42 photos to inspire you to visit Hvar, Croatia
Hvar is by no means an unknown gem on Croatia’s - nor Europe’s - tourist radar.
Now favoured by the stars and partygoers alike, gone are the days when the island was a well-kept secret amongst Eastern Europeans in the know, and intrepid backpackers from further afield.
These days, this island that speckles the sparkling Adriatic waters has instead gained notoriety as a hedonistic playground for those who flock to the old town in the hopes of enjoying the thumping beats and cocktails of Croatia’s tourist-proclaimed ‘party isle’.
And yet for those - like us - who seek a slice of authentic Dalmatian life, a seemingly undiscovered island is still waiting to be explored. A place far removed from the shining superyachts that bob in the harbour and the clink of champagne glasses ringing out from bars.
The Hvar we found during our 5 weeks on the island was like stepping inside the frame of a faded polaroid from the 70s; all red rooftops and white-washed walls of local, family-owned Konobas, and pebble beaches and teal waters of the Adriatic.
All framed, of course, by stubby cactus, swaying palms, and the colourful beach umbrellas used to fend off the sun's heat on long, languid summer afternoons.
It's the kind of place where old men still gather in the afternoons to drink beer and argue politics, and a vintage Lada was just as likely to sputter along the road next to us as a flashy car with its music blaring.
Where small sandstone towns, amongst the oldest in Europe, still exist with a quiet, relaxed charm, flanked by lavender fields and vines full with wine grapes.
The kind of place where that morning's catch was served for lunch with lashings of local olive oil and lemon and washed down with a Karlovačko or glass of white.
Where a short stroll from a busy main beach transported us to hidden pine-covered coves, and the sweet smell of wild jasmine and olive trees always seemed to hang in the air.
It was exactly the kind of place that had us reaching for our cameras at every turn; in an attempt to bottle the essence of this little island we fell in love with, to carry with us forever.
This is what we saw.
42 PHOTOS OF HVAR ISLAND | BE INSPIRED
hvar dreamin’ | our favourite things to see and do in hvar town
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THE BEST TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR FOR HVAR
Bologna is a seriously photogenic city, so we definitely recommend investing in some good photography gear before visiting.
Below is the photography gear we used to get all of our shots in Bologna.
The Sony A7RII produces brilliant photos and video
The original photography beast which keeps going strong, the Canon 5D MKIII produces the best colours
The Canon 24-70mm is known as one of the best zoom lenses on the market; it's exceptionally sharp, small and lightweight, which makes it perfect for travel photography
The Canon 70-200mm f4 is our favourite lens, hands down. The image stabilisation works a treat, even on moving trains!
Go Pro Hero 6 is amazing for underwater photography as it’s waterproof - just jump right in to the Med and photograph away!
Check out the rest of camera gear here.
If you like our photography, be sure to follow us on Instagram, too.
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TRAVEL INSURANCE
Whatever you do, don’t travel anywhere in the world without travel insurance.
Even though Hvar Island is safe, things can go wrong, be it sickness, lost baggage, theft, or an accident.
Travel insurance is your only way of mitigating the issues, so grab a policy before you travel!
BUY | Click here to get the best travel insurance deals with World Nomads
READ | Our ultimate guide to travel insurance
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ARE YOU PLANNING TO VISIT HVAR SOON?
We have a heap of essential reading before you travel to the paradise island of Hvar:
HVAR ACCOMMODATION | The best places to stay on Hvar Island
HVAR TOWN | The best things to see and do in Hvar Town (including where to stay and eat!)
HVAR’S BEST BEACHES | Our complete guide to Hvar’s best beaches, and how to visit the Pakleni islands
HVAR PHOTOS | 42 incredible photos of Hvar island that will inspire you to visit!
TRAVEL INSURANCE | Don’t leave home without travel insurance (seriously, don’t!). Click here to get the best deals with World Nomads, our trusted travel insurance provider
PHOTOGRAPHY | Love our photography? Wondering what gear we use to get all of our photos around the world? Click here to view our detailed photography gear guide, as well as our top travel photography tips!
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL | Responsible travel is important. REALLY IMPORTANT. Learn our top responsible travel tips to help you, your family and friends travel more consciously around the globe
ECO FRIENDLY PACKING ESSENTIALS | Don’t leave home without our favourite eco-friendly travel essentials
Hvar really is a magical island worthy of your time. Just don't forget to get off the beaten track to explore more than just the old town of Hvar.
We'll be sharing ind-depth guides with you shortly, but in the meantime, leave any comments or questions about Hvar below!
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