Brac Island Holidays: Everything I Discovered About Croatia's Mediterranean Gem - From Zlatni Rat Beach to Local Cuisine, Hotels and Activities for Travelers
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Brać is one of the most beautiful islands in Croatia. It is full of pine forests, wineries and olive groves. Here they make marvelous pink wine and prepare extraordinary fish and seafood dishes.
There are two famous resort towns with good hotel facilities on the island – Supetar and Bol. The first one is popular due to its medieval buildings and convenient communication with the mainland.
In this article I will tell you more about this island, how you can get to it, what is interesting to see and what to do. I’ve put together for you some excursions that are available and a list of hotels where you can comfortably spend the night and go on traveling.
The island of Brac: Why to go here and what to see here
The island of Brac is without a doubt the most beautiful island in Croatia. The beautiful island was once the preferred villa of wealthy Roman nobles, and today it is home to popular Croatian beach resorts.
For many years on the territory of the island worked archaeologists, who managed to discover many priceless artifacts. Vacation on the island of Brac is a unique opportunity to combine beach entertainment with walks on historical sites and sightseeing of unique natural attractions.
The capital of the island of Brac, Supetar – the main promenade
How to get to the island of Brac
There is no bridge between the island and the mainland, like on the island of Krk. There is only one option – ferry. There are both passenger ferries, which transport people, and cargo ferries, where you can get there with your car.
The island of Brac is 10 km away from two major ports, from where regular ferries run to the island:
- Split, one of the largest cities in Croatia and one of the richest in attractions, second only to Dubrovnik. Split has an international airport, and this is where many people start their vacation in Croatia. As popular European low-cost carriers such as WizzAir fly to Split.
And Makarska. A small but insanely beautiful town 50 km from Split. But it is as popular with tourists as Split, but for a different reason: it is the main beach resort of the country, called Makarska Riviera, which stretches for 30 km. And the town of Makarska, sandwiched between the mountains and the sea, is the capital of the entire riviera.
This is what the ferry from Split to the island looks like. It holds about 10 cars and more than 100 passengers
Regular ferry service to Brac is provided by the most important Croatian ferry company Jadrolinija. As I wrote above, all ferries (more than 10 trips a day) go to the largest town Supetar, but there are seasonal connections to other towns on the island. Always check the schedule on the official website of the carrier, and buy tickets there as well. Here are the basics:
- A ticket costs about 6 euros per person. And 23 euros for an auto. These are all one-way prices from Split.
- Split to Supetar: 12 times a day. Travel time is 50 minutes.
- Split – Bol (a village on the island of Brac) – once a day. Passenger ferry.
- Split – Milna – 1-2 times a week, also only passenger ferry.
- Makarska – Sumartin (village on the island of Brac): 3 ferries daily. 4 euros per person and 17 euros car. Travel time is 35 minutes. From Makarska the ferry goes only to this village.
Therefore, no matter how it is, 99% of tourists come to the island of Brac from Split and it is in Supetar, as only in this direction ferries run all year round and very often. Almost like a shuttle bus, they leave every hour in summer. The ferries to all the other villages are more for locals and their cargo.
Location map of the island of Brac in Croatia
Attractions on the island of Brac
It is important to understand that Brac is not an island for excursions and cultural programs. The main tourist destination of the island is a quiet, relaxing beach vacation. Those who need mountains of sights, churches, markets, a huge number of stores and restaurants, need to go to major cities: Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar.
The island of Brac does not have all this. But at the same time, there are some cool attractions, and between lying on the beach many people drive around the island exploring it from all sides. Definitely, it is convenient to do it by car, you can rent a car for 2-3 days right on the island and drive all over it. By bus you will not reach every corner.
Itmay be useful: I have an extensive article on my website about renting a car in Croatia, where I told about all the intricacies of this service in the country. If you, like me, like to be independent of public transportation schedules and routes when traveling, I advise you to take a few minutes and read it.
