If you are looking for things to do on the island, the choice is yours. Whether you are interested in nature, sports, water activities, history or everything together, you will for sure find something to do.
Sightseeing
In terms of general sightseeing there is also a large choice of activities. Highlights are the port town Hvar which include its 13th-century walls, a hilltop fortress and a main square anchored by the Renaissance-era Hvar Cathedral. The towns of Stari Grad and Jelsa are worth a visit and so are the six intangible and tangible UNESCO cultural heritages sites. The island also features so many beautiful beaches such as Dubovica and inland lavender fields which a great to visit during June / July time. Boat excursions serve the nearby Pakleni Islands, which have secluded beaches and coves. Plan ahead to be sure not to miss something you might be keen to see.
Stand-up Paddle Board
If you have your own and the winds allows, you can literally go anywhere, except the harbours or where the ferries and catamarans go. If would stick to all the bays around the island which are a paradise to discover with your SUP. If you are looking to rent one and you are staying in a hotel, they can arrange it for you. If you are staying in an apartment try Kayak and SUP rental for all details.
Cycling
An amazing way to explore the island is by bike. There are many cycling routes all over the island and you can explore by yourself or you book a guided tour with Riccardo and his team, who are local experts in this field. We rented E-Mountainbikes and cycled up to the island highest peak, St. Nicolas. First on a paved road, then on gravel and back down all on a gravel, dirt road. What an experience... sometimes challenging as it was steep or there were many stones on the paths but nevertheless so worthwhile. Love exploring by bike, on of my favourite activities on Hvar!!
Olive Oil Tasting
Olive Trees are everywhere on Hvar and many families have their own Olive grove and meet every October to harvest the olives together. If you are traveling to Hvar in October, this is a great local activity and tradition to join. Some owners harvest the olives for themselves and their families. But some turned their Olive Grove into a thriving business and Seca did this beautifully. You can visit them and try their Olive Oil, right there where it came from. This "Olive Farm" is a stunning spot and worth the drive to a more remote part of the island.
Wine Tasting
There are a number of wineries you can visit on Hvar for a tasting. Personally I have only tried two and I can recommend both. They are very different and each offer a unique experience.
Lacman Winery probably offers the best view as it is located in the small village of Selca, offering stunning views over the Dalamatian islands and coast. It is a family business, focussing on natural wines and all family members are involved. They produce a great selection of whites, reds and a rosé and my personal favourite is "Predobro", one of their amazing red wines.
Another great winery on Hvar is "Dubokovic" which offers a totally different wine tasting experience. Located in the town of Jelsa you will find another family winery, located in acellar and run by Ivo Dubokovic, who is an amazing storyteller. During a winetasting he shares his wine and his knowledge and is an amazing source of information on everything about Croatian wine making and his wines in particular. very worthwhile experience which I can wholeheartedly recommend.
Hiking
There are several excellent hiking tracks on Hvar, just bring hiking shoes or proper trainers and get started. The island is quite hilly and the paths can have many pebbles and stones, so shoes are important. You can hike along parts of the shoreline, hike in Stari Grad Plains or climb a hill. I also recommend using a guide so you don't have to worry about getting lost or missing the great lunch spot. This is a hike we did on our own and we loved it as you see the water all the way down the hill. Stunning views on this one, from #Velo Grablje - Milna:
We started a little before the town Velo Grablje, from the restaurant “Alavia”, the highest point on the hill with 360-degree views of the islands. The track takes you from one of the highest points back down to the sea. This out-and-back trail is generally considered a moderately challenging route and should take about 3 hours to complete. This is a popular trail for the views, birding, hiking, and mountain biking, and is open year-round.
This trail leads from Alavia, to the village of Velo Grablje, the Malo Garble, and on to Milna, which is located on the sea level. Velo Grablje is on the south side of the island, and was founded in the 14th century, and today the village is almost abandoned and has only a few permanent residents. From Velo Grablje, the trail follows the dry line of the stream and passes along Malo Grablje, and then continues towards Milna which is located in a protected bay with two sandy beaches, separated from each other by a pine forest. In Milna, there is a great choice of beaches and restaurants to rest and enjoy after this hike.
