Charming little town with a beautifully landscaped seaside promenade, a large main square, a green park, and a wide harbor that surrounds it, making it stand out from other places on the island. The first thing to do when you arrive in Jelsa is to enjoy a good cup of coffee and observe people. If you’re lucky, you might catch the Jelsa “supervisory board” on a bench in front of Café Prošperin, engaging in their daily banter. My favorite place during the colder months is the Jelsa pastry and ice cream shop, and during the summer, one of the cafes on the other end of the harbor, next to the long line of yachts and sailboats. That area offers the best shade with a gentle breeze.
Jelsa: Little Monte Carlo
In Jelsa, you can truly see and experience a lot by walking, although it would be a shame not to extend your exploration to the nearby Vrboska, the ancient field of Ager, or visit the southern side of the island. You can easily tour all of these places by bicycle or scooter, which I highly recommend doing
Take a walk to the town center and continue along the right side of the harbor where you can rent a bicycle, scooter, speedboat, or a small boat that you can navigate on your own. Exploring the beaches and coves around Jelsa is a perfect way to complete your vacation, and some of the best locations include Mala Stiniva Beach, Vela Stiniva Beach in Zavala (where you can also have lunch), Pokrivenik Beach, Grebišće Beach, and the islet of Zečevo.
Jelsa is the perfect place to leisurely enjoy your vacation and the best location for visiting the wineries of Hvar. Indeed, the Jelsa wine-growing territory is highly esteemed, and some of the best wineries on the island are located here. It’s difficult to single out just one, but since you’re in Jelsa, consider visiting the tasting rooms of wineries such as Tomić or Duboković. Afterward, you can continue for lunch at the nearby Beach Bar and Restaurant Mina Beach, and round off the day with a swim at Jelsa’s sandy Copacabana beach, officially known as Mina Beach.
Insider tip: When you’re in Jelsa, be sure to take a car and drive to the most beautiful spot on the entire island, the small village of Pitve. It’s filled with authentic stone houses nestled together on a green hillside. The view is absolutely memorable. If you have the chance, make a quick visit to the new interactive Viticulture Museum as well.