For those who are going to travel around the island of Brac on their own: in order to find a great option for renting a car on the island of Brac, based on the “price/quality” ratio, I recommend using the following three services to compare the offers of different car rental companies: DiscoverCars, EconomyBbooking, Rentalcars.
The Museum City of Shkrip
The most important historical attraction of the island is the museum town of Shkrip, which is a very interesting architectural complex. The ancient town is located on top of a mountain, which makes its appearance even more mysterious.
Many beautiful mansions and churches have been preserved here, and one of the beautiful palaces now houses the Archaeological Museum. Its collection is incredibly interesting, it includes ancient household items and musical instruments, amphorae and jewelry of precious metals, as well as a lot of other historical finds that were discovered on the territory of the island.
Among the religious attractions of Shkripa is the Church of the Holy Spirit, as well as the beautiful church of St. Helena. An outstanding architectural landmark is the Cerinic Palace, which has belonged to the descendants of a noble family for several hundred years.
Mount Vidova
One of the most important natural monuments is Vidova Gora, the highest point of the Adriatic archipelago. It is 778 meters high and has excellent viewing platforms on its summit.
Vidova Gora is the summit. From it you can see the beach of Golden Horn
In the southern part of the island is one of the most mysterious historical monuments of Brac, the Dragon Cave. There is no doubt that it was built by humans, but the true purpose of the cave remains one of the main mysteries of the island.
Inside its walls are decorated with drawings and symbols unknown to science, about the hidden meaning of which contemporaries can only guess. The path to the cave runs through incredibly beautiful places, so the excursion is sure to please nature lovers.
Dragon’s Cave – I recommend everyone to come up here
On the western slope of Vidova Gora is the Blaca Desert, an area of great historical significance. In the middle of the 16th century, a large monastery was founded here by hermit monks; today, only a few of the surviving ancient buildings are reminders of it.
Some of the buildings of the former monastery have been completely preserved, among them a large rainwater harvesting tank. The monks who lived in the monastery produced honey and wine, the storage tanks of which are the most important exhibits of the local museum.
Blac Monastery, ancient and majestic
Part of the monastery is occupied by a museum, which houses religious artifacts and ancient books, beautiful stone ware and many other curious exhibits. The island is rich in religious sights, with more than ten ancient churches preserved on its territory.
Cultural attractions on the island of Brac
You can experience the atmosphere of the Renaissance and New Age in Milne. This beautiful little town was founded back in the 16th century and has long been home to retired sea captains. However, Roman ships also sailed into the harbor much earlier.
Of interest is the church of St. Mary, built at the same time as the town was founded, and the Gothic church of St. Joseph.
Supetar has preserved the architecture of the 18th and 19th centuries in its original form.
The Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, inside which you can see the altar by Felix Tironi and the organ, created by Peter Nakis in 1737, is worth seeing. The church is located on the foundations of the early Christian basilica of St. Peter, after whom the city is named.
Next to the Church of St. Nicholas in the cemetery, you can find not only the Neo-Byzantine mausoleum of the Petrinović family, but also two sarcophagi from the period of the first Christians.
On the central square is the church of San Martin, built in the 18th century, and on the outskirts you can find the church of St. Luke, built in the 12th century.
Beaches on the island of Brac
Brac has fine pebble and sandy beaches that stretch along the coast for dozens of kilometers. One of the best beaches in the area, located in the south of the island near Bola, is called Zlatni Rat (“Golden Cape”).
This cape of pebbles constantly changes its shape under the influence of wind and waves: it protrudes into the sea for 300 meters and is buried in a pine grove. Half of the cape is seriously and permanently occupied by naturists. It is an ideal place for windsurfing and tennis, with 20 dirt courts always at the disposal of naturists.
All beaches are roughly similar to each other. There are pebbles everywhere, a narrow strip of beach, Mediterranean pine trees and azure water
Entertainment on the island of Brac
Every year a large number of divers from different countries come to Brac. The popularity of the island among divers is easy to explain: there are sets for experienced divers and beginners, the price of equipment rentals is not too high and there is a large number of different diving centers. The underwater world of the island’s water area is very rich, you can see more than three hundred different representatives of the Mediterranean marine world.
