The diverse regions of Brac, which are characterised not only by agriculture but also by music, dance and sports, are reinventing themselves today with the help of tourism. They offer Croatian holidaymakers a mix of unspoilt nature and cultural and historical heritage that is worth experiencing.
At 40km long and 12km wide, Brac is the largest island in Dalmatia and the third largest in the Adriatic after Krk and Cres. It was formed 100 million years ago at the time of the dinosaurs and is home to the highest point in the Adriatic, the 778m high Vidova Gora.
130 days of sunshine per year, the gorgeous Zlatni Rat beach and the family-friendly sandy beaches near Supetar make the island of Brac a great destination for swimming holidays in Croatia. The former has also earned the island of Brac a place on our list of Croatia's 10 most beautiful beaches.
The mild climate in winter and the shady forests in summer also invite you to go hiking, the reliable wind delights sailors and surfers, and hidden churches and chapels from past centuries invite you to an adventurous scavenger hunt.
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PICTURES: Holiday on Brac, Croatia
Wine and stone from Brac - internationally famous
Olives and wine are very important on Brac; in the 18th century there were 500,000 olive trees on the island and around 12,000 hectares were covered with vines. Brac is famous for its wine, Bolski Plavac, which is served in cosy konobas and tavernas with the equally famous local cheese.
Brac is also famous for its white limestone quarries, which produced several stonemason dynasties as early as the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Stones from Brac can be found in the most magnificent buildings in all of Dalmatia, including Diocletian's Palace in Split or the churches of Trogir and Sibenik. They were even used in the construction of the White House in Washington.
What is the best way to get to Brac?
The best way to get to Brac is via the port of Split, from where ferries depart for Supetar (journey time around 50 minutes). If you want to go straight to the famous Zlatni Rat beach, you can change to the catamaran in Supetar, which takes its passengers to Bol in about an hour.
Alternatively, Brac can also be reached by plane, the small island airport is also located near Bol in the central south of the island.
Beach holiday on Brac - bathing, swimming, relaxing
Zlatni Rat near Bol is the most beautiful and famous beach on the island of Brac, if not the most famous beach on the entire Adriatic coast. The "golden horn" is considered a flagship for holidays in Croatia.
Holidaymakers will find bathing pleasures at their best on the almost 500m long headland of fine pebbles in the azure Mediterranean. Families with small children will love the gentle sandy beaches of Supetar and sun worshippers can stretch their limbs on the smooth rocks at Zastúpení.
But the other 170km of beaches are also worth a visit. The monastery beach at Bol, only 800m from the city centre, the beautiful sandy beach Lovrečina, about 4km from Postira, are all equipped with sun loungers, snack bars and sanitary facilities and form the ideal environment for a carefree day at the beach.
Ideal for families with small children are the flat sandy beaches near Supetar. Beach holidaymakers are spoilt for choice between Vela Luka, Tri Mosta, Vlačić, Accapulco, Vrilo and Banj, all in the immediate vicinity of the city and equipped with excellent infrastructure.
Active holidays on Brac - surfing, sailing, hiking
From midday onwards, there is sure to be a breeze on Brac, be it the mild Maestral, the cold Bura from the north or the hot Scirocco from the Sahara. These winds make Brac ideal for surfers and sailors, whether in the Zlatni Rat channel or around the island from bay to bay.
Boat trips around Brac reveal the dramatic karst formations that enclose almost the entire coastline. Nautical enthusiasts feel particularly at home in the yachting centre of Milna. This is also where the island's most beautiful waterfront promenade can be found.
Unlike other Adriatic islands, Brac is also attractive in the island's interior thanks to its diverse flora and fauna. Holm oaks and pines provide shade on hikes that lead up to the cool climes at over 500 metres. The Dragonja Grotto near Bol, the quarries near Skrip or the Blaca desert, where time seems to have stood still a few centuries ago, are popular destinations for ambitious hikers.
