Hvar and Vis are two of Croatia's best-known islands, yet they offer entirely different experiences. Hvar is famous for its buzzing atmosphere, elegant harbours and nightlife. Vis, by contrast, is a calmer, more natural and more authentic island. The good news is that on a sailing trip you don't even have to choose between the two — the two islands lie just a few hours' sail apart, so in a single week you can experience both faces of the Adriatic: the glamour and the quiet.
Hvar is the ideal choice for those seeking restaurants, bars and a lively scene. Vis is better suited to lovers of quiet coves and hidden beaches — the famous Blue Cave is near Vis, too. On a sailing trip in the Adriatic you can easily discover both islands. In Hvar town, the story is the Venetian-flavoured main square, the fortress and "beach-taxiing" out to the Pakleni Islands for the day; on Vis, it's the fishing village of Komiža, Stiniva Cove and the blue light that blazes up at noon in the Blue Cave near Biševo that make it worth sailing over.
And that's before we've even mentioned Brač, where Vidova Gora, rising straight out of the sea to a lofty 772 m, is the highest point in the entire Adriatic archipelago. From up there you get a view you'll find nowhere else. Together, Hvar and Vis make a perfect combination of adventure and relaxation. And if you'd like to complete the triangle with a third peak, setting your course for Brač lets you bag the famous Zlatni Rat sandspit and the panorama mentioned above as well — all on a single, well-planned route.
In a week you needn't stop at just the two islands: around Hvar and Vis you can perfectly string together the old town of Korčula (the supposed birthplace of Marco Polo), the salt lakes of Mljet National Park, or the quiet coves of nearby Šolta. The skipper puts the circuit together according to the wind and your own pace, so that every crossing is a pleasure rather than a chore. That way, in practice, the question of "Hvar or Vis?" becomes more like "Hvar and Vis — and what else can we fit in?"
Which one is right for you? If sunset parties and sights are what draw you, take a look at our exclusive experiences, including the DJ Sunset Party. If the silence of hidden coves is your goal, our "Croatia's 5 most beautiful hidden coves" article offers inspiration. You'll find the specific daily programmes among our routes, and whichever direction you choose, a single enquiry is all it takes for us to start planning your week together.