BEST BEACHES ON ISLAND HVAR, CROATIA (2022 UPDATE)
Since Croatian beaches have become worldwide famous for their clean and clear sea, Island Hvar is no exception. Island Hvar is home to the most beautiful natural beach (voted by CNN) but also the world-famous Palmizana beach on Pakleni Islands. These stunning beaches are just the beginning of what Hvar has to offer.
Where are the best beaches on Island Hvar?
The whole island is full of unique beaches and hidden coves that are waiting to be explored. The norh of the island offers beaches overlooking Island of Brac and its high peaks. These beaches are mostly family friendly and more quiet since they are further away from the touristy centre – Hvar Town.
The south of the island is a bit different then the northern side. The south is home to steep vineyards overlooking the secluded beaches under its feet. These beaches overlook an open sea as well as Island Korcula.
With not many families with children, since the path is not too accessible, these southern beaches offer a more relaxed vibes. If you are looking for a sunset swim, that might turn into a night swim, these are the beaches with the best views.
Some of the most beautiful beaches on Island Hvar, with the bluest sea, are not situated on Island Hvar itself. You can find them on Pakleni islands. If you are staying in Hvar Town, you will be able to enjoy their view. Since Hvar Town has many ways of transportation to the Pakleni islands, all types of taxi boats and day rentals, getting there won’t be a problem.
The best thing about visiting Pakleni islands is renting a boat and just stopping on any beach you want, jumping from the boat, and snorkeling in the clearest and bluest sea.
Best time to visit Hvar beaches?
The best time to visit these stunning beaches depends on what kind of vacation you are looking for. The time when the beaches are still empty, and the weather is nice is from the end of April until mid of June and again in September and October.
The reason why this period is great is that some of the cafes are restaurants are starting to work but there is no crowd insight.
If you are looking to experience the true rush of the summer, the end of June, July, August, and early September are the months for you. This is when the beaches and the beach bars are full, the sea is the warmest, and the sun is the strongest.
Even though there are many people, the peak of summer has its own vibe and excitement. The beach parties, the boat parties, and the night parties are happening.
How to get to Hvar beaches?
Driving around on the scooter with the warm wind in your hair is all the summer on an island is about!
Most of these beaches are reachable with a scooter and we highly recommend it. There is more parking space, it is mostly free, you can get to more secluded beaches and simply stop for a view wherever you want. Renting a scooter is also much cheaper than a car and so is the gas, but it also feels like you are on an adventure!
Another way to get to these beaches is by renting a car. If you don’t know how to drive a scooter, renting a car is the best option for you. If you are a group of 4 people, even better! Since most of the beaches are a bit harder to reach, you will need to find a place to park and it won’t always be free, especially in the peak of summer.
For the beaches on Pakleni islands, there are a few options on how to get there. The first option that I would highly recommend if you know how to drive a small boat, is to rent one. Renting a small boat for the day will give you the opportunity to stop on any beach you want, but also just throw the anchor and jump from the boat.
If you do not prefer to drive by yourself, you can always rent a boat with a skipper. This way you will not have to worry about anything, just relax and enjoy your day!
For those who just want to get to the island, there are many taxi boats that drive every 30min. Simply hop on and hop off and you are free to go!
Beaches on Island Hvar
1. Pokonji Dol beach
The most accessible beach from the Hvar town is the Pokonji Dol beach This is one of the most popular and most visited beaches in Hvar Town not only by tourists but locals as well. Besides the pebble beach there is a rocky area with concrete platforms where you can lay down and jump in the sea.
The clean sea and the stunning blue shades will make you swim straight away!
The Pokonji Dol beach offers two restaurants called Mustačo and Pokonji Dol restaurant. In both of these you can get a meal or a refreshing drink to sip while tanning.
The beach offers sunbeds ranging from 70 – 100kn (10-14 EUR) as well as peddal boats for around 100kn (14 EUR) per hour.
MORE INFO:
HOW TO GET THERE: walking, by scooter, by car
- DISTANCE FROM HVAR TOWN: 2.7km
- WALKING: 30min
DRIVING: 5min
TIP* Parking is free of charge, arriving by scooter is best since the road is narrow
2. Mekicevica beach
Mekicevica beach is situated 20 min further from Pokonji Dol beach and is reachable by foot or boat. The path from Pokonji Dol will lead you through a pine forest and some nice shades.
If you are looking to tan without tan lines this is the place to go since Mekicevica is a nudist (FKK) beach.