Tip: A popular leisure activity on Brac is discovering early Christian and old Croatian churches scattered all over the island. Only a few of them are signposted and it is not uncommon for a chapel to suddenly appear while hiking in rough terrain...
Sights on Brac
On the approximately 400 square metre island, the dreamlike bays together with the magnificent nature are the most important sights of Brac. Most settlements are found in the west of the island.
Supetar, Milna and Bol are among the holiday hot spots on Brac. This is also where most of Brac's 13,000 inhabitants love to spend their holidays. Pine-covered pebble and sandy beaches form perfect holiday destinations with cosy bars, cafés and restaurants and a historic old town centre.
In the east of Brac you will still find wonderful peace and almost backwoods solitude.
Supetar - main town and gateway to Brac
As the pier for the ferry from Split, Supetar is the entrance gate to the island for most visitors. As the largest settlement on Brac, it has the most tourist infrastructure. Two beautiful beaches and an attractive old town make Supetar on the north coast of Brac a worthwhile holiday destination.
Tip: A particularly idyllic sight on Brac are the ancient olive groves, which probably date back to the first civilisations on the island. On the olive path near the village of Mirca near Supetar in the north of the island, secluded hiking trails lead through the gnarled trees.
Splitska - home of the famous Brac stones
The picturesque resort of Splitska grew out of a former Roman-era quarry harbour. With its quiet bay, gently sloping beaches and excellent cuisine, it offers perfect conditions for a relaxing family holiday .
Still a few kilometres east of Splitska, the old quarry can be visited on the picturesque coast. The small villages of Postira and the picturesque Pučišća (just under 30km away) on its idyllic bay are ideal day trips from Splitska.
Sutivan - beach, nature and "no rules
Sutivan, about 8km from Supetar, captivates both with its picturesque beaches and its rich cultural and historical heritage. Old, stone town houses, renaissance and baroque palaces give the picturesque town on the Adriatic Sea an irresistible charm.
Its hospitable inhabitants warmly welcome holidaymakers and numerous holiday homes, flats and villas offer holiday idyll at its best. In July, numerous adrenaline junkies gather in Sutivan for the extreme sports festival "Vanka Ragule" ("No Rules").
Milna - sailing stronghold of Brac
The tranquil town of Milna is the westernmost settlement on Brac and about 20km from the main town of Supetar. A former seafaring centre and residence of Russia's tsars, the tranquil resort is still distinguished by its spacious harbour and attractive architecture.
Sailors travelling between the Croatian islands meet at the Milna marina. In the high season, ferries depart from Milna to Split on the mainland or to the neighbouring island of Hvar.
Bol - oldest village and beach "Zlatni Rat
The famous Zlatni Rat beach, one of our 10 most beautiful beaches in Croatia, makes nearby Bol the most popular holiday destination on Brac. The monastery beach right in the centre and the pretty old town are also worth a visit in Bol.
As the oldest village on Brac, most of the island's cultural and historical sights can be found here, some of which date back to Roman times. By the way, Bolski Plavac, Brac's famous wine, is grown on the southern slopes around Bol.
Churches and Chapels - A Journey of Discovery on Brac
Spiritual sightseeing on Brac is a challenge in itself. You will be surprised at how many early Christian and ancient Croatian churches and chapels are scattered all over the island. Most of them are hard to find because they are in the middle of nowhere and not signposted.
You will come across many of them by chance while hiking, but some of them can be targeted. These include the ruins of a 6th-century basilica in the centre of Povlja, the remains of a 5th-century church in Postira Bay, the Jadro church directly on the connection from Splitska to Skrip, or the early Christian mosaics in the north of the parish church of Supetar.
Of the tiny old Croatian chapels dating from the 8th to 11th centuries, only the churches of Sveti Duh in Skrip, Sveti Juraj on the road to Postira and St. Michael's Church 2km west of Donj Humac are marked with signs. Discovering the rest of the little churches is like a treasure hunt.
Related links:
Website about the island with info, hotels, sights and beaches of Brac
