The Wedding Atlas · Croatia · Hvar
Getting Married in Hvar
Lavender fields above a Venetian harbour, on a Dalmatian island reached by sea. Hvar is the best-known island in Croatia. Hvar Town, at the western end, has a natural harbour framed by Venetian architecture: the Cathedral of Saint Stephen with its campanile, the Arsenal and loggia, and the Spanish Fortica fortress above. The Pakleni Islands, a chain of pine-covered islets a short water-taxi ride away, supply the beaches and swimming coves.
Part of the Hvar destination guide.
- Best months
- May, June, September
Where to marry
Where to Get Married in Hvar
Hvar Town
The main hub, built round a natural harbour with Venetian buildings and the Fortica above. Licensed venues in or above the town, with the harbour and the Pakleni Islands below, give the classic Hvar view.
Pakleni Islands
A chain of pine-covered islands reached only by boat and free of cars. A reception at a private cove, reached by chartered water taxis, is the most Hvar format there is.
Stari Grad and the Plain
The quieter cultural capital of the island. The Stari Grad Plain is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an ancient Greek farming landscape. Tvrdalj Castle, the Renaissance home of the poet Petar Hektorović, is open to small ceremony groups.
Jelsa and the east
A mid-island settlement, quieter than Hvar Town, with a local, family-oriented feel. The Ivan Dolac slopes, which give the island's best Plavac Mali, lie east of it by road.
Find your area
Hvar on the map
Hvar
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A Wedding in Hvar
Lavender fields above a Venetian harbour, on a Dalmatian island reached by sea
Lavender covers the central plateau above Hvar Town and blooms in June and July. A wedding can draw on it in styling, menus and favours. The Plavac Mali wines of the Ivan Dolac appellation on the south coast are among the best made in Croatia.
The island has no airport and is reached by ferry from Split. In July and August Hvar Town has a strong party scene around the harbour, and May, June and September are calmer.
Choosing a setting
Choosing a wedding setting in Hvar
Venetian palace in town
A Venetian palace in Hvar Town, restored as a small hotel with a harbour-view terrace restaurant, is the most architecturally distinguished small property on the island.
Fortress and historic site
The Fortica, a sixteenth-century Spanish fortress above Hvar Town, can be used for private events through the local culture office. Tvrdalj Castle suits intimate groups. Both need outside catering and early coordination.
Private villa hire
Private villas with pools stand in the hills above Hvar Town and across the interior, arranged through specialist agencies.
Pakleni Islands boat event
Chartered water taxis carry the whole party to a private cove or beach club for the ceremony and reception. Catering is external and needs coordination with island operators.
The season
When to get married
July and August bring excellent weather but also the harbour nightlife at its most intense. May and June are the better wedding months, with lavender starting to bloom. September is equally good, with a warm sea and the Ivan Dolac harvest beginning.
Recommended wedding months: May, June, September. Peak season is July, August, and the shoulder months are April, October.
Getting there
How guests arrive
Hvar has no airport, and the gateway is Split. A fast catamaran runs from Split harbour to Hvar Town, and a car ferry serves Stari Grad. The car ferry is needed for vehicles, and water taxis serve the Pakleni Islands in summer.
Split Airport (SPU). The main gateway for Hvar, served by several UK carriers. From Split harbour the fast catamaran runs several times daily in season.
Dubrovnik Airport (DBV). For guests combining Hvar with Dubrovnik, a seasonal fast catamaran links the two cities.
Where guests stay
Under one roof, or nearby
Stays range from boutique heritage hotels in Hvar Town to resorts, private villas and smaller properties in Stari Grad and Jelsa. Peak-season availability is tight, so July and August need booking far ahead.
Heritage palace in Hvar Town
A sixteenth-century Venetian palace in the town centre, restored to a contemporary standard, with a harbour-view terrace restaurant.
Resort on the western headland
The largest resort on the island sits on the western headland of Hvar Town bay and suits larger groups wanting self-contained facilities.
Private beach outside town
A smaller hotel a short walk from Hvar Town has a private beach and terrace.
Villas above Hvar Town
More private villas with pools, sea views and gardens are appearing in the hills.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Hvar
Food on Hvar is Dalmatian with a strong local identity: fresh Adriatic fish, slow-cooked lamb and octopus, island wine, and lavender as a culinary signature.
Gregada
The traditional white fish stew of Hvar, made with grouper or sea bass, potato, onion and white wine in a clay pot. It uses freshly caught local fish.
Peka
Lamb or octopus baked slowly under an iron bell covered in embers and scented with rosemary. It must be ordered a day ahead.
Ivan Dolac Plavac Mali
A concentrated, strong red from terraced south-facing slopes reached only by boat or a steep mountain road. Production is small.
Good to know
Before you book
No airport on Hvar
All guests arrive by ferry from Split. Late arrivals may need a night in Split, so the last evening service should be checked.
Hvar Town in July and August
In peak season the harbour nightlife is very intense. Where calm is the priority, May, June and September are preferable.
Currency
Croatia uses the euro. Cards are accepted at hotels and most restaurants, and cash helps for market stalls and water-taxi operators.
People who work in Croatia
Planners, photographers and other wedding professionals based in Croatia.
Questions couples ask
Before you decide
How do guests travel to and around Hvar?
All guests arrive by ferry from Split, by fast catamaran to Hvar Town or car ferry to Stari Grad. On the island, taxis, scooters and local buses link the main settlements.
Will lavender be in bloom for a June wedding?
Yes. The fields on the central plateau typically bloom from late May through July, peaking in June and early July. Dried island lavender suits the favours.
Can the ceremony take place on the Pakleni Islands?
Yes, with coordination. Several beach clubs and restaurants operate there in summer. A private cove needs chartered water taxis, agreement with the island operator and all catering brought in.
What is Ivan Dolac wine?
Ivan Dolac is the most celebrated wine appellation on Hvar, on the south-facing slopes between Jelsa and Sveta Nedjelja. Vines grow on terraced limestone above the sea and give a deep, concentrated Plavac Mali.
When is the best time of year for a Hvar wedding?
July and August bring excellent weather but also the harbour nightlife at its most intense. May and June are the better wedding months, with lavender starting to bloom. September is equally good, with a warm sea and the Ivan Dolac harvest beginning.
Meet Aura
A planner who has read every venue in Hvar
Tell Aura the setting, the season and the size of your day. She shortlists the venues and professionals that fit, and explains why.
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This guide draws on the venues' own published details, official sources and the knowledge of our editors. Entry and legal information can change, so confirm it with the authority that will marry you before you book.