Hvar is claimed to be one of the ten most beautiful islands in the world. Once you hear that you want to know what the other nine are, so I’ve listed them at the end of this post.
The claim has its origins in the 1997 Conde Nast Readers Awards, which first recognised the beauty of this Dalmatian island. The award has been repeated a number of times since then and has on at least two occasions been elevated to best island in Europe. I’m not sure about any of these claims, but Hvar is certainly attractive.
The bustling heart of the island, the main port town of Hvar, contains 13th-century walls, a hilltop fortress and a main square, St Stephens, anchored by the Renaissance-era Hvar Cathedral. Hvar offers a wide range of accommodations from luxury hotels to cosy guesthouses.
For a more tranquil experience, consider staying in Stari Grad, one of the oldest towns in Europe. It boasts a charming atmosphere, beautiful beaches and a relaxed pace of life. Stari Grad lies on the north side of the island at the end of a bay of the same name.
The closest international airports to Hvar are Split and Dubrovnik. From either airport you can take a ferry or catamaran to reach Hvar. Split has more frequent connections and the ferry ride takes around one-and-a-half to two hours. During the high season, there are also connections from other nearby islands and coastal towns. In the title picture you can see a line of people with their luggage on the dock at Hvar, waiting for one of the ferries.
I think this is a restaurant or an event venue, with chairs and tables stacked outside. Either way, it can only be reached by boat.
Now, here in alphabetical order are the 10 most beautiful islands in the world, as voted by Conde Nast readers: Anguilla, Caribbean; Bali, Indonesia; Bora Bora, French Polynesia; Capri, Italy; Hvar, Croatia; Kauai, Hawaii; Mykonos, Greece; Ponza, Italy; Upolu, Samoa; Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Loved the Dalmatian Coast. Drove down the coast road and vacationed on the Island of Rab that was recommended by our German neighbors who ran the local dry cleaners and clothing repair shop. Thanks for the story on Hvar.