Self-Guided Walking Tour: Of Hvar's Old Town

Hvar's defensive past and Venetian layers are built into the streets themselves, not hidden in museums.

A self-guided walking tour of Hvar's Old Town with audio guide in English, starting at Saint Stephen's Square and ending at Hvar Theatre's terrace viewpoint. You navigate the route on your phone at your own pace, with offline access to audio and maps. The tour covers medieval architecture, the Riva waterfront, views of the Pakleni Islands, and landmarks like Fortica Fortress and the Benedictine Convent. Lifetime access means you can replay it before your trip or after you return home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Hvar’s Old Town highlights

• Begin at Saint Stephen’s Square
• Pass by the City Lodge
• Admire Palace Elisabeth
• Stroll along Hvar City Walls
• Gaze upon Fortica Fortress
• Explore the Hvar Arsenal
• Pass the Benedictine Convent
• Pass by Church of St Anthony
• Walk along the Riva promenade
• See the Church of the Annunciation of Mary
• Discover Villa Marchi
• End at Hvar Theatre terrace viewpoint

The experience

How do you explore a medieval island town without a guide steering the group? This self-guided tour gives you the route, the audio commentary, and the freedom to linger or skip ahead. You start at Saint Stephen's Square, the largest in Dalmatia, and work through Hvar's Old Town on foot, following GPS directions on your phone. The audio guide in English walks you through what you're seeing: the Venetian City Lodge, the Palace Elisabeth hotel, the medieval Arsenal, the Benedictine Convent where nuns still make UNESCO-recognized Hvar lace. You move at your own speed, stopping to photograph the Hvar City Walls or sit on a bench without waiting for anyone else.

The route takes you down to the Riva, Hvar's seaside promenade where you can see the Pakleni Islands across the water and watch the port come alive. From there, you climb to the terrace of Hvar Theatre, a historic venue perched above the Old Town with a view that frames everything you've just walked through. The whole arc takes roughly an hour to an hour and a half, depending on how long you pause at each stop. You get offline access to the audio, maps, and GPS data, so your phone doesn't need a signal once you've downloaded everything before you arrive.

Because it's self-guided, you own the tour forever: replay it on a future visit, or listen to it like an audiobook from home before you go. You'll need your own smartphone and headphones, and any museum or fortress entry fees are separate, but the route itself and all the commentary are yours to use anytime.

What’s included

• Unlimited lifetime access to the audio tour.
• English-language audio guide.
• offline access to audio, maps, and GPS data.
• GPS directions to the starting point.
• the flexibility to explore at your own pace and replay the tour anytime.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by VoiceMap Audio Tours

Is this one for you?The self-guided format means you walk at your own speed without a group schedule, so it suits anyone who wants to linger at a view or skip ahead to the next stop. Bring your own phone and headphones, and you're ready to start whenever you arrive in Hvar.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What exactly is Saint Stephen's Square and why does the tour start there?

Saint Stephen's Square is the largest square in Dalmatia and the central hub of Hvar's Old Town, surrounded by medieval architecture. It's the natural entry point because it anchors the town's layout and sets the context for everything you'll see as you move through the neighborhoods.

Can I really use this tour whenever I want, or is it just for one visit?

You get unlimited lifetime access. Download it before your trip and use it offline while you're in Hvar, then replay it anytime afterward: before a future visit or just to revisit the audio from home.

What's the Riva and what will I see there?

The Riva is Hvar's seaside promenade, a bustling waterfront where you can see the Pakleni Islands and the port. It's where the tour takes you from the medieval Old Town down to the water, blending the island's history with its vibrant present.

Do I need to buy tickets to enter the places the tour mentions?

The tour covers the exteriors and public spaces of landmarks like Fortica Fortress and the Benedictine Convent. Entry fees to museums or attractions inside those buildings are not included and are optional. You can view them from outside or pay separately if you want to go in.

How long does the walk actually take?

The tour runs roughly one to one and a half hours depending on your pace and how long you spend at each stop. Because it's self-guided, you control the speed. You can move faster or take breaks whenever you want.