Your stay in Jelsa puts you in the perfect location to visit our neighbouring towns, villages and other areas around the Island of Hvar, each offering their own unique atmosphere and individual experiences. For guest arriving without their own transportation, regular bus service connects Jelsa to many other island destinations. Daily or multi-day car, scooter and bicycle rentals are available from local agencies too.
With its small stone houses, Gothic, Neo-Renaissance and Baroque style architecture and series of walking bridges crossing the canal that winds its way through town, it's not a surprise that Vrboska is often referred to as "Little Venice". The quiet, picturesque town of Vrboska brings plenty of cultural insight and historical highlights. A visit to the Fishermen’s Museum reveals Vrboska's fishing tradition through an impressive collection of fishing equipment and preserved Adriatic sea life and the interestingly shaped Church fort of St. Mary boasts an impressive collection of artworks and an observation post with a fantastic view.
Celebrating 2400 years in 2016, the town of Stari Grad is recognized as one of the oldest towns in Europe. The fishing village is home to Tvrdalj Castle, the fortified summer residence of Croatia’s most prominent Renaissance poet Petar Hektorović and the Dominican Monestary of St. Peter the Martyr, where you can view local archaeological discoveries, including stone inscriptions dating back to 4th c. BC, in the museum. Walking paths and bicycle routes lead through the UNESCO protected Stari Grad Plain, one of the best-preserved examples of ancient Greek agriculture throughout the Mediterranean region which still remains in use today.
The town of Hvar is the largest town on the island. A popular destination for yacht enthusiasts, the bustling port town is well known for high glamour, hip nightlife and breathtaking views. A visit to Hvarska pjaca, the largest town square in Dalmatia, will not only put you front and centre to watch the world go by, but also puts you among historical features including Europe’s first public theatre and the beautiful town loggia and clock tower. Above the city is the remarkable Fortica Španjola (Spanish Fortress) where you are treated to an unbelievable panoramic view of the city, port and Pakleni Islands.
Wind your way along the narrow road through the historic village of Pitve and into the 1400m long cave-like tunnel that connects Hvar’s northern side to the south. At the far end of the adventurous car-width tunnel you are rewarded with a spectacular panoramic view across the open sea. Once here, a visit to the villages of Zavala, Ivan Dolac and Sv. Nedelja reveals vegetation and landscape unique to the south side of Hvar and unobstructed views of Šcedro and Korčula. Upon your return back through the Pitve tunnel, we recommend a detour through the rural villages of Vrisnik and Svirče before heading home to Jelsa.
With many of the old stone homes still standing on original foundations from the early Stone Age, a visit to the abandoned village of Humac is a true step back in time. Find your way to the viewpoint where you can see the island of Hvar stretch out beneath you in every direction and enjoy a 360 degree view of the Adriatic Sea, neighbouring islands and Croatia’s mainland coastline. A visit to the prehistoric Grapčeva Cave, one of the oldest discoveries in the Adriatic and the Mediterranean, reveals hallways and chambers of stalactites and stalagmites; a Neolithic wonder and an unforgettable sight.
Perhaps the most famous image of Dalmatia comes from photos of Zlatni Rat on the Island of Brač, the spectacular white pebble beach and gorgeous green pine grove extending from the town of Bol out into the Adriatic Sea is the perfect picture of paradise. Although located off of the Island of Hvar, the short distance and ease of access still makes Zlatni Rat beach one of the most popular day trips for visitors. The Jadrolinija catamaran line connects daily; leaving early morning and returning late afternoon, while a number of excursions and organized tours are offered daily from local agencies.