Municipality of Sućuraj – Beaches, trails and history

Beaches with their own character

At Česminica Beach, a shallow, sandy seabed meets a shoreline that is partly pebbly and partly rocky. There is a café-bar and a shower. Bilina, by contrast, is a pebble and rock beach on the north side of Sućuraj, 500 metres from the town centre. From there, you can look out over the Makarska coast and the Biokovo mountain range. The description of Perna Bay beach highlights its turquoise sea, a large shallow area and a sandy seabed.

These differences can help you choose a beach: Česminica combines shallow water with several types of shoreline and the facilities mentioned, while Bilina offers pebbles and rocks as well as views of the coast and mountains. Perna offers another kind of sandy, shallow beach. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can consider which of these beach types best suits your preferences for your holiday.

Cycling, running and walking

Sućuraj has more than 30 kilometres of trails used for cycling, running and walking. The old footpaths run along the sea, over hills and through forests and olive groves. They primarily serve agricultural and fire-protection purposes, while increasingly being used by people seeking recreation. As conditions on individual paths can change, it is worth checking the latest information before setting out.

The cycling routes also vary considerably in length and surface. The Sućuraj 700 circular route is 17.8 kilometres long, starts in the town centre and combines paved sections with off-road trails. The paved Lesina 712 cycling route passes through Sućuraj and is 174.2 kilometres long. The choice therefore ranges from a shorter circuit with a mix of surfaces to a long, fully paved route. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can first decide whether beaches, a starting point for the cycling circuit or historic sites will play the biggest part in your stay.

History and special places

Sućuraj is home to landmarks from different centuries. Fortica Fortress was built in 1613. The Church of St George is mentioned as early as the Hvar Statute of 1331; its cruciform floor plan and the statue of the saint slaying a dragon are distinctive features. The surviving Church of St Anthony was built in 1663. The Baroque Church of St Anthony of Padua houses the oldest painting in the town: it depicts St Paschal, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Roch. The 19th-century Franciscan monastery is considered the oldest surviving building in Sućuraj.

The lighthouse is another distinctive structure: it was built in 1889 on the easternmost cape of the island of Hvar. A local legend associates the archaeological site of Koščak-Oglavak near Sućuraj with the court of the Illyrian queen Teuta. A surviving wall known as “Teuta’s Wall” is recorded there; amphorae from sunken Roman galleys have been found in the surrounding sea.

Bogomolje is home to a small Baroque parish church dating from the 17th century. Jerkov dvor consists of an old residential house, a kitchen and a bread oven from 1898; the house also holds a fossil collection. These examples add another perspective on life and material culture in the area to Sućuraj’s architectural history.

Local cuisine and getting there

Recommended dishes in Sućuraj include grilled fish, octopus salad and Hvar-style mussels. Local traditions also include spirits such as Lozovača, Travarica, Mrtinovača and Rogačuša. The Vujnović Winery is listed as having a wine shop where you can sample wine; as availability may vary, it is best to check what is on offer before your visit.

The Jadrolinija ferry route connects Sućuraj with the Makarska Riviera via Drvenik; the crossing takes 30 minutes. As timetables may change, it is advisable to check the times for your planned travel date.

Discover more places

Discover more places: Sućuraj, Selca Kod Bogomolja and Bogomolje.

Discover more destinations: Municipality of Jelsa, Municipality of Hvar, Stari Grad.

To the overview of the wider travel area: Hvar.