Brač Island, Croatia: The Complete Travel Guide
Brač Island is one of the most beautiful destinations for a summer vacation in Croatia. It is world famous for the Golden Horn, an absolute dream beach and the island’s landmark, featured on countless Croatian postcards and travel magazines. However, only a few know that there are countless other wonderful highlights and things to do on Brač. Visitors will find a wide range of activities, magnificent nature, high mountains, fascinating beaches and charming resorts that exude a wealth of Croatian charm. Finally, the incredible tourist offer with excellent restaurants, bars and many good accommodations makes the vacation to Brac perfect. A real dream island, and the reason why many come back again and again!
In this travel guide, we will give you all the important information and tips about Brač Island in Croatia. In addition, we will show you the most beautiful things to do in Brac, the best resorts and beaches, exclusive insider tips and where to find the fantastic places to stay in Brač.
Good to know!
There are many popular resorts on Brac, such as Bol in the south and Supetar in the north of the island. Other charming places are Sutivan, Sumartin, Postiraand Milna.
The most common way to get to Brac is by ferry from the mainland. The island can be reached easily either from Split or alternatively from Makarska Town.
Brac Island is famous for its stunning bays, which offer the perfect conditions for an unforgettable vacation. Here you can find in most beautiful beaches of Brac Island.
This island of Brac and the Golden Horn can also be visited on a guided day trip from the mainland! Wonderful boat tours are available online at GetYourGuide.
General Information about Brac Island
Brac Island is located in Dalmatia, not far from the neighboring islands of Hvar and Solta. The best way to get there is by ferry, and there is also a small airport on the island. With an area of 395 km², Brac is the largest island in Dalmatia and the third-largest island in the Adriatic Sea. Brac is internationally known for its Zlatni Rat beach, the so-called Golden Horn, which is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia. Furthermore, a special attraction is the 778-meter-high Vidova Gora, the highest mountain of all Croatian islands. World-famous is also the Brač marble, which was used to build the White House in Washington, the Reichstag in Berlin, the Hofburg in Vienna and Diocletian’s Palace in Split!
But above all, it is the breathtaking beaches, the countless opportunities for activities such as hiking, cycling, diving, tennis and windsurfing, as well as the many fantastic places and attractions that make Brac in Croatia a true vacation paradise. Add to this the wonderful Mediterranean climate with 134 days of sunshine a year. Finally, a vacation on Brac is made perfect by an absolutely fantastic offer of good accommodation, fantastic hotels and excellent restaurants.
Best Things to Do on Brac Island
During a vacation on Brac you can expect beautiful places, lots of exciting activities and fantastic attractions. Here we have summarized all the highlights and the best things to do on Brac Island at a glance.
Bol
One of the most popular resorts on the island of Brac is certainly Bol in the south of the island. Located at the foot of the Vidova Gora mountain and right next to the famous Golden Horn, the island’s landmark, Bol attracts countless vacationers every year. Breathtakingly beautiful are also the countless other fantastic beaches in Bol, which are located in the immediate vicinity. An absolutely worth seeing highlight is also the charming old town with the small fishing port, which forms the center of the pretty resort. Here you will be able to enjoy a wide variety of restaurants, wineries and cafés.
Tip: For a very special stay, we truly recommend Villa Giardino Heritage, a beautiful boutique hotel near the harbor and the center of the town.
Zlatni Rat Beach (Golden Horn)
The Zlatni Rat Beach, also known as Golden Horn, is the most important tourist attraction on Brac Island and also the island’s landmark. This world-famous dream beach is located in the south of the island, near the already mentioned village of Bol, and a visit is definitely one of the best things to do on any trip to Brac. Here, a unique crescent shape, reminiscent of a golden horn, stretches almost 500 meters into the turquoise sea. Created by nature, the shape of this fine pebble beach changes depending on the currents and tides. The picturesque promenade from Bol to Zlatni Rat is also wonderful, with numerous cozy cafés and beautiful bays along the way.
Blaca Hermitage (Cave Monastery)
The beautiful monastery complex of Blaca Hermitage is definitely a highlight and one of the most interesting attractions on Brac Island. Also known as the Cave Monastery, this mystical place is located on a huge cliff in the interior of the island and can only be reached by a short hike. The monastery was founded in the 16th century by Glagolitic monks who fled to Brac from the mainland to escape Turkish attacks. Later, the building was used as an observatory. Today, the Blaca hermitage houses a museum where you can see artifacts from the monarchy and astronomical equipment such as old telescopes.
Supetar
Supetar is one of the most popular tourist resorts on the island of Brac and the largest town on the island with a population of 3,500. It is located on the north coast and can be easily reached by ferry from Split. The romantic harbor with the beautiful old town is especially charming, where cozy restaurants and konobas line the waterfront and form the tourist center. Also worth seeing is the parish church of Supetar, which together with the traditional Dalmatian stone houses characterize the picturesque townscape. The beaches of Supetar are also a dream and ideal for a relaxing beach vacation on Brac.
Tip: In Supetar you will find a wide selection of fantastic accommodations. Highly recommended is the Adults Only Hotel Osam, a very nice boutique hotel in a top location.
