Stari Grad

This picturesque town, whose name translates to "Old Town," is nestled along a 6-kilometre sea trunnion. Located to the north of Hvar Town, Stari Grad is a sleepy little town on the island of Hvar that feels worlds away from the rest of the world. Spend your days basking in the Stari Grad summer sun on the town's streets and nearby beaches, exploring the town's rich history, and enjoying the tranquil atmosphere.

The town is one of Europe's oldest, dating back to before the year 3,000 B.C., and it has survived many historical changes thanks to its location at the end of a large bay. The long reign of a powerful Greek empire essentially defines Stari Grad's history. Ionian Greek settlers from Paros arrived in Hvar in the fourth century. Despite encountering an existing Illyrian community, they firmly established themselves along the coast and drove the Illyrians inland. The Plain of Chora Pharou, where they built their town, is the best surviving example of a Greek cultural landscape. It has survived the centuries of colonisation virtually intact, earning it UNESCO World Heritage Site status as the seventh location in Croatia.

Highlights:

• Visit the Stari Grad Museum - It stands to reason that a city with as long a history as Stari Grad would have a museum dedicated to preserving and presenting that history.
• Explore the history of Stari Grad and its treasures in the Neo-Renaissance palace built for the Biankini Brothers in 1896, which dates back to the 19th century.
• Treat yourself to a local delicacy: lavender ice cream!
• Taste the wine growing in vineyards that have existed there since antiquity. While at it, take advantage of the local goat cheese and, of course, the essential extra-virgin cold-pressed olive oil.