Malo Grablje

A stone village tucked in the hills of Hvar, founded in the 16th century. Residents gradually left for the coast through the 20th century, drawn by tourism, until the village was empty. Its houses and narrow lanes now sit untouched.

Malo Grablje sits in Dalmatia, a part of Croatia with its own character, and the abandoned place is the reason most people stop.

Ruins are unstable. Do not climb on structures, watch for loose masonry and never go in alone. Many of these places are sites of difficult history, so move quietly and take nothing.

Practical info

• Entry: look up the current price and opening hours before you go. Both change through the year, and a few spots close completely out of season.
• How to get there: Tap the map above for exact directions. In Croatian towns parking is usually signposted and paid, look for the blue P zones. If you are island hopping, leave buffer time for the ferries.

Best time to visit

For Malo Grablje, May to October is the dependable window. June and September are ideal, warm and lighter on crowds than July and August. In winter the country turns quieter and cheaper, especially in the inland cities.

This is part of an open Croatia library by Photograph by John, real places, real maps, no paywall. Share it if it was useful.