Jelsa

Jelsa is a pretty town 5 km from Vrboska and one of the most popular places for people to visit from Vrboska. There is a very pleasant coastal walk between the two towns where you can stop off for a swim in one of the many stunning coves. Jelsa is also a possible entry point when arriving on Hvar, with a daily catamaran arriving from Split at 1730. There are plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants, as well as a vibrant nightlife, with two dates in August particular fun, the Municipal Day festival on August 15 and the Jelsa Wine Festival at the end of August.

The town itself is centred around a pretty main square, a popular place to have a coffee and indulge in some people watching. The main historical sights in Jelsa are the Fortress and Church of the Blessed Assumption behind the square, which dates back to 1331; the cemetery and Augustinian Monastery (from 1605); and a very interesting lapidary by the main church, which houses , a collection of approximately 20 stone monuments from ancient and Medieval times, including a tombstone of the Roman era, Venetian lion and a stone table which belonged to a knight named Ivan Obradic.