Quick Facts: Port: Stari Grad | Country: Croatia | Terminal: Stari Grad Ferry Port | Dock (no tender) | Distance to Hvar Town: ~18 km | Time Zone: CET/CEST (UTC+1/UTC+2)
Most cruise ships calling at Hvar Island dock at Stari Grad — not Hvar Town — and that distinction will define your entire day. The two towns feel completely different: Stari Grad is quiet, ancient, and walkable; Hvar Town is glamorous, bustling, and worth the 25-minute bus ride. Plan both, and you’ll have one of the best days on any Adriatic itinerary.
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Port & Terminal Information
Ships berth at the Stari Grad Ferry Port, a working car-ferry terminal on the northern coast of Hvar Island. It’s a proper dock — no tendering — so debarkation is fast. Find it on Google Maps.
The terminal area is functional rather than fancy. There’s a small tourist information kiosk near the pier (open when ships are in), a handful of taxi drivers waiting dockside, and a bus stop about a 3-minute walk away. No ATM directly at the terminal — head into Stari Grad’s old town (5 minutes on foot) for cash. No luggage storage or Wi-Fi at the dock itself.
Stari Grad’s old town begins immediately — you’re essentially steps from a UNESCO-listed historic core, so even if you never leave, you haven’t wasted the morning.
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Getting to the City
On Foot (Stari Grad) — The old town of Stari Grad is a 5–8 minute walk from the pier. The waterfront promenade, Tvrdalj Castle, and the Dominican Monastery are all within a 15-minute radius. Completely flat and easy.
Bus to Hvar Town — Local buses run from the Stari Grad bus stop (3 min walk from the pier) to Hvar Town approximately every 30–60 minutes. Journey time: ~25 minutes. Fare: ~40–50 HRK (≈ €5–7). Buy tickets from the driver. Confirm return times before boarding — afternoon frequency drops.
Taxi — Drivers wait at the dock. Expect ~€20–30 one-way to Hvar Town. Agree the price before you get in; meters are not always used. Return taxis from Hvar Town’s main square are easy to find.
Rental Car/Scooter — A few agencies operate near Stari Grad’s waterfront. Scooter rental runs ~€40–60/day. The road to Hvar Town is winding but scenic; parking in Hvar Town is limited and expensive in summer.
Hop-On Hop-Off — No HOHO bus operates on Hvar Island. Skip this option.
Ship Shore Excursion — Worth it primarily if your ship offers a combined Stari Grad + Hvar Town + lavender fields itinerary with guaranteed bus transport back. If you’re confident navigating the bus schedule independently, going alone saves significant money and gives you more flexibility. Check Viator or GetYourGuide for vetted small-group options that include port pickup.
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Top Things to Do in Hvar Island Croatia, Stari Grad–Hvar Town
Hvar rewards slow walkers and curious explorers — here’s where to focus your hours across both towns.
Must-See
1. Stari Grad Old Town (free) — One of the oldest towns in Europe, founded by Greeks in 384 BC. The honey-stone lanes, sleepy cafés, and absence of crowds make it a genuine contrast to Hvar Town’s buzz. Allow 1–1.5 hours to wander properly.
2. Tvrdalj Castle, Stari Grad (€3) — The Renaissance summer residence of poet Petar Hektorović, built in the 1520s. The internal fishpond and inscribed Latin verses are unlike anything else on the island. Open daily 9:00–13:00 and 17:00–20:00; 30–45 minutes.
3. Hvar Town Fortress (Fortica / Španjola) (€30 HRK / ≈ €4) — Climb 15–20 minutes above Hvar Town for sweeping views over the Pakleni Islands. Worth every step. Open daily 8:00–midnight in summer; allow 1 hour.
4. Hvar Town Cathedral of St. Stephen (free) — The 17th-century cathedral dominates the largest piazza in Dalmatia. The bell tower dates from the 16th century. Allow 20–30 minutes.
Beaches & Nature
5. Pakleni Islands (water taxi ≈ €5–8 each way) — A scattered archipelago of pine-covered islets just offshore from Hvar Town. Jerolim and Stipanska have clear turquoise water and beach bars. Water taxis run regularly from Hvar Town harbour; allow a minimum of 2 hours.
