Beaches

Although there are several pretty beaches within walking distance of Hvar Town—the best-equipped being the Hotel Amfora's pebble beach, 10 minutes west of the main square—sun worshippers in the know head for the nearby Pakleni Otoci, which can be reached by taxi-boats that depart regularly (in peak season, every hour, from 8 to 8) from the town harbor. The best known and best served are Sveti Jerolim (on the island of the same name, partially a nudist beach), Stipanska (on the island of Marinkovac, clothing-optional), and Palmižana (on the island of Sveti Klement, also clothing-optional).

Carpe Diem Beach. Doubling as a daytime beach club and an after-dark party venue, Carpe Diem Beach lies on the tiny pine-scented island of Stipanska, a 10-minute taxi-boat ride from Hvar Town's harbor. It has two pebble beaches complete with wooden sun-beds and big parasols, an outdoor pool, and an open-air massage pavilion. There's also a lounge-bar and restaurant, and from mid-July to mid-August it hosts international DJs, playing till sunrise. By night, free taxi boats depart from outside Carpe Diem Bar. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; swimming. Stipanska, Hvar, Splitsko-Dalmatinska, 21450. 099/446–8468; www.carpe-diem-beach-hvar.com.