01Where to Stay in Stari Grad with Children

Apartments are the better choice over hotels for most families. A kitchen allows early dinners and snacks, and a washing machine helps on a week-long stay. Most private apartments sit in the residential streets around the bays, 300-800 m from the old centre, and almost all of the town is flat.

Best Areas for Families

Around Banj and the harbour promenade. This area has beach access, cafés and the old town within a 5-15 minute walk. It is the best base for families with toddlers and prams.

The Maslinica side. Quieter, with more pine shade. A car or bicycle is useful here. It is a good fit for families who want to spend most of the day at the water.

The residential streets inland. These have better value, and many have parking. They are also the best option for larger groups.

Named Options

Hvar Apartments, at Silvija Strahimira Kranjčevića 15, has three units, including a Family apartment sleeping 2+2. It is less than 80 m from the beach and 800 m from the town centre, and two units have a sea view. Children under 2 stay free. For a hotel with children's programming, Maslina Resort has a free kids' club.

What to Check Before Booking

  • A kitchen with an oven or hob, not only a kettle.
  • Air conditioning. July and August nights stay warm.
  • Shade or a balcony. Naps at midday are easier with one.
  • Parking, or a walking distance under 10 minutes from the ferry port.
  • A cot supplied, which is often available for a small fee.

Book early. August fills first, and families with school-term limits have the best choice in late May, June and September.

02Kid-Friendly Beaches in Stari Grad

The local beaches are mostly pebble and concrete platforms with pine shade. The water enters gradually in several bays, and the sea is clear. Banj is the closest to the centre, and the Stari Grad town beach, about 1.2 km from the centre, is shallow and quiet. Sandy beaches are rare on Hvar, so pack water shoes for every child. They protect against sea urchins and hot stones.

03Things to Do with Kids in Stari Grad

Tvrdalj and the Fish Pond

Tvrdalj is the 16th-century house of the poet Petar Hektorović. It has a fish pond and a dovecote, and children usually like watching the fish in the pond. Entry is €5 per person. The guardian is usually on site 10:00-14:00. Outside those hours, a phone number on the door allows entry. Allow 20-30 minutes.

Stari Grad Museum

The museum is next to Tvrdalj. It shows Greek and Roman finds and the Roman shipwreck cargo. Hours are 10:00-13:00 in May, June and September, closed Sundays. In July and August it adds an evening session, 19:00-21:00. Tickets are €5, and preschoolers go free. October-April visits need prior arrangement.

Cycling the Stari Grad Plain

The Plain is a UNESCO-listed field system laid out by Greek settlers in the 4th century BC. It is flat and quiet, which suits children on their own bikes or in child seats. Go before 10:00 in summer, because there is almost no shade. Bicycle hire is available in town, and it is cheaper to ask for a weekly rate.

Boat and Swimming Days

Short boat trips and cove swims are available from the harbour. Choose a private or small-group departure for children under 6, because larger party boats are loud.

Evenings on the Waterfront

The harbour promenade is car-free and level, and children can walk it safely in the evening. Old-town streets and small squares also give plenty of space for playing after dinner.

04Getting to Stari Grad with Children

Jadrolinija line 635 runs from Split to Stari Grad and takes about 110 minutes, so plan on 2 hours. Adults pay €5.90 (low season) or €8.40 (high season, from 29 May to 27 September in 2026). Children aged 3-12 pay €3.00 or €4.20. A standard car costs €35.60 or €47.60. A family of four with a car pays roughly €53-€73 one way, depending on the season. Confirm the 2027 tariff when booking. Book car space ahead for July and August, because it sells out. Hvar Town is 20 km from Stari Grad by road.

05Local Tips for Families

  • Skip the midday heat. Beach in the morning, go indoors from 13:00 to 16:00, then return to the shore.
  • Take the museum and Tvrdalj together. They are next to each other, so one 90-minute stop covers both.
  • Choose a stay with a car park if you plan day trips. Hvar Town and Jelsa are easy by car but awkward by bus with small children.
  • Shop for food at local shops before the ferry crowds arrive. Arrival day is when everything runs out.
  • Opinion: Stari Grad is a better base for families with children under 10 than Hvar Town. It is quieter, flatter and cheaper, and the party scene is 20 km away.

06Best Time to Visit

Late May, June and September offer warm sea, lower prices and lighter ferry queues. July and August are hottest, with full ferries and the most activities. Many museums switch to by-appointment hours from October.