Hands down the most picturesque view of Hvar is from high above the town at the Španjola Fortress (Hvar fort, or Fortica). Overlooking the red roofs and white-washed walls of the old town, with the glistening turquoise waters of the Pakleni Islands in the distance.

he current fortress was constructed in the 13th century, on the site of a former Byzantine citadel dating to the 6th century. In 1571, the Fortress acted as shelter from the local citizens after the Turkish attacked and burned down the town to the ground.

Fortunately, the Fortress is now a far safer place to be, and now houses a small museum showing a collection of historical artifacts found on the seabed around Hvar.

The Fortica is easy to get to - just follow the signs from St Stephen's Square, up the (many) stairs, and past the town walls. From here, it's a gentle, winding walk through the pine forests before arriving at the fortress entrance. Entree fee is around 10 Euros.

Hvar has a proud wine-making history dating back to the ancient Greeks who planted the island’s first vines in 384 BC, so there are plenty of wineries to sample the island’s wine varieties.

Most wineries are spread across the UNESCO-listed Stari Grad plain, Jelsa, or those clinging to the steep slopes around Sveta Nedilja.

Popular wineries we recommend you visit include:

Zlatan Otok in Sveta Nedilja

Duboković in Jelsa

Vino Tomic in Jelsa

The best way to get a taste of authentic Croatia is by embarking on a wine tour. This Hvar wine tasting tour is ideal for travellers who want to gain some in-depth vinicultural knowledge and learn about olive oil production to boot.

You'll visit ancient wine cellars, and taste a variety of wines paired with traditional specialities accompanied by a tasting of local olive oil.

Alternatively, if you also want to sample a traditional Dalmatian meal, it is recommended to do this wine tour instead. It follows the same itinerary as the first one but ends with a dinner in one of the charming villages.

Nothing can quite prepare you for the intense beauty of the Blue Cave, located on the nearby Island of Bisevo, and a trip to Hvar Island wouldn’t be complete without a Blue Cave day trip.

First, a speedboat will take you to the Green Cave well-known for its gorgeous emerald colour. Next, lay your eyes on the most alluring natural scenery in Croatia - the memorable Blue Cave on the island of Bisevo. Don't forget to take your camera and capture the light effects created by the sun reflecting into the cave's silvery-blue colour.

From here, you'll reach Stiniva cove which hides a pebble beach surrounded by intact nature and magnificent rocks. Swim, sunbathe or have a cocktail before heading to your final stop - the Pakleni Islands. The archipelago’s most popular bays are lovely spots for an authentic seafood lunch with a view.

It’s the number #1 attraction on the Island, and this is the recommended tour.

For those who want to include a visit to the enigmatic island of Vis (and the movie set of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again), this tour makes the better option.

Located in a secluded bay, with cliffs on one side and unique rock formation on the other, Malo Zarace is a little slice of heaven.

Zaraće is located around 30 minutes drive from Hvar Town, off the main road to Stari Grad.

One of the most picturesque and popular beaches on Hvar Island, Dubovica is about 8km east of Hvar Town.

The beach is in a magical, secluded bay with a large pebble beach, surrounded by pine trees and olive groves. Under the blue skies, the stunning Adriatic sea shimmers, inviting you in for a swim almost immediately.

If you're hungry, there's a Konoba serving up some fresh seafood. If you’re after a drink to cool you down, check out Dubovica beach bar. There's also shade under the pine trees, which makes for a welcome relief from the hot Croatian summer sun.

Pokonji Dol is the epitome of a Mediterranean dream. Just a short 25-minute walk from town, it’s also probably the best and most accessible beach to Hvar town.

Here, the water is an insane shade of turquoise, framed by green-clad hills and the odd orange beach umbrella. Pokonji Dol is also flanked by two delightfully authentic restaurants serving the days best catch, and ice-cold beers perfect for a sundowner.

Sunbeds are available for rent, around 15 Euros for the day.

Rent a small boat and drive yourself from Hvar Boats.

With a small boat you can reach Pakleni islands and closer beaches on south side of Hvar and it can fit 5 people.

Or if you don't want to do the driving - do a sailing tour!

Stari Grad is the epitome of a rustic Mediterranean coastal town. Its ancient white-stone streets and laneways are perfect for lazy strolls, and around each corner, another historic church, bougainvillaea-covered staircase, or historic archway can be found. The epicentre of the action is Srinjo kola (Middle St.), once a hub of craftsmen and merchants, now filled with quaint cafes, delis and traditional souvenir stores.

One place recommended to stop by is Za Pod Zub, a hip gourmet store run by a lovely young French couple. They offer premium products sourced from Hvar and all of Croatia, including olives, cheese, chocolate, and some of the best wine on Hvar. Another place to stop by is Antika - one of Stari Grad's best restaurants.

Its nickname 'little Venice' might be somewhat of a stretch given there's only one canal through the entire village, but that doesn't detract from the fact that the charming town of Vrboska really is worth a visit.

Some sights recommend to visit include:

Vrboska canal | postcard-pretty, full of beautiful canal-side houses and stone arch bridges

The fortress church of Saint Mary | imposing church/fortress that offered refuge to locals during times of war

Wine tasting | sample some of Hvar's best drops here, with many cellar doors located throughout the town and canal

Vrboska harbor | take an afternoon stroll around the harbor to get a truly beautiful view of the whole town

Eat | Trica Gardelin

Falko bar is set amongst lush Mediterranean pine with hammocks tied between trees and sun lounges spread across the rocky shore.

