One of many best day journeys from Cut up (in addition to to Krka Nationwide park) is hopping on a ferry to one of many close by islands – and with each quick ferries and plenty to do, it’s simple to fill sooner or later on Hvar with youngsters.
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In summer season, it’s all concerning the seashore bars and nightlife, and the island has a repute as a star hotspot, however in April, it was nonetheless quiet – excellent for exploring.
Our ferry introduced us straight into Hvar City, in simple strolling distance of a few of the historic websites, a string of seashores, and the engaging previous streets with their superb views again right down to the ocean.
Others arrive at Stari Grad, Hvar’s previous city, round a 30 minute bus journey away from Hvar City (or 20 minutes by Uber) so it’s potential to go to each throughout the identical day in order for you, or there’s loads to fill a day if you wish to base your self round one or the opposite.
Hvar Fortress (Spanjola)
We began our day on Hvar wanting down on the island – by strolling as much as the fortress, with its improbable views again down onto Hvar City and the ocean.
Even with out the prospect to take in the surroundings, it’s effectively price exploring contained in the previous fort – identified each as Fortica and Spanjola.
Relationship again to the 16th century, there was a fort of some variety for the reason that first millennium BCE, when it protected the close by Illyrian settlement, adopted by a Byzantine citadel, in all probability constructed throughout the reign of the Roman Emperor Justinian.
Immediately’s fortress owes its beginnings to Venetians, who created their very own fortifications in 1278, after they dominated the island, though the present construction was constructed in round 1551, defending the island’s inhabitants from assaults by the Turks.
Additional additions within the 17th and 18th century, below Austrian rule, prolonged it additional, till Hvar misplaced its strategic significance – since then, the garrison was deserted, and it was left (so native folklore says) for the ‘fairies to bounce in at evening’.
Whereas there weren’t any fairies out throughout the day, there’s loads nonetheless to see. Fairly a couple of of the buildings are intact, though there isn’t an enormous quantity to see contained in the rooms.
There are a few shows although, with some archaeological finds unearthed from wrecks off the coast of Hvar island, and an opportunity to look contained in the previous jail, with its previous pillory. If you happen to’re courageous sufficient, you’ll be able to even step down into one of many small stone cells (no locks or doorways, so i’s not too dangerous!)
Plus you’ll be able to fake to fireplace the cannon at marauding invaders crusing in from the blue Adriatic sea previous the Pakleni Islands.
The stroll up took us round half an hour, with loads of stops to benefit from the lovely views, however it’s simply doable with kids.
And we nonetheless had loads of vitality to spend an hour or so inside. Save a while to relaxation your toes after climbing up the steps and hill, and calm down over a drink or ice cream within the café contained in the partitions, peeking out down in direction of the harbour.
Wander Hvar City
One of many massive pleasures of Hvar City is solely wandering round its previous streets. It’s effectively price lingering over the stroll up and right down to the fortress too: honey-coloured stone steps result in winding streets with extra cafes and little retailers tucked away amid flowers, or a string of silent doorways within the sunshine.
We stopped to look at a companionable cat and canine sitting subsequent to one another on one step, apparently having fun with the views as a lot as we did, earlier than discovering ourselves again on the principle sq..
There are a number of different historic buildings to go to round Hvar City too, together with St Stephen’s Cathedral, on the principle sq..
The 14th century cathedral, constructed on the location of a a lot older church, is effectively price a fast go to – it’s not someplace to spend ages, however the peaceable inside does have some artworks and Roman artefacts to see.
On the opposite facet of the sq., you too can see the historic theatre, constructed within the early seventeenth century. Set on the higher ground of the Arsenal (which you too can go to), its partitions are adorned with frescoes.
But it surely pays to wander at harbour stage as effectively, previous little retailers and eating places on the backstreets. Hold an eye fixed out for some surprising household pleasant bonuses just like the little wind-up music stands – like a string of mini music bins – which was an enormous hit with my daughter.
There are many cafes and eating places dotted round too: we determined to refuel over pizza and squid ink risotto at Pizza Kogo in the principle sq., which was scrumptious and much much less touristy than you may anticipate – out of season a minimum of.
Hit the seashore
When the solar’s shining, you shouldn’t miss the prospect to hit the seashore – with a number of completely different selections, all with crystal clear water.
It was a bit too chilly for us to fancy swimming in April, however the little coves are very tempting. We strolled first to Plaza Lucica, not removed from the previous Franciscan monastery, passing the sculpture of a girl staring in direction of the ocean.
If you’re deciding which Hvar seashore to decide on, it’s price taking into account that every one the seashores close to the city are stony though they’re nonetheless excellent little suntraps to lounge, possibly paddle and simply swap off.
Across the different facet of the harbourfront, we grabbed an ice cream from Aroma, which has a few of the greatest flavours I’ve ever seen – apple pie ice cream was a spotlight, and there have been a minimum of a couple of extra quirky mixtures which tempted me, from orange & ginger to peach with rosemary.
