Bol in Croatia, Brac Island: Travel Guide!
Bol in Croatia is a wonderful vacation destination in the south of Brac Island. It’s located beneath the mountain Vidova Gora and enchants with amazing beaches and incredible scenery. Bol is a place well worth a visit! The town is especially famous for its Golden Horn, one of the most spectacular beaches in Croatia. But there is much more to see and do in Bol. The picturesque old town with its pretty harbor, interesting attractions and great opportunities for excursions are just some of the highlights of the resort. In addition, Bol has a fabulous tourist offer with excellent restaurants, cute cafés, wine bars, good shopping and a variety of fantastic accommodations.
In this guide we will show you the most stunning beaches, the best places to visit and the coolest excursions in Bol. You will also find helpful tips and information to help you plan your perfect vacation!
Good to know!
Bol offers some of the best places to stay on Brac Island. Especially recommended is the charming boutique hotel Villa Giardino Heritage with its remarkable location.
Besides the famous Zlatni Rat, also known as the Golden Horn, there are many other beautiful bays around Bol. Here are the best beaches in Bol summarized at a glance.
Not only Bol is uniquely beautiful, but also the surrounding area is really worth seeing. During an excursion, you can explore some of the best attractions of Brac island from here.
The best time for a beach vacation in Bol is from June to the end of October. At this time of year you can count on warm temperatures, lots of sun and only a little rain!
General Information about Bol
Bol is a seaside resort on the island of Brac in Dalmatia and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatia. The town of about 1,000 inhabitants is located on the southern coast below the imposing mountain of Vidova Gora, and together with Supetar, Sutivan, Postira and Sumartin is one of the largest coastal resorts on the island. Once a small fishing village, Bol has become one of the most famous places in Croatia. Every year, visitors from all over the world come to Bol for their holidays or just for a visit to the Golden Horn.
Many know Bol because of the Golden Horn, but the resort has so much more to offer! A gorgeous waterfront, a cute old town with a beautiful harbor, breathtaking natural bays and fantastic opportunities for day trips are what make this town so unique. Bol is the oldest settlement on the island of Brac, and attractions such as the Dominican monastery with its museum, the baroque summer palace Loza and the church by the harbor bear witness to this time.
In addition, a wide range of activities awaits you during your visit. Especially sports enthusiasts will enjoy themselves here. From windsurfing, kayaking, stand-up paddling, scuba diving and pedal boating to hiking, tennis, cycling and mountain biking, there is something for everyone.
Best Things to Do in Bol
In addition to bathing on magnificent beaches, there are plenty more things to do in Bol. The picturesque old town and the beautiful harbor, which are best explored on a leisurely stroll, are just wonderful. But there are also many other attractions near Bol that are worth seeing.
Old Town of Bol
On a sightseeing tour through the historic old town of Bol you will discover lovely attractions. Actually, the history goas back to ancient times. Nowadays, you stroll through narrow streets, admire pretty old stone houses and churches. Right in the center of Bol there are some interesting attractions to discover, such as the house in the house (Kuća u kući), the local Church of Our Lady of Carmel, the Gallery for Modern Croatian Art in the Baroque Palace, the Roman Pool, the Church of Our Lady of Mercy and the Church of St. John and Tudor.
Zlatni Rat (The Golden Horn)
The famous Zlatni Rat beach, better known as the Golden Horn, is located west of Bol, about 2 kilometers from the port. It has already become a landmark of Croatia due to its extraordinary appearance in the form of a huge golden horn that extends almost 500 meters into the sea. On the cape, there is also a hundred-year-old pine forest, which creates a unique contrast with the golden pebble beach and the deep blue sea. Visitors from all over the world come to admire this natural jewel and swim in the crystal clear sea. If you are on vacation in Bol, you should not miss this dream beach!
Tip: The BRETANIDE Sport & Wellness Resort – All Inclusive is only around 300 meters away from the Golden Horn and impresses with a beautiful pool area and wellness program.
The Harbor
The beautiful small harbour of Bol is the heart and at the same time the tourist center. It is also very interesting to visit it in the morning, when the fishermen are bringing in their catch, and you can watch them at work. Just behind the wall of the quay there is a small beach port, which is perfect for those who want to cool off and refresh themselves. Along the promenade, called the Riva, there are also excellent restaurants and cozy cafés that invite you to linger and enjoy the view of the rocking boats. Especially in the evening, the restaurants are getting busy because the harbor is a popular meeting place in Bol.
Tip: Directly at the pier near the harbor, you can buy tickets for the catamaran ferry. Perfect if you are planning a trip to Split or to Hvar Island.
