Old Town Hvar Travel Guide: Timeless Charm, Lavender Fields & Local Flavors

Stari Grad is the historical heart of Hvar. UNESCO recognized its value in 2008 by inscribing both the old town and the Stari Grad Plain on the World Heritage List.

Among its most famous landmarks is Tvrdalj, a small 16th-century Renaissance castle with a fishpond and peaceful garden, once home to the poet Petar Hektorović. Walking through its courtyards feels like stepping into a piece of poetry carved in stone calm, timeless, and quietly beautiful.

Stari Grad Hvar is the place where you don’t rush; you wander. You follow the sound of church bells, the scent of honey, and the laughter of locals in stone-paved squares.

Unlike lively Hvar Town, where evenings spill into cocktails and beach bars, Stari Grad is for dreamers, cyclists, and slow travelers. It’s where sunlit fields stretch endlessly, locals greet you by name, and history feels alive in every corner.

Although you can, you don’t visit Stari Grad for the party you come for peace, authenticity, and a deep connection to the land.

We will start with the UNESCO-protected Stari Grad Plain. Walking or biking through the fields, you’re literally stepping on land that’s been farmed the same way since the Greeks. Olive trees, vineyards, and lavender fields make it perfect for photos, a leisurely stroll, or just soaking up history and scents.

It is surprisingly peaceful, especially in the early morning when the sun is just rising and the air is crisp. Birds sing, the soil smells fresh, and the old stone walls dividing the plots almost whisper stories from thousands of years ago.

Imagine ancient farmers planting grapes and olives under the same sun you’re enjoying today.

Our tip: For best experience – rent a bike. The flat terrain makes it ideal for cycling. Explore the fields at your own pace, stop at little family-run farms, taste fresh olives, and maybe even chat with locals – they love sharing a story or two about their land.

If you visit in summer, the fields are even more magical. Vineyards shimmer in the sun, olive trees cast cool shadows, and lavender bursts with color and scent.

The town itself is full of quiet charm. Stone streets wind past quaint squares, small cafés, and artisan shops where locals maintain centuries-old traditions. The pace is slower here, giving you time to notice details: carved doorways, centuries-old churches, and sunlight dancing across cobblestones.

Grab a coffee at a small café, wander side streets without a map, and get pleasantly lost. You might stumble upon a hidden courtyard or a local farmer selling lavender, olives, or honey – little surprises that make the town unforgettable.

Local taverns offer fresh seafood, olive oil tastings, regional wines like Plavac Mali or Pošip, and jars of that incredible honey. Don’t miss lavender-infused treats from artisan shops.

Our tip: Quality comes at a price, but it’s worth it. A leisurely lunch with local wine and a view of the plain? Slow down, savor, and thank yourself later.

By the time you leave, you’ll have a pocketful of stories, a head full of scents, and a heart that secretly hopes you’ll never have to go back to the real world. Stari Grad isn’t just a town – it’s a vibe, a feeling, and a full-on sensory mic drop.

Hvar’s countryside is a living museum for the senses, especially if you love wine and olive oil. Vineyards stretch across the rolling hills, their vines soaking up the island’s abundant sun.

Taste Bogdanuša, a crisp white with hints of Mediterranean herbs, Plavac Mali, a robust red carrying the island’s warmth in every sip, Pošip, a golden-hued white full of character, and the rare, almost mythical Prč – a tiny varietal with a story in every glass.

Tasting these wines straight from the producers is an experience in itself. Hear their stories, learn about the island’s unique terroir, and see how centuries-old traditions shape every bottle. The olive groves are equally impressive.

Ancient, gnarled trees, some over 2,500 years old, stand as silent witnesses to history. Watching locals harvest olives by hand and press the oil with meticulous care shows why Hvar’s olive oil is considered some of the finest in the Mediterranean.

Don’t miss the local honey while exploring Stari Grad. Hvar’s bees forage among lavender, rosemary, and wild herbs, creating a sweet, aromatic honey that’s truly one of a kind. Taste it straight from small family-run producers or grab a jar to take home.

