Hvar town, locally knowh only as Hvar (without the ''town'' in the name) is a place that will definitely amaze you the first time you see it, regardless of weather it is from the sea or from the road that connects it with the ferry port in Stari grad (from Split). It doesen't even matter what kind of mood you are in either because the beauty, the colors, and the overwhelming feeling of mediterranian serenity will leave you in awe and the day will get a lot better for it. There is also this weird feeling that you can't decide where exactly to look at: the beautifull green hill with the tiny Napoleon's fortress, or maybe feast your eyes on the Pakleni islands spreading along the coast of the island, or just to stare and amaze at the big Spanjola fortress with its stone walls towering above the city like an ancient guardian of stone.

All this is just at the first glimpse, so you can imagine what awaits with each day you spend in its embrace. Culturally the place is a mix of Mediterranean, Venetian and French influence on its history along with a few others but the local inhabitants have been always been Croatians. The legacy of tradition is strong here and it gives the city its charm, but it is at the same time a place very well adopthed to modern times, especially when the nightlife is considered. Some of the most elaborate clubs and social events reside here and during the summer the town becomes the hottest spot for enjoying everything from beaches to bars and clubs and even more. Having sad this must be added that it is all so carefully organised and maintained that it does not interfere the relaxing serenity of this island retreat. The center of the town is so vibrant at any given time of day and there is allways something new to enjoy in its myriad of shops restaurants winerys and so on. The beaches are literary evrywhere but the best ones are on the little islands across from the town called the Pakleni Islands. The great thing about these is that they are easy to get to; it is only about 10 to 15 minutes with taxi boats, and those are numerous and fairly cheap. Wheather you are looking for a secluded spot or a main beach with bars and restaurants right on it or a relaxing spot in the shade you can find it all there in abundance. The other things you will also find in abundance in Hvar are stunning panoramas. It seems like enywhere you look there is one, and if you know where to go (of get somebody who knows to take you) it gets even more amazing. Exploring the surroundings is a must because the surrounding area is covered in wineyards on one side and overlooking hills on the other, and if you go just a little bit further over the hills you can get into one of these private little coves on the other side. Sunsets here are something one can never forget and for those seeking a romantic ambiente Hvar is a sweetspot. What is also important to mention is that Hvar is very well connected with all of the surrounding islands and larger towns on the coast, in fact it acts as a sort of hub for all the islands on the south of Croatia. You can easily get to Vis, Brac, Korcula, Mljet, Peljesac and Dubrovnik from here. There are all sorts of tours that you can take which take you along the coast of Hvar island, Pakleni islands and to Vis and Bisevo islands. Mind you, not all of them are the same; some are fantastic, like our highly rated Three Caves Tour and very well thought of while a lot of them are rushed just to take your money type of things, but that can easily be avoided if you do at least some internet research before buying one. Another great option is to rent a car or scooter and discover the interior of the island, which is a great thing. The interior is mostly uninhabited with untouched nature, amazing scenery and some very interesting abandoned villages. In any case, how ever long you deceide to stay in Hvar town there will allways be something new to experience of something that you still wanted to see but there just was not enough time, and when the time to leave comes you will have a feeling like you are leaving an old friend because the place will get under your skin.

Source: Ilirio's

Hvar is a city and port on the island of Hvar, part of Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia. The municipality has a population of 4,251 (2011) while the city itself is inhabited by 3,771 people, making it the largest settlement on the island of Hvar. It is situated on a bay in the south coast of the island, opposite from the other nearby towns of Stari Grad and Jelsa. The city of Hvar has a long and distinguished history as center for trade and culture in the Adriatic. An independent commune within the Venetian Empire during the 13th to 18th centuries, it was an important naval base with a strong fortress above, encircling town walls and protected port. Cultural life thrived as prosperity grew, and Hvar is the site of one of the oldest surviving theatres in Europe, opened in 1612. The seven-hundred-year-old walls still survive, as do many of the noble houses and public buildings from 15th - 17th centuries. By the 19th century, the port of Hvar was no longer a military base, and The Hygienic Society of Hvar (Higijeničko društvo u Hvaru) took the economy of the city and the island in a new direction. As one of the earliest "tourist boards" in Europe, it was founded in 1868 with the purpose of providing "good care for visitors". Today, the city has a variety of hotels, galleries, museums, and exhibitions, including the Arsenal, Loggia, the Croatian Institute, and the Hvar Heritage Museum with its art and archaeological collections. The port of Hvar, set in a picturesque natural bay, with the Pakleni Otoci island chain protecting it to the south, is a safe haven for boats year round. The city is a popular port of call for yachts sailing around the Adriatic, especially in the summer months. There are regular catamaran ferry services from the port between Hvar and Split, Brac, Korcula, Lastovo, and Vis.

Source: Wikipedia