10 Things to Do with Your Family in Hvar

Hvar Town’s promenade is where you'll find many of the island's best restaurants, cafés and bars. Overlooking the island's famous harbour, which is often full of luxurious yachts, the pedestrian-friendly walkway makes for a relaxing morning stroll with the family.

Explore along the waterfront from the southern edge of town and you'll pass by the beloved 15th-century Franciscan Monastery. It has a fascinating collection of ancient artefacts and paintings. As you approach the centre of town, eateries bustle with locals and travellers enjoying a meal in the sun. Choose a spot for breakfast and relish the alfresco atmosphere.

Hora Farm proudly displays Croatia's extensive agricultural history. Located in the historic town of Stari Grad, on the northern side of the island, Hora Farm has a sprawling countryside landscape for the entire family to explore. Highlights include a rolling section of lavender and a vegetable patch, which stocks the owner's nearby farm-to-table restaurant, Marinero.

Hora Farm also supports a range of animals, which the kids are free to go and pet. From horses and donkeys to pigs and cows, Hora Farm's open plains make for a pleasant rural experience. Meanwhile, the ancient stone house at the centre of the farm provides an excellent lunch spot, serving traditional Dalmatian fare overlooking the surrounding vineyards.

The semi-submarine at Restaurant Gariful provides the ideal kid-friendly experience as you set about exploring Hvar from underwater. Operating from May to October, the submarine runs 30-minute tours that give you a glimpse of the region's sea life, including dolphins. Climb aboard this specially designed glass-bottomed vessel and experience the Adriatic Sea from a new perspective.

The semi-submarine departs from in front of the restaurant, situated along Hvar Town's waterfront. You'll sail across the Adriatic to Galešnik Island, which forms part of the nearby Pakleni Islands. The semi-submarine is an affordable and fun time out for everyone involved.

The Pakleni Islands are a fantastic spot to explore when you want to leave behind the crowds of Hvar Town. Set just a short boat ride away, the Pakleni Islands are easy to reach and offer a series of serene promenades and restaurants.

To get there, head down to Hvar Town harbour and you'll find plenty of sailors ready to take you across to the islands. There's also the option of renting your own boat for the day. Once you arrive, grab a drink from one of the nearby restaurants and wander along a path that cuts through to the other side of the island.

Dubovica Beach is one of the best waterfront spots on the island of Hvar. With travellers coming from near and far to experience Croatia's much-loved coastline, sun-lovers won't be disappointed here. Situated 8 km from Hvar Town, the pebble beach fades into the distinctly turquoise water, which remains clear year-round. The waters surrounding the picturesque bay are shallow enough for the little ones to go for a dip.

Towering pine trees and olive groves provide some shade along the top of the beach. There's also a charming restaurant serving pizzas, cold drinks and ice cream, which the kids will certainly appreciate. To get to Dubovica Beach quickly, boats leave regularly from the harbour in Hvar Town.  

Hvar Sea Kayak is your chance to head out across the water and experience its beauty from up close. A professional kayaking guide will take you on a safe journey across the Adriatic and share some intriguing local knowledge. They offer morning, afternoon and sunset tours, with each adventure lasting around 3 to 4 hours. You'll leave from Krizna Luka Beach and paddle out towards the Pakleni Islands.

Hvar Sea Kayak’s tours are mostly suitable for children. It's a good idea for 1 parent to share a double-seat sea kayak with each young child, though teenagers are welcome to paddle on their own.

The long-deserted village of Malo Grablje (Little Grablje) provides incredible insight into Hvar's relatively recent history. Situated above Milna Bay, this quaint village was evacuated in the 1960s when the entire population of the town decided to move to nearby Milna. The reason was that a disease destroyed the entire town's crop of grapes, leaving most of the residents with no way to earn money.

Today, much of the town's buildings remain ready and waiting to be explored. You can also see how nature has started taking back many of the abandoned structures. If you’re departing from the town of Velo Grablje, Malo Grablje can be reached on foot after around 2 km.

Katedrala Svetog Stjepana (Cathedral of St. Stephen) is located at the top of Hvar Town’s main square. Built between the 16^th and 17^th centuries at the height of the Dalmatian Renaissance, the cathedral hosts a variety of ancient paintings and artefacts. These works offer an excellent glimpse into the work of some of the region's most famous historical figures.

Featuring an iconic baroque design, the cathedral has a distinctive belltower and age-old stone reliefs that showcase religious figures. Once you've finished exploring the cathedral, there are numerous restaurants and cafés just around the corner, where you can enjoy a sit-down feast with the family.

Situated in Jelsa, Adventure Park Hvar offers a huge variety of activities for kids. Opened in 2011 with just a forest and a paintball field, the park has since grown to include archery, peddle bikes, trampolines and a variety of sports courts. Thanks to the park's proximity to the sea – only 5 minutes' walk away – once you've worn yourself out, you can head straight to the water to cool off.

You'll find some of the island's top dining destinations in nearby Jelsa. Find a spot along the waterfront and gaze out across to the nearby island of Brač and the Biokovo mountain range.

For learning about local history, the Stari Grad Museum provides awesome insight into the region's emergence since the 5^th century. Set within a former Neo-Renaissance family home known as Biankini Palace, this is an interesting place to spend a couple of hours.

Inside, there's an incredible array of ancient decorations, which have been preserved in great detail. Meanwhile, the permanent collection and evolving exhibitions highlight other rich aspects of Croatian society. Featuring archaeological remains that span everything from a sunken 4th-century Roman ship to some extraordinary trinkets amassed by historic shipping companies, the Stari Grad Museum is a fascinating stop on any family trip to Hvar.