Fjori Fora Garden – the fragrant garden of Hvar in Gdinj

Fjori Fora Garden is one of those locations that illustrates why the interior of eastern Hvar is just as intriguing as its coves and beaches. In Gdinj, among the stone, dry stone walls, and the scents of Mediterranean herbs, lies a garden dedicated to plants that have been part of island life for generations.

Covering approximately 2,500 square metres, the garden is home to over 80 plant species, making it not just a beautifully arranged garden but also a place to explore the plant life of Hvar – from lavender, rosemary, and sage to various edible, aromatic, and other wild herbs.

A garden born from the old Hvar landscape

The area where Fjori Fora Garden now stands was once a vineyard and a field of lavender and rosemary, dotted with a few olive trees. The old dry stone walls have not been removed; instead, they have been incorporated into the current layout of the garden, dividing it into six smaller fields.

In these fields, plants are arranged according to their various uses on the island – including as edible and aromatic herbs, raw materials for natural preparations, and plants associated with traditional crafts and the daily lives of islanders. Therefore, a stroll through the garden feels more like a small living exhibition of Hvar than a conventional botanical garden.

A walk through six plant fields

A circular path runs through the garden, connecting all six sections. The plants are not merely planted in neat decorative beds – some grow in raised wooden beds, while others are directly in the rocky Hvar soil, maintaining the sense of the natural island landscape.

At the end of the visit, there is a resting area and a display space for Fjori Fora products. The garden also features a small shop selling herbal products and souvenirs, while the shaded resting area provides a place to pause before continuing the tour.

More than just sightseeing

The garden can be explored independently, which is a good option for those who wish to stroll peacefully and examine the plants at their own pace. Organised programmes are also available, allowing visitors to learn about the plants through their scents, tastes, and traditional uses.

Guided tasting tours and programmes related to aromatic herbs and essential oils can be particularly interesting. Such tours are more meaningful with prior arrangement, especially if the aim is to visit the garden as part of an organised outing rather than just a brief stop.

Lavender and the family tradition of Gdinj

Fjori Fora is linked to the Ćurin family, who have been cultivating lavender and other aromatic herbs on Hvar since 1955. The herbs are traditionally harvested by hand, and it is from this connection to the island's nature that the idea for the garden and products based on Hvar's plants emerged.

The name Fjori Fora also carries a local character – it means 'flowers of Hvar', thus the garden represents a small cross-section of the plant world of the entire island in one place.

When the garden is most interesting

The appearance of the garden changes throughout the season. The flowering period of lavender and other aromatic herbs is particularly attractive as the space becomes vibrant with colour and scent, but the concept of the garden is not solely tied to lavender. During a visit, one can encounter numerous plants that grow naturally on Hvar and often go unnoticed along the island's roads and paths.

Due to the open space and strong summer sun, it is more pleasant to explore the garden outside the hottest part of the day. Some of the resting areas provide shade, but much of the tour takes place in the open Mediterranean environment.

A good addition to a visit to Gdinj

Fjori Fora Garden complements a stay in the coves around Gdinj particularly well. Instead of experiencing the area solely through swimming, here one can see another side of eastern Hvar – the dry stone walls, cultivated land, aromatic herbs, and the tradition that has shaped the lives of the local population for decades.

A visit can be combined with a trip to the northern coast of Gdinj and the cove of Pokrivenik, where Restaurant Preza is located, or with a tour of other coves and beaches in the Gdinj area.

Useful information

  • Type of location: educational-interactive botanical garden of wild and Mediterranean herbs
  • Location: Gdinj 25, eastern part of Hvar island
  • Area: approximately 2,500 m²
  • Plants: over 80 different plant species
  • Layout: six separate plant fields connected by a circular path
  • Visiting: possible to explore independently, while certain guided and tasting programmes are organised by arrangement
  • Facilities: resting area, presentation and tasting space, and sale of herbal products and souvenirs
  • Access: Gdinj and the garden can be reached by car via the main island road; the garden is located near the settlement, not in one of the coastal coves
  • Parking: there is space for vehicles near the site, but it should not be presented as a separate public car park
  • Shade: the resting area provides shade, while a significant part of the visit is in the open air
  • Special feature: the garden was created on a former vineyard and fields of lavender and rosemary, preserving the old dry stone walls as part of its current appearance