If this is your first time visiting us or the island of Hvar, please read carefully and print these instructions so you can have them handy on your arrival.
The largest number of tourists come to Ivan Dolac by their own cars. There are two ferries that connect Hvar with the land: Split – Stari Grad and Drvenik – Sucuraj. The timetable can be found at www.jadrolinija.hr or by calling the following number: +38521338333.
We recommend taking the Split – Stari Grad ferry line, for a shorter and more comfortable journey. Once you reach Stari Grad via the ferry, there is only 21 km to go until you reach Ivan Dolac. After leaving the ferry port, turn left towards Jelsa. The town of Jelsa is 12 km from Stari Grad and once you reach it do not enter the town itself, but turn right at the second large crossroads and follow the signs for Pitve-Zavala-Ivan Dolac. The rest of the trip to Ivan Dolac is 9 km long. The road takes you down an occasionally narrow and winding road through vineyards and olive grows, through the picturesque town of Pitva, until the tunnel that connects the north and south side of Hvar.
The Sucuraj port has a close connection to Drvenik on land, but it is further away from Ivan Dolac, as it is on the other side of the island. Still, you can save time this way if you are coming from the direction of Dubrovnik. If you arrive to Sucuraj via the ferry, continue to drive on a pretty dilapidated road towards Jelsa, which is 53 km away. Do not enter the town of Jelsa, but pass it by and turn left towards Ivan Dolac (9 km) and through the tunnel. Even though the tunnel in the rock may seem like an entrance to hell – it is actually heaven that awaits on the other side.
Here is some useful advice on traveling to the island of Hvar in Croatia. The easiest way to get to Hvar depends on your means of transport and the direction of your arrival. If you are traveling by car, you have to arrive to Split or Drvenik in mid-Dalmatia. Ferries go from Split to Stari Grad (ferrying cars), to Jelsa (catamaran) and the city of Hvar (catamaran). From Drvenik (south of Makarska), the ferry that transports cars goes to Sucuraj on Hvar. The ferry lines go every day, and so do the catamarans, however, poor weather conditions and wind can sometimes cancel some of the catamaran lines.
If you are traveling by airplane, the closest international airports are the Split, Dubrovnik and Brac airports. Regardless of how you arrive, you will definitely experience the beauties of traveling to the island by sea. When you see Hvar and start enjoying it, you will be sure that your long trip has paid off.