The 8 Best Hotels
in Hvar
Hvar is the Adriatic's most seductive island — a long, lavender-scented strip of limestone where Venetian campaniles rise above a harbour packed with superyachts, and ancient stone villages cling to hillsides above impossibly blue coves. The town of Hvar itself is one of the most architecturally coherent medieval towns on the Croatian coast, its Renaissance loggia and cathedral piazza ringed by terrace bars that keep going until well after midnight. Accommodation here skews dramatically towards the premium end compared to, say, Split or Šibenik — peak-season prices rival Santorini — but smart mid-range finds and well-placed guesthouses still exist if you book early.
We've narrowed it down to 8 hotels across the island — 3 splurges, 3 mid-range, and 2 budget picks. The splurges are genuinely special: a palatial heritage property on the harbour, a cliff-edge design retreat, and a discreet villa-hotel on the quieter southern coast. Mid-range covers a restored stone townhouse, a boutique hillside property, and a well-run harbour-view B&B. Budget options are tight on Hvar — expect clean, family-run rooms rather than hostels — but they deliver real value in an expensive market.
| Hotel | Neighborhood | From €/night | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palace Elisabeth | Hvar Town Centre | €280–780 | Splurge |
| Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel | Hvar Town Harbour | €260–720 | Splurge |
| Hvar Villa Nora | Milna (South Coast) | €220–650 | Splurge |
| Hotel Podstine | Podstine (West of Hvar Town) | €130–380 | Mid-range |
| Villa Nora Apartments Jelsa | Jelsa | €100–260 | Mid-range |
| Hotel Pharos | Hvar Town Harbour | €140–340 | Mid-range |
| Guesthouse Marija | Hvar Town Upper Slopes | €60–150 | Budget |
| Hostel Marinero | Hvar Town | €30–85 | Budget |
Where to stay in Hvar
Hvar island is 68 km long but most visitors orbit between Hvar Town on the west, Stari Grad in the middle, and Jelsa on the north coast. Where you sleep shapes your entire experience — Hvar Town is lively and expensive; the eastern villages are quieter and noticeably cheaper.
The main piazza, Venetian harbour, and fortress are all here. Hotels in this zone command a significant premium — expect to pay 30–60% more than equivalent accommodation elsewhere on the island. It's walkable, atmospheric, and genuinely beautiful, but summer nights are loud and the harbour fills with day-trippers from 10am to 6pm. Best for first-time visitors who want everything on their doorstep.
A 10–20 minute walk west of the main square through Aleppo pines brings you to a quieter string of small coves and family hotels. Prices are 20–35% lower than the harbour. You still have easy walking access to Hvar Town's restaurants and piazza, but nights are calm. Ideal for families, couples wanting swimming without crowds, and anyone who prizes sleep over nightlife.
Jelsa is Hvar's best-kept secret for independent travellers — a real working town with its own harbour, fish market, and wine bars. Hotels and apartments here are 30–50% cheaper than in Hvar Town. The beach is sheltered and cleaner than many in the west. Regular buses connect to Hvar Town (30 min), and car ferries run from Jelsa directly to Split, making logistics easy without the tourist tax.
The south-facing coast of Hvar receives more sun, has cleaner water, and is almost entirely off the mass-tourist radar. A handful of small guesthouses and villa-hotels operate here, reachable by a winding mountain road or by boat. You absolutely need a car or scooter. It rewards travellers who want seclusion and natural beauty without the buzz of Hvar Town — and prices reflect that this is a niche rather than cheap.
Palace Elisabeth
A 19th-century Austro-Hungarian palace occupying the most coveted position on St. Stephen's Square — the longest piazza in Dalmatia. Rooms combine exposed stone arches with warm linen and restrained contemporary furnishings; higher floors look directly over the cathedral facade and harbour. The ground-floor terrace is genuinely one of the island's best spots for an evening drink, without being a nightclub. Breakfast is substantial by Croatian standards, featuring local prosciutto and island olive oil.
- Prime position on Hvar's main cathedral square
- 19th-century Austro-Hungarian architecture throughout
- Terrace bar overlooking harbour and piazza
- Rooms with exposed stone arched ceilings
- Walking distance to ferries and restaurants
Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel
Positioned on the western edge of the harbour, the Adriana is a sleek, contemporary hotel with a rooftop infinity pool that delivers arguably the most photographed view of the Pakleni Islands in Croatia. Rooms are clean-lined and modern — dark wood, white linens, floor-to-ceiling glass — and the spa includes a well-equipped thalassotherapy pool. The rooftop Zori restaurant serves seriously good grilled fish. It feels less stuffy than the Palace Elisabeth, skewing younger.
- Rooftop infinity pool with Pakleni Islands panorama
- Full thalassotherapy spa on-site
- Zori rooftop restaurant with quality seafood
- Modern rooms with floor-to-ceiling harbour views
- 5-minute walk from the ferry terminal
Hvar Villa Nora
A small, family-owned villa-hotel tucked into the quiet pine-forested cove of Milna on Hvar's southern coast — about 12 km from the town by road. Eight stone rooms are simply but tastefully furnished with island antiques and hand-woven textiles; most have private terraces directly above the turquoise cove. The owner-cooked breakfast includes homegrown figs, local honey, and fresh pastries. No pool — the sea is the amenity. Milna's beach is among the cleanest on the island.
