Stari Grad, Hvar: three things in one place
Stari Grad on Hvar means three different things, and it helps to keep them apart. There is the old town by the harbour. There is the Stari Grad Plain (Starigradsko polje), a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape. And there is the car ferry terminal, which is not the same as the catamaran landing in Hvar Town.
The ferry port is about 20 minutes by road from Hvar Town, as a rough guide without traffic guarantee. If you plan a day around wine or the island, look at wine tours on Hvar as well.
Our pick: a guided e-bike ride towards Stari Grad
A guide takes the planning out of reaching the Stari Grad side of the island, and the e-bike handles the hills.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. 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 island days from Stari Grad
Wine tastings, island tours and boat trips, with live prices and availability.
The Stari Grad Plain (Starigradsko polje)
A farmland pattern from the Greek settlers, still in use.
What UNESCO protects
The listing covers the plain as a cultural landscape. It is not the whole town, and not every old lane. The core zone covers 1,376.53 ha, with a buffer zone of 6,403.13 ha.
Greek origins
Settlers from Paros founded the town of Pharos in the 4th century BC and laid out regular plots, divided by dry stone walls. Vines and olives still grow on them.
Walking or cycling
The plain is farmland, so stay on public paths and treat private plots with care. A view across the plain and the Adriatic channel is part of the experience.
Tvrdalj and the old town
A poet's fortified home on the waterfront.
Tvrdalj was the fortified residence and summer house of the Renaissance poet Petar Hektorović. It has a fish pond, a portico around the courtyard and a garden. It is not an ordinary military castle. Visiting inside is possible from May to October, but check current opening times and prices on the day, because they change.
The rest of the old town is easy on foot, with stone lanes behind the harbour. The small airfield on the plain has no scheduled flights. No seaplane service runs to the island at present. Most visitors arrive by boat, as covered under getting to Hvar.
The car ferry from Split
Jadrolinija line 635 runs all year with a seasonal timetable.
| Per direction, 2026 | Low season, 1 January to 28 May and 28 September to 31 December | Season, 29 May to 27 September |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | €5.90 | €8.40 |
| Child 3 to 12 | €3.00 | €4.20 |
| Car, standard class | €35.60 | €47.60 |
The crossing takes roughly 110 to 120 minutes. The standard car class covers cars with up to 9 seats, up to 5 m long and 2 m high. The car fare is not the total for a car with passengers. Your ticket reserves a place on the chosen departure. Arrive at least 45 minutes before departure, and 60 minutes in season. Check the current timetable before you go. For Hvar Town without a car, see ferries to Hvar.
Plan the rest of your trip
More places on the island.
Stari Grad on Hvar: frequently asked questions
Is the whole of Stari Grad a UNESCO site?
No. The listing is the Stari Grad Plain, a cultural landscape of Greek field plots, dry stone walls, vines and olives.
Does the car ferry go to Hvar Town?
No. The car ferry lands in Stari Grad. Catamarans carry passengers only and use the harbour in Hvar Town. The two are about 20 minutes apart by road.
How long is the ferry from Split?
Roughly 110 to 120 minutes. Allow for the longer figure.
Can I visit Tvrdalj all year?
Do not count on it. Inside visits are possible from May to October, so check opening before you go.
Are there flights to Hvar?
No scheduled flights. The airfield on the plain is small. Most visitors fly into Split and continue by boat.