However, in addition to observing the flora and fauna living underwater, you can also admire stunning landscapes.
For example, the Lucice Cave, which can be found on the southeast side of the island, has a spacious chamber at a depth of 15 meters and two tunnel arms that descend to 30 and 44 meters respectively.
The Drasine Cave is not deep at all, with a maximum depth of 8 meters, but here you can see the remains of mosaics from the Ancient Roman times. The Pigeon Cave is also a popular dive site. Many divers recommend diving on the neighboring islands of Hvar and Vis. You can book a trip there at almost any Brac dive school.
The island of Brac is also well suited for hikers and cyclists. You can rent a bicycle in every major town or village.
The most beautiful routes will take you to Vidova Gora, but you should take into account that the way there is not close and quite difficult. Therefore, if you haven’t done much mountain biking before, you should first go from Sumartina through Selca to Novo Selo and back to Sumartina. This is the easiest of the local routes – only 16 kilometers on relatively flat terrain. However, Brac’s roads are not heavily traveled, so you can safely cycle wherever you want to go.
Cuisine on the island of Brac
In general, the dishes that can be tasted in Brac are not much different from those in mainland Croatia. The only thing is that the range of fish dishes is much larger, and the freshness of seafood, especially in the coastal restaurants, can be vouched for.
The choice of dishes, whether in a restaurant or in a Traditional restaurant ( konoba) the local equivalent of a tavern, usually furnished to look like the countryside, is about the same.
The locals like to eat a big lunch and dinner, so not all the dishes are prepared in the morning in the taverns. Since many people have a late breakfast, in most establishments from 10.30 to 12.00 you can see the dishes offered for rent, the second breakfast. Usually it’s fish or meat, it’s just that the portion will be smaller than standard and therefore cheaper.
- Try the ispod peke, roasted lamb. The meat is diced, pressed down with a metal lid and slowly baked with coals poured over the top.
- Beef or pork goulash is often served alongside pasta, as is baked turkey.
- Don’t pass by the sausage called Vitalec, made from grilled lamb giblets.
Delicious and wine braised beef with dumplings called pashtizada.
Dalmatian pashtizada will look pretty much the same in any restaurant in Croatia
The first course is brodet soup, which is very popular with the locals. It used to be prepared exclusively by the poor, but nowadays it can be ordered in any self-respecting restaurant. Fish and seafood are stewed in an open container, adding vegetables and spices until almost all the water has evaporated. It is usually served with polenta.
Brodet – there are 10 kinds of seafood here
- Another original local dish is black rijot. The dish is similar in composition to Italian risotto with the addition of cuttlefish ink, which makes it really black.
- Try the dried cod bacalar, which is usually served on holidays, but is also on the menu of almost all restaurants on weekdays.
Crni rijot – translates as black risotto
Shopping on the island of Brac
There are no big shopping centers or outlet stores on the island of Brac. Therefore, if you want to buy branded clothes and shoes, it is worth spending some time to travel to mainland Croatia.
If you decide to go from the island on an excursion, for example, in Split, to the palace of Diocletian, then try to carve out time and visit the big stores there. On Brac you should buy souvenirs and products of local producers.
- Perhaps the most unique souvenirs sold on the island are Brac stone crafts.
- As a practical souvenir you can buy a small bag of lavender. Lavender calms you down, gives you a good night’s sleep and serves as an excellent natural laundry freshener.
- You can also buy lavender oil. There is a large selection of various shells and crafts from them, and shaped candles.
- An original souvenir will be local lace and the Vuchedol dove, which is a copy of the iconic vessel on three legs. Please note: the dove is very fragile.
- Among edible souvenirs, the first place is undoubtedly occupied by prsut. Pork ham, first smoked on coals and then wilted under the sun is extremely tasty and is sold in gift wrapping.
