01Best Beaches in Stari Grad

Stari Grad sits at the end of a long, sheltered bay on the north-west coast of Hvar. Small pebble coves and concrete bathing platforms line both sides of the harbour. Most are a 5-10 minute walk from the old town. Sea temperatures reach about 26°C in summer.

Banj Beach

Banj is a pebble bay on the north side of the bay, about 500 m from the centre. It has sunbeds for hire, showers, changing rooms and a restaurant. Access is step-free, so it suits wheelchair users and very young children. The water is shallow and calm. It is the easiest option for anyone with a stroller.

Lanterna Beach

Lanterna lies on the south side of the bay, about 800 m from the centre. The walk along the waterfront promenade takes roughly 15 minutes. It has a small shingle beach, flat rock platforms with steps into the sea, showers, changing rooms, sunbeds and a restaurant. From mid-July to mid-August the sun sets directly into the sea in front of the platforms. Evening is the best time to come.

Maslinica Bay

Maslinica is 2 km from the centre and is one of the few sandy beaches on Hvar. A maintained coastal path leads there on foot or by bike, and there is also road access with parking nearby. The beach is mostly shade-free. Bring an umbrella. It is the best choice for families with small children who want sand rather than pebbles. The five-star Maslina Resort now fronts part of the bay, so check which section is public before you lay out a towel.

Quieter Coves on the Kabal Peninsula

The smaller bays on the Stari Grad bay can be reached by car along the Kabal peninsula. You can also rent a boat in town or book a taxi boat to the cove of your choice. These coves have few or no facilities. Bring water and food.

02Beachfront Apartments in Stari Grad

True beachfront apartments are rare in Stari Grad. The old town sits on a harbour used by ferries and yachts, not on a swimming beach. Most apartments advertised as "near the beach" are 300 m to 1 km from the water. The harbour views and the sea ladders on the quay are not the same as a beach.

Old Town Apartments (Walk to Banj and Lanterna)

Staying in the old town puts restaurants, shops and the harbour at your door. Banj and Lanterna are both reachable on foot. Expect to pay roughly €70-€130 per night for a one-bedroom apartment in July and August. Prices fall noticeably in May, June and September. Rooms in the old town can be noisy on summer nights, so ask about street-facing windows.

Maslinica Area (Closest to Sand)

Maslinica has the shortest walk to a sandy beach. The Maslina Resort is the high-end option on the bay. Hotel Antica is a seafront hotel with a pool, about 20 minutes on foot from the centre and close to Maslinica. Apartments in the surrounding residential area start from around €49 per night for budget units such as Apartments Ivanković. Higher-end units go above €120. The trade-off is distance from the centre. A car, bike or scooter is more useful here than in town.

Near Lanterna

Apartmani Zlatarić is on the southern shore near Lanterna. It is about 1 km from the centre and about 800 m from Tvrdalj Castle. It suits guests who prefer swimming from rock platforms to walking into town.

03Where to Stay: Quick Guide

  • Best for first-time visitors: old town, with Banj and Lanterna on foot.
  • Best for families with toddlers: north side near Banj or the Maslinica area.
  • Best for sunsets and swimming off platforms: south shore near Lanterna.
  • Best for a quiet base: residential streets 10-20 minutes' walk from the harbour.

04Local Tips

  • Banj has the calmest water. Lanterna has the better swimming depth off the platforms.
  • Shoes with a grip help on the rock platforms and in the pebble coves. Sea urchins are common.
  • The ferry from Split arrives at the harbour about 2 km from the centre. If your apartment is in the old town, plan a short taxi or a 25-minute walk with luggage.
  • Maslinica and Lanterna are busy in July and August. Go before 10:00 or after 17:00.

05Honest Take

The sandy-beach claim for Maslinica is oversold. The sand is mixed with fine pebbles, and with almost no shade it gets hot by midday. It is still the best option on this part of Hvar for small children, but plan around the sun. Also, a "sea view" listing in Stari Grad usually means a view of the harbour or the town rooftops. If swimming matters most, book by walking distance to Banj or Lanterna, not by view.

06Beaches Beyond Stari Grad

Zavala, on the south coast of Hvar, is about 12 km away. Hvar Town is about 17 km. A rental car or scooter gives access to more secluded beaches, but Stari Grad's own beaches are enough for most stays of 3-7 days.