Planning a Split to Hvar day trip? You’ve come to the right place!
During our ten days in Croatia we decided to spend some time exploring the beautiful island of Hvar. If you love beautiful beaches, quaint old towns and dramatic coastlines, then you will love Hvar Island.
In this article I’ve outlined everything you need to know about doing a day trip to Hvar Island from Split. Whether you choose to go on a tour or alone, this guide has it all!
Discover how to get there, prices, the best things to do on Hvar Island, what to expect and more. If you’re planning a Split to Hvar day trip, this is the guide for you! So let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
About Hvar Island
Not far from the Croatian coast, Hvar Island is a very popular summer destination, as well as a must on any Split itinerary.
With its incredible beaches, beautiful natural landscapes, cute historical town and awesome food, it’s easy to see why!
This island has become famous recently for its party reputation, however even if you’re not into big parties it’s still an incredible island to visit.
You can do a day trip to Hvar from Split and enjoy the natural and historical beauty of the island, without ever seeing the party side of it, or stay a few nights and live the nightlife.
How do I get from Split to Hvar?
Hvar is a fairly small island and the only way to get there is by boat. You can either take a ferry or go on a organised boat trip.
The ferry will be cheaper and give you more freedom to do as you please in Hvar, but you will then have to pay for all activities and extras.
Tours can be a bit pricier but will usually include everything, meaning you can just sit back, relax and enjoy your Hvar day trip.
By ferry
There are a number of different ferry companies that run the route from Split to Hvar. In high season there are up to 18 journeys per day, giving you lots of choice for your departure times.
Split to Hvar ferry prices
The price for a one way journey from Split harbour Hvar Island is 39 HKR per person.
How long is the ferry from Split to Hvar?
The ferry takes around one hour to get from Split to Hvar. Depending on the company and sea conditions it ranges from 50 to 70 minutes.
In summer the first ferry is at 7:40AM, and the last one leaving Hvar for Split is at 9:30PM (in winter there are less rides).
You can easily take these ferries and organise your own day tour around Hvar Island. Alternatively let’s look at the tour option in more detail.
With a Split to Hvar day tour
There are lots of different day tour options running from Split to Hvar. You can do tours with a speedboat, a catamaran or sailing boat, and decide what aspect of Hvar to focus more on.
I’ve listed below some fun tour options.
Hvar 5 Islands & Blue Cave Tour – If you want to go beyond just Hvar Island, then this tour is a great choice. You will see part of Hvar, but they’ll also take you to see the famous Blue Cave as well as beautiful coves in the islands of Vis, Ravnik, Budikovac and Bisevo.
Click here to book your Hvar 5 Islands & Blue Cave tour on GetYourGuide or Viator!
Hvar Nightlife Tour For Party Lovers – A bit of an unconventional tour but it can be a fun choice for a group of friends!
Click here to book your Hvar Nightlife Tour For Party Lovers!
Full-Day Catamaran Cruise to Hvar & Pakleni – This tour also goes beyond just Hvar Island, taking you also to Solta and Pakleni islands. It gives you the opportunity to sail in a comfortable catamaran, see Hvar town, swim in crystal clear bays and enjoy a beautiful sunset cruise back to Split.
Click here to book your Hvar & Pakleni tour on GetYourGuide or Viator!
Best things to do in Hvar Island in one day
So what is there to actually do on Hvar Island? Why does Hvar feature on every Croatia bucket list? Whether you travel by ferry or do a day tour, what will you actually be exploring on this beautiful Croatian island?
We decided to do our own thing and travel to Hvar with the ferry. There was five of us so we decided it would be cheaper and more fun to rent a car and drive around the island.
I’ve outlined below some of the best things that you can do on Hvar Island if you’re going there solo without a tour.
You can use this as a 1-day Hvar itinerary (assuming you get the first ferry to Hvar and the last one back to Split).
Explore the Hvar Old Town centre
Before you go adventure off to explore the island, the first thing you should do in Hvar Island is explore Hvar Town. This is where you will disembark with the ferry and one of the most beautiful spots on the island.
The old town centre is simply beautiful. The streets and houses are built with traditional stone and have that rustic and old feel to them.
You could wander around the streets all day long, and never get tired of them. The main spots in the town that you should definitely visit are St Stephen’s Cathedral and St Stephen’s Square, right in front of it.
Admire the view from the Spanish Fortress
As you’re wandering around the cute streets of Hvar Town, head up towards Fortica, also known as the Spanish Fortress. From up here you can enjoy an absolutely incredible view.
Entrance to the fortress is 25 HKR. The fort is very well preserved and you can easily spend about an hour exploring all the rooms and cellars of it, as well as the sweeping views over the harbour of Hvar.
Check out prices and availability for your Hvar tour on GetYourGuide or Viator here or below!
Rent a vintage beetle car and drive around the island
We didn’t expect this to be a thing, but were pleasantly surprised to find lots of colourful vintage beetle cars parked on the outskirts of the main square.
If you’re looking to drive around the island with style, this is the way to do it!
We personally had a bad experience since our car rental ripped us off, but don’t let that deter you! Just make sure that what you sign makes sense, drive responsibly and you’ll have a great time.
