The Old Town wraps around St Stephen's Square, the large marble piazza at the heart of Hvar Town in Croatia. It's the most atmospheric base, threaded with stepped stone lanes and steps away from restaurants, cafes and the path up to the Fortica fortress — ideal for first-timers who want to walk everywhere.
The square opens onto the cathedral at one end and the harbour at the other, with the Fortica rising on the hill behind. Alleys are narrow, stepped and largely car-free, so it's a place you explore on foot; days are busy with day-trippers and evenings settle into a warm, lantern-lit buzz around the piazza.
Getting around
Everything central is a few minutes' walk, and the Fortica is a 15–20 minute uphill climb from the square. Reach the mainland via the harbour ferries to Split, then onward to Split airport (SPU); note that cars can't enter the core, so expect to carry luggage over cobbles and steps.
Before you book this area
- Vibe
- Historic, atmospheric and walkable, with the town's main sights on your doorstep.
- Watch out for
- Stepped, car-free lanes make wheeled luggage and late-night noise a real consideration.
- Nightlife
- Bars and restaurants cluster around the square and nearby streets, lively but slightly calmer than the Riva.
Frequently asked
Can I bring a car into the Old Town?
No — the historic core is pedestrianised, so you'll park outside town and walk in, often over cobbles and steps with your bags.
Is it too noisy to sleep here in summer?
Central lanes near bars can be lively late; rooms set back from the square and main restaurant streets are noticeably quieter.
Comparing areas? See the full Hvar area guide →
Other areas near Old Town (around St Stephen's Square)
Sources
- OpenStreetMap — neighbourhood boundaries and orientation (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL)
- ReasonStay methodology — how areas are chosen and facts are verified
An independent guide to Old Town (around St Stephen's Square), Hvar — honest orientation, no invented data.