Things to Do in Hvar in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Hvar
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Genuine shoulder season pricing - accommodation runs 40-60% cheaper than July-August rates, and you'll actually have negotiating power at smaller guesthouses since they're eager to fill rooms before the Easter rush
- The island belongs to locals in March - you'll walk through Stari Grad without dodging cruise ship groups, get tables at waterfront restaurants without reservations, and have actual conversations with shop owners who aren't exhausted from high season
- Perfect hiking weather with temps around 10-14°C (50-58°F) during the day - the Vidova Gora trail and coastal paths are genuinely comfortable without that oppressive summer heat, and wildflowers start appearing on the hillsides
- Swimming is possible for the determined - sea temperature hovers around 14-15°C (57-59°F), and you'll see locals doing their morning swims at Dubovica and Zarace beaches, though it's admittedly bracing
Considerations
- Most beach clubs and seasonal restaurants stay shuttered until late April - Hula Hula, Carpe Diem Beach, and similar party spots are closed, limiting your nightlife options significantly
- Ferry schedules run on winter timetables with fewer daily connections from Split - you'll typically have 3-4 options instead of summer's 10-12, which means less flexibility if you miss a departure or want to island hop
- Weather genuinely varies day to day - you might get three stunning sunny days followed by two grey, drizzly ones with that persistent bura wind, making it tricky to plan specific outdoor activities in advance
Best Activities in March
Coastal hiking between historic villages
March is actually ideal for the island's extensive trail network - the 12 km (7.5 miles) route from Stari Grad to Vrboska takes about 3.5 hours through UNESCO-protected agricultural plains that are impossibly green this time of year. Temperature stays comfortable around 12°C (54°F) during midday hikes, and you'll encounter maybe five other people maximum. The wildflowers start blooming mid-March, particularly wild orchids and rosemary. Local hiking groups do Sunday walks that visitors can join - ask at the Stari Grad tourist office.
Wine cellar tours in Jelsa and Svirce
March is when winemakers actually have time to talk - they're bottling last year's harvest and preparing for spring pruning, so you'll get genuine hour-long conversations about Plavac Mali and Bogdanjusa grapes rather than rushed 20-minute tastings. The cellars maintain steady 12-14°C (54-57°F) temperatures year-round, perfect when it's drizzly outside. Several family operations offer tours by appointment, typically 4-6 wines plus homemade olive oil and cheese for 200-350 kuna per person.
Kayaking the Pakleni Islands
The islands are genuinely peaceful in March with zero boat traffic cluttering the channels. Water temperature is cold at 14°C (57°F), so operators provide wetsuits for the 3-4 hour tours. You'll paddle to Palmizana and Vlaka with actual wildlife sightings - cormorants, gulls, and occasionally dolphins near Ždrilca passage. The real advantage is flexibility - summer tours book solid weeks ahead, but March operators often have same-day availability.
Cooking classes focused on peka and brudet
March means spring vegetables start appearing at markets - wild asparagus, fresh peas, artichokes - and cooking instructors incorporate seasonal ingredients into traditional recipes. Classes typically run 3-4 hours including market visits in Jelsa or Stari Grad, then hands-on preparation of peka (meat and vegetables under an iron bell) or brudet (fish stew). You're cooking in actual home kitchens or small konobas, not commercial cooking schools, with groups of 4-8 people maximum.
Cycling the Stari Grad Plain
The 2,400-year-old agricultural grid is UNESCO-protected and genuinely stunning in March when everything's green and flowering. The flat terrain covers about 6 km by 4 km (3.7 by 2.5 miles) with stone walls, ancient olive groves, and zero traffic. Temperature stays perfect for cycling around 12-15°C (54-59°F), and you'll stop at family farms selling olive oil, wine, and honey. The routes connect Stari Grad to Vrboska with minimal elevation gain.
Photography walks through Hvar Town's Renaissance architecture
March light is actually spectacular for photography - softer than summer's harsh midday sun, with dramatic clouds that create interesting skies. The Arsenal, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and fortress walls are empty enough that you can set up tripods without crowds photobombing shots. Golden hour happens around 6pm, and you'll get those classic Mediterranean light angles without tourist hordes. Several local photographers lead 2-3 hour walks covering composition techniques specific to island architecture.
March Events & Festivals
St. Joseph's Day celebrations
March 19th brings traditional celebrations particularly visible in Vrboska and Jelsa, where families prepare special pastries called hrostule and serve them with prosek dessert wine. Churches hold special masses, and you'll see older residents in traditional dress. It's not a tourist event - you experience it by being present in smaller villages that day and accepting invitations if offered. Restaurants sometimes feature special St. Joseph's menus with traditional dishes.