Hen Party Activities in Hvar

Did you know?

• Were you ever a fan of the movie 101 Dalmatians? Well, dog-lovers rejoice as this breed originates from the Dalmatia region of Croatia.
• Hvar is the land of purple fields! Its abundant lavender production makes the countryside an absolute pleasure to stroll in – it smells great too!
• For budding actors and playwrights, you’ll be pleased to know that Hvar is home to Europe’s oldest theatre which was established in 1612.
• Rumour has it that if you give birth on a boat crossing between Hvar and Jadrolinjia, your child will have free travel on the ferry… for life! Something to consider before you book?
• The island has many regional dialects meaning, somehow, there are eight different ways to say the word ‘chisel’. So good luck to you if you fancy building a stone wall during your stay.
• Hvar’s Stari Grad Plain is one of the oldest agricultural plots, laid by the Ionian Greeks in the 4th Century and is listed as a world heritage site. Here you’ll find plenty of ancient ruins – perfect for the explorers amongst your group!
• Hvar means ‘where’ in Icelandic. This fact won’t help you during your hen weekend in Hvar, but something to remember if you ever go to Iceland.
• Hvar has gone by many names. The Greeks named it Pharos and the Romans called it Pharia. The Italian name was Lesina and its Croatian name Is Hvar.
• Lavender and its oil used to be Hvar’s biggest export.
• Clever Ivan Vučetić from Hvar invented dactylography, discovering lawbreakers using fingerprints.
• Hvar gained the nickname "the sunny Hvar" for being the Croatian island with the best weather.
• Stari Grad Plain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, well worth a visit during your Hvar hen do.

Hvar in numbers

• Hvar has around 2,700 hours of sunlight every year, making it the sunniest island in Europe, so don’t forget your sun cream.
• There has been debate around how many islands Croatia actually has. It was once hailed as the ‘country of 1,000 islands’ but has since been revised to a whopping 1,246!
• Hvar is home to around 11,000 people. No wonder hen groups come here for a little peace and quiet.
• Hvar has been a tourist hot spot for over 150 years. Are your ready to make your mark?
• The gorgeous coastline here extends for over 167 miles.
• There 2x the amount of winebars than nightclubs in Hvar Town.
• One the 10 oldest olive trees in the world is in Hvar. It's over 2,500 years old!
• Faros Marathon takes place every year. This 16km race is one of the most challenging annual swims in the world, attracting even Olympic gold medal winners!

Activities for Foodie Hen Parties in Hvar

During your hen weekend in Hvar, you can expect lots of delicious Mediterranean food that is sure to make your mouth water and get your taste buds tingling. Even if you’re staying in a self-catering apartment, you won’t want to miss out on some of the top-rated restaurants and cafes that the town has to offer.

Croatia is well-known for its cultivation of truffles (not the chocolate kind, sorry). These fungi are quite the gourmet treat and well worth trying on your Hvar hen do. If all this talk of food has got you peckish, here are some of our favourite restaurants on the island.

Fig - Ivana Frane Biundovica 3, 21450, Hvar

- For a nutritious and utterly delicious lunch, you’ll want to try Fig, a cosy, authentic eatery situated on one of Hvar’s cobbled side streets. Fig prides itself in locally sourced, quality ingredients inspired by the travels of its founders, Rob and Geoff. Try pear and blue cheese flatbread, green chilli burritos or tangerine and beet salad. If the bride-to-be is a foodie, then this is a must during her last weekend of freedom in Hvar!

Dalmatino - Ul. Sveti Marak 1, 21450, Hvar

- If you’re looking for a sophisticated meal out, you’ll want to try Dalmatino in the heart of Hvar town. This restaurant is number one on trip advisor, but don’t worry, this is not a tourist trap. You’ll find both locals and travellers here tucking into steaks, gnocchi, olives, truffles and gorgeous seafood. The menu is in several different languages so you can order with ease as you toast to your special occasion.

Happy Cow - Riva 22, 21450, Hvar

- I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! During your sun-soaked hen do in Hvar, you’re going to need as many excuses to cool down as possible. That could mean jumping into the sea or tucking into some devilishly indulgent dairy goodness! If you’re looking for an ice cream bar on the beach with as many different flavours as there are colours in the rainbow, then feast your eyes on Happy Cow on the Obala Riva. You’ll find a frozen counter filled with delicious gelato, from classic chocolate, strawberry and vanilla, all the way to the weird and wonderful flavours that only ice cream can pull off. Think watermelon, cherry, pistachio and lemon. They also offer refreshing fruit smoothies and sugar-packed milkshakes. What are you waiting for?!

