Vartal in Ivan Dolac – Coffee, Cocktails, and Deep Natural Shade Just Steps from the Sea
Vartal is a small café-bar located in the heart of Ivan Dolac, right next to the large pebble beach and the sea. It is one of those places that is particularly appreciated on a hot summer day: tables are set among old Mediterranean trees, providing deep natural shade, while glimpses of the sea and the island of Šćedro can be seen through the branches.
The name Vartal means garden in the Dalmatian dialect, which perfectly suits this place. The bar is designed like a small green park, with pines, junipers, and an old carob tree creating a pleasant shade even when the sun is blazing on the nearby beach.
Vartal has been operating since 2009 and is not intended to be a restaurant or a loud beach club. It is a place to enjoy morning coffee, a cold beer after swimming, a glass of Hvar wine, or a cocktail in the evening.
Just Steps from the Main Beach
Vartal is situated by the main beach of Ivan Dolac – Velo žolo, in the liveliest coastal part of the village.
A short walk separates it from the sea, making it very convenient for a break during the day at the beach. There is no need to return to your apartment or search for shade further from the shore – simply cross from the beach into the trees of Vartal.
This makes it particularly practical for families, guests who spend the whole day by the sea, and anyone looking for a respite from the intense midday sun.
The Natural Shade is Vartal's Greatest Feature
The greatest asset of Vartal is not its elaborate decor but the natural garden it is set in.
The old trees create deep shade over most of the terrace, with the old carob tree standing out in particular. The greenery mitigates the summer heat and makes the space noticeably more comfortable than completely open terraces by the sea.
This makes Vartal an excellent choice around midday and early afternoon when most of the beach is exposed to full sun.
Morning Coffee by the Sea
Vartal opens early enough for you to enjoy morning coffee before swimming.
Espresso and cappuccino are among the most common choices, and the tranquil terrace under the trees is especially pleasant before Ivan Dolac fills up with bathers during the day.
If you are staying near the main beach, Vartal can easily become a place you visit every morning before heading to the sea.
Beer and Local Wine
During the day, the focus naturally shifts to cold drinks.
Vartal offers a good selection of beers, with a particular emphasis on local and domestic wines. This suits Ivan Dolac well, as it is surrounded by some of the most renowned southern wine-growing regions of Hvar.
A glass of chilled white wine or a cold beer in the shade after swimming truly encapsulates the character of this bar – simple, unpretentious, and perfectly suited to summer by the sea.
Cocktails in the Evening
In the evening, Vartal transforms its atmosphere.
As the heat subsides and a gentle breeze begins to blow in from the sea, the terrace becomes a pleasant spot for a post-beach cocktail.
A variety of classic cocktails are on offer, with the Mai Tai being a particular favourite among guests.
The music remains unobtrusive, ensuring that Vartal does not turn into a typical party bar in the evening. The atmosphere is much more conducive to long conversations over drinks than to a loud night out.
Occasional Live Music
During the summer, Vartal occasionally hosts evenings with live music.
This is not a daily programme or large concerts, but rather smaller performances that fit well within the bar's space.
If such an evening coincides with your stay in Ivan Dolac, Vartal becomes one of the livelier spots in the small settlement, yet without losing its relaxed character.
Ice Cream After the Beach
Vartal is also popular among families as it offers a wide selection of Ledo ice creams.
For children, this is the simplest reason to stop by after swimming, while adults can linger over coffee or a cold drink.
It is these small details that make Vartal a practical part of a day spent at the main beach – there is no need to plan a visit specifically.
Not a Restaurant
Vartal should be experienced as a café-bar, not as a place for lunch or dinner.
The main offerings consist of coffee, soft drinks, beer, wine, cocktails, and ice cream. For a proper meal, it is better to choose one of the restaurants in Ivan Dolac, such as Slavinka, and then return to Vartal for a drink.
This also makes for a good evening combination: dinner a few minutes away, followed by a cocktail or wine in the garden by the sea.
A Calm Atmosphere Without Beach Club Excess
Vartal is a complete contrast to the large beach clubs in Hvar.
There is no loud music all day, no reserved VIP areas, and no need to come dressed up.
You can come straight from the beach, sit under a tree, and stay as long as you like.
