Sućuraj
About this place
Sućuraj occupies Hvar’s eastern tip, where the island reaches toward the Makarska Riviera and the car ferry from Drvenik docks almost in the village centre. That 30-minute crossing gives Sućuraj a character quite unlike western Hvar: ferry traffic, fishing boats and the waterfront walk to the 1889 lighthouse all meet around the harbour. Its older landmarks include St Anthony’s Church, dated to 1663, St George’s Church from 1897 and a small fortress associated with 1613. Swimming does not necessarily require a car, since Česminica and its shallow sandy seabed lie within the settlement, while Bilina is roughly 500 metres from the centre. Perna is prized for turquoise shallows and sand underfoot; Mlaska combines a sandy cove, pine woodland, a campsite and a designated naturist section. More than 25 kilometres of coastline place small pebble and rocky coves at the heart of the Sućuraj experience. Inland from the harbour, over 30 kilometres of local tracks invite walking and cycling, while the D116 road continues west across Hvar.
Sućuraj faces the channel between Hvar and the Makarska coast, with its ferry landing woven directly into the everyday waterfront. More than 25 kilometres of shoreline encompass sandy shallows, pebble strands and rocky coves, so the village is more than a gateway to the rest of Hvar. Fishing remains visible in the small boats around the harbour and in trips arranged with local boat owners. Narrow lanes link the port with the older churches and northern shore, while the Makarska Riviera and the Biokovo massif form the distinctive view across the water.
Stays
No stays listed here yet
Things to see
The small fortress dated to 1613 recalls the need to defend Hvar’s eastern tip from the sea, while St Anthony’s Church, built in 1663, represents an older layer of Sućuraj’s religious heritage. The present St George’s Church was erected in 1897 beside traces of an earlier church; its patron saint also gave the settlement its name. An 1889 lighthouse stands on the far eastern headland and makes a natural endpoint for a waterfront walk. Together with the former Augustinian and later Franciscan monastery, these sites form a compact historical circuit on foot.
Beaches
Česminica, on the settlement’s southern side, has a shallow sandy seabed, a pebble-and-rock shore, a shower and a café. Bilina lies about 500 metres from the centre on the northern coast, pairing a pebble-and-stone beach with views of Biokovo. Perna is a pine-fringed sandy cove known for its broad shallows, while Mlaska adds a small landing, campsite and naturist section to its sandy setting. Travellers seeking greater seclusion can continue to Mrtinovik, a pebble cove roughly ten kilometres from Sućuraj.
Things to do
Begin on the waterfront, thread through the old lanes to St Anthony’s and St George’s churches, then continue toward the lighthouse on Hvar’s eastern headland. Back at the harbour, choose nearby Česminica for an easy swim or walk roughly 500 metres to Bilina for views across to Biokovo. A longer outing can take in the sandy coves of Perna and Mlaska. For a more active day, follow part of the local network of over 30 kilometres of tracks or rent a small boat to explore Sućuraj’s long, indented shoreline.
Food and drink
Sućuraj’s food is closely tied to catches from the surrounding channel: local menus feature fish, crab and shellfish alongside Hvar olive oil and island wines. Restaurants, taverns, a pizzeria and an ice-cream shop cluster around the waterfront and ferry harbour, making dinner easy to combine with an evening walk toward the lighthouse. The village’s fishing identity makes the day’s seafood the most characteristic order. Opening periods vary with the season, so anyone visiting outside summer should contact the chosen dining room directly before setting out.
Practical information
Practical information
Visitor information is available in Sućuraj itself, and the settlement has a post office, a medical clinic with an emergency helipad, an ATM, shops and a local harbour office. The central port provides berths with water and electricity connections as well as a public shower and toilet. Česminica is the practical car-free swimming choice, while a bicycle, scooter or small rented boat is useful for reaching more distant coves. Drivers crossing Hvar should allow time for the winding D116, particularly on the long section between Sućuraj and Jelsa.
Getting there and around
Jadrolinija’s Drvenik–Sućuraj route carries passengers and vehicles between the Makarska Riviera and eastern Hvar in about 30 minutes. Route 632 operates to a year-round 2026 timetable, with more departures during summer periods; a ticket remains valid that day for another sailing on the same route if its holder misses the intended departure. From the ferry port, the D116 crosses the island toward Jelsa, Stari Grad and Hvar Town. Bus and taxi services are available, although a car is more practical for remote coves and western Hvar.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Drvenik?
Jadrolinija’s crossing from Drvenik to Sućuraj takes approximately 30 minutes.
Which beach is closest to central Sućuraj?
Česminica lies within the settlement on its southern side and has a shallow sandy seabed.
Does Mlaska have a naturist area?
Part of Mlaska Cove is designated for naturist bathing, and the bay also contains a campsite.
Can I rent a small boat in Sućuraj?
Small boats can be rented in Sućuraj, along with bicycles and scooters for local outings.
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Photo credits
- Bogomolje — Argo Navis · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Drašnice — Moson81 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Živogošće — Lukáš Malý · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
- Podgora, Split-Dalmatia County — Dreizung · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
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