Hvar

Hvar town (pronounced Var) clusters around its waterfront with St Stephens’s square opening directly to the harbor and the old town terracing up the hillside. Passenger boats arrive directly at the harbor making it a handy daytrip from Split, or a handy 5-6 hour stopping point when taking the ferry from Split to Hvar and on to Korčula. Around the square you find the Arsenal building housing a museum explaining the towns importance on the sailing route between Venice and the Mediterranean. The cathedral of St Stephen dominates the square. The most interesting sight is the Benedictine Convent (Benediktini Smostan) with inmates spend their lives making intricate lace. The Franciscan Monastery, reached by walking along the waterfront beyond the harbor, rounds out the sights in town. A 20 minute uphill hike finds you at Hvar Fortress high above the town.