A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Positano vs. Hvar for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Positano or Hvar?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Positano and Hvar. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Positano

Positano is a picturesque, colorful, and stunning Mediterranean village. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and hiking.

Hvar

Hvar is a energetic, party-oriented, and historic island. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Positano and Hvar: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Positano or Hvar?

Both Hvar and Positano have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Positano is more popular for its food, resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Hvar is known for its museums, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Positano is popular for its beautiful cliffside setting, its colorful buildings, and its quintessential Amalfi atmosphere. Hvar is popular for its wild parties, beautiful buildings, and world class cuisine.

How is Positano different from Hvar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hvar and Positano. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Positano or Hvar?

Hvar is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Positano does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Hvar. Wandering around the old town you'll see many historic buildings such as the Cathedral of St. Stephen. You can also visit the nearby Hvar Fort or explore the Franciscan Monastery.

Positano does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Positano or Hvar? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Positano is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in Positano have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Seafood is the obvious choice along the Amalfi Coast but Positano is also famous for its salami, chestnuts, cheese, and figs.

Hvar has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's an island, so you'll find no shortage of seafood in the restaurants. There's fish, crab, lobster, squid, and octopus on the menus around town. Many dishes are prepared with risotto or pasta and you'll find a lot of olive oil and wine.

Is Positano or Hvar Better for Nightlife?

Hvar is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. However, Positano is not a good destination for nightlife.

Hvar is a world class party destination. The island has a reputation as a party island, and it's well earned. Most of the activity is found in Hvar Town, particularly between the months of June and September. Young people flock to the island for the all night parties and wild beach bars and clubs.

Most people don't head to Positano specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town has a relaxing nightlife that is usually centered around the clubs found at nearby resorts.

Is Positano or Hvar Better for Resorts?

Positano is renowned for its resorts. However, Hvar is not a resort destination.

Positano is a world class resort vacation destination. The town has a number of luxury resorts including Le Sirenuse, Il San Pietro di Positano, and Hotel Le Agavi.

Hvar is not a resort destination.

Is Positano or Hvar Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hvar is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Positano is not a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Hvar. The water is clear and there are snorkeling day trips that leave from town. This is a great way to get out on the water and glimpse the undersea world.

Snorkeling is an option in Positano. There are snorkeling boat trips that you can book to enjoy exploring the undersea world.

Is Positano or Hvar Better for Beaches?

Hvar is great for the beach. Also, Positano is not as popular, but is still a nice Mediterranean village for its beaches.

Many people visit Hvar for it's beautiful beaches. The island has hilly bays and coves that are fun to explore. The best beaches are found to the south and southwest of the island and many are pebbly or gravelly.

Positano is a good option for a beach vacation. Like the rest of the Amalfi Coast, beaches near Positano tend to be pebbly instead of sandy. They can also get a bit crowded during the summer months. Still, the picturesque setting makes these beaches truly amazing. The main beach at the edge of town is Spiaggia Grande, but there are several others nearby as well.

Is Positano or Hvar Better for its Old Town?

Positano is renowned for its old town. However, Hvar does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Positano is one of the most recognized in the world. Exploring the old town, soaking up the atmosphere, and simply enjoying the colorful buildings is what a trip to Positano is all about.

Hvar does not have a historic old town.

Is Positano or Hvar Better for Hiking?

Positano is notable for the nearby hiking options. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its hiking trails.

Positano is a popular spot for hiking. The best way to explore the area out of town is on foot. There are a number of foot paths and trails that will take you through the stunning landscapes.

Hvar offers some nice hiking trails. There are a number of hikes on the island that cater to every skill level and take you through natural areas or past historic sights.

Is the Shopping Better in Positano or Hvar?

Positano is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its shopping areas.

Positano is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The main street in town is lined with quaint shops that sell local lemon products, ceramics, clothing, and more.

Hvar has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. In the town you'll find galleries, boutiques, jewelry shops and other beach stores. It's fun to pop in and look at the different items.

Is Positano or Hvar Better for Families?

Hvar is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Positano is not as popular, but is still a nice Mediterranean village for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Hvar. There are adventure parks, water parks, and other fun activities for kids. There are also beaches where everyone can swim and sea kayaking trips. Hvar Observatory is also a unique and fun place to visit as a family.

