Hvar is a sunny Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea.
If someone knocked you unconscious and flew you to Hvar (umm thanks… oddly adventurous kidnapper?), when you awoke, you would probably think you were in heaven.
It’s an absolutely beautiful place, filled with pine forests, vineyards, olive groves, and lavender fields.
Because it’s an island paradise, Hvar is understandably a bit more expensive than the rest of Croatia. Lots of posh globetrotters with luxury yachts stop here. It’s also become increasingly popular for European bachelor/bachelorette parties.
Since The Travel Medley is allllll about that budget travel life, we didn’t stay here for a super long time.
But despite the short stay, here are 5 things I loved about Hvar.
#1: Pretending I sat on the same beach as Beyoncé
Yes, Beyoncé visited Hvar in 2011. No, that’s *not* why we decided to visit.
(Well, it wasn’t the only reason…)
Even though there is a less than 0.0001% chance that Queen Bey came within 100 yards of any of the beaches I visited (y’all know she probs had a private island to herself), I was in complete denial.
So the entire time we were there, I pretended that the sand touching my body (and getting into every crevice) was the same sand that graced Beyoncé’s body (and yes, all of her crevices).
Is that creepy? Maybe a little. Do I care? No.
Because I *totally* sat on the same beach as Beyoncé, and thus, I DON’T NEED YOUR JUDGEMENT.
#2: Those aerial views from fortress Fortica, y’all
I love hiking. (Despite the curses that always seem to escape under my breath while hiking.)
But it’s a relatively easy walk/uphill hike to the fortress. I promise.
Plus, when you get to the top, you’re rewarded with gorgeous views of the harbor and surrounding areas.
Is it worth it? Let me work it.
I put my thing down, flip it and reverse it.
Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup I. TI ESREVER DNA TI PILF NWOD GNIHT YM PUT I.
(Hint: That means yes.)
#3: Delicious food, because I’m Bri and what else??
It’s no secret that I love food, and that I have a major sweet tooth.
Thus, one of my favorite parts of Hvar was this sweet desserty wine and chocolate cake from Nonica Caffe Bar.
It’s best enjoyed on a cool night, sitting outside on the cobbled steps, listening to street musicians strum their guitars and sing Italian love songs.
If you’re in a relationship, do this with your honeybunz for a simple, romantic date.
If you’re not in a relationship, HELLO WINE AND CAKE. Eat the cake, down several glasses of wine, and chat up local hotties. (Or befriend the street cats, if that’s more your style.)
Hvar has lots of other delicious food too. I would show you pictures if I were the type of person who actually Instagrammed their meals instead of scarfing the food as soon as it’s set down in front of me.
Try the prosciutto, goat cheese, and octopus salad. You won’t be disappointed.
#4: Cute lil streets and alleyways
This is a thing throughout most of Croatia, but despite spending an entire summer in this beautiful country, I was NOT OVER IT, NEVER OVER IT.
Getting lost (a thing I’m really good at) wandering around the narrow streets of Hvar was one of my favorite activities.
They’re cozy, historic, and full of old world charm.
Vines curling around walls? Brightly colored window shutters? Laundry strung across back alleys?
Be still my heart.
Did I take a gazillion pictures of all the cutest doors and windows? Obviously.
Because one #doortrait is worth 1,000 emoji heart eyes.
#5: Paddleboarding all day erryday
As far as I’m concerned, summer was made entirely for stand up paddleboarding, and everything else is just a bonus.
I have a list of #PlacesIWantToSUP, and thanks to Kayak & SUP Hvar, I can check one more place off my list!
There are paddleboard rentals at the beach in front of the Amfora Hotel (a place we did not stay, because let’s be real, we booked a simple Airbnb for 5 gazillion fewer dollars per night.)
The Adriatic Sea is a bit choppy, but if you fall in, it’s just a refreshing dip in some absolutely gorgeous water.
And it’s hard to be too upset about that.
In fact, it’s hard to be anything but ABSOLUTELY THRILLED while paddleboarding.
Because it is, objectively and scientifically, the single greatest activity in the world.
(I mean, other than sitting on Beyoncé’s recycled, years-later sand that was *totally* in her crevices.)
Still not enough???
If those 5 things weren’t enough for you to *want* to be knocked unconscious by an oddly adventurous kidnapper… well, IDK what’s wrong with you.
But there are plenty of other things to do on the island paradise of Hvar!
- Check out St. Stephen’s Square and Cathedral
- Visit the Franciscan Monastery and Museum
- Do other activities that are ~objectively~ less fun than SUP: cycling, kayaking, scuba diving
- Rent a boat for the day and explore nearby islands and coves
- Pretend you’re sitting in a different celeb’s recycled sand (other notable Hvar visitors include: Prince Harry, Tom Cruise, Bono, Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow, Eva Longoria, and Catherine Zeta Jones… none of which are as #flawless as Beyoncé, but that’s fine – you do you.)
- Go skinny dipping at one of the many nearby “naturist” beaches
- Explore some of the smaller villages and towns on Hvar
- Eat all the food, drink all the wine
And if all else fails, just make friends with the street cats. You can’t go wrong there.
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