stay Hvar here for at least part of their holiday. The combination of historic streets, yacht filled views, and island hopping access makes this town one of the best hotels clusters in the Adriatic.
Accommodation options range from a heritage hotel in restored stone buildings to contemporary resort style properties with pools and spa facilities. A well located Hvar hotel often offers sea facing rooms with stunning views over the harbor and the Pakleni Islands beyond. When comparing hotels, pay attention to whether your room faces the main square, the marina, or a quieter back street, as this can significantly influence how peaceful your stay feels.
Travelers who value design and service sometimes search for the best boutique style properties in Hvar Town, and they will find several intimate hotels that focus on personalized attention. These hotels usually provide fewer rooms, refined interiors, and curated local experiences such as private boat trips to the Pakleni Islands. If you prefer more independence, serviced apartments and renovated house rentals in the old town lanes allow you to live like a local while remaining close to the waterfront.
Stari Grad, Jelsa, and Vrboska for relaxed coastal charm
When deciding where to stay in Hvar for a quieter atmosphere, Stari Grad, Jelsa, and Vrboska form a graceful trio on the northern coast. Stari Grad is one of the oldest settlements on Hvar island, with narrow lanes, stone façades, and a harbor that feels peaceful even in high season. Many travelers choose this town when they want heritage hotel stays and easy road access to every other part of Hvar Croatia.
In Stari Grad, you will find small hotels, family run house accommodations, and apartments that open onto courtyards scented with pine and lavender. The town’s waterfront offers gentle evening strolls, and several properties provide rooms with partial sea views or vistas over terracotta rooftops. Because the town sits roughly in the middle of the island, it works well as a base for guests who plan to explore multiple beach spots and villages.
Further east, Jelsa appeals to families asking where stay when they want safe swimming and a relaxed promenade. The town’s beach bay areas are shallow and sheltered, and many apartments and hotels sit within walking distance of the sea. Jelsa also offers a good selection of restaurants and cafés, making it easy to stay Hvar here without driving every evening.
Just a short drive or coastal walk away, Vrboska is often called “Little Venice” thanks to its canals and stone bridges. This village suits couples who value quiet nights, marina views, and intimate hotels or house rentals with only a few rooms. The combined area of Jelsa Vrboska gives travelers a choice between slightly livelier evenings in Jelsa and more secluded stays in Vrboska, while still sharing access to some of the island best swimming spots.
Southern Hvar villages and Sućuraj for nature, wine, and value
Travelers who ask where to stay in Hvar for dramatic scenery and wine culture often gravitate to the southern villages. Zavala and Sveta Nedjelja sit beneath steep slopes on Hvar island, surrounded by vineyards that produce some of Hvar Croatia’s most respected labels. Here, accommodation leans toward villas, apartments, and house rentals, many with terraces that frame stunning views of the open sea.
These villages are ideal if you prefer to stay away from busy town centers and spend your days between quiet beach coves and winery visits. Several apartments and smaller hotels are built close to the shoreline, so you can walk directly from your rooms to a pebble beach within minutes. The sense of seclusion is strong, which many guests consider the island best luxury, especially outside the peak summer weeks.
Sveta Nedjelja also attracts rock climbers and hikers, who appreciate staying in simple apartments or modest hotels with quick access to the cliffs. Even if you are not climbing, the combination of vineyards, chapels, and sea views makes this area a compelling answer when you wonder where stay for a more contemplative holiday. A car is essential here, as public transport is limited and distances between villages can be significant.
At the eastern tip of Hvar island, Sućuraj offers a different kind of appeal, focused on practicality and value. The town connects directly to the mainland by ferry, making it a convenient base for shorter stays or road trips that combine Hvar with other Dalmatian destinations. Accommodation in Sućuraj includes budget friendly hotels, guesthouse rooms, and apartments, which can be the best area choice for travelers who prioritize cost and easy arrivals over nightlife.
How to choose the best hotels, resorts, and apartments on Hvar
Once you have decided where to stay in Hvar, the next step is selecting the right property type. On Hvar island, you can choose between full service resort hotels, intimate heritage hotel options, self catering apartments, and traditional stone house rentals. Each style of stay shapes how you experience the island’s beaches, towns, and rural landscapes.
