Best area to stay in Hvar
The best area to stay in Hvar depends on how you travel. Hvar Town suits you if you want the old town, the fortress and boats to the Pakleni Islands on your doorstep. Stari Grad is a base next to the car ferry terminal. Jelsa and Vrboska are harbour towns on the north coast, and Milna has pebble beaches east of Hvar Town.
These are geographic descriptions of the places. They do not promise a quiet room, a low price or a family-friendly stay in any one of them. Hvar island accommodation ranges from apartments and holiday houses to hotels and campsites, and prices vary by month and by location. Ask for exact details before you book.
Which town suits you
A quick comparison of the main bases.
| Base | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Hvar Town | Old town, fortress, cathedral, boats to the Pakleni Islands | Restricted traffic zone in the centre |
| Stari Grad | Tvrdalj, the UNESCO plain, car ferry terminal | About 20 minutes by road from Hvar Town |
| Jelsa | Harbour town on the north coast, access to the inland villages | Catamaran via Bol, not the car ferry |
| Vrboska | Narrow bay, stone bridges, marina | Close to Jelsa |
| Milna | Pebble beaches east of Hvar Town | Not the Milna on Brač |
For most first visits, Hvar Town is the easiest base, because the sights, the harbour and the boats are all within walking distance. For a stay with a car, look at Stari Grad or Jelsa. If your plan is a boat trip every day, stay in Hvar Town and read the Hvar boat trips page.
Our pick: a speedboat day from Hvar town
If you stay in town, this day trip starts on the waterfront, so there is no transfer in the morning.
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 trips from your base
Boat trips, island days and tastings with live prices and availability.
The bases in detail
What each place is like for a stay.
Hvar Town
The old town around Pjaca, the cathedral, the Fortica fortress and the harbour make this the most central base. The catamaran from Split lands here, and the water taxis to the Pakleni Islands leave from the harbour in summer. Vehicles need a permit in the signed zone of the old town, so ask about parking and access before you book.
Hvar Town guide →Stari Grad
The car ferry from Split arrives here. The town has Tvrdalj, the fortified home of the Renaissance poet Petar Hektorović, and the Stari Grad Plain, a UNESCO landscape, lies behind it. The road to Hvar Town takes about 20 minutes.
Stari Grad guide →Jelsa
Jelsa is a harbour town on the north coast with a catamaran link to Split via Bol. Inland roads lead to Pitve, Humac and the south coast. Without a car, check the local bus timetable first.
Jelsa and Vrboska →Vrboska
Vrboska sits on a long, narrow bay with small stone bridges and a fortified church from the 16th century. It lies close to Jelsa on the same coast.
Milna and the east
Milna and Mala Milna are about 4 km east of Hvar Town, with pebble beaches. Mekićevica lies about 2.5 km east of the town and also has pebble coves. Dubovica is a pebble bay about 8 km east. See beaches on Hvar.
Tourist tax and rules in 2026
Extra costs and local rules to know.
Tourist tax in Hvar Town
For a commercial accommodation business in Hvar Town, the tax is €2 per person and night from 1 April to 30 September, and €1.50 from 1 October to 31 March. Camping costs €1.30 in the main period and €0.80 otherwise. This applies to the Hvar Town area, not automatically to every municipality on the island, and rates in Stari Grad, Jelsa and Sućuraj can differ.
Clothing and alcohol in town
In signed zones of Hvar Town you must not walk around in swimwear or without a shirt, and alcohol may not be drunk in the signed public zones, except on terraces leased to cafés and restaurants. In 2026 the city council also limited alcohol sales in shops to the hours outside 21:00 to 06:00.
Holiday houses
A holiday house suits a group or a longer stay, especially if you have a car. Check how far the house is from a shop, a beach and the nearest bus stop before you decide.
Where to stay on Hvar: frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Hvar?
For a first visit, Hvar Town, because the old town, the fortress and the boats to the Pakleni Islands are close. If you travel with a car, look at Stari Grad, Jelsa or Vrboska.
Where should I stay without a car?
Hvar Town. Sights, the harbour and the catamaran from Split are all within walking distance. Water taxis run in summer.
Where should I stay if I arrive by car ferry?
Stari Grad is next to the ferry terminal. Hvar Town is about 20 minutes away by road.
How much is the tourist tax?
In Hvar Town, €2 per person and night from 1 April to 30 September 2026, and €1.50 from 1 October to 31 March. Ask your host about the rate in other towns.
Is the old town of Hvar car-free?
Not fully, but vehicles need a permit in the signed zone. Do not expect to drive up to your door.