There are two bays named Zaraće on Hvar Island, so it's good to know which Zaraće you're actually heading to. This Zaraće Bay is in the eastern part of Hvar Island near the village of Gdinj. This year we spent about 4 weeks here, and although it's a larger bay by 'Robinson Crusoe' standards, we really liked it there.
Zaraće Bay is quite well protected from the open sea by its location and has a pleasant pebble beach with a gradual entry. The beach is also great for small children. Our children were almost 6 years old and 3.5 years old during our stay, and they really liked this beach. Our son even dared to swim longer in the sea here for the first time, and our daughter learned to swim nicely here. It might seem that the beach is small for the number of houses in the bay, but I can honestly say that we never experienced a crowd there. Older children go jumping into the sea from a larger pier, and only non-swimmers are on the beach.
Right by the beach there is also a small pier with seating, which belongs to the local buffet – you can buy ice cream there and have a coffee or a beer.
There are more houses in this bay now, but they are still 'Robinson Crusoe' style houses. Not because they are isolated, but because they are still far from civilization. Besides the mentioned buffet, there is nothing else here. Just peace, sun, sea, and nature all around.
The nearest shop is in the village of Gdinj, about 6 km from the bay. It's a small shop with basic groceries. For meat, however, you have to go to a larger shop – for example, to Jelsa or Stari Grad. The shop in the village of Gdinj is open from Monday to Saturday mornings from 7 am to 12 pm and then in the afternoon from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. On Sundays, it's open from 7 am to 12 pm. One more important thing – bread here needs to be ordered a day in advance.
The nearest restaurant is in the neighboring bay of Pokrivenik, about 800 m away. We walked there for dinner; it's a nice walk, not difficult terrain, so our children managed it too. The whole way is along the road, so you could even take a stroller. When it's not so hot in the evening, it's truly a refreshing walk. It was always windier in Pokrivenik than in Zaraće, so it's good to keep that in mind. The restaurant is in Hotel Timun and they cook very well there. During the summer, there's also a pizza oven in operation, and you can choose from four types of pizza.
The second restaurant is in Pakomina Bay and is a bit further, you have to go there by car. At the top edge of Zaraće Bay, the road continues onto a macadam road, there's a sign for Bufet Pakomina. After a ten-minute drive on the macadam road, you'll arrive at the small Pakomina Bay, and the very first houses are the mentioned restaurant. They cook excellent classic Dalmatian specialties there. Below the restaurant is a pleasant pebble beach, so if you go there for lunch, you can stay and swim. It's a good idea to call ahead and make a reservation, as it's often very busy, which is a sign of the best restaurant far and wide.
Then there's another excellent option, Family farm Kod Kućera – an excellent farm where they cook wonderfully, and they make everything themselves except for fish. They have excellent goat cheese, and you can buy many of their products on site. There's a great atmosphere, and the sunset view is also fantastic. We were simply thrilled with the dinner and the whole place.
And if you get tired of the peace in the bay and long for civilization, drive to Jelsa, Stari Grad, or Hvar. Vrboska is also nice but quieter. You'll find plenty of excursion tips here. After every return from such a trip, we realize how much we appreciate staying in the bay. We simply love peace on vacation. If you also like peace and nature, you'll enjoy your vacation here too 🙂
GPS coordinates of Zaraće Bay near the village of Gdinj: 43.152203, 16.894735
GPS coordinates of the restaurant in Pokrivenik Bay: 43.151897, 16.889199
GPS coordinates of the restaurant in Pakomina Bay: 43.151351, 16.946561
GPS coordinates of Family farm Kod Kućera: 43.135145, 16.873381