Resort properties, including family focused brands such as Valamar Amicor, typically offer pools, kids’ clubs, and direct access to a beach bay. These hotels suit guests who want many services in one place and prefer not to drive daily, especially when traveling with children. When evaluating a resort or hotel Hvar option, look closely at room categories, as sea view rooms often command a premium but deliver truly stunning views.
In historic centers like Hvar Town and Stari Grad, a heritage hotel often occupies a restored palace or merchant’s house. These hotels usually feature fewer rooms, high ceilings, and details such as stone arches or wooden beams that connect you to the island’s past. Travelers who value atmosphere and character frequently consider these some of the best hotels on Hvar Croatia, particularly when they also provide modern comforts such as air conditioning and quality bedding.
Apartments and private house rentals are widely available in every town and village, from Jelsa Vrboska to Sućuraj. They are ideal if you want kitchen facilities, extra space, or a longer stay Hvar with a more residential feel. When choosing where stay in this category, review the exact distance to the sea, parking availability, and whether your terrace or balcony offers partial or full sea views, as these details can significantly enhance your time on the island.
Practical guide to planning your stay across Hvar’s towns and beaches
To make the most of where to stay in Hvar, align your itinerary with the island’s geography. Hvar Town and town Hvar surroundings work well for shorter breaks focused on nightlife, dining, and boat trips to the Pakleni Islands. Stari Grad, Jelsa, and Vrboska are better suited to longer stays where you alternate between beach days, cultural visits, and drives through lavender fields.
When planning a multi base trip, many travelers start with several nights in Hvar Town for energy and then move to Stari Grad or Jelsa Vrboska for a calmer finale. This approach allows you to experience both the island best social scene and its quieter coastal rhythms in a single holiday. It also gives you the chance to compare different hotels, apartments, and house stays, which can be helpful if you plan to return to Hvar Croatia in future seasons.
Beach preferences should also guide where stay decisions, as some areas offer sandy shallows while others feature rocky platforms and deep water. Families often favor the beach bay zones near Jelsa and certain coves close to Stari Grad, where access is gentle and facilities are nearby. Swimmers and snorkelers may prefer the clearer, deeper waters off the Pakleni Islands or the southern coves near Zavala and Sveta Nedjelja, reached by car or boat from your chosen town.
Finally, consider logistics such as ferry ports, parking, and driving times between each town on Hvar island. Sućuraj is practical for quick arrivals from the mainland, while Stari Grad’s ferry port serves many longer distance routes. By combining this practical guide best advice with your personal priorities for views, beaches, and style of hotel Hvar or apartment, you can confidently choose the best area and property for an elegant, memorable stay Hvar.
Key statistics about where to stay in Hvar
- Hvar island offers several distinct towns and villages, including Hvar Town, Stari Grad, Jelsa, Vrboska, Zavala, Sveta Nedjelja, and Sućuraj, each with its own character and accommodation style.
- Travelers increasingly show interest in authentic and less crowded destinations on Hvar, particularly in southern wine villages and smaller northern coastal towns.
- Wine tourism continues to grow in villages such as Zavala and Sveta Nedjelja, where vineyards and sea views combine with apartments, villas, and small hotels.
Essential questions about where to stay in Hvar
What is the best area to stay in Hvar for nightlife?
Hvar Town is known for its vibrant nightlife and dining options. Staying in or near the historic center places you within walking distance of bars, clubs, and late night restaurants, while still allowing easy access to daytime excursions and the Pakleni Islands.
Which part of Hvar is suitable for a quiet, historic experience?
Stari Grad offers a tranquil atmosphere with Venetian era architecture. The town’s stone streets, harbor promenade, and heritage buildings create a calm setting, and its central position on Hvar island makes it convenient for day trips to beaches and nearby villages.
Where can families find suitable accommodations in Hvar?
Jelsa provides nearby beaches and a relaxed evening ambiance, ideal for families. Many apartments and hotels sit close to shallow beach bay areas, and the town’s compact layout makes it easy to walk between the waterfront, playgrounds, and dining options.