Positano is a family-friendly place to visit. Fun activities include boat rides, eating gelato, and hanging out at the beach. Some of the best family-friendly beaches are Spiaggia Grande, Fornillo Beach, and Arienzo Beach.

Is Positano or Hvar Better for Couples?

Positano is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for couples.

Positano is a great Mediterranean village for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It is a picturesque coast town that is both romantic and fun. Wandering through the streets and sampling Italian food make this the perfect honeymoon getaway.

Hvar makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are some romantic hotels and beautiful beaches that make this a wonderful destination for couples. Anyone who enjoys a coastal setting with clear waters and a variety of water sports will enjoy their time here.

Is Positano or Hvar Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hvar is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Positano is not as popular, but is still a nice Mediterranean village for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Hvar, as it is a very popular island for budget travelers. The island has long been a popular stop with backpackers who enjoy the affordable prices, abundance of hostels, and active nightlife scene. You'll have no trouble meeting other travelers, particularly during the peak summer months.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Positano. The town has a handful of great hostels that make the Amalfi Coast accessible to backpackers on a budget.

Is Positano or Hvar Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Positano and Hvar both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Positano offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You can walk everywhere once you arrive, and the SITA bus travels to and from the town.

Hvar has a few public transit options. Buses are operated by Cazmatrans Hva and they travel between the major municipalities.

Is Positano or Hvar a more walkable city?

Positano is renowned for its high level of walkability. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Positano on foot. The town is best explored on foot. You can wander the quaint streets or take the foot path to the beach or nearby castles.

Hvar is a somewhat walkable Mediterranean village. Hvar Town can be explored on foot, but you'll need a vehicle to explore other parts of the island.

For even more information, also check out Is Positano Worth Visiting? and Is Hvar Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hvar or Positano?

How long in Positano or Hvar?

It's fun to spend time in either Positano or Hvar. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Positano due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Positano, and 2-4 days is enough time in Hvar.

Families should spend more time in Hvar than Positano. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hvar, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Positano than Hvar. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Positano that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hvar than Positano if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Hvar.

One day in Positano or Hvar?

Positano is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The beautiful island of Hvar offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Positano or Hvar?

Positano is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Hvar is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hvar, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Positano or Hvar?

Positano might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This Mediterranean village offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Hvar is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Positano or Hvar?

Even though Positano is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Hvar is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Croatia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Positano and Hvar, we can see that Positano is more expensive. And not only is Hvar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hvar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hvar and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Positano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Positano than you might in Hvar.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Positano Expensive? and Is Hvar Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Positano or Hvar?

Positano has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Hvar. When comparing the sizes of Positano and Hvar, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Positano or Hvar?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Positano or Hvar in the Summer?

Both Hvar and Positano during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Positano for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Hvar because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Positano is generally cooler than Hvar. Daily temperatures in Positano average around 23°C (74°F), and Hvar fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

In Hvar, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Positano. In the summer, Positano often gets less sunshine than Hvar. Positano gets 313 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 345 hours of full sun.

Positano usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Hvar. Positano gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Positano or Hvar in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Positano and Hvar. The autumn months attract visitors to Positano because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Hvar this time of year.

Positano is around the same temperature as Hvar in the autumn. The daily temperature in Positano averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Hvar fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hvar this time of the year. Positano usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hvar during autumn. Positano gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Positano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Positano usually receives more rain than Hvar. Positano gets 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Positano or Hvar in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Positano as well as Hvar. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Positano this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hvar for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Positano is around the same temperature as Hvar. Typically, the winter temperatures in Positano in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Hvar averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Positano often gets less sunshine than Hvar. Positano gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 128 hours of full sun.

Positano receives a lot of rain in the winter. Positano usually gets more rain in January than Hvar. Positano gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Positano or Hvar in the Spring?

Both Hvar and Positano are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Positano for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Hvar in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Positano is generally cooler than Hvar. Daily temperatures in Positano average around 13°C (55°F), and Hvar fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Hvar. Positano usually receives less sunshine than Hvar during spring. Positano gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Positano usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hvar. Positano gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hvar and Positano