6. Stari Grad Plain (UNESCO) (free) — The agricultural plain behind Stari Grad has been farmed in the same Greek land-grid system for 2,400 years. Rent a bike in town (~€10/half-day) and cycle through olive groves and dry-stone walls. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
7. Lavender Fields, Interior Villages — Hvar’s hilly interior blooms purple in June; dried lavender is sold year-round. The villages of Velo Grablje and Brusje are the heart of it. The Hvar Lavender Tour on Viator (from USD 94.80) visits these villages with a local guide — an excellent use of 3–4 hours. 🎟 Book: Hvar Lavender Tour
Day Trips
8. ATV / Quad Tour of the Island — If you have energy and want to see Hvar’s spine, a self-guided ATV tour covers inland villages, viewpoints, and hidden coves in around 3–4 hours. The Self-Guided Scenic ATV/Quad Tour on Viator starts from USD 189.60 and departs from Hvar Town. 🎟 Book: Self-Guided Scenic ATV / Quad Tour in Hvar
9. Stari Grad + Hidden Villages Small Group Tour — If you want the interior villages, local lunch, and stories you’d never find alone, the Hvar Hidden Gems Half Day Tour on Viator (from USD 207.37, 4 hours) is a well-reviewed pick that combines Stari Grad history with off-road villages. 🎟 Book: Hvar Hidden Gems Small Group Half Day Tour with Lunch or Dinner
Family Picks
10. Hvar Town Waterfront Promenade (free) — The Riva is lined with palm trees, ice-cream vendors, and shallow harbour water kids can paddle in. Relaxed, central, and easy on everyone. Allow as long as you like.
11. Stari Grad Waterfront & Old Town Lanes (free) — Cats everywhere, gelato stands, no traffic, and manageable walking distances make this one of the easiest old towns for families on the Adriatic. 1–2 hours.
Off the Beaten Track
12. Dominican Monastery, Stari Grad (€2) — A quiet 15th-century cloister with a small museum of Greek artifacts and a serene courtyard garden. Almost always uncrowded. Open mornings; allow 30 minutes.
13. Milna Bay, Southeast Hvar — A tiny bay village rarely visited by day-trippers, with a shingle beach, one konoba, and no souvenir shops. Reachable by scooter or taxi in ~30 minutes from Stari Grad.
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What to Eat & Drink
Dalmatian food on Hvar leans heavily on olive oil, fresh seafood, grilled meats, and local wine — the island’s Plavac Mali red is among Croatia’s finest. Stari Grad’s konobas are quieter and cheaper than Hvar Town’s harbour restaurants; choose accordingly for your budget.
- Grilled Octopus (hobotnica) — The signature dish; order it in a konoba in Stari Grad; €12–18
- Peka (slow-cooked lamb or octopus under a bell) — Requires advance ordering; worth it at a traditional konoba; €14–20/person
- Plavac Mali wine — Local red; order by the glass or carafe; €4–8/glass
- Prstaci (date mussels) or fresh oysters — Stari Grad waterfront; €10–14
- Fig or lavender cake — From any bakery near the old town; €2–4
- Espresso and fresh-squeezed orange juice — Every café on the Riva; €2–4 combined
- Konoba Eremitaž, Stari Grad — Well-regarded local spot for lunch just inside the old town; mains €12–20
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Shopping
The best souvenirs on Hvar are genuinely local: lavender products (sachets, oils, soaps) from the inland villages, Hvar olive oil, locally-produced Plavac Mali wine, and hand-embroidered lace (čipka). Buy lavender directly from village women selling outside Tvrdalj Castle in Stari Grad — it’s fresher and cheaper than the tourist shops. Hvar Town’s harbour-front boutiques carry the same lavender products at a 40% markup.
Skip mass-produced “Croatia” magnets and ceramic tiles that are manufactured outside the region entirely. Anything sold on the Hvar Town Riva promenade at
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.
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📍 Getting to Hvar Island Croatia, Stari Grad-Hvar Town
Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.
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