Croatia’s fourth largest island Hvar boasts more days of sunshine than anywhere else on the Adriatic, clocking an annual average of almost 2,800 hours per year. It's easy to see why Hvar is such a popular town on this beautiful Dalmatian Riviera island, where terracotta tiled houses cling to the lush hillside rising from the pretty yacht-filled harbour.
The area is rich in history and known for its medieval architecture. Take in the incredible views over Hvar and the surrounding islands from the 16th century Fortica Fortress. Or visit the cathedral dedicated to St Stephen and the Bishop's Palace, which forms one side of St Stephen's square. The Franciscan monastery, founded in 1461, is home to an intriguing museum and also well worth investigating. The area benefits from the Mediterranean climate known as 'the climate of the olive tree'. As a result it enjoys a characteristic clear blue sky for the majority of the year, so you may just want to watch the world go by from one of Hvar's many open-air cafes.
Some of Croatia’s best red wines are produced on Hvar’s steeply sloping south coast. Zlatan Plavac is a dependable one, but you can also find plenty of people selling homemade wine by the roadside. Lavender is grown widely on the island, finding its way into souvenirs such as small bags of dried lavender, and lavender-infused soaps and cosmetics. Hvar is also renowned for its intricate lace, which – along with lace-making traditions on the island of Pag and in the town of Lepoglava in northern Croatia – is included in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
