Jelsa is situated on the central part of the island of Hvar. The heart of the island is surrounded with pine trees and beautiful beaches. Jelsa is surrounded with two peaks: on the west is Saint Nikola and on the east is Hum. The south of Jelsa is surrounded with hills called Vrh, Samotorac and Gozd and on the north, there is Burkovo hill. Burkovo is protecting Jelsa from the northern wind. Jelsa is surrounded with olive groves, vineyards and Mediterranean plants.

It is the important tourist centre with rich tourist offer. The place is known for its quality wines – Jelsa wines are one of the best wines in Croatia. Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters and plenty of sunshine encourages the development of viticulture.

In restaurants and taverns you can try top quality wines. Jelsa is famous for its gastronomic offer of seafood which you can try in any restaurant on the island of Hvar.

Jelsa has an indented coast with associated islands, bays and capes. The island guests enjoy in privacy when swimming and sunbathing in the bays. The beaches are sandy, gravelly and rocky. There are plenty of nudist beaches in the area of Jelsa because there are many hidden bays. The light breeze will refresh you while sunbathing on the beach. You will find lots of shade on the beaches during the hot days.

Jelsa has many cultural and historical monuments. The most known are The old town of Jelsa (Civitas Vetus Ielsae), St. Mary’s Church, Our Lady of Health Church, The Church of St. Roko, The Church of St. Mihovil, Lapidary (collection of stone monuments), Perivoj (Public Garden), Croatian Renaissance Square (Pjaca) and St. Ivan’s Square.

Perivoj is magnificent public garden. It is one of the most beautiful and largest gardens in Dalmatia. It is ornamented with Mediterranean herbs.

Pjaca is the main square which is located in the centre of Jelsa. Brook Slatina is located on the west side of the square. Natural spring water is flowing from the brook. The spring water is used by local people since the ancient days.

St. Ivan’s square is one of the most beautiful Renaissance Baroque squares with a small octagonal church of St. Ivan. The church is characterized by a variety of styles of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque.

Mario works at Hvar Travel as a writer, writing about the beauties of Hvar.