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Stari Grad, Hvar Island, Croatia
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Hvar Island is the longest, the sunniest and the most famous of all 1246 islands in the Adriatic Sea of Croatia
Stari Grad, Hvar, Croatia:
Stari Grad is located on the northern side of the island of Hvar in the Adriatic sea, off Croatia's famous Dalmatian coast.
Stari Grad (Pharos) is the oldest town in Croatia and one of the oldest towns in Europe. It was settled by the Greeks in 384 BC.
It is surrounded by a number of islands including Brač, Korčula and Vis, and is around an hours boat ride from Split.
The island is the longest and sunniest in Croatia, and has around 11,000 in habitants. On the opposite side of the Adriatic lies Italy, and important ports such as Ancona.
Stari Grad's position at the end of a long, protected bay and next to prime agricultural land (i.e. UNESCO-listed Stari Grad Plain) has long made this historic town attractive for human settlement. ... And sought by invaders.
More About Stari Grad:
The historic, pedestrian-only Stari Grad Old Town consists of stone, orange-tiled rooftop dwellings and narrow alleys that cluster around the quaint Stari Grad marina.
Churches and squares are sprinkled throughout the town; the rising bell tower of St. Stephen’s is a recognizable landmark.
To the east of town is the Stari Grad Plain and to the northwest is the forest-covered Kabal Peninsula, which is carved with dramatic coastline and hidden Stari Grad beaches.
In many ways, Stari Grad is the antithesis of Hvar town.
Stari Grad is a shy, modest and the second beautiful town on Hvar island versus the party centric and glitzy Hvar town.
The town curves around the deep inlet that made Stari Grad so appealing to those early Greek settlers. Cafes, restaurants and souvenir stores straddle the palm fringed promenade, with hundreds of small boats bobbling in the calm waters opposite.
The narrow streets and laneways of Stari Grad’s old town (fun fact, Stari Grad actually means ‘Old Town’), some dating back 384 BC, are picture perfect - white-stone streets, marble pathways, bougainvillea growing on street corners, and the ubiquitous smell of lavender wafting through the air.
The Stari Grad plain, a UNESCO World Heritage site where an Ancient Greek system of field division has been preserved, is a must see in Stari Grad, as are many of the towns clear blue beaches, ancient churches, hipster cafes and delectable restaurants.
So, if you are looking for a more sedate Hvar Island experience, here’s our guide to the best things to do in Stari Grad, Hvar’s beautiful second town
WHY STARI GRAD
Stari Grad’s appeal lies in its atmosphere - it simply is far more relaxed and more enjoyable than Hvar town.
Take a walk along the palm-lined riva of the ancient Stari Grad, a seafront promenade where locals go to be seen, and tourists stroll to witness local lifestyle.
Unlike Hvar Town, with its glitz and glam and constantly thumping bass, the riva in Stari Grad is a more sedate affair
STROLL THE OLD VENETIAN LANEWAYS
Stari Grad, with its quiet laneways, relaxed vibe, friendly people and cheaper prices is for those looking for more sedate experience.
Stari Grad's rustic Mediterranean old town, with its ancient white-stone streets and laneways, are perfect for lazy strolls
CYCLE THE STARI GRAD PLAINS
Stari Grad is actually home to one of the oldest cultivated plains in the world, the Stari Grad plains; so old in fact that UNESCO declared it a world heritage site in 2008.
Cycle through a 2,400-year-old ancient plain full of Greek, Roman and Venetian history.
One of the few large flat areas on Hvar, agricultural plots were laid out by Ionian Greeks from Paros in the 4th century BC, when they colonised the area. Since then, not much has changed and those same plots still being cultivated today.
Exploring the plains by bicycle is one of the best things to do in Stari Grad, as it allows you to stop and check out the ancient ruins along the way, and stop at a winery
TASTE THE MOST DELICIOUS SEAFOOD
Taste the most delicious seafood at one of the local restaurants of Stari Grad
WATCH SUNSET FROM GLAVICA HILL, STARI GRAD’S HIGHEST VIEWPOINT
Sunsets in Croatia are some of the best we’ve ever experienced, and watching the skies slowly colour themselves golden, before turning all myriads of blue, pink and purple before dark descends.
