Hvar old town at a glance
Hvar Town, Croatia, centres on the stone square of Pjaca (St Stephen's Square) at the head of the harbour. The cathedral and the Arsenal belong to the historic centre, and the Fortica fortress sits on the hill above. Everything in the old town is within walking distance, and the Pakleni Islands lie just off the harbour. If you want to spend a day on the water, see boat trips from Hvar.
An open public square does not mean open buildings around it. The Arsenal and the Franciscan monastery are closed for visits, so plan the old town around the fortress, the cathedral and the theatre.
Fortica fortress
The fortress (also called Španjola) looks over the roofs, the harbour and the islands.
Hours and tickets
Open 09:00 to 18:00. Adults pay €12, schoolchildren aged 7 to 18, students and pensioners €8 (2026). Groups of more than 10 people get a 10 percent discount with advance registration.
Getting up
You walk up steps from Pjaca, or you take the road to the north-west entrance. Inside there are steps, uneven floors and narrow spots.
Rules
No swimwear, no climbing on the outer walls and no food or drinks of your own outside the catering areas. Dogs on a lead are allowed. Building work can affect a visit, so check the current opening before you go.
Our pick: a walking tour of Hvar town
A local guide gives the old town some context in about an hour, before you explore on your own.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours and trips from Hvar Town
Boat trips, island days and tastings, with live prices and availability.
Cathedral, historic theatre and Arsenal
What you can enter, and what only looks open.
St Stephen's Cathedral
The cathedral is dedicated to Pope and martyr Stephen I, not to the first Christian martyr of the same name. The present building dates mainly from the 16th to the 18th century. Entry costs €2 (2026) at the hours above.
The historic theatre
The theatre was founded in 1612 on the upper floor of the Arsenal. The present auditorium comes from later rebuilding. It is open 10:00 to 18:00 at €10 for adults and €6 for the reduced groups (2026).
The Arsenal
The Arsenal began as a shipyard and store for galleys. It is closed for visits at present, with no set reopening date. A concert or an event there is not a sign of regular access.
Franciscan monastery
The monastery by the shore holds the church of St Mary of Grace, a library, a museum and a painting of the Last Supper by Matteo Ponzoni. Monastery and museum are closed for visits.
Combined ticket
A combined ticket costs €15 for adults and €9 for the reduced groups (2026). It does not prove that every building on the list is open, so check what you can enter that day.
Evenings and town rules
Hvar Town is lively in summer. A few rules are worth knowing.
Dress code in the centre
In signed zones, walking without clothes or in swimwear is not allowed. Shorts or a skirt and a shirt or T-shirt count as the minimum.
Alcohol
Drinking in the car-free zone and other signed zones is not allowed, except on areas leased to cafes and restaurants. In August 2026 the city council also decided to restrict alcohol sales in shops from 21:00 to 06:00. That does not close cafes and restaurants.
Fines
Fines in euros are set by the town, so do not rely on figures from old signs in kuna.
Cars
Vehicles in the old town need a permit. Do not expect to drive up to a hotel or flat in the historic core. See car hire on Hvar for parking and roads.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where to go next.
Hvar old town: frequently asked questions
How much is the Fortica ticket?
€12 for adults and €8 for schoolchildren aged 7 to 18, students and pensioners in 2026. The fortress opens 09:00 to 18:00.
Can I visit the Arsenal?
Not at present. The Arsenal and the Franciscan monastery are closed for visits, and no reopening date is set.
How long do I need in the old town?
A few hours cover the square, cathedral, theatre and the climb to the fortress. Add time for the harbour and a boat trip.
Is there a dress code?
In signed zones of the centre, swimwear is not allowed away from the beach. Wear shorts or a skirt and a shirt.
Can I drive into the old town?
Vehicles need a permit in the car-free zone. Plan to park outside and walk in.
When is the cathedral open?
It opens 09:00 to 12:30 and 17:00 to 19:30, and entry is €2 in 2026.