The Croatian island of Brac is one of the most popular islands in the country. The island features beautifully clean beaches, the well-known Zlatni rat in Bol, one of the best-known beaches in Croatia. Brac is also the closest of all Croatia’s islands to the mainland, where olive oil production is a century-old industry while wine and olive fields dominate the landscape of small family-owned plots divided by dry stone walls.
Ideal for people who are either looking for a full beach holiday or just a day trip visit as a part of island-hopping from Split or even Dubrovnik, Brac offers interesting landscapes and restaurants offering local cuisine as well as clean beaches for quiet moments.
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Brač at a glance
Where is Brač Island? The island is located off the coast of Croatia, between well-known cities of Split and Dubrovnik. The distance from Split is 7.5 nautical miles (12 km) and from Dubrovnik 75 nautical miles (121 km). From both places, Brac is reachable as a day trip destination, although due to close proximity to Split, the island is among the most popular day trip destinations.
What is the size of Brac? The island covers an area of 395 km2 which is the third-largest Croatian island. The total length of the island’s coastline is about 180 km. The population of the islands is just over 14 thousand permanent inhabitants, 4500 of them living in the Supetar.
How is Brac pronounced? Brač is pronounced “Brach” (sometimes “Bratch”) although the locals call it “Broch“. So if you are in Brac, just pronounce it “Broč” and everyone will know what you are talking about 😉
Is Brac a party island? If you are asking yourself if is Brac a party Island, then the answer is no. The island is a favorite among families with children as well as among mature travelers who are looking for peace and quiet, lovely walks, and landscapes.
Best Things to Do in Brac
- Brac is most famous for its white building stone which has been exploited since ancient Rome. Diocletian’s Palace in Split was built from Brac stone and it is still used in the construction of buildings around the western world.
- Swim and sunbathe at the popular Zlatni Rat beach, situated within an easy walking distance from the Bol village. The beach changes from shallow and shady to sunny and deep, depending on the time of day and the current and recent winds.
- Snorkel in Bobovisca bay (info)
- Hike the highest peak on the island, Vidova Gora (780 meters) for breathtaking views over the channel
Beaches
Besides the popular Zlatni Rat, there are numerous other beaches and swimming spots dotted along the island’s diverse coastline. A mix of sand-and-shingle beaches and rocky ones, the island is a perfect spot for a beach holiday.
Where to Stay
You will be spoiled by the choice of where to stay in Brac. The island is very touristy with accommodation on offer ranging from the most luxurious hotels to very basic private rooms and campsites. The most popular place to stay is in Bol, Milna, and Supetar while the rest of the island is less crowded. Although the island’s accommodation can be pricey, if you carefully plan your stay you can find good deals in privately owned apartments and rooms for the most part of the year.
When to Make Your Reservations
If you are looking to book the best places to stay, do it as soon as you can. That particularly applies from June to September, the busiest tourist season. For the rest of the year, I still recommend booking in advance, but you can do it last minute. For the best offers and to find out what is currently available check here.
Getting to Brac & Day trips
How do you get to Brač Island? Brac Island has its airport but if there is no direct flight available from your place, you would need to fly either to Split or to Dubrovnik airport. From there, you will take the most convenient ferry crossing to the island. The alternative to public transport is a private boat crossing.
By Ferry, Car Ferry, or Catamaran
- Car ferries to the island depart from Split to Supetar ferry port and from Makarska to Sumartin ferry port (see ferry map) and how to get from Split to Brac
- From Split – for foot passengers – take all year round daily fast ferry catamaran from Split.
- From Hvar to Brac
- From Dubrovnik, Mljet, and Korcula – for foot passengers – from April to October take a daily foot passenger fast catamaran ferry from Dubrovnik, stopping in Mljet, Korcula, and Hvar.
- From Lastovo – for car & foot passengers – check here for daily options
- From Vis – for car & foot passengers – here are the options
Check detailed schedules, booking info, and ferry ticket prices on the croatiaferries.com website.
The alternative to above mentioned public transport service is a private boat crossing, private tours, or day trips from Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Vis, or other places in the vicinity – check what is available
Directions Map
On the above map, you can see the locations of all Brac Island ferry ports that are the entry points to the island as well as other ports in the area that have connecting ferries to reach the island. See also a map of all Croatian islands including Brac.
Video
To get a bit better impression of the island, have a look at this lovely video that shows aerial footage of the island and the towns, shot on sunny summer days:
If you are traveling around Croatia for the first time, find more details about how to get to Croatia and how to travel around Croatia. See also articles about other Croatian islands.
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