This perfectly suits the character of Ivan Dolac – a small place where, in the evening, the sea, wine, and conversation are valued more than a big night out.
View Towards Šćedro
From the open areas of Vartal, the view extends towards the sea and the island of Šćedro.
The proximity to the sea is always felt, especially in the evening when the daytime bustle from the beach quietens down.
Unlike terraces that are a few streets away from the shore, here you do not lose the sense of being right by the sea.
For Families with Children
Vartal is very practical for families.
It is located right next to the main beach, has deep shade, ice cream, and a sufficiently relaxed atmosphere that visiting with children poses no problem.
This is especially useful during the hottest part of the day when children need to be kept out of the sun, and you do not want to return to your apartment.
How to Get There?
Vartal is located in the central coastal area of Ivan Dolac.
If you are already at the main beach, the bar is less than a minute's walk away.
From other parts of the village, it is also easiest to walk as Ivan Dolac is not large, and the local roads along the coast can be narrow and busy during the summer.
Parking
For those arriving by car, the most practical option is to use the available parking spaces in the central part of Ivan Dolac and around the approach to the main beach, then walk the last part.
It does not make sense to try to park right next to the tables at Vartal. In July and August, the central part of the village fills up quickly, so arriving early is much simpler.
If you are staying in Ivan Dolac, leave your car at your accommodation.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
Vartal actually has three completely different good moments throughout the day.
In the morning, it is excellent for coffee before the beach.
In the middle of the day, the natural shade makes it one of the most pleasant places to escape the sun in Ivan Dolac.
In the evening, it is best for wine or a cocktail with a breeze from the sea, and occasionally live music.
For this reason, Vartal is not a bar that needs to be specially fitted into your day's plans – it naturally complements a stay at the main beach.
Who is Vartal Best Suited For?
Vartal will particularly appeal to guests who appreciate simple, local bars without excessive tourist spectacle.
It is ideal for morning coffee, families needing shade during the day, a cold beer after swimming, and couples wanting to enjoy a cocktail or local wine by the sea in the evening.
Its greatest value lies not just in the drink offerings, but in the combination of old greenery, natural shade, views of Šćedro, and the fact that the main beach is just a few steps away.
Useful Information
- Name: Vartal
- Location: Ivan Dolac, Hvar Island
- Type: café-bar
- Established: since 2009
- Position: in the centre of Ivan Dolac, by the main pebble beach
- Meaning of the Name: vartal means garden in Dalmatian
- Ambience: a small green park under old Mediterranean trees
- Natural Shade: excellent
- Coffee: espresso, cappuccino, and other hot drinks
- Beer: good selection
- Wine: domestic and local wines
- Cocktails: yes
- Soft Drinks: yes
- Ice Cream: large selection of Ledo ice creams
- Food: not a traditional restaurant; for a proper meal, nearby restaurants are better
- Live Music: occasionally during summer
- Music: mostly relaxed and unobtrusive
- View: sea and Šćedro
- Beach: main beach of Ivan Dolac right next to the bar
- Child-Friendly: yes
- Parking: parking in the central part of Ivan Dolac and near the main beach, then a short walk
- Best Time: morning for coffee, midday for shade, evening for cocktails
- Best For: coffee, beer, local wine, cocktails, ice cream, and relaxation in natural shade by the sea
Vartal Bar / Comments
Looks like you are not signed in!
How would you like to proceed?
Anonymous comment
Login
Register
Your comment was submitted successfully and it will be published after approval by administrator!
General Conditions of Publiciation
General terms and conditions and notes
1. Web page
Web page www.holiday-link.com is an interactive web page where the visitors can put texts, news, photos and video movies regarding the content about tourism, gastronomy, culture and entertainment. Information can be uploaded by the owners, managers, employees, tourist boards, residents and tourists, basically all those who want to introduce the public to the specific content (facilities). The site allows evaluation of the attractiveness of a specific content and it allows writing comments by other visitors. Visitors, who log in and want to publish an information about some content (facility) or promote some tourist service, become users or suppliers and they agree to the general terms and conditions that are stipulated here and are obliged to act in accordance with the general terms and conditions (general conditions do not apply if a person is only visiting the page). A person can become a user by signing up with a user name and a password. The user agrees to put the accurate access data, name and surname and the address. Contents that users publish will be signed with a nickname they choose, while the personal data will be used in accordance with the privacy statement. Persons under the age of thirteen are not allowed to enter any content. General terms can be changed from time to time and if the user or supplier doesn’t agree with the changed general terms and conditions he can remove his content from the site.