Dominican Monastery & Martinica Beach
One of the most important places to visit in Bol is the beautiful Dominican monastery at the eastern end of the village. This monastery was founded in 1475 and continuously expanded over the years. Nowadays, the Dominican monastery is a museum that exhibits valuable historical objects that were salvaged from the sea. Next to the monastery building there is the Martinica beach, which conjures up an almost kitschy backdrop with the turquoise sea colors and the picturesque Dominican monastery in the background.
Tip: The Apartments Villa Miranda offer beautiful apartments in a top location close to Martinica Beach, as well as to the beautiful Bijela Kuca beach.
Hiking to Vidova Gora
One of the best things to do in Bol is to visit the mountain Vidova Gora. It is located on the island of Brac just behind Bol and is the highest point of the Croatian island world at 780 meters. From up here you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Bol, the Golden Horn and over to the island of Hvar. Sporty ones can hike from the center of Bol up to the summit in 2.5 hours. Or you can drive up to the summit by car. A paved road leads from the other side of the island to the mountain top.
Stina Winery
In the center of Bol, near the port, there is the traditional Stina Winery. Stina wine has been produced here since the very beginning and can be purchased and tasted here. If you wish, you can also join a guided tour. You will learn plenty of interesting facts about the history of wine on the island of Brac and about the different types of wine and their production. Afterward, you can participate in a red wine tasting. Not far from the Stina Winery is the Mediteran Cinema, an open-air movie theater with a view of the sea.
Bijela Kuca Beach
The beautiful beach Bijela Kuca, which can be translated as “white house”, is one of the most beautiful beaches in Bol. It is located east of the town center and can be reached from the harbor by a short walk. Here, the sea shimmers in gorgeous blue colors and numerous pine trees behind the beach offer cool shade on hot summer days. While bathing, you can enjoy a special ambience with a view of the picturesque Dominican monastery.
Tip: The proximity to the village of Bol makes the location perfect for a holiday. We can recommend the Apartments Laguna with a fantastic sea view.
Blaca Cave Monastery (Blaca Hermitage)
The unique Hermitage Blaca, also called Blaca Cave Monastery, is a real highlight of the island and an important attraction near Bol. It is hidden in the mountains on a huge cliff and can be reached only by hiking. From the outside alone, the monastery complex is already gigantic, but a guided tour is also very worthwhile. Today, the hermitage of Blaca houses a museum worth seeing, where artifacts from the monarchy and astronomical equipment such as old telescopes can be marveled at.
Murvica Beach
Murvica Beach is a beautiful bathing highlight not far from Bol. This small hidden bay is an insider’s tip for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the main beaches on the island. A special feature is the wonderful location. This very fine pebble beach is embedded in the hilly vineyard landscape, surrounded by green pine trees, and captivates with its extraordinary beauty. It is located just below the village of the same name, Murvica, about 4 km from Bol.
Best Excursions from Bol
During a vacation in Bol on Brac Island you can make really wonderful day trips. Here are the best excursion destinations summarized at a glance:
Strongly recommended is the picturesque old town of Supetar, in the north of Brac Island. But also places like Milna, Sutivan and Postira are worth a visit.
A very interesting excursion is a tour to Skrip, the oldest place on the island with its local museum (Muzej otoka Brača) and the olive oil museum.
The many different beaches of Brac Island, which promise the finest bathing pleasure, are also a must-see. And don’t miss discovering the secret submarine tunnel, west of Bol.
If you have seen enough of the island, take a trip to the beautiful neighboring Hvar Island, book a tour to the Blue Grotto near Vis or go on a day trip to the old town of Split.
Where to Stay in Bol
During a holiday to Bol you have a wide choice of different accommodations. Most of the places to stay are located around the center and along the waterfront of the resort. Here are the top recommendations for the best apartments and hotels in Bol…It’s worth a look!
- Wellness Hotel: The BRETANIDE Sport & Wellness Resort – All Inclusive is located directly on the pedestrian promenade of Bol and is only around 300 meters from the Golden Horn.
- Hotel with Rooftop Terrace: The Lifestyle Hotel Vitar is located between Bol and Zlatni Rat. Especially the infinity pool with a fantastic sea view is awesome here.
- Fantastic Heritage Hotel: The Villa Giardino Heritage Boutique Hotel is a beautiful boutique hotel in the best location near the harbor and the center of Bol.
- Apartments with Pool: The Apartments Lolita convinces with a wonderful pool, clean apartments and a fabulous sea view.
Conclusion: Bol in Croatia impresses with great possibilities to swim or to engage in water sports. It also fascinates with a variety of attractions, other kinds of sport and excursions. Perfect for those who want to combine a beach holiday with sightseeing!
Find the best accommodation in Bol:
More about Brac Island:
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Brač Island, Croatia: The Complete Travel Guide
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Top 10 Beaches on Brac Island
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Zlatni Rat Beach: The Golden Horn in Croatia
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Top 7 Beaches in Bol, Croatia
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Sutivan: Most idyllic Vacation spot on Brac
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