The Towns and Villages of Brač Island

The bigger towns on the Island Brač are Bol and Supetar, both with wide variety of accommodation options, but more exclusive selection is in town Bol. The smaller picturesque coastal towns are Postira, Pučišća, Povlja and Milna – they are more relaxed and perfect choice for your easy-holiday experience. The island’s inland offers outstanding ambience with great attractions to see, explore and climb (!). There are authentic villages to discover, along with the vineyards and olive cultivations, figs, lemon, orange and almond trees. The best way to get to know where are located the towns and villages on Brač is to group them into coastal and inland area. Keep on reading and find out.

The Towns on The Coastline

Bol is the most popular destination on the island, located at the south side of the island. In Bol you will swim and sunbath on the most famous beach in Croatia – Golden Horn (Zlatni Rat), eat in excellent restaurants, have a lots of accommodation choices (many are exclusive), explore fantastic historical sites in the area and choose from long things-to-do list. Bol is famous worldwide for windsurfing as well as top sailing destination on Southern Dalmatian sailing route.

Supetar is the biggest town on the island and the main port where the ferries from Split arrive. It is located on the north side of the island. Supetar has many beautiful beaches in town, lots of accommodation options from hotel and resorts to private accommodation. It is less exclusive than Bol (and cheaper) with many events during the summer and it is a great base for exploring the island.

Postira is a lovely fisherman village on the south of the island, ideal for more relaxed holiday, with couple of hotels and pretty good private accommodation. The nearby beaches are Prvija, Mala Lozna and beautiful sandy bay Lovrečina.

Pučišća is a wonderful picturesque village on the north side of Brač and it is famous for its Stonemason School and International Summer Music School.

Splitska is a very nice small village, consisting mainly of family stone houses, located in a bay only 8 km east from Supetar. Long time ago, Splitska used to be a loading port for Brač white stone and here you can find remains of ancient quarry Rasohe. In Splitska there are wonderful big-flat-stone beaches.

Sutivan is a picturesque town on northern side of the island, located 10 km from Supetar, rich in antient architecture from Diocletian time, pebbly beaches for relaxed holidays and numerous private room and apartments.

Milna is a small fisherman town on the west side of the island. Milna is located in a safe bay near popular sailing route to Dalmatian Island and for this reason it’s very popular port for sailing boats and yachts. The surrounding villages of Ložišća, Bobovišće and Bobovišće by the sea bay are just breathtaking and very exciting to discover.

Sumartin is a small fishing village on the east side of the island – the entry point to Brač for ferries from Makarska. Sumartin is pretty quiet place with private accommodation only.

Povlja is a quiet village with magnificent view to mainland’s Biokovo Mountain, located 10 km east of Sumartin offering private accommodation only. In surrounding you will find very nice beaches.

Old Villages in Inland

Škrip is the oldest and the most authentic place on the island with typical old-stone-houses ambience, located above town of Postira. In village Škrip you will find The Island of Brač Museum and Olive Oil Museum.

Dol is an old Dalmatian with fantastic and quite rustic ambience, just 2 km above nearby town of Postira, in a valley. Apart from the oldest church bell on island, Dol is well-known for lamb specialities, sea food dishes, home-made olive oil and domestic wine.

Humac Donji is a beautiful rustic village, one of the oldest on the island, located on the hill just 7 km from town of Supetar. The village has a long stone sculpturing tradition.

Nerežišća is a little town located in the very heart of the island, on the crossroads of the main island’s roads. For more than eight centuries this picturesque place was an administrative, religious and economic center of the island.

Ložišća is an old village on the way to town Milna built on a steep hill with a beautiful parish church and a breathtaking sea view.

Things to Do on Brač Island

The Golden Horn Beach (Zlatni Rat Beach)

The Golden Horn is the most famous beach in Croatia, not just for swimming and sunbathing but for windsurfing and many other water activities. This sandy-pebble beach is 500m long and it changes the shape depending on the wind. Enjoy swimming in the clear blue water, wind surfing and water skiing while relaxing in the afternoon summer breeze. If you want to spend a perfect day on the beach, this is the place you want to be.

The Golden Horn Beach is situated less than 2 km from the town of Bol and it is connected with a lovely promenade under the pine tree’s shade. Along the promenade you will find many other small beaches, restaurant and bars. If you stay in Bol,  just take a walk every day or night to discover different spots for swimming or coctail drinking.

The Golden Horn Beach in Bol

A Spectacular View From Vidova Gora

Vidova Gora is the highest peak of Brač Island and all Croatian islands. It is 778m high and you will experience the most spectacular view to Adriatic big blue and the Southern Dalmatian islands archipelago – Hvar, Vis, Korčula, Pelješac, Lastovo and Mljet. It is situated above Bol and The Golden Horn Beach. Check local transfer or tourist agencies to get there if you do not want to hike. Local agency More organises many tours around the island including Vidova Gora.

