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Hvar Gay Travel
If you love to party, don’t skip Hvar! In wolfyy’s Hvar gay travel guide, check out the best local bars and parties, plus where to stay, things to do & local tips.
The Gay Travel Experience: Hvar, Croatia
Nothing could ever compare to the magical view of the stars as my friends and I jetted out of the Port of Hvar toward our sailboat. I looked up at the deep night sky as the speedboat hummed and reflected on how beautiful this area of the world is.
Hvar is one of the most visited Croatian islands for its vibrant nightlife scene and beautiful natural landscapes. There are usually a handful of gay travelers in Hvar throughout the summer.
Some travel solo while others visit in groups of gay sailing boats. While the Croatian islands are not necessarily flooded with gay men, they can certainly be found here!
Where to Stay in Hvar
Hvar’s main town center is adorable and relatively compact. Everything you’ll need is within a 10-minute walk, so most travelers choose to stay here.
Hvar Vacation Apartments & Villas
Vacation rentals in Hvar’s Old Port area are super cool and authentic places to stay. Being near the port will make it easy to access most restaurants and bars on foot.
Guesthouse Aurora as well as Apartments Jakov and Antonia are two excellent options in the best area of Hvar Port. They’re both highly rated, affordable, and have truly cozy guesthouse vibes.
Heritage Suites Zanini is probably the most beautiful place to stay in Hvar. It’s absolutely gorgeous and worth a look! Their nightly rates are affordable and they are only a short walk from the center of Hvar Port.
VRBO rentals in Hvar are also worth checking, especially if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for on traditional hotel booking sites.
Hvar Hotels
Hvar hotels are plentiful nearby the Old Town. The ones directly on the water will tend to be much more expensive, some of the priciest accommodations in Hvar. But just a minute’s walk from the water, prices will be lower.
Heritage Hotel Dea Hvar is both exceptionally rated and priced affordably. Their rooms have a classic style along with modern upgrades, so it feels quaint yet has all the comforts of a newly renovated hotel.
Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel is the biggest and one of the most popular full-service hotels in Hvar.
The property is prominently located on the waterfront in the center of the port and has all the amenities a luxury traveler could ask for. A pool, wellness center with spa facilities, bar, restaurant, and terraces with unmatched views are just the start.
Hvar Gay Travel Experiences
The Hula Hula Hvar Beach Club is without a doubt the best place for cocktails and music in the late afternoon. They have a large outdoor deck that overlooks the sea. The party starts around 4 PM and people fill in to dance through the sunset hour. My friends and I had a blast!
Hula Hula is a 15-minute walk from the Port of Hvar. It’s a nice stroll along the water. If you’re traveling in a group and want to reserve a table, stop by to make a reservation in advance or arrive as the party starts.
Try some Višnja while you’re there. It’s a sweet yet potent Croatian liquor made from sour cherries.We had a couple of shots of this stuff and it’s delicious.
Mizerola Restaurant is my top recommendation for dinner in Hvar, especially for gourmet pizza. The prices are reasonable and the food is high quality. The wait staff was very friendly, too! Mizerola is just past Kiva Bar up a narrow set of steps from the Port of Hvar.
Wandering the picturesque streets of the Hvar Town is absolute bliss. All the buildings are beautifully-kept and there is so much to see. Check out locally-made jewelry and accessories in little boutiques like Isola or find a cute restaurant in a gorgeous tucked away alley.
Aside from delicious seafood, pizza, and cocktail bars, I spent the majority of my day on a sailboat offshore. Who doesn’t want to enjoy the wonderful Adriatic Sea? The water is a picturesque deep blue.
Speaking of blue…you have to experience Croatia’s Blue Caves, one of the most popular tours in the Croatian islands. It’s pretty epic.
Blue and Green Caves tours from Hvar are most common since Hvar’s port is a travel hub. But if you’re planning to stop on the island of Vis, it’s a shorter ride to take a tour from there.
Croatia Gay Sailing Trips
Sailing the Croatian Islands with a group of gay friends was one of the most memorable trips of my entire life! Are you interested in doing the same? I can help you organize your first trip for gay sailing in Croatia or Greece.
Book dates for this coming season now! Learn about gay sailing holidays in Croatia and Greece.
If you’re interested in seeing what the trip was like for me, head to my Instagram, laffaloui, and check out the highlights section. There are a bunch of shots and videos from my last sailing trip!
Hvar Gay Travel: Nude Beaches
The closest thing you will find to a gay beach in Hvar is the local favorite nude beach. If you are destined to find other gay travelers, this would be the spot. I can’t make any promises though!
Take a water taxi to Jerolim Island. The island is a short ride away and then a 10-minute walk to the beach. Just keep an eye out for the signs.
Is Croatia Safe for Gay Travelers?
Gay travelers in Croatia should exercise caution while touring the country for a number of reasons. Although Croatia is part of the European Union and is a popular gay travel destination, there is still a formidable anti-LGBT sentiment among some local Croatians.
Even though the Croatian islands are filled with tourists, locals still live and work on these bits of paradise. The Croatians are not used to seeing overt gay public displays of affection.
Two men kissing in a bar in Hvar may therefore attract some unwanted attention. Some gay tourists have had great experiences traveling Croatia, and others have had a few unfortunate encounters.