Hvar has a beautiful coastline. Even driving without a specific end in mind can be very fun. Just enjoy the wind through your hair, the sunshine on your skin and the rolling drives with their epic views.
Explore the beaches of Hvar
Driving for the sake of driving can be fun, but driving with an aim in mind is even better. Once you have your car, it’s time to explore the beaches of Hvar!
Croatia is home to some beautiful beaches, and the same goes for Hvar. We just drove aimlessly for a bit until we eventually reached Malo Zarace Beach. We were the only ones in this little slice of paradise.
There were a lot of rocks and getting in the sea for a swim was a bit painful on the feet, but the crystal clear water and having the beach just for us made it worth it. It’s located about a half hour drive from Hvar Town.
Other popular beaches in Hvar that you can check out are Dubovica Beach, Pokonji Dol Beach, and Milna Beach. At all these beaches you will find a turquoise water and a pristine beach.
Have a drink at Hula Hula Beach Bar at sunset
After exploring the quaint streets of Hvar Town, enjoying the view from the Spanish Fortress and swimming in the clear Croatian sea, you’re probably feeling pretty knackered! It makes for a pretty busy Hvar day trip itinerary.
But there’s one final thing you should do before getting the last ferry back to Split; head over to Hula Hula Beach Bar for a sunset drink!
Hula Hula Beach Bar is located in prime position on the beach, with epic sunset views over the sea.
Hvar is a bit of a party town so even if you visit only for a day, you should get a taste of its nightlife. Grab a drink, some snacks and relax as you watch the sun go into the sea. You could even dance a little if you want!
Where to stay for your day trip to Hvar
I’ve outlined below some accommodation options both in Split and Hvar.
You can easily visit Hvar Island on a day trip from Split, and that’s what this article is about, however I don’t blame you if you want to stay longer and immerse yourself in the island vibe!
In Split
I recommend staying in the Old Town of Split. That way you will be able to easily walk to all the main attractions in Split, as well as to the ferry terminal.
I’ve listed below the place my friends and I stayed at, as well as some options for every budget. If you’re looking for more suggestions check out my full guide on where to stay in Split.
Budget: Old Town Hostel – this hostel is right in the centre of Split, here you can find an affordable stay and friendly environment.
Click here to book your stay at Old Town Hostel!
Mid-range: Hotel Bellevue– located in the heart of Split, this cosy hotel offers everything you need for a relaxing stay.
Click here to book your stay at Hotel Bellevue!
Luxury: Villa Split Heritage Hotel – if you can afford to splurge a little on your stay, this is the place to do so. In the heart of the Old Town this hotel has a very traditional feel, with its exposed brick walls and outdoors courtyard.
Click here to book your stay at Villa Split Heritage Hotel!
In Hvar
If you have the time and want to spend a little longer in Hvar, here are some great accommodation options in Hvar for every budget.
Budget: Youth Hostel Marija – Hvar is known for being a bit of a party island. If you’re going for the nightlife, you will have an awesome time in a hostel! This one has a fun reputation, great location, spacious dorms and even a pool.
Click here to book your stay at Youth Hostel Marija!
Mid-range: Apartments Bocin Rosso – This lovely apartment has an incredible view over the rooftops and harbour of Hvar. It’s also in a great location.
Click here to book your stay at Apartments Bocin Rosso!
Luxury: Apartments Frane – If you’re looking for something a bit fancy, this apartment has a big outdoor space where you can relax and enjoy the view over Hvar.
Click here to see the latest prices and availability at Apartments Frane!
What to pack for a Hvar day trip
You don’t really need anything special beyond your usual travel essentials and normal outfits. However I’ve listed below a couple items that will make your day trip to Hvar smoother.
Power bank – you don’t want your phone to run out of battery while you’re busy capturing the beautiful views and beaches!
Stainless steel water bottle – save money and reduce plastic consumption by bringing your own water bottle and refilling it.
Sunscreen – I was there in September, and the sun was still really hot! Don’t ruin your trip by getting sunburnt.
Hat – Same as above, the sun is strong, you’ll want some shade for your head during the day!
Waterproof bag – Even if I’m not planning any extreme activities, I like to use a waterproof backpack when I travel to beach and seaside destinations. I’d rather be safe than sorry and ensure all my stuff is dry!
Final thoughts on doing an awesome Hvar day trip from Split
There you have it, the ultimate guide to doing a Split to Hvar day trip! You could obviously spend longer in Hvar, however if you’re on a tight Croatia itinerary doing a day trip is the best option.
You can do lots of epic day trips from Split, such as going to the famous Krka waterfalls,discovering Dubrovnik or zip-lining in the Cetina Canyon, but if you’re looking for epic beaches, Hvar Island is the one.
I hope you find this guide useful in planning your own Hvar day trip!
For more Split and Hvar travel inspiration, check out my Split to Hvar web story here!
Don’t miss out, book your Hvar tour on GetYourGuide or Viator here!
Before visiting Split & Hvar we spent some time in Dubrovnik. If you’re headed that way too, check out these useful articles and my other Croatia travel guides here!
- The best things to do in Dubrovnik
- Where to stay in Dubrovnik
- The best Dubrovnik tours & Day trips
- Discover all the Game of Thrones filming locations in Dubrovnik
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