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View of Hvar from the Spanish Fortress, Croatia, photo by Bernard Gagnon.

Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Hvar

Hvar is an Island at the Adriatic Sea, off Dalmatian coast. The Island has large fertile coast plains and water springs that offer a tranquil environment for tourists. The island experiences mild winters, and warm summers with many hours of sunshine.

The island offers natural beauty, luxuries of swimming in calm waters, peaceful walks by the sea or through the countryside. The island also offers a variety of restaurants with wide varieties of local dishes.

Hvar’s history is rich in events and achievements, which are reflected in its architecture and landscape. Therefore the island has been an attraction site for tourists all over. Hvar has also been voted the most beautiful in Europe by Conde Nast Traveller magazine in 2019 and 2021.

1.Hvar has the best weather in Croatia

Photo by Torsten Dederichs on

The precise location of the Island places it at the Croatian Coast and therefore experiences the best weather. For that reason the area receives sunshine most of the time in the year and for that reason has received the name ‘the sunny Hvar’.

The suitable weather in the Island has been attraction to tourist to escape the cold winters. One industry, tourism, has however continued to grow and is now a significant contributor to the island’s economy.

Hvar residents mostly engage in fishing and the tourism industry. The Mediterranean climate makes the area attractive to tourists from all over the world.

2.Hvar is an Island of Many Names

Pokonji Dol, islet in the Adriatic Sea 2km from Hvar, photo by VerTego.

Hvar Island has been given different names from time to time. The Greeks named if Pharos but was later on changed to Pharia by Romans in the area. Prior to the place being named Hvar, the Italians named it Lesina.

The name Hvar was given by the Croatian people. The precise geographic location of the place has made it a crossroad of many navel and trade routes throughout history. The area has therefore had several inhabitants over and therefore the acquisition of different names.

3.The city of Hvar is home to the oldest public theatre in Europe, Hvar Public theatre

The theatre is in the second floor of the Arsenal, on the Southern side of St Stephen`s Square. The theatre has been in existence since 1612. Duke Petar Semitecolo is believed to have established the theatre.

The theatre was recently restored in 2017 and reopened for the public. The establishment of the theatre in the 17^th century was to afford all classes to visit and enjoy shows.

4.The formation of The Hygienic Association of Hvar has been instrumental to the development of Hvar

The Hygienic Association of Hvar was founded back in the year 1868 by Juraj II Dubokovic. The establishment was to benefit foreign visitors to the area. The foundation was instrumental to the development of infrastructure like, hotels, apartments, restaurants, galleries, museum and café. 

The foundation claims to be the first organized tourism foundation in Europe. The island of Hvar is a tourist destination, consistently listed in the top 10 islands by Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

5.The Island has a typical Mediterranean vegetation

Lavender fields on Hvar, photo by col_ford.

Areas with Mediterranean vegetation are generally characterized by dry summers and rainy winters.  The island is mostly bare with woody scrub at higher, steeper elevations, turning to pine forests on the lower slopes with Holm oak (Orno-Quercetum ilicis), Aleppo pines (Pinus halapensis Mill) and Black pines (Pinus nigra dalmatica).

6.Hvar Island holds so much history

Hvar Island has a lot of sentimental buildings that hold history. The Tvrdalj Castle in Stari Grad on Hvar holds so much history of the Island. The castle was the summer residence of Petar Hektorovic, a Croatian poet.

The castle has been well preserved to attract tourist from all over. The castle has several inscriptions both in Latin and Croatian on the wall that are considered some of the oldest extant.

7.Hvar`s location was precise for trading activities

Photo by Kim Tunger on

The location of the Island has attracted both tourists and traders. Hvar’s location at the center of the Adriatic sailing routes has long made this island an important base for commanding trade up and down the Adriatic.

For that reason the Island has had many inhabitants throughout history. The location attracted the ancient Greeks who founded the colony Pharos on the site of today`s Stari Grad, making it one of the oldest town in Europe.

Other than trading, the residents also work on fishing and tourism industries.

8.Hvar has been voted the most beautiful in Europe

Hvar seen from fortress Fortica, photo by F.G. comm.

Hvar has been considered one the most beautiful island. Hvar is a charming and ancient city with clear blue waters and cobblestone streets. The place is regarded as a hot spot for tourists from all over.

Hvar has been voted the most beautiful in Europe by Conde Nast Traveller magazine in 2019 and 2021. Natural beauty is just one part of its attractions, offering the luxuries of swimming in calm waters, peaceful walks by the sea or through the countryside.

9.Hvar is home to some of the greatest Croatian literary and musical figures

Hvar has been home to some great musical figures and Croatian literary figures like Petar Hektorović, Hanibal Lucić and Antun Dobronić. Petar Hektorović was a poet and collector born in Hvar Island. He was regarded as an important figure in the Renaissance period in Croatian.

On the other hand Hanibal Lucić is a Croatian Renaissance poet and playwright, author of the first secular drama in Croatia. His literary work was first associated with translations of Ovid`s work.

10.The Cathedral of St. Stephen is quite an impressive building in the Island

The cathedral was first built in the early 17^th century. The area around the cathedral is relatively tranquil and quiet. St Stephen Cathedral was the first of its kind to be built in the area.

The cathedral is regarded as an important historical site, as it provides links back to the ancient origins of the town. Inside the bell tower is a stone relief of a roman ship from the second century.

Other than that, the southern part holds a monument of the winged Erote from about the second century.

Hvar Island offers a tranquil environment for tourists from all over the world. The precise location of the Island places it at the Croatian Coast and therefore experiences the best weather.