Hvar

Charming old town in Hvar will leave you breathless

The island’s hub and busiest destination, the town of Hvar  is estimated to draw around 20,000 people a day in the high season. It’s odd that they can all fit in the small bay town, where 13th-century walls surround beautifully ornamented Gothic palaces and traffic-free marble streets, but fit they do. Visitors wander along the main square, explore the sights on the winding stone streets, swim on the numerous beaches or pop off to the Paklinski Islands to get into their birthday suits, but most of all they party at night.

There are several good restaurants here and a number of great hotels, but thanks to the island’s appeal to well-heeled guests, the prices can be seriously inflated. Don’t be put off if you’re on a lower budget though, as private accommodation and a couple of hostels cater to a younger, more diverse crowd.