Perfect on fresh bread, drizzled over cheese, or just by the spoonful – no judgment here.

Some of the lavender honey here comes from fields cultivated for over 2,000 years. Every spoonful is basically a history lesson you can eat.

You haven’t really visited Old Town Hvar if you haven’t heard the story of Starogrojski Paprenjok. This spiced biscuit has been part of island life for more than five centuries, a mix of honey, olive oil, cloves, and nutmeg wrapped in tradition.

Once made for sailors to take on long voyages, today it’s a sweet symbol of Hvar’s heritage, often shared with a glass of local wine or coffee while stories of the island’s past unfold.

In the old days, locals believed the paprenjok could predict the weather. If it softened, it meant the jugo wind and rain were on their way; if it stayed firm, clear skies were guaranteed.

Hvar’s lavender is more than just a visual delight – it’s a full sensory experience. The island’s sun-drenched soil and unique microclimate give the plants an extraordinary fragrance, richer and more intense than anywhere else. Visiting during peak season, late June to early July, is a moment to remember.

The air is thick with lavender scent, bees hum gently among the rows, and sunlight makes the violet blooms almost glow.

Walking through these endless fields, you feel why lavender is so deeply rooted in Hvar’s culture. Locals have tended these plants for centuries, using them for essential oils, soaps, festivals, remedies, and even culinary creations.

Small family-run producers continue these traditions today, crafting artisanal products to take a piece of Hvar home.

Photography tip: sunrise or sunset is magic. Real tip: touch the plants, breathe in the aroma, and forget your watch exists for a while.

Many farms also cultivate sustainably, so your visit supports the land too.

If you think you’ve seen all of Hvar’s charm, wait until you meet its cutest locals – the donkeys.

Just outside Stari Grad, Donkeys Are Great Farm is the kind of place that sneaks up on your heart. It’s calm, warm, and slightly chaotic in the best possible way (because, well, donkeys).

You can pet them, feed them, and hear stories about how these long-eared legends once carried the island’s entire economy on their backs – literally.

Now, they’re living their best retirement life surrounded by lavender fields and olive groves just as they deserve. The farm also makes natural cosmetics and local goodies, perfect if you like your souvenirs with a dose of kindness.

Come for the donkeys, stay for the hugs, and leave with the kind of grin that only a donkey selfie can explain. Most importantly, you’ll gain new friends – both the donkeys themselves and the amazing people who run the farm.

There’s no wrong way to explore Stari Grad, unless you try to rush it. This town doesn’t believe in hurry. It believes in long walks, slow sips, and taking wrong turns that somehow lead to the best views.

Hike: Lace up and get lost (in a good way). The cobblestone streets, coastal paths, and trails through olive groves are made for wandering. Every few steps, there’s a cat, a coffee, or a view that demands you stop pretending to be fit and just admire the scenery.

Bike: The Stari Grad Plain is the island’s version of a time machine, flat, ancient, and filled with stories. Pedal past vineyards and lavender fields that have been around since the Greeks, stop to meet locals who will definitely offer you something to taste, and pretend it’s part of your cultural research.

Jeep tour: When your legs officially give up (they will), jump into a jeep and let someone else handle the hills. You’ll bump along pine-scented roads, through forgotten villages, and end up at spots where the sea looks too good to be real. It’s adventure with just the right amount of dust in your hair and salt on your skin.

Our advice? Mix all three if you can. Walk a bit, bike a little, drive a lot, and stop often, preferably wherever there’s food, wine, or a curious donkey staring at you like you’re the entertainment.

Stari Grad is the kind of place that wakes up all your senses, even the ones you might forgot you had.

Everything here quietly reminds you that life was meant to be lived slowly. It’s where time stretches, thoughts soften, and somehow everything just makes sense again.

And the best way to reach this little time capsule? By sailing the Adriatic with us, of course. Some places deserve to be approached the old-fashioned way, gently, with the wind, wine and a smile.