A short walk from the beach you will find a small hut named Robinson’s where refreshing drinks and some food are waiting for you.
MORE INFO:
HOW TO GET THERE: walking, by boat
- DISTANCE FROM HVAR TOWN: 4km
- WALKING: 20min from Pokonji Dol beach and 60min from the center of Hvar Town
- BOAT: 25min from the center of Hvar Town if you rent your own boat for the day
- TAXI BOAT: 25min from center of Hvar Town, price is 50kn (7 EUR) return ticket
3. Bonj beach
One of the closest beaches to the center of Hvar Town, but also one of the most visited ones are Bonj beach. The reason for it is its location just in front of Hotel Amfora as well as only a 10 min walk from the center.
A part of the Bonj beach is the famous Bonj Les Bains beach club which has a reputation for welcoming some of the most elite guests. These are often guests of the nearby luxury hostels of Hvar.
If you are not traveling on a budget and would like the chance to mingle with some celebs, you can rent a sunbed in the beach club. If your budget does not cover it, you can always enjoy the free part of the pebble beach and swim in the cleanest sea.
You don’t have to worry about food and drinks since there is quite a number of cafes, bars, and restaurants to keep you cool.
MORE INFO:
HOW TO GET THERE: walking, by scooter
- DISTANCE FROM HVAR TOWN: 850m
- WALKING: 10min
- DRIVING: 10min since you have to circle the promenade
4. Dubovica beach
One of the most popular and beautiful beaches on the island is Dubovica beach. If you have ever googled Island Hvar, chances are you have already seen it. Situated halfway between Hvar Town and Stari Grad and can be reached by car or scooter. This stunning pebble beach is located just a short steep path away from the main road so make sure to bring proper footwear.
The turquoise sea is a perfect representation of the Mediterranean and makes you feel like in a movie.
Restaurant Konoba Dubovica and Duba beach bar will offer you a range of drinks and food to make your day as relaxed as possible without a care in the world.
Since the beach is surrounded by pine trees you can always find some shade. If you will be visiting in the peak season make sure to arrive on time since finding a spot might be tricky.
MORE INFO:
HOW TO GET THERE: by scooter, by car
- DISTANCE FROM HVAR TOWN: 11km
- BY CAR: 14min
- BY SCOOTER: 50cc – 25min, 110cc – 15min
TIP* Parking is free but pretty small so arriving with the scooter is highly advised.
5. Milna beach
The first village down the road from Hvar Town is Milna. Visited for its beautiful beach and its clear sea surrounded by pine trees that give a very relaxed atmosphere, perfect for a day at the beach.
Another beach next to Milna beach is Mala Milna (Small Milna) which is only a 2 min walk through the campsite.
Milna offers a handful of restaurants and bars for its visitors but also a market and a bakery where you can buy some snacks to enjoy on the beach.
The Milna beach offers sunbeds, boat hire, pedal boats…
MORE INFO:
HOW TO GET THERE: by scooter, by car
- DISTANCE FROM HVAR TOWN: 5km
- BY CAR: 8min
- BY SCOOTER: 50cc – 15min, 110cc – 10min
TIP* Parking is not free
6. Zarace beach
One of the most beautiful beaches on Island Hvar is Malo Zarace and Velo Zarace. These two beaches are situated on opposite sides of a small peninsula not far from the town. Malo Zarace beach offers some of the most stunning views of the turquoise sea from above, so no wonder it became a famous Instagram spot on the island.
This small beach does not offer any restaurants but in a few minutes’ walk to Velo Zarace you will find two small restaurants where you can grab some lunch or a few drinks to hide from the sun.
In the peak of summer, you will probably encounter quite a few tourists, but if you visit in the off-season, you can have the place almost to yourself.
These beaches are reachable by road or sea which means renting a boat is also an option. Zarace is located near the main road to Stari Grad. After turning and exiting the main road you will have to drive down a pretty steep road to get to the parking. Since more people means more cars, many times finding a spot or simply turning around with a car can be a problem. The best advice is to visit Zarace by scooter since there is always a spot to park it.
MORE INFO:
HOW TO GET THERE: by scooter, by car
- DISTANCE FROM HVAR TOWN: 8km
- BY CAR: 12min
- BY SCOOTER: 50cc – 25min, 110cc – 18min
TIP* There are both paid and free parking
7. Maslinica beach
Since there are two Maslinica beaches on Hvar, you don’t want to get confused. Today we are talking about the Maslinica beach near Stari Grad. The second one is located near Vrboska.
