I visited Hvar on my second trip to Europe. I had heard fantastic things about this renowned Croatian island, and after arriving, I was definitely not disappointed. This European travel destination has been frequented by many notable celebrities (looking at you Jay-z and Beyonce), has a world-class nightlife, delicious seafood, and picturesque marina where luxurious yachts dock from all over the world.

Travelers have patronized this Mediterranean oasis for centuries, and it is not hard to see why. Numerous publications have ranked Hvar as one of the most beautiful islands in the world, and after visiting, it is difficult to debate that statement by any metric.

I spent four days on the island, and that seemed to be the right amount of time. The island is not that big, but there are many things to do to keep one occupied for a short trip. I spent most of my days lying on the beach, listening to music, sipping adult beverages while occasionally jumping in the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea. For most travelers, this is the routine during the daytime, but the night is when this island comes to life.

During the summer, the sunset is around 9pm and that is when the streets of Hvar town come alive. The sleepy tourists that have been snoozing at the beach only a few hours earlier have now become party revilers that planned to dance until breakfast time.

I experienced a few bars and clubs during my time in Hvar, but the one that stuck out the most was Carpe Diem. Carpe Diem, Hula Hula, and Pink Champagne were the most popular clubs during my time there. The reason Carpe Diem stood out was that besides their epic day parties, they also had an all-night party in which you had to take a 15-minute taxi boat to get to another island! The other location was called Carpe Diem Beach, which is in Stipanska Bay. The music mostly catered to the EDM crowd, but the ambiance and energy of the Carpe Diem Beach allowed me to get lost in the beats until the sun came up. One of my fondest memories during my years of traveling was taking the water taxi from Stipanska Bay back to Hvar town, laughing with old and new friends watching the sunrise.

Visiting Hvar island was one of my most memorable experiences in Europe. The people, the energy, the gastronomy, and nightlife are second to none. Although Hvar is one of the most expensive places to visit in Croatia, do not let that deter you from enjoying at least a few days on the “Island of the Sun.” Who knows, you may even rub shoulders with Queen B or JIgga.
Have you been to Hvar Island? Have anything to add? Leave a comment below.