Hvar

I had wanted to do a day trip to one of the close by, bigger, islands while I was in Split. The 2 options I thought that were suitable were Brač or Hvar. I decided on Hvar.

So to get to Hvar you leave from the Ferry Port in Split (doh). There are 2 options/places you can take the ferry to, either Hvar town or Stari Grad, both take about 2 hours. The one to Hvar town is the catamaran passenger ferry only, the Stari Grad ferry is more the commercial one for trucks, busses, cars etc. (passengers too). The Hvar town Ferry costs €25 one way and the Stari Grad one €5.90. Massive difference. If you go to Hvar town you are right where you want to be, Stari Grad you still need to get to Hvar town.

You can see where each goes into in the map below.

Jadrolinija Ferry routes

I had initially planned to take the ferry to Stari Grad and then hire a bike and cycle to Hvar town. In the end I decided not to do this for a few reasons namely time, effort & cost. Time, it would take me a while to do it and also the route was using mountain bike trails which I was not too comfortable doing without having done before, also would take me a while (even if it was an eMTB) and eat into sightseeing time, and effort, well - goes without saying really. It's about 20km between the 2 places, over a decent hill. Also the cost after the hiring of the MTB it would cost me about the same as if I had gone into Hvar town so was a bit pointless.

Bike route and elevation (not that I did it)

In the end I decided on the ferry into Stari Grad. They run in the morning at 6am and 8:30am, getting in 2 hours later. Then was to work out how to get to Hvar town. There was a local bus. It left Stari Grad at 8am and 10:05am. So meant the second ferry time wouldn't work. So the crack of dawn (6am) ferry was the option. Was WAY too early to be up and about (even for me), I got to the ferry port and found my ferry easily and was on my way. The ticket office said to be there by 5:30am, but in reality no ... just be there before they close the doors at 6am, 5:30am is the time they start the boarding, so I could have taken it a bit easier in the morning.

I had not been on a ferry of this size before so it was a bit of a novel experience. I had been from Naples to Capri before but that was one of the pedestrian catamaran type ones. It was very comfortable, you could wander around to the various decks/levels outside, there were chairs outside and inside, was a bit chilly outside still.

My ferry

Onboard looking at vehicle area

Looking back at Split

Trucks (photo taking at the front)

Sunrise

Sunrise with Ferry going opposite direction

Me at sunrise

Inside

Once we got to Stari Grad, it was time to find the bus quickly as it was very touch and go time wise. Found a bus stop and some guy at a shop told me that was where it stops. Before that a few taxis had pestered to take people to Hvar, everyone had other plans so declined. I waited a bit and didn't see the bus. Segway to my thinking since ... the bus from Stari Grad to Hvar town seems to go from the bus station in Stari Grad (a few km away) not from the ferry port but the one the other way does stop at the ferry port. While I was waiting the one taxi oke said he could take me for €10, was tempted to take that, then he said he needed to get back to Hvar town anyway so as I said the bus would cost me €5 he would just charge me that. Wow - deal !!! I could have looked and found the bus and got the 10:05am one but no need anymore. Later in the day at the tourist association I was talking to the lady and she said a taxi from there normally costs minimum €40.

Now I was in Hvar town I started to do my sightseeing. I started looking around the town first and then decided it was maybe better to talk a walk up to Fortica (you will see it in later photos up there and looking up from below) before it got too hot. Was already quite warm so my jacket was packed away (definitely needed for on the ferry at sea)

Keep Calm and Enjoy Hvar sign

St. Stephen's Cathedral

Stupac Štandarac and Port of Hvar

Port of Hvar

Port of Hvar and Fortica

Hvar

Panorama of Hvar

Hvar Arsenal

The Hvar town catamaran type ferry

Looking up towards Fortica (grey cloud never came to anything)

Looking down on Hvar town from Fortica

Church of Our Lady of the Rosary

Fortica

Amusing "rock face with glasses"

Heading down from Fortica

Sundial

Homme assis statue

Franciscan Monastery

Boats

Beach Križa

Relaxing at Beach Križa

I took my swimming stuff with me to Hvar and wanted to have a nice swim there. Wasn't sure what options there were so decided to have a dip at Beach Križa

Coastline

Beach Club Hvar and hotels

After what felt like a really long day of doing stuff I just relaxed in a square next to the harbour and chatted to people back home.

Bought myself a beer at the local supermarket (to drink on the ferry, wasn't sure if you were allowed to, but you could buy onboard so, felt it was OK) and waited at the bus station for my bus back to Stari Grad. This was much easier than the way there. Was a nice scenic ride, in the morning I had been lower (in a car) and not up in a bus so didn't get to see it all as well. I found it a little amusing the name of the ferry was Zadar, a place I had already been.

Tunnel between Hvar town and Stari Grad