Just a little additional alongside is Bonj Seashore and Seashore Membership Hvar – not but open for the season, it was one other extremely peaceable spot… I think I’d have loved it much less in peak season with crowds and music pumping, admittedly.
With the Easter solar shining, I used to be fairly glad to take a seat on the pebble seashore right here and calm down by the waves, though the ocean pool (and the turquoise sea) regarded tempting if we’d been there a month or so later.
You possibly can observe the seafront to succeed in it, however save a while to stroll again below the shady paths of Hvar Park, with its pine bushes and little play space.
Or when you proceed a bit additional across the coast, there’s Aquapark Hvar inflatable waterpark, which is certain to go down effectively with youngsters.
Stari Grad
My authentic plan had been to move over to Stari Grad as effectively, the previous city on the opposite facet of the island.
Quieter in peak season, it’s choice when you’re visiting in summer season, however nonetheless need to spend a day on Hvar with youngsters.
In some ways, it’s a extra peaceable, much less glitzy cousin to Hvar City – you might have the identical historic streets to wander, in addition to the waterfront promenade, a lot of eating places and cafes to linger in, and backstreets to bump into.
Look out for the Roman mosaic on Srinjo kola (Center Avenue), additionally lined with some beautiful retailers and its personal string of cafes, in addition to Skor sq., the place noble households as soon as had their properties and St Stephen’s Church.
For one thing a bit extra uncommon, you’ll be able to discover the Unesco World Heritage Stari Grad Plain – one of many oldest cultivated plains on this planet. Rent bikes to cycle via, recognizing a few of the ruins (older youngsters usually tend to respect the historical past, though youthful ones will benefit from the journey)
And simply exterior the city is Oslic Seashore, one other little pebbly spot to paddle close to the Outdated City Hvar, when you’re in search of extra Hvar seashores.
However someway, our relaxed day idling our manner round Hvar City had eaten up the time and earlier than we knew it, it was time to move again to the mainland and the fun of Cut up.
For extra issues to do in Cut up with youngsters, take a look at my prime picks
Extra issues to do round Hvar with youngsters
If you happen to’re planning to spend longer than a day exploring Hvar with youngsters, there are loads extra issues to do on the island.
Go to the Pakleni Islands
You could find water taxis in addition to boat excursions akin to this yacht tour to take you to the close by Pakleni Islands (also referred to as the Paklinski islands) – or rent your personal boat, when you’d slightly be in cost.
It’s simple to select up a water taxi at Hvar’s Riva, with a number of commonplace drop off factors – perfect when you’d identical to to flee the crowds in Hvar City for a bit. A ship tour, or hiring your personal, provides you extra flexibility to seashore hop, discover the quieter coves and simply calm down between swimming within the crystal clear waters.
Take a ship journey
In addition to visiting the Pakleni islands, there are a string of different tempting boat excursions from Hvar, together with to the Blue Cave on Biševo, which is thought for its shiny blue water, due to a gap within the roof which lets the solar shine via.
Others cease on the fishing village of Komiza the place Mamma Mia was filmed, in addition to Stiniva Seashore, voted the most effective seashore in Europe.
This full-day boat tour from Hvar to the Blue Cave and Vis additionally go to the Inexperienced Cave and the Pakleni islands, and is appropriate for youths aged 1+, whereas this 8-hour boat journey from Hvar to the Blue Cave additionally stops at a number of places.
Or you’ll be able to mix the Blue Cave and a 5 islands boat tour from Hvar
Go to Dubrovnik
If you happen to’ve obtained your hear set on visiting Dubrovnik throughout a keep round Cut up, you’ll be able to catch a ferry from Hvar to the gorgeous historic metropolis in Croatia’s south.
There’s a catamaran ferry that takes simply over three hours (so it’s a really lengthy day until you’re planning an in a single day keep in Dubrovnik) in addition to the excessive pace ferry which takes nearer 4 hours.
How you can get to Hvar with youngsters
There are a number of distinction selections when you’re in search of a ferry from Cut up to Hvar. The catamaran to Hvar City is a good choice when you’re going for the day, because it’s for foot passengers solely (and restricted baggage). It’s additionally nice with youngsters because it solely takes an hour – that is the choice we selected.
Alternatively there are two ferries which join Cut up and Hvar City; Jadrolinija additionally takes round an hour, or TP Line takes round 2 hours 30 minutes, so it’s a slower choice when you’re visiting Hvar for the day.
Jadrolinija additionally runs ferries from Cut up to Stari Grad on Hvar, though departures are extra restricted in off-season. This takes round two hours.
You possibly can head right down to the port at Cut up to guide tickets, though because the kiosks and workplaces aren’t at all times open, it’s simpler to guide on-line or utilizing an app – we booked ours utilizing the Bookaway app, whereas a few of the ferry corporations have their very own.
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Stari Grad/Blue Cave pictures courtesy of Depositphotos, all different pictures copyright MummyTravels
