HVAR ISLAND - GETTING AROUND

On foot

The Greeks were the ones to build the iconic gravel-and-pebble walking trails all over Hvar Island, including the roughly three-mile-by-three-mile area between Stari Grad and Vrboska called the Stari Grad Plain. There are also a number of trails connecting the Stari Grad Plain in the north to the southern part of the island, in particular St. Nicholas (2090 feet), Hvar Island`s highest point. These walkways, which lead through vineyards, olive fields and lavender fields, were the first constructed paths connecting the north and south of the island.

Taking into account the extensive stone trail system, it is no surprise that walking and hiking have been fond pastimes on Hvar Island for hundreds of years. In addition to the trails and paths described in the central part of the island, there is also a highly-recommended four-mile walking route which takes visitors from Hvar Town through the villages of Malo Grablje (at roughly the three-mile mark) and Velo Grablje (at the terminus of the route). Make sure to pack comfortable walking shoes for this trip.

By taxi

There are two major taxi services on Hvar Island, and both are based in Hvar: Hvar Taxi (+385 91 602 7177) and Tihi Hvar (+385 98 338 824). Expect to pay at least 300 kuna for a ride from Hvar to Stari Grad, 500 kuna to Vrboska and Jelsa, 800 kuna to Sveta Nedilja, and 1200 kuna to Sucuraj. There are also taxi companies that will include water connections to the mainland; oft-requested destinations are Dubrovnik and Medugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina (both at least 3000 kuna). Taxis are open to haggling as you are expected to agree on your fare before departing. Since there are so few taxis, you probably won`t encounter one that is vacant for you to hail from the street, but there are no particular rules against doing so. Most locals would tell you to call ahead for a taxi and have it come to you.

By bicycle

Cycling is a very popular vacation activity on Hvar Island. There are a number of officially-recognized bike routes available for tourists to enjoy; you will note a bike route as they are denoted by special signs. You will find these signs on the old road to Stari Grad after exiting Hvar Town, on the way to Brusje and Milna (approximately a 12-mile route); on the road up the hill from Stari Grad to Selca and then Milna and Zarace (approximately 15 miles in total); and from Stari Grad and Selca to Dol (12 miles). There are two additional routes in Jelsa, with signs posted along the waterfront directing riders to routes which lead to the Pitve Tunnel and Vrbanj. Bicycle rentals are available in Stari Grad, Hvar and Jelsa; highly-recommended businesses include Hvar Life (Stari Grad, +385 95 556 5567); Luka Rent (Hvar, +385 21 742 946); and KGM Rent-a-Car (Jelsa, +385 91 300 4050).

By car

TripMasters recommends that you rent a car during your vacation booking process. You will be picking up your car at Split Airport when you arrive in Croatia, and not on Hvar Island. The rental car agencies are located on the first floor of the arrivals hall at Split Airport. Ferries from Split Marina to Stari Grad accept automobiles for an added fee (between 300 and 1000 kuna depending on car size). While on Hvar Island, you will become well acquainted with the main road, which stretches approximately 40 miles between Hvar Town in the west and Sucuraj in the east. If you would like to explore the southern Dalmatian coast, you can also ferry your car along with you from Sucuraj to Drvenik on the mainland (100-400 kuna fee for automobiles).

By catamaran

Catamarans are a quick and easy way for tourists to hop between islands around Hvar and to connect back with the mainland when coming and going from either Split or Dubrovnik. Expect to pay about 80 kuna for a catamaran from Hvar Town to Milna (Brac), 100 kuna to Split, 120 kuna to Korcula, 150 kuna to Mijet and 220 kuna to Dubrovnik. Tickets can be bought at Pelegrini Tours at Hvar Pier, Kiosk Kapetan Luka at Split Port, Paiz Travel at Vis Passenger Port, and at Kiosk Mestralun at Milna (Brac) Catamaran Pier. The lengths of the trips vary, from 35 minutes between Hvar and Milna (Brac) to three hours and 20 minutes from Hvar to Dubrovnik. The catamaran takes about an hour to get from Split to Hvar.

By bus

Cazmatrans Otok Hvar is the company which operates daily bus routes on Hvar Island. Buses travel between the cities of Hvar, Jelsa, Stari Grad, Vrboska, Dol and Vrbanj; in addition, there is bus service between those cities and the Stari Grad Ferry Harbor. There is also a connection (thrice weekly) between Hvar, Jelsa and Stari Grad with Sucuraj, with an optional add-on ferry to Split. Tickets may be purchased on the bus.