When we decided to explore the Dalmatian Islands of Croatia, we didn’t expect to love Brac island.

It was quiet, stunningly beautiful and had the charm of a beautiful quiet town off the Adriatic coast minus the tourist crowds which can get overwhelming in other more popular islands like Hvar and Korcula.

Did I also mention that it is incredibly hilly? It’s so hilly that we decided cycling here around the Dalmatian islands would be the perfect way to get to know the contours of the island and stop at family homes, taste some local food and enjoy the ocean views from above.

It was May and the weather was erratic — there were a lot of rain on the day we arrived at Bol but it quickly cleared up the next day and I could finally see the beauty of Brac, Croatia.

Here are some of the best things to do in Brac Island and Bol town. But before that, how do you get there?

How To Get to Brac Island?

here are the best beaches in brac island and a list of things to do in brac

Take the Jadrolinija car ferries from Split Island and you’ll be here in 1 hour. You could also take the ferry from Dubrovnik but it takes around 4 hours.

You can book your ferry tickets here or simply walk up to the ticket counter during off-season which is what we did.

A tour worth exploring:

Milna: Boat Trip to Bol and The Hidden Bays of Brac island: If you want to slow down and explore the hidden bays of Brac Island, this is actually a pretty cool tour as it takes you to all the corners of the island including Sumartin where you can stroll around the streets or visit the traditional village Pucisca known for its tradition in stonemasonry.

Also Read: These Best Islands in Croatia (Near Split) Beat Everything I've Seen!

Where to stay in Brac?

I would recommend staying in Bol, the main town of Brac as it is easy to get around to all the places.

- Guest House Marija (Recommended because of the lovely owner and affordable price with balcony views)
- Guest House Meri
- Lifestyle Hotel Vitar

The Best Things to Do in Brac & What We Did

1. Visit Zlatni Rat Beach, The Golden Horn Beach

one of the best beaches in brac, zlatni rat beach

Perhaps the most talked-about beach that is famous in Croatia because of its shape. It is known to change its shape according to the wind conditions on that day.

Also a fun fact: this beach was created by deposits of fine pebbles causing that small tongue protuding as much as 500 metres into the sea.

On your walk to the beach, there’s a nice spot for you to take a stroll or go for a run if you’d like to enjoy the beach views. You could also take it in the views of the beach at its various photo points.

2. Hiking Vidova Gora

vidova gora mountain against the backdrop of zlatni rat beach

Vidova gora is the highest peak on the island of Brač, Croatia, and also the highest peak on all Adriatic islands standing tall at 780 metres.

This is one of those stunning hikes that you can do in Bol island. I would recommend starting early in the morning as it can get pretty hot as the day progresses.

The hike is 5km long and takes approximately 1.5 hours to get to the top of the peak. The epic views of Zlatni Rat and the other beaches of Bol is quite a sight to view!

Also Read: 7 or 10 Days Croatia Itinerary: National Parks To Coastlines

4. Walk Around Bol & Have Lunch at Surf & Fries

Taking a stroll around Bol was lovely as we got into chatting with coffee shop owners and there was plenty of spots to just take in the views of the ocean.

If you’re hungry, one of the best spots to have lunch is at Surf & Fries — we loved the food and fries as well as the mozarella sticks.

We also got chatting with the lovely waitress who was from Bosnia and gave us a deep dive on the history of the Balkans war and how things are changing.

5. Explore Murvica & Draveca Luka Hermitage

endless views of the ocean in brac island

One of the best ways to explore Bol is to take the straight road towards the end of the line and head into Murvica.

There are plenty of bicycle rentals in Bol town and the route hugs the coastline making it quite the ride.

Murvica is just 5km from the town but the sunny skies and stunning coastlines make the slow bike ride absolutely worth it.

The village's standout feature is an enchanting collection of prehistoric dwellings intricately carved into the cliffsides known as Draveca Luka Hermitage. Known locally as "bunje," these ancient monk's abodes serve as windows into the island's vibrant history.

Each bunja narrates a unique story, weaving a tale of seclusion and spiritual reflection that resonates across the centuries.

You can park your bike and climb to the “Dragons cave” Zmajeva špilja. It is a 50 minutes hike to the top.

6. Chill at Draveca Bay — A Little Cove

little swimming coves in some of the best beaches in brac

If you want a quiet beach that’s away from the crowd with a nice swimming cove, Draveca Bay is the spot.

Just 5 minutes away from the main road, you can walk down the dirt road and might come across signs indicating that it is private property — but it isn’t when you go further down.

There’s also plenty of shade for you to read a book and just idle around!

7. Lovrečina Bay

If you want something truly off the beaten path, head over to the north of the island of Brac and visit Lovrecina Bay.

Lovrečina cove is situated between Postira and Pučišće, known for its large sandy beach and precious archaeological sites.

This is the perfect beach for families as the water is shallow and it is sandy and without any huge waves.

**8. Visit an early Christian Basilica (Arheološko nalazište Lovrečina)**

Just near the beach of Lovrecina you’ll find the remains of an early Christian Basilica called Arheološko nalazište Lovrečina.

The remains of the St. Lawrence basilica from the 5th and 6th century can be found in here and local pilgrims from the surrounding places visit it on the feast day of St. Lawrence, August 10.

9. Muzej otoka Brača

If you love history, you absolutely should visit the Museum of Brac as it talk about Roman history, medieval history, and every different period that has effected Brač and the surrounding communities.

The museum host has so much to offer and gives a solid presentation of what took place on the island. There are some incredibly old and important artifacts.

10. Wine Tasting Brac

The Dalmatian architecture and heritage is essentially what most people come for in Croatia and one place to experience this is to go on a wine tasting tour with these guys.

Set in a stone house village, you can taste some traditional Croatian homemade food and wine. There are five delicious different grappas (including flavors like carob and walnut!, four different wines, and a dessert wine.

11. Have dinner at Ranc Restaurant

Awayfrom the touristy stretch, Ranc restaurant was a hidden find and such an amazing space to have dinner in a wonderful setting.

Our host gave us amazing recommendations and the food was amazing from grilled seafood to homemade bread with garlic and olive oil and a free chocolate orange dessert by the host!

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