This is a sandy beach located near the newly built Maslina resort. This beach is less known than the one near Vrboska which means it is less crowded. Just before this beach, there is a smaller one so if you get there early enough you will have it all for yourself! The beach offers sunbeds but does not have any bars. Although there is an option to eat at the Maslina resort restaurant.
If you will be visiting Maslinica beach with a scooter you can drive all the way to the beach where the parking is free.
MORE INFO:
HOW TO GET THERE: by scooter, by car
- DISTANCE FROM HVAR TOWN: 17km
- BY CAR: 20min
- BY SCOOTER: 50cc – 35min, 110cc – 25min
TIP* There is free parking
8. Mina beach
This beautiful beach hidden behind a curved bay can be found just a walk away from Jelsa. The blue sea and the green pine trees that surround it really are a perfect description of what the Croatian coast is all about.
The location on Mina beach has its pros and cons. The pros are that it is easily reachable and perfect for families with small kids since the seabed is sandy and the sea is pretty shallow. The con is that the beach gets crowded pretty fast.
This is a great beach to visit if you are nearby Jelsa and looking for a good swim spot.
MORE INFO:
HOW TO GET THERE: by scooter, by car
- DISTANCE FROM HVAR TOWN: 30km
- BY CAR: 35min
- BY SCOOTER: 50cc – 60min, 110cc – 40min
9. Ivan Dolac beach
If you feel like exploring all of the southern sides of the island, you can continue driving from Jagodna beach all the way to Ivan Dolac. Ivan Dolac is a small village situated under a steep slope filled with vineyards.
The great thing about this but also the nearby beaches is the lack of tourists. Since it is a pretty drive away from Hvar Town, not many tourists visit this part. If you are looking for an escape beach for nothing but relaxation, this place is perfect.
MORE INFO:
HOW TO GET THERE: by scooter, by car
- DISTANCE FROM HVAR TOWN: 24km
- BY CAR: 38min
- BY SCOOTER: 50cc – 1.05h, 110cc – 45min
Beaches on Pakleni Islands
10. Palmizana Beach
The beach Palmizana is the most famous beach on Pakleni Islands but also on Island Hvar in general. The beach itself is quite small and one of the only sand beaches on the island. Most of the beach is filled with sunbeds for hire ranging from 70kn – 100kn (10 EUR – 14 EUR).
This beach is perfect for an all-day stay since it offers some great restaurants and bars but also gives you the opportunity to gaze at some of the most beautiful sailboats and yachts.
Since Palmizana beach is situated on an island, getting it is possible only by boat. There are daily tours from Hvar Town which cost 70kn (10 EUR) for a return ticket for the slow boat or 100kn (14 EUR) for the speedboat. Another option is renting a boat for the day for 500kn (70 EUR) and exploring the whole Pakleni Islands.
MORE INFO:
HOW TO GET THERE: by boat
- DISTANCE FROM HVAR TOWN: Just across Hvar Town
- BY SLOW BOAT: 25-30min
- BY SPEED BOAT: 10min
- BY TAXI BOAT: 20 min (return ticket 70kn)
11. Amo Beach on the island of Jerolim
This famous naturist beach was voted the most beautiful naturist beach by CNN in 2012. The Island of Jerolim is a naturist-nudist island situated just in front of Hvar Town and is a part of the Pakleni Islands.
The beach has showers and a restaurant that is naturist welcome, so you don’t have to worry about what to eat or drink.
The island has pebble beaches and flat rock formations perfect for tanning. Even though the island is quite small it offers shade for when you want to rest from the sun.
MORE INFO:
HOW TO GET THERE: by boat ( rented one or taxi)
- DISTANCE FROM HVAR TOWN: just across the town
- BY RENT A BOAT: 10/15 min (depend on the type of the boat)
- BY TAXI BOAT: 10 min (50 HRK return ticket)
12. Mlini beach
A beautiful spot on Pakleni Islands surrounded by some of the clearest and bluest sea you can find. Mlini beach is located on the Marinkovac island. The island offers a few restaurants, sunbed rental, kayak rental, massage therapy, and one of the most popular clubs Carpe Diem.
The price of sunbeds ranges from 70kn – 100kn (10 EUR – 14 EUR)
The best way to visit is by renting a boat for the day. This way you will have the opportunity to explore not only this stunning place but also other locations that you find appealing.
MORE INFO:
HOW TO GET THERE: by boat
- DISTANCE FROM HVAR TOWN: a part of the Pakleni Islands
- BY RENT A BOAT: 15min
- BY TAXI BOAT: 5min