- Pay attention to the local sausages – Zagorsky or Samoborsky cheshnovki.
- Pickled or dried truffles are also sold here, and if you want, you can also find truffle paste.
Local cheese and olive oil are also worth a look. As a gift for your beloved, a local pastry called Licitari heart is ideal. It, by the way, almost never spoils, as, in fact, it is nothing but a honey gingerbread. The locals have a custom of offering their heart to a girl almost naturally, presenting her with this cake as a gift.
As in any Croatian town, there is a lot of pršuta here
Tips for tourists visiting the island of Brac
The island of Brac is perfect for a quiet family vacation with the possibility of hiking and trekking around the Vidova Mountain. There are also caves, monasteries and other attractions typical of the region. That said, it is important to realize that the number of attractions is much smaller than in the mainland.
- If you came to Brac via Split, where you were passing through, take a whole day, take a ferry to Split, walk around the city, and return in the evening. Split is one of the coolest cities in Croatia.
- It will be very cool to rent a car for 2-3 days on the island and drive it all around the perimeter. It is more difficult to do it by public bus.
- And of course, the island of Brac is an ideal place for gastro tourists: local wine, cheeses, olives, prsut, what else do you need for happiness?
Hotels on the island of Brac: where to stay
Luxury hospitality is a special pride of Brac, and the popular hotels on the island will surprise even the most demanding guests.
The Elaphusa Hotel stands out among the resort-type establishments, with the largest wellness center on the island. The hotel is located on the picturesque promenade Bola, in close proximity to the popular beach.
In addition to a huge selection of exclusive wellness services, the hotel offers excellent facilities for sports activities, with its own tennis center.
With 26 top-class tennis courts at its disposal, the hotel also has a large-scale fitness center and a bowling club. Young guests will love the colorful water park with a variety of attractions, and adults will appreciate the luxurious wellness bar.
Lovers of a relaxing vacation in a casual atmosphere will love the Aparthotel Adria. Located in one of the quietest and most picturesque areas of Bol, the hotel is housed in a beautiful Dalmatian-style villa.
The comfortable aparthotel will appeal to water sports enthusiasts, who can get a discount on the services of local entertainment and sports centers.
In the picturesque spa town of Skrip is the attractive historical hotel Skula. Its location is a beautiful stone building that was built over a hundred years ago. The hotel is surrounded by an extensive garden with spacious terraces for relaxation and playgrounds for children.
The interior of the historical hotel is made taking into account the best national traditions, it is characterized by an abundance of bright elements and non-standard design solutions.
The developed infrastructure of the hotel allows you to make your rest rich and unforgettable, for guests daily organize exciting excursions to the most picturesque places of Brac.
The popular Ivan Hotel will appeal to both history buffs and fans of spa treatments. A true local landmark, the building housing the hotel was built in 1656.
Remarkably, its walls housed a hotel from the very beginning – one of the very first on the island. Today, the building has been completely restored, and in addition to comfortable rooms and suites, the historic hotel offers a wide range of spa services.
A small terraced swimming pool is located at the entrance of the hotel, and one of the main features of the Ivan Hotel is the upscale Mediterranean restaurant.
Nono Ban Guest House is aimed at those who like to relax in unusual surroundings. The surrounding area of this historic hotel is more like an original open-air museum, with unusual garden furniture and designer decorations.
In its garden you can see a lot of beautiful plants and landscape decorations, and on the terraces instead of classic garden furniture there are unusual benches and chairs made of stone and wood.
Everything here reminds of the culture of the past years: a strict stone building that houses the hotel, massive wooden furniture and a cozy restaurant with a real stone stove.
In the restaurant guests are offered the most popular national dishes, prepared according to old home recipes, as well as excellent home-made wine.
Each hotel in Brac is unique and attractive in its own way.
You may find it useful: see all hotels, apartments and villas on the island of Brac at this link