Central Dalmatia
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Central Dalmatia - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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We’ve compiled the best of the best in Central Dalmatia - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
As its name suggests, Stari Grad, or Old Town, is one of the oldest towns in Europe, with some locals claiming it to be the oldest. Founded in the fourth century BC, this is the site of the original Greek settlement on Hvar, called Pharos by the Greeks. While much of the attraction in Stari Grad focuses on its ancient history, the city is still very much alive throughout the year. It is the entry point to the island for bus transportation from the mainland, as well as the car ferry terminal. It features a beautiful, walkable riviera and forest path, as well as a number of cultural attractions, such as the 15th-century Dominican Monastery of St. Peter the Martyr. The town is about 23 km (14 miles) east of Hvar Town.
Hvar's third main town is often overlooked, but that makes it all the more delightful once you do discover it as a more peaceful alternative to Hvar Town. On the northern coast of the island you will see many structures from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, though St. Mary's Church dates back to the early 1300s. A tower built by the ancient Greeks overlooks the harbor; it dates to the 3rd or 4th century BC. About 1 km (0.6 mile) east of the modern town is the older Grad, with the original fortified area that was protected by the fortress called Galešnik, and now stands in ruins. This small town is surrounded by a thick forest of pine trees, several resorts, and many swimmable beaches—including some the island's most popular nude beaches. The town is also famous for its annual Za Križen procession, a 500-year-old, UNESCO-protected Easter tradition during which a shoeless cross-bearer and a crowd embark on a 25 km (16 mile) overnight walk. Carrying the cross is considered very prestigious, and the wait time to do so can last decades.
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