The port of Jelsa, Hvar Island
Only 27km east of Hvar Town and
on the northern coast of Hvar Island, Jelsa
is an quiet appealing town surrounded by pine forests.
The town sits at the foot of a pretty bay and there are hotels
at either end of the bay. You won't be dazzled as by Hvar Town's
incredible architecture but, then again, you won't be pressed
in by crowds either--at least most of the year. After a brief
burst of activity in the summer, Jelsa
settles down to a long winter slumber.
What to See
There was once
a thriving fishing business here but now fishing boats are few
and far between. The main activity is tourism, naturally enough,
as there are several good beaches near town. The
best are on the southern side of the bay near the Hotel
Hvar. There's
also a taxi boat to the naturist beaches of
Zecevo and Glavice.
Accommodation in Jelsa
There are a few two-star
and three-star hotels in Jelsa all located on the outskirts of the
town centre.
Hotels
Three-star hotels in Jelsa
Hotel Hvar
Pansion Zardin
Two star hotels in Jelsa
Fontana Resort
Private Accommodation
Pansion
Huljic
Aparts
Sara
See my recommendations on private
accommodation in Hvar Island.
History & Architecture
In the 14th century Jelsa
served as a port for the nearby village of Pitve around
which are several sources of fresh water bordered by poplar trees.
A parish church was built, the Church of Sts Fabian and
Sebastian,
whose most notable feature is its 17th-century Baroque altar.
In 1535 the townspeople erected a fort as protection against the
Turkish attacks of 1571. Refugees from the mainland, fleeing the
Turks, came to Jelsa and brought with them a wooden statue
of the Madonna
which now adorns the main altar.
In the 16th century a square formed
around the church although most of the buildings you see around the
square now date from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Getting to Jelsa
In the summer there are
usually passenger boats direct from Split. The rest of the year,
you'll have to take a boat or ferry to Stari Grad or Hvar Town and
then drive or take a bus to Jelsa. See more on getting
to Hvar Island and getting around Hvar Island.
Tourist Information in Jelsa
The tourist
office is right on Riva in the centre of town.
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