Stari Grad

One of the oldest towns in Europe, founded as Pharos by Greek colonists from the island of Paros in 384 BC on Hvar. The surrounding Stari Grad Plain still shows the ancient Greek field divisions and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Stari Grad sits in Dalmatia, a part of Croatia with its own character, and the city & town is the reason most people stop.

Mornings are quieter and cooler. Most old towns wake up slowly, so an early coffee is worth the effort.

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 for the route. Croatian town parking is mostly paid and marked with blue P signs; if your trip involves an island, build buffer time in for the ferry.

Timing your trip

Aim for May to October at Stari Grad, and within that, June and September for warm water without the peak crowds. High summer means heat and queues; winter, by contrast, is quiet, cheap and surprisingly handsome inland.

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