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A short trip across the Hvarski Kanal is the old town of Stari Grad, Hvar.  Stari Grad is a quiet tourist town.  Quiet because the main ferry berth is located outside the town.  Most visitors to the island of Hvar will take a ferry to Stari Grad and either change ferries of take a taxi or bus to their hotel on the island.  Thereby Stari grad gets bypassed.

The town is a along natural harbor that provide good protection from the winds.  This was recognized centuries ago by the various occupiers of the island.  The island was first settled by the Illyrians who battled the Greeks and is the location of one of the oldest recorded naval battles.  The Romans took it in 219 BC. 

The island is known for its sunshine, 2724 hours per year!

The two days we spent there not much happened.  Hot, a little afternoon wind to make berthing for late arrivers interesting to watch.  A few shops, good supermarket and many restaurants make up the town.  At the mouth of the town harbor there are swimming beaches (rocks actually) that get heavily used.  The town also has a “swimming pool” with lanes.  Not a normal pool as it is actually two concrete piers with floats between them forming the lanes.  It works and doesn’t need much maintenance, however the pool wall are covered in sharp aquatic life so the coaches pull the kids up out of the water to keep them from getting cut.

Stari Grad waterfront

Berthed at the town quay