Mountain Vidova Gora
Visiting the Vidova Gora, which at 778 meters is the highest mountain in the entire Croatian archipelago, is definitely one of the best things to do on Brac Island. From the top you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the north of the island, down to the Golden Horn and across to the neighboring island of Hvar. Sporty people hike from the center of Bol to the top of Vidova Gora, which takes about 2.5 hours. But many also come by car because from the north side of the island an asphalt road leads almost directly to the station. From the parking lot, it is only a few minutes walk to the highest point.
Sutivan
The small village of Sutivan, with its 800 inhabitants, is a real insider tip for a quiet vacation on Brac. It is located in the north of the island and is one of the most picturesque highlights along the coast. Especially enchanting is the small charming old town with the romantic harbor, where the typical Croatian stone houses and the small boats in the sea create a unique scenery. But also the beautiful beaches and bays in the immediate vicinity are unique and invite you to sunbathe and relax.
Tip: In addition, Sutivan is home to the phenomenal 5-star Hotel Lemongarden, one of the most exclusive luxury hotels on the island of Brac.
Dominican Monastery
The Dominican Monastery on the island of Brac dates back to 1475, when it was founded on the site of a bishop’s palace. Today, this historical building is one of the most beautiful attractions on the southern coast of Brac, near Bol. Located on the small peninsula of Glavica and surrounded by two absolute dream beaches, Bijela Kuca Beach and Martinica Beach, a breathtakingly beautiful landscape awaits you during your visit. At present, the Dominican monastery also houses a museum, which exhibits valuable historical objects recovered from the sea.
Skrip
A visit to the small inland village of Skrip is one of the best things to do on Brac Island, especially for those interested in the history of the island. It is the oldest settlement and therefore one of the most remarkable places on Brac. The main attraction is the museum Muzej otoka Brača, where you can admire a Roman mausoleum and numerous interesting exhibits from various periods of Brač’s history. For a small fee, you can get an interesting guided tour of the museum. Also worth a visit is the Olive Oil Museum next to the museum, which offers exciting tours followed by tasting.
Dragon’s Cave
A historically important attraction is the Dragon’s Cave of Murvica in the south of the island. This cave can only be reached by hiking from the small village of Murvica. Since the path is very poorly marked, guided tours are offered daily at 8:30 a.m. in the high season. The guide will give you access to the cave, where you can admire, among other things, the impressive artistic work of the dragon relief.
Murvica
A real insider tip for a quiet vacation is Murvica, a tiny village with only 22 inhabitants, located about 6 km west of Bol, in the south of the island of Brač. Unique is the fascinating landscape with hilly vineyards and the incredibly charming coast with breathtaking natural bays. Particularly impressive and worth a visit is the beach of Murvica, an insider tip for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the popular main beaches of the islands of Brac. Nearby is the Dragon’s Cave, an attraction that can be reached by hiking.
Lovrecina Bay & Archaeological Site
Lovrecina Bay is a beautiful attraction on Brac Island. Located in the north of the island, a picturesque natural sandy beach awaits you in a fantastic setting. This bay is also well-known for its excavation site, the former basilica of St. Lawrence from the 5th /6th century, which can be visited free of charge and which is a pilgrimage site for worshipers. Just behind the beach there is a very cozy café, where you can enjoy a beautiful panorama with a magnificent view of the sea.
Lozisca
The small village of Lozisca with 300 inhabitants is located on the west side of Brac Island. Impressive is especially the scenery of this village, built directly on a slope and enchanting with typical Dalmatian stone houses. Countless olive trees and grapevines grow around the village, giving it a Mediterranean flair. The main attraction is the large parish church of St. John and Paul, built in 1820, whose richly decorated steeple can be seen from afar.
Postira
The beautiful harbor town of Postira is certainly one of the most picturesque places on the island of Brac. This former fishing village enchants with a truly charming old town, a romantic harbor lined with beautiful taverns, and wonderful beaches just around the corner. Away from the typical tourist hotspots of the island, you can enjoy an exceptionally quiet flair during your vacation. An insider’s tip for those who want to get to know Brac from its more peaceful side.
Tip: The Hotel Vrilo is located directly at the harbor and scores with a good breakfast, optimal location to the beaches and a fantastic sea views.
Where to Stay on Brac Island
Brac offers its visitors a wide range of fantastic accommodations, ingenious beach hotels, cute pensions, top-equipped apartments and campsites. Here are our recommendations for the most beautiful places to stay on Brac Island…It’s worth a look!
- Hotel with Pool (Bol): The Bluesun Hotel Elaphusa is a great accommodation close to the beach and the Golden Horn. Also the extended complex with the huge pool is fantastic!
- 5-Star Hotel (Sutivan): The Hotel Lemongarden in Sutivan is one of the best hotels on the island of Brac. Here the excellent breakfast, the private beach and the pool will delight you.
- 4-Star Hotel (Supetar): The Adults Only Hotel Osam is a beautiful hotel in a top location. Guests love the rooms, the good restaurant and the proximity to the beach and the old town.
- Cheap Apartments (Bol): The Apartment Podbarje offers 2 beautiful and affordable apartments in a quiet location in Bol, surrounded by olive trees away from the hustle.
Find the best accommodation on Brac Island:
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