TAKE a look at the autumn sunshine spot “that never sleeps” with beautiful beaches and a buzzing nightlife scene just three hours from Dublin.
Hvar, Croatia, is the sunniest place in the country and has gorgeous white sandy beaches.
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The Adriatic island has only 11,000 residents and boasts gorgeous lavender fields, white sands and a growing nightlife scene.
Hvar is a popular island to visit on a Croatian holiday, where temperatures can hit around 24C in October, making it the ideal spot for Irish holidaymakers.
Hvar is also known as the “town that never sleeps” due to its vibrant nightlife.
There is an endless list of bars and nightclubs, including Carpe Diem, one of Croatia’s glitziest coastal bars.
Getting to the island is easy, as it lies just off the major city of Split, which has an airport.
You could fly from Dublin Airport, which takes only three hours to Split with Ryanair flights starting at €25.
There are more than 20 beaches to choose from, many of which are Blue Flag beaches, so you can expect them to be clean.
A popular activity is renting a small boat and driving it with friends to the small islands surrounding Hvar.
Pokonji Dol is the most accessible beach from the port, just a mile outside Hvar town.
It’s Hvar’s largest pebble beach and edges clear blue water, ideal for swimming.
On the north side of the island, there are plenty of sandy beaches suitable for children.
Near Jelsa, which is also located on the north side of Hvar, are shallow sandy beaches in deep bays.
The Pakleni archipelago is highly recommended, as it offers unique experiences and natural beauty.
It’s one of the best places to snorkel in Croatia, and the bay it frames is known for its sandy bottom and variety of sea life, including shells.
You can also embark on a Jeep Safari, a memorable island tour that includes some hidden places and magnificent views.
The cuisine is also highly rated, with fresh seafood and local dishes available at decent prices.
Val Marina Restaurant is ranked the best eatery in town – and has glowing five-star reviews.
You can also discover abandoned stone villages like Malo Grablje.
While deserted, the villages present impressive photo opportunities and stunning views.
FIVE MORE AUTUMN SUNSHINE SPOTS
HERE are five more destinations to soak up the last of the year’s sunshine.
- Gran Canaria is just one of the very many options, boasting a “very mild winter” each year. Located on one of Spain’s Canary Islands, off northwestern Africa, Gran Canaria is well-known for its black lava and white sand beaches.
And steady temps of 22C throughout the winter. - The Cyclades island in the Aegean Sea looks like a place straight out of a fairytale and even has flights for less than €90 from Dublin Airport.
Santorini, located in Greece is calling your name as the peak tourist season comes to an end but the hot sunshine isn’t.
Roam the peaceful black-sand beaches or stroll the streets of one of Santorini’s charming villages. - Tuscany stretches from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Apennines and is located in west-central Italy.
With breathtaking beaches, Mediterranean islands and highs of 23C in October, this European spot has something for everyone. - The island of Sardinia in Italy is home to nearly 2,000km of stunning coastline. With average highs of 23C throughout October this is the prime month to visit and avoid large crowds.
It’s a great time of year to swim in the sea, with the water at an average temperature of 22C. - Cordoba in southern Spain is the capital of the province and the ideal place for an autumn getaway.
The city enjoys temperatures from 18 to 24C even into the month of October, so visitors can soak up the last of the sunshine.
And it’s just three hours from Dublin Airport with Ryanair operating regular flights to the city’s closest airport in Malaga for just €24.99.