Hvar is the party island of Croatia. The locals here know how to throw a good time, so you will not be stuck for places to dance and celebrate the night away during your Hvar hen party.

Cocktail Making - Shake up a storm with the hens as you try your hand at cocktail making. Head to a central bar where a professional mixologist will take you under their wing and teach you how to whip up the most delicious drinks in town. You’ll drink everything you make and will enjoy a party atmosphere, making this activity ideal for a big night out.

Bar Crawl - Take all the hassle out of organising your hen night in Hvar by hopping on a guided bar crawl. You’ll gain entry to several top bars, enjoying drinks in each and letting your hair down. The bars are within easy walking distance from each other so you can wear your favourite heels! You’ll end your night on a high in a banging nightclub. What’s not to love?

Hula Hula - Petrićevo šetalište 10, 21450, Hvar

- Hula Hula in Hvar is the place for sunset dances and DJ nights on the beach. They have it all here. You can enjoy chilled massages in the day and a pumping dance floor in the evening. If this sounds like your kind of night, make sure to book you and the girls a private table with a bottle of spirits to kick your celebrations off to a roaring start.

The Beach Party at Hula Hula is guaranteed to be a night to remember. Just imagine enjoying complementary drinks as you party hard and watch the sunset. What an amazing backdrop to your selfies and group photos. We recommend heading here early as the bar winds down between 9pm and 11pm, by which time it will be time to move onto the next party!

Kiva - Fabrika 26, 21450, Hvar

- If you’re looking for a bar that is jam-packed with locals, tourists and an outrageously fun atmosphere, then head down to Kiva which is tucked down a cute little alleyway in central Hvar. Here you can dance to a mixture of genres including old school hip hop, dance and pop. This nightclub is the perfect place to let your hair down and show off your moves during your hen do in Hvar.

Nautica - Fabrika 26, 21450, Hvar

- To complete your tour of Hvar’s nightlife, you’ll want to check out Nautica which is a go-to stop on the bar crawl circuit. You can sit on the waterfront and enjoy carefully prepared cocktails in a luxurious setting that will make you feel like true royalty during your bachelorette party in Hvar. Once the party is in full swing, you can shimmy away to some techno and Euro-disco.

The Best Time for a Hen Party in Hvar

If you’ve chosen a hen do in Hvar for the weather, then you’ll be pleased to know that the 2,700 days of sunlight every year means the island enjoys mild winters and scorching summers. Peak season is in July and August, meaning flights will be more expensive.

Therefore, we recommend going slightly earlier, or later in the year for your hen do in Hvar. September is the month when the locals pick grapes, the tourists go home, and the weather is still gorgeous. If you want to visit during Hvar’s peak flower season, we recommend June when the lavender is full bloom. (Although, perhaps not ideal for bride’s who suffer from bad hay fever!).

If you’re throwing a Hvar hen party later in the year, October is a fantastic time to go while the sea is still warm. If you’re from somewhere where the weather is less predictable (like the UK!), you’ll be in your element as you enjoy the sun’s rays throughout your day. Plus, you’ll avoid the hordes of tourists, meaning more space on the beach for sunbathing and cocktails on the sand.

And it doesn’t end there. For hens wishing to visit during the festive season, you can wander around traditional Christmas markets, enjoy elegant concerts, and indulge in festive Croatian delicacies. You really can’t go wrong!

Getting to Your Hvar Hen Do

When you first fly into Croatia, you’ll land in Dubrovnik in Split (note: this is where the mega popular TV series Game of Thrones was filmed) before taking a ferry ride across the Adriatic Sea for around two hours. You can fly from most UK airports to Split in just over four hours.

Getting Around During Your Hvar Hen Do

On Hvar itself, you’ll disembark the ferry at Hvar Old Town, an amazing place to explore with a rustic feel. St Stephen’s Cathedral and Square are a must visit. Buses run regularly from the centre to different regions including Stari Grad, Jelsa and Vrboska.

We recommend taking a hike along the Lavender Road (hay fever sufferers be warned!) or picking up a bike and cycling the Stari Grad Plain during the cooler months. Make the most of the gorgeous Croatian weather and explore the island as much as possible by foot. Top up your tan while you sightsee; what’s not to love! You can rent a car if you’d like to explore further afield.

Finally, a Hvar hen do would not be complete without a trip to the Pakleni Islands, the archipelago that sits just a twenty-minute boat ride from the main island. You and the girls can take a gentle sailing trip out onto the sea and spend the day on one of the secluded beaches.