Stari Grad

Dating back to the arrival of the Ancient Greeks in 384 BC, ancient Stari Grad celebrated 2400 years in 2016 and is claimed as the oldest town in all Croatia. Walk its superbly preserved pedestrian stone streets to breathe in the history of the Greeks, the Romans and centuries of subsequent visitors – some welcome, some not.

Formerly the island’s capital called Faros, the town also boasts its own UNESCO World Heritage site, the Stari Grad plain, an agricultural colony founded by the Greeks and the largest cultivated field on the Mediterranean. Heritage, tradition and history – Stari Grad oozes them all, but with a relaxed atmosphere which is a pleasant contrast to the busyness of Hvar Town.

Vrboska

Hvar’s smallest town – and some say it’s prettiest – Vrboska is home to the main marina on the island but is more famous for its nickname, Little Venice, after the short but picturesque canal with delightful stone bridges, as well as the unique fortress church which dominates its well-preserved old town. A timeless small fishing community with some several churches hosting some of the largest art collections on the Adriatic coast, Vrboska is an essential escape from the crowds.

Jelsa, Pitve

Head into the hills to the oldest village on Hvar, dating back 2000 years, and having wandered through the sublime old streets and enjoyed a glass of wine or rakija in one of its cellars, descend to the coastal town of Jelsa, once known as ‘Pitve Harbour’, as it was built for that purpose 1300 years later. Famous for its quaint main square, one of THE places to enjoy a quiet cappuccino, stroll through its ancient streets and enjoy its cute harbour and palm-tree views to majestic Biokovo on the mainland.