ISLAND OF HVAR, STARI GRAD
World-famous Croatian island with the oldest town in Europe
Hvar’s beautiful beaches, crystal clear sea, Mediterranean atmosphere, and rich cultural and gastronomic heritage have placed it high on the list of the world’s most beautiful islands.
Stari Grad, built on the foundations of Greek Pharos, founded in 385 BC, is known as one of the oldest towns in Europe. It abounds in typical charming elements of Dalmatian towns, museums, remnants of walls, greek and roman monuments, and medieval churches and palaces. The most significant among them are the fortified summer house of Croatian writer Petar Hektorovich from the 16th century and UNESCO’s Stari Grad Plain, the best-preserved ancient Greek landscape in the Mediterranean planted with the same grape and olive varieties as 2400 years ago.
Today, Stari Grad is a famous tourist destination that provides an idyllic vacation all year round. Just as the sunniest island, Stari Grad has a pleasant and mild climate with many sunny days. Due to its strategic location, it served as a refuge to sailors for centuries, and today it is a trendy nautical destination.
Visit Stari Grad and become part of the story that lasts for more than 2400 years.
How to reach us
By plane
The nearest international airports are in Split and Dubrovnik, from where you can take a bus, rent-a-car, taxi, ferry, or other boats to the island of Hvar.
By ferry or catamaran
Most passengers arrive on the island of Hvar by ferry to the largest port on the island – Stari Grad, located 1.5 km from Stari Grad. The ferry port of Sucuraj is 60 km away from Stari Grad (1 hour and 15 minutes drive) and connects the easternmost point of the island of Hvar and the town of Drvenik on the mainland.
The island of Hvar is also connected by fast catamaran lines (hydrofoils) with Split, Dubrovnik, and neighboring islands. The catamarans dock in the towns of Hvar and Jelsa.
By car
Depending on the direction you’re coming from, you can choose the ferry ports in Split and Drvenik. If you are coming from the direction of northern and northwestern Croatia, book a ferry on the line Split – Stari Grad (Island of Hvar).
If you are coming from the direction of Dubrovnik, Sarajevo, or Makarska, we recommend the ferry line Drvenik – Sucuraj (Island of Hvar).
By bus around the island
Stari Grad is connected by regular bus lines with island ports and main towns:
STARI GRAD – FERRY PORT (STARI GRAD)
STARI GRAD – HVAR
STARI GRAD – JELSA – VRBOSKA
STARI GRAD – SUCURAJ (FERRY PORT) – SPLIT
By train
If you want to travel by train, the nearest train station is in Split.