From the top Glavica Hill, the views over Stari Grad town are astoundingly beautiful, so grab a beer, find somewhere to sit, and watch nature’s light show as the sun bathes the town in a glorious glow.
The panoramic view also takes in Brac, the Stari Grad plain, so don’t forget to look around
ADMIRE THE HISTORICAL ST. STEPHEN’S CHURCH
While we’re not religious, nor church goers, the stunning St. Stephens church (SVETI STJEPAN), and its historic bell tower, are worthy of a visit when strolling through the old cobbled streets of Stari Grad.
In fact, it’s pretty hard to miss - the bell tower is almost ever present when exploring the Stari Grad’s must-do’s.
Located right in the centre of town, Sveti Stjepan, as it’s known locally, has a chequered past.
Originally built in the 9/10th century, the church served as the cathedral for the bishop of Hvar from 1147
WINE TASTING, GLORIOUS FOOD AND LAVENDER FIELDS AT HORA FARM
Hvar has a proud wine-making history dating back to the Ancient Greeks who planted the islands first vines in 384 BC.
Due to its abundance of natural fields and perfect climate (more than 2718 sunny hours per year), Hvar is known to have some of the finest red wine in Europe. So, if you're like Mim and love a good vino or two, Hvar is your place.
Hora Farm, located on the UNESCO-listed Stari Grad plain, is the best place to sample some of Hvar’s finest, as well as offers a unique wine tasting experience. The owners run through the history of the farm, and the type of grapes they grow, before a wine tasting session
RELAX AND SWIM AT OSLIC BEACH IN TOWN
A visit to Stari Grad wouldn’t be complete without a dip in the clear blue waters of Croatia’s Med
EAT ALL THE ICE CREAM, INCLUDING LAVENDER
On an island famed for its lavender, it's no surprise to see lavender products just about everywhere on Hvar.
One product that really caught our eye (and made us salivate a little) was lavender ice cream.
Being the ice cream enthusiasts that we are (our life motto is “an ice cream a day keeps the doctor away"), we felt compelled to try this local delicacy.
With the floral and herbaceous aroma, light purple colouring, and creamy texture, lavender ice cream was a revelation.
Pretty much everywhere on the island sells lavender ice cream, but the best is on Stari Grad’s Riva (i.e. seafront promenade)
ENJOY EVERYTHING GOURMET & HOME-MADE
When exploring the best things to do in Stari Grad, visit one of family-run gourmet stores.
Look for premium products sourced from Hvar and all of Croatia, including delicious olives, cheese, truffle, marmalades and honey, chocolate, craft beer and some of the best wine on Hvar
VISIT THE LAVENDER FARMS IN NEARBY BRUSJE
Founded in the 16th century as a shepherd settlement the charming town of Brusje is home to Hvar island’s popular lavender fields.
A short drive from Stari Grad, this ancient village lays somewhat in a state of decay, dotted with rustic stone homes and narrow laneways.
The surrounding fields are where Hvar's lavender production occurs and this is the best place to see the rolling fields of purple that the island is so famed for.
The best time to see Hvar Island under a purple blanket is late June, which also coincides with the islands' Lavender Festival that occurs in neighbouring Velo Grablje.
If you do head out this way, you MUST eat at Izletiste family farm, which serves traditional Dalmatian cuisine, fresh juices and offers some of the best views of Hvar.
They also sell lavender infused honey, which is a perfect gift for that special someone at home
BEST TIME TO VISIT STARI GRAD, CROATIA
Shoulder season on Hvar Island is from late April through to mid-June, and we believe exploring Stari Grad during the shoulder seasons (April - early June, Sept - Oct) is the best time to visit.
Not only are the days long and the sea warm, but the crowds are far less and more manageable, making the town extremely pleasant. And the prices of food and drinks are cheaper during the shoulder period
HOW TO GET TO SPLIT, CROATIA
All travel to Hvar Island generally involves arriving into the coastal city of Split.
Most European budget airlines fly directly to Split, especially during the summer season from April - October