The Ultimate Brac Travel Guide
Brac is a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea, between Split and Hvar. It's nowhere near as popular as its neighbours, which adds to its charm. Tourists who visit Brac are rewarded with quiet time with nature and a laidback island experience.
Here, you'll find one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia — Zlatni Rat Beach (Golden Horn) — a unique spit of land surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters. Also famous in Brac is its world-class olive oil. Over a million olive trees are on the island, and Brac is Croatia’s largest olive plantation!
Written by Kate
Travel Writer & Digital Nomad
Last updated
If you're visiting Brač soon, you've come to the right place. After reading this guide, you'll know which area to stay in, where to find the best restaurants and how to get around this stunning island in Croatia.
What to expect in Brač
The island of Brač hasn’t quite exploded onto the international holiday scene like its neighbours, Hvar and Korcula.
Unlike Hvar, with its party reputation, Brač is a quieter island, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the beach.
One beach that has to be visited whilst on Brač is Zlatni Rat Beach, also known as the Golden Horn. This picturesque beach strip is often rated as one of the best beaches in Europe.
Is Brač worth visiting?
The beaches in Brac are not only about relaxation. Brač is a great place to try your hand at some watersports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking and SUP.
Particularly between August and October, watersport fanatics come to Bol to enjoy the consistent thermal winds. Whether you want to learn or are already an advanced kite or windsurfer, conditions are perfect around these summer months.
Watersports, beaches and great food
It's stunning beaches and charming ambience aren't Brač’s only claim to fame. Since ancient times, Brač has been a popular excavation site for the magnificent Brač stone. The quality and beauty of the stone are so significant that it’s been used to build The White House in Washington, Diocletian Palace, the Parliament House in Vienna and Budapest, plus many more!
Aside from lounging on the beach, you’ll be spoilt for choice with places to eat. There are lots of top-quality and delicious Dalmatian restaurants scattered across the island.
How many days should you spend in Brač?
Deciding how long to stay in Brač depends on the purpose of your visit.
The island can be visited as just a day trip from either Split or Hvar. This is still a great way to see the island, but it will be a whistle-stop tour.
If you’re looking to relax and really get to know the island then 3-5 days is a good amount of time. There are plenty of things to keep you busy if that’s what you're looking for, or plenty of beaches to simply relax on.
To help you make the most of your time in Brač, we’ve put together a list of the top things to do in Brač.
Where to stay on Brač
Choosing where to stay on Brač is a simple task. There are two main towns on the island where the majority of accommodation and activities are based - Bol and Supetar.
Of course, there are more places to stay in Brač. For example, Sumartin, Sutivan, Milna and Postira are all charming and quaint towns.
However, staying in either Bol or Supetar is more suitable for most people and here’s why:
Location #1: Bol - amazing beaches and holiday destination
Bol is one of the most popular places to stay on the island.
Found on the southern part of the island, Bol sits at the foot of the Vidova Gora mountain and is only steps away from the famous Zlatni Rat Beach. This beach alone attracts a lot of visitors to Brač.
Bol boasts more of a beach holiday vibe compared to Supetar. There are plenty of bars and restaurants to spend the night in, enjoying some delicious food.
Accommodation in Bol
There are a few large hotels in Bol, lots of family-owned hotels, apartments and hostels. Essentially, whatever accommodation you’re looking for, you’ll find it in Bol.
These range from more budget options such as Vila Ana, to luxury options like Belado Residence Bol. Private rooms start at around €30 per night.
Location #2: Supetar - largest town with great transport links
Although we would recommend staying in Bol, Superstar is another popular destination to stay in Brač.
The main reason why visitors choose to stay in Supetar is because this is where the ferry from Split arrives.
Supetar is located on the north side of the island and is Brač’s biggest town. It’s also the most developed in terms of tourist facilities, which isn’t a bad thing.
Here you’ll also find gorgeous beaches, restaurants and a charming harbour. The perfect place to spend the evening.
Accommodation in Supetar
Similar to Bol, there are a range of accommodation types in Supetar - resorts, boutique hotels, AirBnb’s and hostels.
Villa Midea is a great budget option. If you’re looking to treat yourself a bit more, Apartments LOTA are luxurious and inviting. Prices are also similar to Bol, with private rooms starting at €30 per night.
Best places to eat in Brač
The food on Brač is one of the best displays of extraordinary Croatian cuisine. The majority of restaurants serve Croatian dishes created with the freshest ingredients. A lot of them are grown and produced on the island.
Most restaurants are in Bol and Supetar, but there are plenty of other gems scattered throughout the island.
These are our top 3 unmissable places to eat in Brač:
Vinotoka - family-run restaurant with their own fishing boat
Vinotoka is a picturesque family-run restaurant that takes the quality of its food and drink very seriously.
They have their own family fishing boat to catch the best seafood, plus they make their own olive oil and wine. It might be the best you try in Croatia!
Although they specialise in seafood, their meat dishes are also exceptional. Make sure to save room for dessert, they’re unbelievably good too.
Konoba Kopacina - specialises in incredible lamb dishes
If you want to taste the best lamb you’ve ever tried, go to Kopacina. That’s their speciality. Their menu boasts a variety of lamb dishes such as lamb soup, lamb chops, steak, and the local favourite of lamb under the peka. Don’t worry there is also more than just lamb.
The atmosphere is brilliant. The open-air terrace is perfect for soaking up the last of the sun, whilst you watch the owner behind the grill and spit.
