Croatian Travel: Hvar Island

The Sun and Surf of Hvar Island

Hvar calls itself the island with the most sun in all of the Adriatic Sea and it’s hard to argue with that claim when it produces the facts to back it up. With an annual average of 2,700+ hours of sunshine and just two foggy days each year, Hvar does seem to have a lot of sun. In fact, the island will give tourists their money back if it snows during their visit, which it has been known to do on the very rare occasion.

In the town of Hvar on the island of Hvar are palm-lined streets that wind their way past the many restaurants covered in colorful awnings. In the main square of Trg Sveti Stjepan, the largest piazza in all of Dalmatia, you will find the 16th century Cathedral of St. Stephen, which is a stunning site inside the square.

Behind the bell tower you will find the Bishop’s Treasury which has a fine display of silver vessels, embroidered robes, and several Madonnas. North of the square you will find the Benedictine Monastery which has a fully functioning re-creation of a Renaissance-era home.

If you want to enjoy some of the well-publicized Hvar sunshine, then you will want to head to the beach. Here you can enjoy every type of water sport imaginable, including diving, snorkeling, water-skiing, and swimming. One of the most popular beach areas is actually a short boat ride to one of the Pakleni Islands, which is easily accessible by water taxi during the summer months.