Hvar is undeniably one of the most incredible places to visit in not only Croatia… but also Europe. It is home to tranquil secluded beaches, fine dining experiences, and even crazy nightlife that could compete with world-renowned party capitals like Ibiza. With all that being said, there is one thing the island of Hvar really lacks – wild camping spots. We stayed on Hvar for a little over a week, and at times struggled to find spots to wild camp, especially near the small towns.
We have broken this post down into the three main towns on the island and also a few more secluded honourable mentions.
Where to wild camp near Hvar Old Town
Of all the small towns on the Island of Hvar, Hvar Old Town was the one which left the biggest impression on us. Not only is it jam-packed full of history and stunning architecture, but it is also the liveliest – with a distinctly youthful feel.
Finding somewhere to wild camp near Hvar Old Town was not difficult – if you don’t mind climbing up and down hills!
Where to park overnight
The spot we stayed was in the car park for Tvrdava Fortica – an impressive 16th Century castle housing artefacts that date back to the middle ages. This spot boasts panoramic views over the town and is the perfect spot to watch the world go by. Due to it being above the city, it is surprisingly peaceful, perfect for getting a good night’s sleep. Conversely, it is also located within a stone’s throw from all the action. A mere ten-minute walk will take you into the heart of Hvar Old Town. So whether you are looking to party the night away… and then stumble up the hill, or simply soak in the beauty of the town from afar, this is the spot for you.
Unfortunately, due to this spot being a car park, there really is no amenities, such as water or toilets. So, make sure you have plenty of water before you arrive. There are bins scattered about which is handy.
This spot is great, however, you may find the ground to be a little unlevel in certain spots. We found that the closer you are to the castle the flatter the lie. There are also areas that are shaded by the surrounding tree, we were extremely thankful for this in the height of the summer heat.
Finally, the phone service and 4G were really reliably here. Without a doubt, we would stay here again.
Note: Due to this being a car park to the castle, we believe you should not stay here any longer that 1 or 2 nights.
Location
Tvrdava Fotica, Hvar Old Town, Hvar, Croatia
43.17511, 16.44158
Price
Free
toilets
No
Water
No
Bins
Yes
signal / 4G
Good 4G and signal.
Where To Wild Camp Near Stari Grad, Hvar
Town Centre
Stari Grad is arguably the best place to be if you are travelling by van for one reason, and one reason alone – there are FREE indoor showers available on the yacht-lined promenade. However, with that being said, it is not easy to find a great place to stay in Stari Grad. We stayed in two places when visiting. The first of which is extremely central – however, we don’t recommend staying the night here as there are police patrolling the area. In fact, we did get moved on after staying here a few nights.
This spot is basically just a disused piece of land a mere 3-minute walk to the central square. It is somewhat covered by trees making it one of the more comfortable places to park due to not being directly exposed to the blazing summer sun. This spot is a popular place to park for not only campervans but also locals. It isn’t uncommon for there to be no space left to park.
This spot to wild camp in Stari Grad, Hvar is extremely basic and lacks facilities on site such as water, or a toilet. The land is predominantly flat and doesn’t require the help of chocks. There are however a couple of small bins at this spot.
As mentioned above, for us, the best thing about this spot was the short walk to beautiful free showers!
Location
21460, Stari Grad, Hvar, Croatia
43.18071, 16.59606
Price
Free
toilets
No
Water
No
Bins
Yes, there are a few small bins.
signal / 4G
Good 4G and signal.
Secluded Beach near Stari Grad
One of the best spots to wild camp on Hvar was just outside Stari Grad, a short walk from many secluded beaches.
This spot does fill up quickly during the day, however, overnight we were all by ourselves.
The actual parking spot is not the most glamorous spot in the world. However, what it does offer is access to secluded coves and beaches. Each with breathtakingly clear water, and views that stretch for miles – and that’s what makes this spot so special.
This spot has almost no facilities – there are no bins, no water, no toilets. However, one surprising thing it does have is a bike repair station. It is equipped with a pump and all the necessary tools to mend your bike or change a tyre!
Due to this spot being in nature, it is completely exposed, with no areas of shade – perfect for charging your solar panels, but less perfect if you are trying to stay cool in the summer heat. It is also rather rugged and is not the most level. However, with some trial and error, you can position yourself on some relatively flat land without the need for chocks.
If you do intend on using this spot, we recommend arriving in the evening, to secure the best (flattest) spot. Also, load up with water and supplies prior to heading here, as you won’t want to leave!
Location
Vaiana Beach Parking, Zavala Bay, Rudina, 21460, Stari Grad, Croatia
43.203644, 16.577623
Price
Free
toilets
No
Water
No
Bins
No
signal / 4G
Good 4G and signal.
Where To Wild Camp Near Jelsa
Jelsa is arguably the most difficult place to wild camp near on the entire island of Hvar. Although this small town is worth visiting, we do not recommend staying here overnight.
We made the sorry mistake of trusting google maps to get us to a safe place to park in Jelsa. We were taken through narrow winding streets, eventually resulting in a local removing a bollard from a central square so we could 3-point turn and get out of Jelsa! NOT IDEAL!
We ended up parking in the nearby PLODINE supermarket car park for a night. However, we do not endorse this. We stayed here for a few days without an issue as we both got extremely ill and couldn’t face driving as throwing up at the wheel was a very real threat… but thats a story for another day.
Unfortunately, if you want to spend some time in Jelsa we recommend booking into a local campsite, as that is the best and safest place to stay nearby.
Secluded Beach near Bogomolji
This small secluded spot to wild camp on Hvar is well and truly off the beaten track. It can be found by turning off the main road at the small village of Bogomolji. To reach this spot you will be required to drive on a single-track dirt road for approximately 10mins. Furthermore, this spot is small and compacted and is only suitable for one vehicle. The space to park is tucked back into a small nook on the side of a road. Luckily the road sees little to no traffic on a daily basis. This space fit our 6m van perfectly, however, we would not recommend this spot for any vehicle longer than ours.
This spot is somewhat undiscovered and is a diamond in the rough. And as a result, you may even feel like you have the TWO nearby beaches all to yourself!
As with every other spot to wild camp on Hvar, this one has no facilities at all… and to make matters worse – it doesn’t even have 4G signal (unless you walk approximately 500m along the road)
Undeniably the best thing about this wild camping spot is its proximity to two stunning beaches. One of which is a nudist beach – but we didn’t know that when we visited it!
The beaches are extremely sheltered, making them perfect to swim in.
This spot is without a doubt the most tranquil and detached from the island – allowing you to really unwind, rest, and truly soak in your surroundings.
Location
43.11770, 16.99566
Price
Free
toilets
No
Water
No
Bins
No
signal / 4G
No – however if you walk 500m there is!
So, Here’s The Best Of The Best:
City life – Hvar Old Town
Beach spot – Secluded beach near Bogomolji
Convenience -Stari Grad Town Centre
Hvar is arguable the most scenic place in all of Croatia. Its stunning beaches and unique history and charm make it so enticing.
We recommend staying on this island of Hvar for at least a week. This will allow you to soak in all that Hvar has to offer. So whether you are a bit of a party animal or just want to unwind, the wild camping spots listed above will allow enjoying Hvar at your own pace.
If you choose to spend some time on Hvar, make sure to check out these spots. Make sure to let us what you thought of them!
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Furthermore, why not check out what Hvar has to offer in the two posts linked below:
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