The vast majority of travelers to Hvar never make it past Hvar Town. They come for the nightlife. In the day, they stroll the boardwalk and marina, find a crowded beach.
But they’re missing out on a whole other (and I’d argue better) side of Hvar.
If you’re the type of traveler who enjoys going off-the-beaten-path and finding hidden beaches and sweeping views, all it takes is a short drive outside of town.
So rent a scooter in Hvar and go do it! I’ll walk you through it in this post.
Note: When you’re done here, check out my 1-Week Croatia Island Hopping Itinerary, where I give the best stops on any trip to the Croatian Islands (including Hvar, of course).
Why Rent a Scooter in Hvar
Renting a scooter always gives unmatched flexibility, without the hassle of having to rent a car. Wherever you go, it allows you to be an explorer rather than a tourist.
That’s my pitch for scooters in general. But here’s my pitch for Hvar specifically.
Within a few minutes’ drive of Hvar Town, the roads start winding upward into the mountains. Soon you’ll be riding through lavender fields, with unobstructed views over both sides of the island.
Then you can descend to the southern coast, which is dotted with incredible little coves.
All of this is attainable with minimal effort. So go rent that bike! If you can drive one, of course. If not, rent a car or buggy.
Note: Since you’re the type of traveler who will just hop on a motorbike and go explore, chances are you’ll love this new app I created, a map app called Offpath showing off-the-beaten-path spots around the world. The places we’ll be discussing are perfect examples – you can see them pinned on Offpath above.
How to Rent a Scooter in Hvar
Wherever in the world I’m renting a motorbike, I always follow the same script.
Simply go on Google Maps, search rental places and find the ones with the best reviews and lowest prices. Simple.
There is a cluster of rental places on the edge of the main part of Hvar Town, which you’ll see if you click the link above. A few of these are fine (again, check ratings). But if you don’t mind walking a little, prices will be better on the outskirts. Skanski and Zorana are good options.
Contact places before going to double-check up-to-date prices. Usually they leave contact info (varies, usually Whatsapp number) on Google Maps.
Prices will run you around $30-50 USD per day. If you’re on a budget, don’t pay higher than that, as you can certainly find for under $50.
Note: Heading to Bol next? Check out my posts on the 6 Best Things to Do in Bol, + Where to Stay in Bol for Every Budget.
The Best Scooter Route on Hvar
So now you have the scooter. Where do you go?
The best scooter route on Hvar takes you from town, up to the top of the island for those incredible views, then back down along the coves of the southern coast.
You’ll notice I only have two spots pinned on the map – the lavender fields and a single cove.
While these are the only pinned stops, the entire ride is outrageously beautiful and the drive itself is the main activity. So make sure to enjoy it, and take as many stops at as many viewpoints as possible!
Note: This route only covers a small section of Hvar, and will not take too long to complete (can be driven in under an hour). If you have more time, venture further into the island and explore new areas!
The Lavender Fields
Regardless of the time of year, Hvar’s lavender fields are worth a visit.
Peak lavender season in Hvar runs from mid-June to early July, when the colors are most vibrant. However, the area still retains an amazing remote, beautiful quality even when the colors fade.
The lavender fields are a 10-15 minute drive from Hvar Town. It’s incredible how quickly you go from the crowded beach town to the beautiful fields, high up on Hvar.
Top of Hvar Roads
After enjoying the lavender fields, continue to wind your way up the roads.
The roads at and past the lavender fields are a joy to drive. As you continue to ascend, you’ll get a view of the north coast of the island, with Brač in the distance.
Eventually, you crest the very top of Hvar – and your view transitions to the south coast of Hvar, where you’ll be headed next.
Malo Borče Cove
There are a bunch of coves located along the southern coast of Hvar, and many of them don’t require a long drive.
The one I recommend you go to is Malo Borče, which is small, beautiful, and usually empty.
It’s a rock beach with beautiful bright blue waters, and a cliff area to the right that’s nice to explore.
Driving the scooter directly down to the beach is technically possible, but the narrow path down to the cove is pretty horrible. I’d recommend parking when it starts getting difficult and finishing the rest by foot.
I do apologize for the only picture I managed to take while at the cove. Hopefully you get the idea 😂.
Tips for Scootering in Hvar
A few things to note.
Time your ride correctly. You want to try and ride through the lavender fields at sunset, if possible. With the unobstructed views of the island from coast to coast, sunset up here is magical.
That being said, you don’t want to be going the cove after dark. So you have a couple of options, if you want to go for sunset. First, you can simply do the loop in reverse and start at the cove, then finish with the fields. Alternatively, you can do them completely separate – first the cove, then head back to town for lunch and do the fields at sunset.
There’s not much else to mention. Just common sense stuff like have enough fuel, for instance.
Final Thoughts
People go to Hvar for the nightlife, and rightfully so. But you’ve gotta be there for the day anyway, so make the absolute most of it.
To summarize, this is a short loop that has some of the most incredible views in all of Croatia. And it’s all located within minutes of where all the tourists are, yet few reach it.
Be one of the ones that does.