- Stone rooms with terraces above a private cove
- Owner-cooked breakfast with homegrown produce
- Exceptionally clean swimming directly from property
- Quiet pine forest setting away from tourist crowds
- Authentic family-run atmosphere
Hotel Podstine
A 15-minute walk west of the main square through fragrant pine forest, Podstine sits in its own rocky cove with a small beach, outdoor seawater pool, and a restaurant serving straightforward but well-executed Dalmatian dishes. It's a genuine family-run hotel — three generations of the Juranović family manage it — with rooms that are dated in decor but perfectly clean, and many with direct sea views. The cove is calm enough for children; it feels a world away from the harbour party scene.
- Own private rocky cove and seawater pool
- Three-generation family management since 1962
- 15-minute walk to Hvar Town centre
- On-site Dalmatian restaurant with sea view
- Calm swimming, suitable for children
Villa Nora Apartments Jelsa
Jelsa is the understated alternative to Hvar Town — a working fishing village on the island's north coast with a prettier, quieter harbour and a fraction of the crowds. This small apartment-hotel, run by a local family, has contemporary stone rooms and studios with kitchenettes, most looking across the pinewood bay. The village has excellent konobas, local wine bars, and a sheltered pebble beach just steps away. Bus connections to Hvar Town take 30 minutes and run regularly.
- Quiet Jelsa harbour setting, far from party scene
- Kitchenette studios ideal for self-catering
- Steps from sheltered pebble beach
- 30-minute bus to Hvar Town
- 30–40% cheaper than equivalent Hvar Town hotels
Hotel Pharos
A compact, owner-managed hotel on the Riva — the harbour promenade — with clean, simply furnished rooms and a balcony bar that looks directly onto the moored yachts and the Pakleni Islands. It's not design-forward, but the location is flawless for the price point: the ferry, the cathedral square, and the market are all within two minutes on foot. Staff are notably helpful with boat and scooter hire. Air conditioning works well, which matters during July–August heat.
- Harbour promenade (Riva) location, unbeatable position
- Balcony bar with direct yacht-filled harbour view
- 2-minute walk to cathedral square and ferries
- Helpful staff for boat and excursion bookings
- Best value per square metre on the harbour
Guesthouse Marija
A classic Croatian sobe (rooms-to-rent) property in the stone lanes climbing toward the Spanish Fortress above Hvar Town. Seven simple rooms are kept spotlessly clean by the owner, Marija, who has been hosting travellers for over two decades. Breakfast is not included but a shared kitchen terrace with harbour glimpses makes it easy to self-cater. The walk down to the piazza takes five minutes. At these prices in high season, on Hvar, this is remarkable value.
- Spotlessly clean rooms in old town stone lanes
- Harbour glimpses from shared kitchen terrace
- 5-minute walk downhill to cathedral square
- Owner-managed with two decades of experience
- Exceptional value for Hvar's premium market
Hostel Marinero
The most reliably decent hostel option in Hvar Town proper — a mix of dorms (6–8 beds) and basic private rooms in a stone building a short walk from the harbour. Shared bathrooms are clean and the common area has a sociable courtyard where guests reliably end up sharing boat trip tips and bar recommendations. Staff can organise kayak rentals and island tours. Not luxurious, but honest, well-run, and one of very few genuine budget options inside the town walls.
- Dorms and private rooms inside the old town
- Sociable stone courtyard, good for meeting travellers
- Staff organise kayak and boat trip bookings
- Clean shared bathrooms, reliable Wi-Fi
- One of very few genuine budget beds in Hvar Town
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to book hotels in Hvar, and how far in advance?
Are hotels in Hvar expensive compared to the rest of Croatia?
How do I get to Hvar from Split, and does my hotel affect which ferry I take?
Is it worth staying in Hvar Town itself, or should I base myself in a quieter village?
Do Hvar hotels include beach access, or do I need to find my own?
Are there good restaurant and wine options near the hotels, or do I need to go into Hvar Town?
Is Hvar suitable for families with children, or is it mainly a party destination?
How we chose these hotels
Our editorial team reviewed Hvar's hotel landscape and selected 8 across budgets, prioritising properties that capture local character — heritage architecture, owner-run boutiques, surf-town informality — over generic resort-chain accommodations. Where two hotels are comparable, we pick the smaller, owner-run option.
None of these hotels paid to be included, and we have no commercial relationship with any of them. Use the "View on Google Maps" links above to find each property's official website, current rates and availability. Prices are estimated nightly ranges in EUR for a double room and will vary by season and availability. Recommendations are reviewed every six months; this guide was last updated April 2026.
When to visit Hvar
For everything you need to plan a Hvar trip — neighbourhoods, food, things to do, day trips, transport — see our complete Hvar travel guide.