It doesn't matter from which side you come to the town of Hvar, your first impression will certainly be special. The fortress Spanjola, overlooking the town from the north together with the group of islands to the south of the town streching towards the west, called the Paklinski islands, make the whole that everybody imagines when the name of Hvar is mentioned.
If you come from Stari Grad by road, which represents at the same time the only road in the direction est-west and connects the town of Hvar with the rest of the island, immediately after the road sign for Hvar, the town will appear in its sheer beauty. Maybe, shortly before your attention will be attracted for a while by the islet with the lighthouse, called Pokonji Dol and situated to the east of Hvar towards the settlement Milna. It could be said , in fact, that the town lies in the valley open to the sea only in the south. While driving to the town, you descend below the fortress and to come to the western part of the town you should follow the road that leads to the numerous hotels and pass behind the fortress. Then you will realise that the nature took care to create a little picturasque paradise at this place. The view to the Paklinski islands will be open in front of you. Now you can see these islands from the nothern side in their full length. Very nice scenery.
If you come to the town of Hvar by sea, from the east, south or west, you have to pass very close to the Paklinski islands where the colour of the sea is transformed from blue into clear turquoise. The sea is so transparent that its bottom can be seen at the depth of 20m, even in the harbour. During the high season there are special navigation rules in the port because of the huge number of boats at the restricted area.
The town of Hvar could be proclaimed an exclusive fashionable resort, or it can be considered as a destination only for young people as the media pretend to, but I wouldn't say so.
The popularity of the town among the young people has been certainly increased thanks to the club Carpe Diem, or to the people who created a strong brand which has a direct link with the name of this town.
The town of Hvar becomes a destination for the young people when the temperature of the sea and the air reaches its highest point. When the port becomes very busy the number of young people looking for entertainment increases significantly. At that time the tourist offer must be faced with this challange.
However, the face of the town is changed from month to month together with the different frequency of visitors, so the town is interesting in different periods- from early spring to the middle of automn. Although the town has the rich history and culture, it can be visited in only one day.
The best time to visit the town is from early spring to the middle of automn. July and August are for those who like crowded streets, restaurants and beaches. At that time it's difficult to find a place in the town itself for undisturbed reading or calm sightseeing.
Vivacity on the streets can be remarked from the middle of May to the middle of October, so if you exclude July an August there is enough time to go sightseeing slowly and on your way. Apart from this, at that period the conditions for swimming, sailing or just spending time in the countryside are also favorable. That's the time for travellers who don't follow trends but their own senses and who enjoy in lunch, coffee and the ambience of the town together with enough calm. That's what I would like to stress: this is in fact the face of Hvar that should be experienced.There are a lot of places in the town and its immediate vicinity for such a enjoyement: whether it is a question of a restaurant in a side stone street, coffe with the view to the rich history or just reading of your favourite book in one of some thirty coves on the Paklinski islands. According to my experience, the town of Hvar is mostly appreciated by the guests who have been travelling a lot and who know how to recognize the real values.