Incredible Hermitage of Blaca

The Blaca Monastery is an unique monument on Croatian coast, established by Glagolitic priests who fled to Brač running away from the Turks. In 1552 they established monastic community and in 1570 they got permission to raise monastery and church.
Today, Hermitage of Blaca is an amazing museum with attractive furniture collection of ancient weapons, old watches and rich library along with the church restored by baroque patterns.

Authentic Spirit of The Island in Škrip Village

Don’t miss the oldest and the most authentic place on the island where you will be witnessing the authentic spirit and cultural tradition of the island by visiting The Island of Brač Museum and Olive Oil Museum, along with the typical old-stone-houses ambience.
If you consider to take an organized tour to visit Škrip and Dol villages, you can choose between these tours:

COMBO TOUR TO ŠKRIP AND DONJI HUMAC 

COMBO TOUR TO ŠKRIP AND DOL 

COMBO TOUR TO HERMITAGE BLACA AND VIDOVA GORA 

Rustic Ambience in Dol Village

Dol is an incredible village with quiet and rustic ambience, just above nearby town of Postira (2 km from the coast in a valley). The taverns in village offer you Brač lamb specialties, sea food dishes, home-made olive oil and wine. For taking an excursion to Dol+Škrip tour please contact tourist agency IDI I VIDI.

Feel and Taste The Island in a Jeep Adventure

An easy way to explore the most of the island in ONE TOUR is to join a jeep adventure! This tour includes many must visit places – Vidova Gora, Olive Oil Museum, Škrip Village, swimming on The Golden Horn Beach, a lunch and domestic food tasting plus hidden gems of the island with a local guide/driver.

This tour is not one to be missed and could be a highlight of your holiday. The tour is very popular and book it in advance HERE:

Feel and Taste Brač Island – An Adventure to Remember 

Dragon’s Cave

The cave used to be a temple of Glagolitic priests in the 15th century. The name was created by the dragon’s reliefs carved in the stone – Madonna angels, moon, dragons are others. It’s located just outside the village Murvica (6 km west from Bol). Visits are possible with guided tour only, ask at local tourist office.

Small Formats Gallery in Bol

Thanks to the Brač entrepreneur Ivica Karničić – Koloč, Bol is richer for an enviable collection of about 300 works, in small formats, by 260 artists from various fields of fine arts. For the last 60 years, he has been collecting works by local authors who have worked in the 19th century until today. The donation of this art lover and long-time collector enriched Bol with excellent works by artists from all over Croatia.

Gallery Branislav Dešković

The gallery is located in the port of Bol in renaissance-baroque palace from the end of 17th century – with more than 380 exhibits of the Croatian contemporary artists inspired by Dalmatia.

Stina Wine Cellar in Bol

You’ll be stunned not just by premium wine but with interior of the famous Stina winery in Bol. If you are interested in a true wine tasting, don’t look further – Stina Wine Cellar Tour is one of the best Dalmatian wine’s experience you can get. During the tour, you’ll be tasting some of Stina’s finest wines with delicious snacks such as proscuitto, cheese and olives. For your tour please contact directly Stina Winery.

Dominican Monastery in Bol

Once was a bishop’s palace and today is a museum with valuable collections of underwater archeology and prehistoric items, paintings, numismatic collection, including coins from Vis and Hvar, and Greek Creta.

Jakšić Family Stone Gallery

Jakšić Gallery is an important place for all modern art lovers, located in Donji Humac. In the gallery, you can see completely handmade unique jewelry made of silver and semi-precious stones, the stone sculptures and the paintings. There you will find various designed objects made of stone, which can be a nice gift for a close person or a fantastic souvenir to take home.

Dalmatian Food and Wines

Wherever you are on Brač Island, explore your senses tasting Dalmatian food and wines. Just for the record, the best autochthon taverns are located in inland of the island, check with locals for the nearest tavern and their recommendation.
If you consider to make a gourmet or wine tasting tour, contact tourist agency IDI I VIDI.

Hidden bay on Brač Island

Day Trips From Brač Island

The local tourist agency More organize some amazing tours around Brač Island and to some other places you can visit on Dalmatian coast– famous town Dubrovnik, islands Korčula, Mljet, Biševo…and more.

The Blue Cave

The Blue Cave (Modra špilja in Croatian), or Blue Grotto, is an unique and remarkable geomorphological natural wonder located on the island of Biševo, located just five miles from Komiža on Vis Island, and 44 nautical miles from Split.

Depending on the season, the ideal moment to visit the cave is between 9 and 13 o’clock (09:00AM – 01:00PM). In the morning, when the sun shines from the east onto the sandy bottom through the submerged entrance to the Blue Cave, a large quantity of light reflects from the sand and illuminates the interior of the cave. This special natural light phenomenon in the cave leaves no one indifferent.