2. Content
The page is not the media that publishes editorial program contents but the page where the visitors publish information that serve for the educational and cultural public informing about the touristic, cultural and gastronomic contents (facilities). The goal of the site is to collect the information that will give the tourists, as well as the locals, the insight into touristic, cultural and gastronomic offer of the certain location (city, region and country). Publishing the information about the content (information on facilities) is completely free of charge. Except the touristic content , on these pages, providers of various services in tourism may publish and advertise services they offer. These are, further in the text, referred to as a suppliers. Users and suppliers are solely responsible for the publication of their contents in accordance with the statement of responsibility.
3. User obligations
Each user is obliged to use the website in accordance with the general terms and conditions. By publishing the certain text, comment, photo or video movie on the site, the user guarantees that the published information are true, and that they are not copyrighted by a third party. Each user is morally and materially responsible for the publication of content. It is forbidden to copy texts from other websites. Administrators review entered contents and approve them for publishing. Holiday-Link.com has the right not to show the content it finds inappropriate, untrue or offensive. The owners, managers or employees of the gastronomic facilities (eg. restaurants) have the right to reply to the articles and comments on their own content. The owners have the right to request the removal of the text regarding their facilities if they find it inappropriate. The complaint can be send to complain@holiday-link.com. By publishing the content, the user is giving the exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual transferable, irrevocable and fully sublicensable licence (copyright) to use, reproduce modify, adapt, translate, distribute, publish and publicly display subscribed content to the Holiday-Link.com and its affiliates.
4. The obligations of suppliers of tourist services (accommodation and other services)
Company Holiday-Link.com Ltd acts as advertising website on this website and not as a tour operator or intermediary travel agency. Suppliers of tourist services who register their capacity on this site, pay the commercial advertising model they choose. Interaction, regarding arranging a specific accommodation or other tourist service, is done directly between supplier and visitor. Visitors arrange the accommodation or some other touristic service directly with the suppliers and pay the arranged service to them. Suppliers are responsible for all entered data, images, prices and more. Suppliers guarantee that they have all licences necessary to carry out the services they offer, and to operate in accordance with the laws of their home country. By purchasing certain service, visitor accepts the terms and conditions of a supplier from whom he purchased the service. Holiday-Link will check each supplier before putting its facilities to be visible on the page.
5. Statement of Responsibility
The information, that users and suppliers are entering, can be wrong. Holiday-Link.com does not check the entry of the information, pictures and movies and cannot guarantee their accuracy and it disclaims any responsibility for any incorrect data. If you notice a certain misstatement, inaccuracy or inadequacy in any content, please contact us by e-mail: complain@holiday-link.com The responsibility, for every information about some content, is on the user who entered the information. Suppliers, who advertise touristic services via this website, act as independent entrepreneurs. They enter the data about their services , as well as the pictures and the prices, on their own. Holiday-Link.com does not check entered data and disclaims responsibility regarding the errors that can occur during the entering. Suppliers have to own all the licences regarding the services they offer, and they have to respect the laws and regulations of the home country. Visitor arranges the specific service directly with the supplier, on the basis of data that is entered by a supplier as independent entrepreneur, and he pays it directly to the supplier. Therefore, Holiday-Link.com disclaims responsibility for any problem related to the certain reservation.
6. Privacy Policy
When logging into the website, users and suppliers have to enter some personal data (name and surname, e-mail, address, phone number, etc.). Holiday-Link.com guarantees that this data will be kept secret and will not be forwarded to the third parties. Holiday-Link.com can use an user and a supplier e-mail for sending necessarry informaion and for advertising.
7. Cookie Policy
Cookies are small text files that can be stored into device of a visitor if it is allowed by a web browser. Holiday-Link.com uses cookies to provide a better user experience on the website for the visitors. Also, while visiting Holiday-Link.com, you can automatically collect a certain data.
8. Court Jurisdiction
In case of any dispute, related to the site holiday-link.com, the court in Split and the Croatian law are competent.