The island of Hvar is an ideal destination for lovers of beautiful sea. Like mainland Croatia, the beaches are often pebble or rocky, but there is no shortage of white sandy tongues scattered more or less all over the island. So let’s see which are the best beaches on Hvar, divided area by area, from the most popular and crowded with tourists to the hidden gems where you will find yourself surrounded by nature.
Let’s start our review of Hvar’s most beautiful beaches with those near Hvar Town, on the south coast of the island or in the Pakleni archipelago.
Malo Zaraće beach is undoubtedly one of the best beaches on Hvar. Zaraće is about a 30-minute drive from Hvar town, along the main road to Stari Grad. To reach the beach, after passing through the town you will have to take the fork in the road and follow the steep road to the right, before parking and going down a flight of stairs that leads to the beach.
It can also be reached well by boat, following the east coast from Hvar town, via Pokonji Dol and Milna. The Malo Zaraće beach is small, with turquoise waters and magnificent scenery. There are no shops or restaurants, so pack a lunch and bring a drink.
Dubovica Beach is one of the most picturesque and famous beaches on the island of Hvar. It is located about 8 km east of Hvar town, not far from Malo Zarace. It is situated at the end of a beautiful secluded bay and is a pebble beach surrounded by pine and olive trees, a perfect shelter from the hot Croatian sun.
You will also find a restaurant serving fresh fish, and a beach bar. The beach tends to get crowded during the high season, so go early to ensure a good spot.
Pokonji Dol is only a 25-minute walk from Hvar town, and is definitely one of the more accessible beaches for those staying in these parts. Despite this, it is not too crowded, which gives it a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.
The water has deep turquoise hues, and the beach is pebbly. Pokonji Dol is lined with two restaurants offering fresh fish, refreshing drinks and beers or cocktails for an evening aperitif. Sunbeds are available for hire, with prices ranging from 10 to 15 euro per day.
Jagodna is a tiny, isolated cove between Sveta Nedalja and Ivan Dolac. It may be difficult to get to, but it is definitely worth it, for one reason: the sand. In fact, Jagodna has a predominantly sandy beach, which sets it apart from most beaches on Hvar and in Croatia.
Jagodna beach is at its best in the early part of the day, as by mid-afternoon the sun begins to set behind the surrounding cliffs.
A 20-minute walk through the pine forest of Pokonji Dol will take you to Mekićevica beach, a pebble bay surrounded by forests. If you’re looking for contact with nature on Hvar, Mekićevica beach is your best bet: it’s also frequented by nudists and is sheltered, great if the sun proves too hot.
A short walk through the forest will take you to Robinson, a secluded restaurant serving fresh homemade dishes.
Off Hvar town lies the Pakleni islands. On the island of Marinkovac is Mlini beach, the perfect place to relax and unwind. It has a small island in front, and bright blue water; it can be reached by boat or an organised tour.
In the immediate vicinity of the beach you can eat fresh fish cooked by one of the many small restaurants. It is possible to rent sunbeds, with prices ranging from 10 to 15 euro per day, or 1-2 euro per hour.
Just outside Hvar town is the small village of Milna, situated in a beautiful sheltered bay surrounded by pine forests. Its beach has water that is not as turquoise as other beaches on Hvar, but it is very transparent, so it is a perfect place for snorkelling.
Another plus point is that it is located practically at the end of the village, so you can buy lunch at the market or at the local bakery.
Lučišća beach is located on the road from Hvar town to Sveta Nedalja; it is a dirt road, and some car rental companies do not allow transit. Therefore, if you have rented a 4-wheel drive or are willing to walk a little, you will discover this little piece of paradise, where you will find turquoise water and few tourists.
Bonj beach is about a 10-minute walk west of Hvar town, near the Hotel Amfora, and is the perfect place for those looking for a beach that is both beautiful and close to their accommodation, or even the clubs and bars that make Hvar so famous.
Bonj beach is suitable for those who want to feel like celebrities, thanks to the exclusive Bonj Les Bains club that attracts the global elite with its private jetties and seductive sunbeds. Fortunately, even those on a tight budget can afford to lie on the small pebble beach or swim in the turquoise waters.
There are several restaurants and bars surrounding the beach, so eating and drinking will not be a problem.
Also located in the Pakleni islands, Palmižana beach is one of the most popular beaches on this archipelago. Although small, it is equipped with sunbeds that can be hired, and is flanked by a number of restaurants and bars – the perfect place to spend the whole day relaxing.
It is possible to get to Palmižana by water taxi, or by sailing in a rented boat yourself. Both the bay and the beach are very crowded, so, as always, we recommend arriving early.
The small village of Ivan Dolac is about an hour’s drive from Hvar town, surrounded by steep slopes full of pine trees and vineyards. The scenery is certainly very beautiful, but it is the beach that makes this town unmissable. It consists of pebbles almost as fine as sand, which means good comfort.
But it is above all its tranquillity that is its trump card: apart from the locals, relatively few tourists pass through here, which makes the Ivan Dolac beach ideal for maximum relaxation.
The north coast of Hvar offers some beautiful beaches, some of which are easy to reach by staying in Stari Grad, Vrboska or Jelsa, others less so, for which it is advisable to hire a boat.
Prapatna is a tiny bay east of Jelsa, on the north coast of Hvar. It can be reached by taking road 116, the main road on the island, then turning left and continuing for 2-3 kilometres until you reach the sea. When you reach Prapatna, you will find a pebble beach; there are a few rented houses and restaurants on the sides. It is also possible to reach Prapatna beach by sea, with ferries departing from Jelsa.
This wonderful beach is located in Pokrivenik, on the north coast of Hvar. It has a campsite behind it, but the pebble beach is not equipped. It is not too convenient to reach, so even in August it is not very crowded. However, due to its small size, it is best to get there early in the morning, when the right half of the beach is still in the shade.
A small beach around which a small settlement with rented houses and restaurants has been built, Pakomina has beautiful colours and is mostly reached by boat. It can also be reached by car, although it is over an hour’s drive from Stari Grad and Hvar town.
Hvar’s east coast, which is less frequented by mass tourism, still has a number of beaches that should not be missed. Here are some of the best, never too crowded but slightly more difficult to reach.
Mlaska Beach is situated at the end of a bay with a shallow, sandy seabed that gives the water a truly magnificent light blue colour. Mlaska lies at the foot of a pine forest, with a small landing place for boats; behind it is a campsite equipped for campers and a few businesses, including a mini-market and a restaurant.
The bay of Perna is a beautiful sandy bay with a sea of many shades of blue, surrounded by dense pine forests. It is located on the southern coast of the island, near the village of Sućuraj; here you can enjoy the sun and blue sea in the midst of unspoilt nature.
We close the list of Hvar’s best beaches with Mrtinovik, a pebble beach. Also located on the south coast of the island, not far from Sucuraj, it captivates visitors with its nature and crystal-clear waters. It can be reached mainly by sea, with a crossing of about 8 km.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
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Budget accommodations 
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