Visitor Information
Hvar Town's principal tourist office is at Trg Sv. Stjepana bb, Hvar's main square (tel. 021/741-059; fax 021/742-977; www.tzhvar.hr). Stari Grad's is at Nova Riva 2 (tel. 021/765-763: www.hvar.hr). Both can provide literature and maps, but if you want accommodations in Hvar Town, go to Pelegrini Travel, steps from the boat landing (tel. 021/742-743; pelegrini@inet.hr), open 8am to 10pm Monday through Saturday and 6 to 8pm on Sunday. Pelegrini handles most of the private accommodations in Hvar Town and books rooms through travel agencies in Split and other towns. Atlas Travel, on the west side of the harbor (tel. 021/741-670), is an excellent place to book excursions. During July and August, there is the potential for a reservation snafu, so be sure you have confirmed -- and preferably paid for -- accommodations before you arrive.
Getting There
Jadrolinija operates car ferry service between Split and Stari Grad, and some also stop at Korcula and Dubrovnik. Buses connect from the ferry port in Stari Grad and go across the island to Hvar Town and Jelsa. Jadrolinija has an office on the Riva in Stari Grad (tel. 021/741-132) and can provide prices and schedules. In summer, there usually are half a dozen or so buses that ply the route between Stari Grad and Hvar Town, but Sundays, holidays, and other times, service is spotty. Catamarans that carry only foot passengers also serve the island and they are faster than the car ferries. Most pick up and drop off passengers at the Hvar Town marina. It is possible to spend the day in Korcula and go on to Hvar in the afternoon; however, you'll have to overnight on Hvar because the last boat arrives there about 6:15pm, and nothing leaves late at night. In addition, it is very difficult to see much on Hvar if you only have a day.
Getting Around
Hvar Town is closed to motorized traffic from the bus station to the Riva, which is also the busiest thoroughfare until after nightfall, when the long, rectangular main square, Trg Sveti Stjepana, becomes a circus. If you want to see anything besides Hvar Town and Stari Grad, a car is a time saver, but Hvar Town is best covered on foot.