The Blue Cave is a must-visit attraction in Croatia and don’t miss out to bring home the memories of a lifetime. You can take a day trip from Brač to discover this magical wonder of nature. Join your incredible day trip to The Blue Cave HERE:

Blue Cave, Hvar and Vis Boat Tour

Blue Cave and Hvar Boat Tour: Small-Group

Switch The Island for a Day – Visit Hvar

If you consider “to switch to another island for a day” you should visit famous town Hvar. If you stay in Bol, you are looking over Hvar Island all the time. Check with local tourist office and agencies for an organized cross over the channel or take a local boat taxi to get you there. If you are in Milna, the easiest way to get to Hvar is to board a catamaran Krilo – on its route from Split to Dubrovnik, catamaran stops at several islands ports including town Milna on Brač and town Hvar on Hvar Island. Hvar Island is one of the most famous places in the world (!) and you shouldn’t miss discovering it.

Explore Split For a Day or Night

Board a  ferry to Split (50 min ride only) for a day or night trip. Yes, the last ferry from Split to Supetar departures around midnight in the summer season and you can make an evening trip to Split for an open-air concert, or performance! If you board a ferry to Split in a morning, you have the whole day to explore the Diocletian’s town, even to join one of exciting guiding tour of Split.

Where is Brač Island and How to Get There

Ferries to Brač Island

Brač is the closest to Split of all Southern Dalmatian islands. It is located just crossways the Brač Channel, only 45 min car ferry drive from Split. The national ferry operator Jadrolinija connects Brač with the mainland daily, departing from Split to Supetar, or you can drive more to south and catch a car ferry from town Makarska to island’s town Sumartin.

You can also get to the island by catamaran Kapetan Luka operating route from Split to Dubrovnik, stopping at Milna on Brač.

More info on getting to Brač and boarding a ferry in Split harbor read on our Travelling to Southern Dalmatian Islands pages.

Flying to Brač Island

Since numerous European airlines serve flights to Split in the summer, many visitors travel to Brač by plane – they fly to Split Airport first, get their transfer to harbor and then board a ferry to Supetar where local taxi drivers are awaiting for tourists and transporting them to Bol or anywhere else on the island. You can also arrange your transport from Supetar port with your hotel or private accommodation owners or agency to continue your journey on the island.

When it comes to flying, the great fact is that Brač has a small airport in Bol, mostly used by charters during the summer and Croatia Airlines who operate direct flights from Zagreb twice a week (Thursdays and Saturdays) from May till October.

Definitely, check the option of direct flight to Brač Airport  and make your journey to Brač Island faster and more comfortable.

Getting Around the Island

If travelling by your car or consider renting a car for getting around the island Brač, you’ll have numerous options for exploring the island in your own arrangement. Also, you can take a taxi in Supetar or Bol to transfer you wherever you want to discover amazing beaches, towns and villages.

When it comes to getting around the island by bus, the main bus operator on Brač is bus company Autotrans connecting Supetar and Bol with almost all small towns, but the routes between small towns and villages are not always direct. Check the routes and timetables on Autotrans website.

Finally, for the best discovering adventure you can consider sailing around Brač and other islands in Southern Dalmatian archipelago.

Beaches on Brač Island

Numerous visitors come to Brač Island for its fantastic beaches all over the place. Whatever side of the island you stay for holiday, you’ll find a perfect beach to spend a day relaxing or having watersport fun.

Here is a short selection of beaches on Brač Island – the beaches on the island are everywhere, in every coastal town or village, or hidden in numerous coves, often offering you a shade on a hot summer days.

Beaches in Bol

The Golden Horn (Zlatni Rat) in town Bol, the most famous beach in Croatia is 530 meters long. You can easily reach it for a day trip from mainland by ferry from Split with company Jadrolinija – you’ll get to Supetar port first where you continue to drive to another side of island, where Bol is located, by car, bus or taxi.

Moreover, if you are based somewhere on Hvar Island you can visit Golden Horn Beach fast and directly by catamaran from town Jelsa on Hvar Island.

Ferry Timetable Split- Supetar
Catamaran Timetable Jelsa –Bol

Martinica Beach – Bol – located just to the east of Dominican Monastery this beach is amazing place for swimming and sunbathing with an amazing view to monastery and Hvar Island.
Kotlina and Bijela Kuća beaches – to the east from center of town just below restaurant Ribarska Kućica.
Borak and Mali Rat Beaches – just a halfway along the promenade is Borak Beach and little more to the east is smaller beach Mali Rat. Some of the best hotels in Croatia, Bluesun Hotel Elaphusa and Bluesun Borak, are located just here along these beaches.
Murvica – this stunning pebbled-sandy beach is located just 6 km from Bol. Take a break from swimming and visit nearby Dragon Cave.