Mali Raj - delicious food in the best location
Most people assume Mali Raj is a tourist trap as it’s only steps from the famous Zlatni Rat Beach. It’s not. Prices are reasonable and the food is delicious.
Set within pine trees, olive trees and a jungle of foliage, the restaurant is the perfect place to escape the tourists at the beach and enjoy some great Dalmatian cuisine.
How to get around on Brač
Brač isn’t a huge island, which makes exploring it a little bit easier. There are several ways to get around the island, some harder than others. To help you out, here is how to get around Brač:
By foot
Once you’re in one of Brač’s towns, all you’ll need are your two feet and an attitude for exploration.
The towns are relatively small and easy to walk around due to the pedestrianised areas. Sometimes the best way to explore an area is to simply go for a walk and get lost.
By car
Brač is more than just Supetar and Bol. It’s a place that deserves to be explored, and this is best done by car.
Having a car gives you the flexibility to explore the island at your own pace, and visit towns often missed by other tourists.
You can rent a car in Split and use the car ferry to bring it to Brač. Alternatively, there are plenty of places to rent a car whilst you’re in Brač.
You can book your car in advance online for around 32.69 EUR ($38) a day. Renting a car when you're there can be just as good of an option.
By bus
Brač does have public buses, however, they’re not the easiest to use.
The buses run from Supetar to most places around the island, however they don’t run very frequently.
On average there are around 5 daily departures, spaced every couple of hours. This may not fit your itinerary or may restrict your plans. Therefore we think that renting a car is a better option.
The bus is a cheap option, though. A ticket from Supetar to Bol costs 5.23 EUR ($6) each way.
By taxi
There are a number of taxi companies in Brač that can be great for short journeys. For example, from Bol airport to Bol 17.78 EUR ($21). Longer journeys can get pretty expensive!
The journey from Supetar to Bol will cost around 49.69 EUR ($58).
How to get to Brač
In summary
Now that you’ve finished reading this guide, you're almost ready for your adventure in Brač. The next step is to create your personalised itinerary with our top picks of things to do in Brač. Simply choose your favourite activities and places to visit, and you're all set to make lasting memories in Brač.
Our favourite places to stay in Brac
Important: Tourism in Croatia is very seasonal. Much of the available accommodation in Croatia is fully booked in the summer, but many sites are closed in the winter months. With July and August being the peak season, rates can rise 3 times as high as compared the low season or shoulder months. We recommend booking your accommodation at least 1 month in advance to lock in better rates.
Before you start reading about our favourite places to stay in Brac, we want to make you aware of the different locations to stay on Brac Island.
- Bol is by far our favourite. It’s a charming port town with lots of watersport activities and outstanding restaurants. This is also where you find the famous Zlatni Rat beach
- Supetar is where most ferries dock. Not as interesting as Bol, but you can find some good value accommodations here. In Supetar, you’ll also find some great hidden beaches to explore.
- Milna is a traditional fishing town which is nice to visit, but we definitely prefer to stay in Bol or Supetar on Brac Island.
Villa Ana
At Villa Ana you’ll be just under 250 meters from the beach in Bol. You’ll even be able to see the sea from your own private balcony. If you can’t wait to cool down, then you can just take a dip in the villa's outdoor swimming pool.
The hosts are beyond helpful and go out of their way to ensure you have the best stay possible. The villa even provides home-made wines, olive oil, prosecco and brandy.
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Close to the beach
- Helpful and friendly hosts
- Outdoor terraces and balconies
Villa Medea
If you want to stay in Supetar (the northern part of the island), Villa Midea offers the best value for money. Although the hotel is located just 5 minutes from the beach, you don’t even need to leave the hotel to enjoy a dip in the water as the hotel has its own pool!
The villa offers the feel of a small-scale hotel, with apartments on offer for up to 4 adults. Every room has everything you’ll need, a comfy bed, seating area and even a kitchenette with a coffee machine. Don’t fancy cooking? The hotel offers an exceptional breakfast to start the day right.
- Located in Supetar
- Exceptional breakfast on offer
- Swimming pool
- 5 minutes from the beach
Apartments LOTA
Apartments LOTA have thought about every detail of their hotel. Every corner of the hotel is modern and luxurious, giving it a boutique hotel vibe, with a massive living space.
The hotel just doesn’t stop giving. You also have access to an outdoor pool, barbeque and bicycles.
- Located in Supetar
- Bicycles available
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Barbeque facilities
- Huge, beautifully decorated apartments
Hotel Villa Amorena
Hotel Villa Amorena is one of those places where everyone wants to stay - which means it gets booked up fast. That’s not a surprise when you see the the large outdoor swimming pool or read the reviews of the delicious breakfast that’s included.
Situated in Bol, you’ll be only a 10-minute walk from Bol Promenade, as well as a number of restaurants and farmers market. The rooms are modern, spacious and have their own balcony.
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Large and modern rooms
- Onsite bar
- Family-run hotel
Belado Residence Bol
Want a private pool or a private hot tub? Well, you can get that with one of the large and open apartments here. Soak up the sun whilst sitting on your balcony admiring the sea view.
Aside from the modern and fully-equipped apartments, the hotel also offers bicycles for rent, grocery delivery and even packed lunches!
- Private pool or hot tub
- Sea view
- Packed lunches available
- Large, fully-equipped apartments
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