Vrboska is the smallest settlement on Hvar island, tucked into a narrow, winding inlet that has earned it the nickname "Little Venice." Stone bridges arch over the channel connecting the two halves of the village, and the houses climb the slopes on either side in a tangle of narrow lanes, stone steps, and flowering gardens. It is a quieter, more intimate alternative to the bustle of Hvar Town.
The village's most distinctive landmark is the fortified Church of St. Mary, built in the sixteenth century as both a place of worship and a refuge against Ottoman raids. Its thick walls and corner towers look more like a small fortress than a church. Vrboska also has a small fishing harbour, a couple of pebble beaches within walking distance, and easy access to the island's interior — the lavender fields and hilltop villages are a short drive or a pleasant bike ride away.