Revelin Hvar - Unique 16th-century UNESCO Heritage guest-house near beach

Revelin offers you the opportunity to stay in the original guest wing of a five-hundred-year-old UNESCO castle, next door to an iconic fishpond. Historical, beautiful, spacious and full of light, there is a living room, a study, a kitchen with dining for eight, five bedrooms, and four bathrooms. There is discreet, off-street entry and a private, south-facing courtyard with dining and seating for eight. It is ideal for family groups. Sleeps eight.

Revelin's exceptional location is just a few paces from the sea in the old island capital Stari Grad. It forms part of the romantic 500-year-old UNESCO Tvrdalj Castle, and is nestled within its famous garden and alongside the iconic and picturesque fishpond (NOT a swimming pool!). Revelin was founded in 1553 by Petar Hektorović to shelter travellers, making it one of Europe’s oldest places of hospitality and an outstanding setting. Step inside Revelin to enjoy the recently renovated interior. It has charming views on all sides, quality fittings, air-conditioning in each of the five bedrooms, a woodburning stove, and many traditional Dalmatian features.

Stay in a piece of living history. Revelin is a semi-detached stone house in the traffic-free centre of Croatia's oldest town, yet is surrounded by the castle and nature. Outside there is a BBQ and dining for eight in the pretty walled courtyard with views of the 15th century Dominican Monastery, ideal for stargazing after dinner, sipping an iced drink on the warm Adriatic summer nights. Revelin also has a small stone balcony overlooking the Church of St Roko. Enjoy unrivalled views of Petar Hektorović's Tvrdalj Castle and garden, but please note the famous Tvrdalj fishpond, although it adjoins Revelin, there is NO DIRECT ACCESS from the property.

Make use of the kitchen with its Carrara marble countertops and bespoke Brač limestone sink, coffee machine and dining table; relax in the sitting room with Brač limestone fireplace (in use in the colder months); a bright and sunny study ideal for homeworking. Good WIFI throughout.

Revelin has its aristocratic roots firmly within the nobleman Petar Hektorović's castle, which inspired its calm spirit and curated spaces to connect with the garden views. Renovated with sensitivity to pair the 16th-century foundations with elegant modern details. Limestone, wood, beams and antiques blend with traditional Dalmatian green wooden shutters. Revelin now strikes a balance between simple living and luxury. We feel it is a holiday home with the quality modern conveniences you need to relax, alongside a neutral décor and natural materials to connect to the easy-going lifestyle typical of the Mediterranean region.

We love Revelin's timeless setting between the hillside and the seafront, with the Mediterranean world on the doorstep, traffic free. Step outside for coffee under the palm trees in the main square, and walk along the seafront to discover the charming restaurants, pizzerias and bakeries. There are coffee and wine bars, ice-cream, supermarkets, a fish market and a park, and outdoor cinema. We while away time on the beaches, reached by relaxing on a taxi boat or a walk along the marina, where you can watch boats and sunsets.

Experience the charm of tradition in the centre of the lively 2400-year-old UNESCO Stari Grad, which has a large cultural event calendar every summer and celebrates its patron saint on the 16th August with a free concert on the square and fireworks. Visit the museum in the Biankini Palace, the tiny church of St John and the Medieval old town, with its narrow cobbled streets, souvenir shops and galleries. Out of town, there are dozens of dazzling beaches that you can reach by car, public transport or rent a boat. It is also wonderful to discover the peace of the UNESCO Stari Grad Plain. To round off your day, you have a choice of restaurants. Stari Grad is a cultural, still-without-the-crowds destination. Revelin is a culturally unique way to experience Hvar island, the only island in the world that has six UNESCO heritage awards, in a country ranked as the 15th safest in the world. For its sunshine, its bays tucked next to ancient landscapes of olives, vines and lavender, and its way of life, Hvar is the most celebrated island in Croatia and the best island in Europe (Conde Nast 2019, 2021). It is a privilege for us to be part of Stari Grad 'the Old Town', recognised by UNESCO World Heritage. The fascinating life of the island is appreciated in respect of a certain art of living, loving nature, respecting it, taking an interest in the locality, with its 2400-year-old traditions, taking the time to discover the UNESCO Stari Grad Plain and its produce.