The bar serves very reasonably priced cocktails and beers, as well as vegetarian-friendly food. Its chilled vibe and tunes make it the perfect place to eat, drink, swim and enjoy a little sun therapy.

Thanks to its distance from town and laid-back nature, Falko Bar is the perfect antidote for the rowdy nature of some of Hvar's more famous clubs. Set in the far east of Hvar town, Falko bar is 2kms from St. Stephens Square.

Down one of Hvar's picturesque, white-washed alleyways lies Nonica; a town institution serving up traditional treats baked from generations' old recipes that have been handed down and perfected over the centuries.

Nonica is not only a great place to sample some local treats, but also to sit back and watch the world go by on the ancient stone streets of Hvar.

Hvar Island is home to one of the oldest cultivated plains in the world, the Stari Grad plains; so old in fact that UNESCO declared it a world heritage site in 2008.

One of the few large flat areas on Hvar, agricultural plots were laid out by Ionian Greeks from Paros in the 4th century BC, when they colonised the area. Since then, not much has changed and those same plots are still being cultivated today.

The best way to explore the plains is via bicycle, which allows you to stop and check out the ancient ruins along the way. Bikes can be rented in Stari Grad.

This Cycle Hvar Day Tour is the best way to explore the plains, their hidden stories and rich history.

Set out through a hilly interior surrounded by lavender fields toward Vrbovska, also known as Little Venice in Croatia. This sleepy fishing village will sweep you away with its medieval streets and numerous bridges.

Founded in the 16th century as a shepherd settlement the charming town of Brusje is home to islands popular lavender fields.

A short drive from Hvar town, this ancient village lays somewhat in a state of decay, dotted with rustic stone homes and narrow laneways.

The surrounding fields are where Hvar's lavender production occurs and this is the best place to see the rolling fields of purple that the island is so famed for. The best time to see Hvar under a purple blanket is late June, which also coincides with the islands' Lavender Festival that occurs in neighbouring Velo Grablje.

If you do head out this way, you MUST eat at Izletiste family farm, which serves traditional Dalmatian cuisine, fresh juices and offers some of the best views of Hvar. They also sell lavender-infused honey, which is a perfect gift for that special someone at home.

Enjoy this 8.5-mile out-and-back trail near Hvar. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 4 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas.

This beautiful trail starts from the village of Hvar on the island of Hvar towards 4 km of east to Milna. The trail goes all the way along the sea and passes by beautiful bays. Before the bay Pokonji Dol, the trail goes uphill and away from the coast passing by vineyards and through a pine forest and descends to Milna. Milna is one of the oldest Hvar picnic areas, and its distinctly country atmosphere is confirmed by an old summer house from the 17th century of the Hvar noble family Ivanid. In Milna as well as in Hvar, you can enjoy the gastronomic offer. Return to Hvar can go the same way or organized boat ride.

Explore this 1.2-mile out-and-back trail. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 4 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding and hiking, so youll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas.

The trail from Hvar leads to Napoleons fortress built in 1812 on top of a 230 meter high hill above the town of Hvar. Today, Napoleons Fortress is home to the Hvar Observatory. The research office is dedicated to astrophysics and has the largest star telescope in Croatia with a one-meter mirror. The trail from Hvar leads along a steep and small hiking trail through a beautiful small pine forest to Napoleons fortress. The fort offers a beautiful view of the town of Hvar and many nearby islands such as the Pakleni islands, Vis, Brac and Solta.

Split is most likely the city you landed in once you got to Croatia! There is a ton of history in Split, and many things to do there if you wish to venture outside Hvar for the day. Just take the ferry!

Stroll through the old town, explore the Diocletian’s Palace, climb the tower at the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, tour the Temple of Jupiter, lounge on Bacvice Beach, see the panoramic views at Medieval Klis Fortress, and so much more!

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatias largest national park covering almost 30,000 hectares, is situated in the lower elevations of the Dinarides in the central part of the country. Within a beautiful karst landscape dominated by a mix of forests and meadows, the magnificent Plitvice lake system stands out.

Plitvice Lakes is worth visiting as it one of Croatias most iconic and stunning natural attractions. Its stunning lakes, waterfalls, and lush landscapes continue to captivate visitors from around the world. Exploring the natural beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park is a must do experience in Croatia.

There is no direct connection from Hvar (Island) to Plitvice Lakes National Park. However, you can take the ferry to Split, take the walk to Split, take the bus to Plitvička Jezera, then take the walk to Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Dubrovnik is a beautiful city in Croatia. It’s famous for its medieval Old Town, the stunning landscapes, and more recently, for being one of the filming sets of Game of Thrones. Please check out this link for information on how to get from Hvar to Dubrovnik! You can get there by boat and it takes about 3-3.5 hours.

Dubrovnik is the perfect destination for someone looking for both a beach and cultural holiday. With such a well-preserved medieval town you can’t help but learn of Dubrovnik’s history, while also enjoying the beautiful Croatian coast.

Regardless of how much time you spend in Dubrovnik walking the infamous walls is the one main tourist attraction that you cannot miss. The Old Town of Dubrovnik is entirely surrounded by walls.

The walk lasts around two hours, and you can only walk it going in one way (imagine the traffic and how messy it would get with people walking in opposite directions)!

Top tip for visiting the walls; go in the afternoon. In the morning there are all the visitors from the cruise boats who go around in big groups often making it hard to walk in the narrow sections of the walls.

Most of these groups leave around lunch since the cruise boats leave early, so if you go on the walls early afternoon you will be able to enjoy the walk without as many people.