Beaches in Supetar

Pet Mosta Beach – is pebbled beach with numerous watersports and coffee shops.
Vela Luka Bay – is sandy and pebbled beach in Velaris Resort.
Vlačica and Banj Beach – is located just western from the port.

Vela Luka bay in town Supetar

Beaches in Postira and Sutivan

Lovrečina Bay – is sandy beach near village Postira with excellent restaurant offering local fish and meat dishes.

Mala Lozna Beach– pebbled beach in village Postira
Livka Cove – is a lovely pebble beach not far away from town Sutivan. Surrounding vineyards and olive groves make a fantastic ambience in this quiet cove.

Naturist Beaches on Brač Island

Paklina Beach –is fantastic pebbled beach at the western end of famous Golden Horn.
Mutnik Beach – is located in beautiful cove near small village Mirca (between towns of Supetar and Sutivan).
Punta Beach – rocky beach located just 15 min walk from town of Supetar on the west, just hit small pedestrian path through the pine woods after Vela Luka Bay.

Accommodation on Brač Island

The main towns Bol and Supetar are both offering wide variety of accommodation options, but more exclusive selection is in town Bol. All around the island you’ll find all types of accommodation for all budgets and tastes – hotels, resorts, private apartments and villas – you can choose from luxurious to affordable holiday spending.

Accommodation in Bol

Bluesun Hotel Elaphusa 
Fantastic Bluesun Hotel Elaphusa is perfectly located just a short walk along wide tree lined promenade to the beautiful town of Bol and famous Golden Horn Beach. Check out why is this hotel one of the most popular hotels in Croatia named Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice for 2016.

Bluesun Hotel Borak
Another great hotel offering incredible island experience for your dream vacation. Bluesun Hotel Borak is hidden within a pine forest, located right by the sea on the promenade leading to Golden Horn Beach.

Bluesun Hotel Bonaca ALL INCLUSIVE
Bluesun Hotel Bonaca is all inclusive family hotel, close to beautiful beach and short walk to town. It’s a great choice for famiiy vacation, recently named Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice for 2016.

Hotel Kaštil
Amazing Hotel Kaštil is located within a baroque fortress which formerly belonged to the aristocratic Vusio family of Brač. Only five meters from the sea, Hotel Kaštil has 32 rooms with sea view and additional in house features – Vusio restaurant, Pizzeria Topolino and famous Cocktail bar Varadero. Don’t think twice.

Zlatni Rat Beach Resort 
It’s perfectly located on the famous Golden Horn beach and just short walk from historical centre of Bol. Zlatni Rat Beach Hotel offers spacious suites and rooms decorated with a touch of non-pretentious elegance. Definitely worth of your consideration.

Beach in Bol

Accommodation in Supetar

Hotel Amor – Aminess Velaris Resort
A modern hotel is a creative combination of glass, wood and stone located in Vela Luka Bay, a short walk distance from town centre. Fantastic surrounding including Mediterranean garden, tennis courts, pine tree wood, sandy and pebbled beach is just below the hotel. It’s excellent choice for your family holiday.

Bračka Perla 
The amazing Mediterranean villa made of famous Brač stone with modern interior is your luxurious accommodation in Supetar. Hotel Bračka Perla is surrounded with pine wood, olive groves, lavender and rosemary bushes. The hotel has terraces with open view over sandy bay and location is just 20 minutes easy walk to town center.

Hotel 8 Adults Only
Hotel 8 is a fantastic ADULTS ONLY hotel in town’s center, a combination of traditional Mediterranean and modern design you’ll definitely enjoy. The position and ambience are absolutely great, with a great view to the sea and the old town, and it’s located at the waterfront just few steps to everything you need – cafes, beaches, restaurants. The roof terrace is very popular night bar with spectacular view to the Adriatic and Split.

Villa Adriatica Hotel Supetar Adults Only 
It’s a small family run hotel at great location offering accommodation in 23 modern rooms with fantastic garden with palm trees. It’s located just 100 meters away from the numerous beaches.

SupetarAccommodation tip 1: a fantastic family run Hotel Lipa in village Postiranear Supetar

Accommodation tip 2: an incredible Hotel Lemongarden in village Sutivan near Supetar

The picturesque old village Postira is your perfect choice for an easy holiday away from crowd, just 10 min drive from Supetar. We recommend you Hotel Lipa, a cosy and charming small family-run hotel, located at the waterfront of Postira, offering you spacious modern suites and rooms, great restaurant and bar, all that few meters from the sea and anything you need for you comfortable stay (market, cafes, shops). In the closest surrounding of Postira is amazing sandy beach Lovrečina with excellent restaurant run by the same owners. The village Postira and hotel Lipa are perfect family holiday destination.