01Why Stari Grad Works for Teenagers

Stari Grad is a small port town on the north coast of Hvar island. It is one of the oldest settlements in Croatia, founded by Greek colonists around 384 BC. The town is fully walkable, the Riva waterfront promenade is flat, and the surrounding countryside is one of the few level areas on Hvar. That combination makes it practical for teens who like to move around on their own.

The trade-off is nightlife. Stari Grad has cafés, ice cream stands and quiet waterfront evenings, but no club scene. The opinion here is direct: families with teens who mainly want parties and beach clubs should stay in Hvar Town instead. Families whose teens will actually cycle, paddle and swim will have a better, cheaper and less crowded week in Stari Grad.

02How to Get to Stari Grad from Split

Stari Grad is the main car-ferry port of Hvar island. The Jadrolinija car ferry (line 635) runs from Split in about 1 hour 50 minutes. In the 2026 high season (29 May to 27 September) the fare was €8.40 per adult, €4.20 for children aged 3-12, and €47.60 for a standard car up to 5 m. Off-season fares drop to €5.90 per adult and €35.60 per car.

A catamaran (Jadrolinija 9603) also serves Stari Grad on weekdays and takes about 1 hour. Summer fares were €10.00 for adults and €4.40 for children aged 3-12. Check the timetable before booking, because this service runs once a day on weekdays and the schedule changes by season.

The fast catamarans that run up to 19 times a day (about €25) go to Hvar Town, not Stari Grad. Hvar Town is about 17 km away and reachable by local bus, usually at €2-4 per person.

Teens aged 13 and older pay the adult fare on Jadrolinija services, so budget for that when pricing a family of four.

03Best Activities for Teens in Stari Grad

Cycle the Stari Grad Plain (UNESCO)

The Stari Grad Plain covers about 1,376 hectares and keeps a field grid laid out by Greek settlers in the 4th century BC. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dry-stone walls, small stone huts and olive groves line narrow, mostly traffic-free roads. A loop on the flat terrain takes roughly two hours at a relaxed pace.

Bike rental in town costs about €10-20 per day depending on the bike type. E-bikes cost more but make the hillier routes manageable for parents. Tourist information in Stari Grad offers a map of marked cycling routes.

Longer options for fit teens:

Stari Grad - Jelsa - Vrboska
a marked route of about 55 km with little climbing (about 122 m of altitude difference).
Guided Cycle Hvar day tour
27 km covering the Plain, lavender fields, Vrboska and Jelsa, with history explained on the way.
Hilly routes toward Selca and Dol
23-41 km with 470-520 m of climbing. Suitable only for experienced teen riders in cooler months.

Kayak and Paddleboard

Kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals operate seasonally near the marina. Transparent kayak tours suit ages 10 and up. They last about two hours and cost around €40-50 per person with equipment and guide. The north-coast bays are sheltered, so mornings are usually calm.

Swim and Snorkel

Beaches near Stari Grad are pebble and rock, so water shoes help. Lanterna, Maslinica and Dubovica are the names most used by locals. Walking along the northern shoreline through pine forest leads to quieter rocky spots with direct sea access. Bring a mask and snorkel from home; they cost more on the island.

Tvrdalj and the Old Town

Tvrdalj is the fortified summer residence of the Renaissance poet Petar Hektorović, with a fish pond in its courtyard. It takes about 30 minutes to see and works well as a quick history stop between swims. The Stari Grad Museum in the center covers the island's Greek and Roman past. Neither needs more than a morning.

Wine and Lavender Stops

Hora Farm on the Plain has been listed with daily hours from 12:00 to 20:00 from May to early October. Teens will find the tasting less interesting, but the farm stop breaks up a long ride and offers non-alcoholic options. Lavender fields on the road toward Hvar Town bloom mainly in June and early July.

04Day Trips for Older Teens

Boat tours to the Blue Cave and surrounding islands run as full-day trips, usually from Hvar Town. Kayaking to the Pakleni Islands takes about 45 minutes each way from Hvar Town on calm mornings. Both suit teens with swimming confidence. A Spanish Fortress hike above Hvar Town takes about 15 minutes and gives a good view for photos.

05Sample 3-Day Plan with Teens

Day 1
Arrive by ferry, walk the old town, visit Tvrdalj, dinner on the Riva.
Day 2
Morning bike loop on the Plain, farm stop, afternoon swim at Maslinica.
Day 3
Kayak or SUP in the morning, free beach time, evening walk along the waterfront.

06Practical Tips

  • Start rides before 10:00. July and August afternoons on the Plain have almost no shade.
  • Carry water and snacks. Shops on the Plain are rare.
  • Book the ferry in advance in July and August if traveling with a car. Car spaces on the line 635 fill up early.
  • Skip the car in town. Stari Grad is walkable, and a car matters only for reaching the southern coast of the island.
  • Best months: late May, June and September have warm water, lighter crowds and more comfortable cycling.

07Where to Stay

Apartments in the old town or within a short walk of the Riva give teens independence and keep the harbor, shops and restaurants close. Choose a place with air conditioning and a second bedroom or sofa bed. Private apartments are far more common than hotels in Stari Grad, so booking early for July and August is advisable.