I encountered a few homophobic scenarios while sailing Croatia’s islands with a group of gay friends. A few gay couples joined our trip. After showing some affection in a couple of restaurants and bars, there were some uncomfortable situations.
In short, one restaurant told our friends that two men could not kiss each other while sitting there. One other instance involved a group of young local men throwing a lighter at a group of us in a local bar. Both situations were handled, but it was very disheartening to experience.
In my opinion, this information should not deter you from visiting Croatia. Firstly, isolated incidents like these could have happened anywhere. Many locals do support homosexuality and equal rights for LGBT individuals.
Homophobic comments can be made in any country, but gay travelers in Croatia should still make sure they are in a safe environment before displaying any affection.
The Hvar Gay Nightlife Experience
There are many nightlife options to choose from in Hvar, however, there are no specific gay bars in Hvar. You may find a dozen or so gay travelers on the island since it is one of the biggest nightlife destinations in Croatia. Hvar doesn’t have any specifically gay venues, however.
Kiva Bar is great for evening drinks from local beer to basic cocktails. Kiva is a small yet rowdy bar that lets everyone hang outside in a cute alleyway near the port. You surely won’t miss it if walking through the central port area. Great music and a fun atmosphere!
Hvar’s Club Seven was my go-to spot for dancing. Their DJ was awesome. They played a great set of pop and rap songs mixed together very well. Club Seven is also quite rowdy, so anticipate a crowd. Dress is relatively casual, so no need to wear anything extravagant for Club Seven.
Hvar Gay Travel Tips
Docking Fees (For Those With a Boat)
Fees to stay in the proper Port of Hvar are much higher than other Croatian islands due to the island’s popularity. If you have your own boat, you can save money on port fees by staying in a nearby bay.
We stayed in Vinogradsice Bay around a group of islands called Otok Marinkovac. This area is 15 minutes south by speedboat from the main Hvar port.
Dress Codes in Hvar
Strolling around the Hvar Port, most people wear chic casual summer clothing. You won’t find anyone in swimsuits or eve shirtless because doing so is actually forbidden!
If you are planning to go to Carpe Diem Bar, make sure to wear a shirt with sleeves (i.e. no tanktops). They can be cruelly strict about this. My friends and I actually had an issue with their hostess being extremely rude Nonetheless, it’s a popular club and gay travelers who prefer chic nightlife venues typically go there.
Local Ferries
Croatia operates a robust fleet of official ferries, many of which stop in Hvar since the island is so popular. You can use these ferries for transport to Hvar from mainland towns or for local day trips to nearby Croatian islands.
See the Jadrolinija Ferry official site for schedules and timetables.
Hvar Weather
Every now and then, Croatian islands experience heavy summertime thunderstorms. Since Hvar is a bit more spread out than the other islands, make sure to bring along a poncho or umbrella if the forecast calls for rain!
Is Croatia Expensive?
Croatia is so popular with international tourists, that prices are no longer considered “cheap.” Prices at most restaurants throughout the Croatian islands rival those of New York City or Paris.
So yes, Croatia is expensive in relative terms. Cheap food is hard to come by, but there are still some pizzerias where you can get a medium-sized personal pizza for the equivalent of ten Euros.
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Book a Croatia Gay Sailing Trip
A fully-staffed boat with a small group of fun gay guys sailing the Croatian islands will be an unforgettable experience, guaranteed. With a reasonable price, amazing food, clear water, and friendly gay skippers, what more could you ask for?
Learn about Croatia gay sailing trips available each summer.
Gay Life in Croatia & LGBT Rights
Croatia provides a wealth of protections to the LGBT community, however gay life in Croatia for locals is not exactly easy. Most local Croatians keep their sexuality hidden from the public eye out of fear of discrimination.
Local Croatian gays do not usually express their identity openly. Hate speech has been on the rise against gay individuals and Serbs prior to 2017, according to reports compiled that year on the issue.
Croatia does defend all citizens against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. The country allows gays, lesbians, and bisexual individuals to serve in the military. Changing legal gender is also legal.
A major downfall is that the Croatian constitution bans same-sex marriage. The country revised the constitution to define marriage as a union solely between a man and woman. A 2017 Pew Research Study found that more than 60% of Croatians oppose same-sex marriage.
Gay rights gained more of a foothold in 2014 when Croatia passed the Life Partnership Act. The Life Partnership Act allows gay couples to receive the same legal benefits as heterosexual couples for just about everything except adoption rights.
On the positive end of the spectrum, a 2016 ILGA poll found that 75% of Croatians would have no issue with an LGBT neighbor. 10% of people responded they would be very uncomfortable with an LGBT neighbor.
Most anti-LGBT sentiment can be found in the northwest portion of Croatia. The rest of the country is not so fiercely opposed. Large centers like Dubrovnik and Zagreb advertise themselves as gay-friendly tourist destinations, however, this does not exactly mean discrimination by locals does not occur.
Next, check out wolfyy’s gay travel guide to Split. Enjoy gay life in Croatia!
Don’t miss these awesome Croatia island tours that depart from Hvar.
Need more travel inspiration? Explore wolfyy’s full collection of gay travel guides.
