Best Things to do on Brac Island

Visit Zlatni Rat Beach

Istria is situated in the northeastern part of the Adriatic Sea with nearly 90 percent in Croatia, although the peninsula is also shared with Slovenia and Italy. It’s the largest peninsula bordering the Adriatic, tucked between the Kvarner Gulf and the Gulf of Trieste. There are also a number of island groups off its west coast, including the Brijuni Islands and islands in Kvarner Bay, among others. Characterized by its diverse landscapes with rugged mountains, dense forests, lush hills, fertile plains, and rocky beaches. In the northeast, the Dinaric Alps rise as high as nearly 4,600 feet at Mount Ucka. The region is also known for its olive groves and vineyards that produce high-quality olive oil and wine.

Explore Bol Town

Bol Town is about a 25-minute walk from Zlatni Rat with a seaside promenade that will bring you all the way there, enjoying spectacular views throughout. It’s shaded by pine trees and lined with Brac stone, and once you get into town you can enjoy an ice cream or if you’re up for a full meal, traditional eats and one of the outstanding local eateries. Black risotto is a popular dish made with fresh seafood and squid ink while fish soup (ragu brode) is ideal for a starter with stewed fish, vegetables, olive oil, spices, and wine. If you’re here after dark, there are plenty of nightlife choices with cocktail bars and clubs with DJs, live music, and dance floors.

Sample Local Cuisine

Brac offers some delicious local cuisine, with one of its signature dishes the aforementioned ragu brodet, or fish soup, with fresh stewed fish and seafood, vegetables, olive oil, wine and spices. Once considered food for the poor, today it’s commonly served with polenta and known as a gourmet treat. The island’s most common products are olive oil, local goat and sheep cheeses, and fruit and vegetables, most of which is organic. Grilled meats like lamb, clams, mussels, various fresh seafood and fish specialties, and homemade pasta are all common too. For dessert, you must try Hrapoćušat, a traditional cake referred to as the “sweet aphrodisiac of Brac.” Eateries include everything from beach cafes and rustic konobas to more upscale restaurants.

Climb Vidova Gora

Hiking is another possible activity on Brac with miles and miles of trails. One of the most popular is the trek that leads to the summit of Vidova Gora. It’s the highest mountain in the Adriatic islands at over 2,550 feet providing a jaw-dropping view of Zlatni Rat Beach, the nearby islands of Vis and Hvar, and the town of Bol. The reward is big for the effort as it only takes 90 minutes to two hours to reach the top, covering a total of just over three miles, or about 6.5 miles round-trip. The main access is via a paved road that starts near Nerezisce at the Knezevravan highland. There’s a trail from Bol but it’s much more challenging.

Visit the Town of Supetar

The main port and largest town on Brac is Supetar. Looking like a postcard, the scenery offers picturesque scenery with stone homes, a bell tower dominating the town, a gorgeous harbor, and old wooden boats. There’s history to explore too, with some of the older traces of its past dating to Roman times. There’s a well-preserved 6th-century Christian mosaic by the parish church, one of Supetar’s most photographed locations and you can visit the mausoleum of the Petrinovic family, a collection of artistic grave monuments. There are many beautiful beaches to discover as well, including some right in the heart of town like Acapulco Beach, popular for swimming, while Banj and Vlacica beaches offer kayak and stand up paddleboard rentals.

Visit Blaca Hermitage

One of Croatia’s hidden treasures, Blaca Hermitage provides a glimpse of another time when monks devoted themselves to knowledge and God while living in harmony with nature. A small group of priests, along with their servants, arrived here on this remote mountain cleft in 1551 while running from the Ottoman Turks. They initially resided in a cave, with the walls still visible today, but they ultimately built out their home from there. Tours of the complex are available and include a look at their rare manuscripts, tools, and original furniture. A school was operated by the hermitage priests in one of the rooms by the 18th century but closed in 1963 with the death of its last resident priest.

Explore Skrip Village

Skrip village is in the Supetar area and a great place to visit for history enthusiasts. The oldest settlement on the island, it dates by 5,000 years with traces of the ancient Greeks, Illyrians, and the Romans. It’s also home to the Museum of the Island of Brac which displays a variety of artifacts from archaeological finds and folk costumes to Roman tombstones and traditional agricultural tools. The Olive Oil Museum is here too, offering the chance to learn all about the island’s traditional olive oil production with an olive mill, press, tools, and other equipment. Olive oil tastings and a variety of items are available for purchase, including olive oil, salted olives, Brac cheese, orange jam, and Dalmatian smoked prosciutto.

Swim in Lovrecina Bay

Lovrecina Bay is home to an idyllic sandy beach located near the picturesque town of Positra on the north side of the island. Accessible from the sea and by car, it’s surrounded by pine forest, offering natural shade on a hot summer’s day while the crystal-clear blue water is shallow, making it a great spot for families with kids. There are even some archaeological sites nearby with the ruins of an early Christian basilica only about 330 feet from the beach. The remains of St. Lawrence church date back to the 5th century and attract pilgrims every year on August 10. There’s also a beach bar when you’re in need of some food or drink.

Visit Milna

A postcard-perfect village on the north side of the island, Milna offers lots of charms, friendly locals, and authentic experiences. Settled in the 16th century, its sheltered harbor has long made it popular among sailors. During the day, it can be busy with visitors arriving on yachts and small Croatia cruise ships, but early mornings and evenings are peaceful, a time to stroll the harbor, pick up an ice cream cone, and chat with the locals. The harbor is a pretty scene with its promenade lined with traditional stone homes, gelato shops, and waterfront eateries for dining with a beautiful view over the sparkling blue water. It’s a great place to watch the boats come and go, and enjoy a glorious sunset.

Relax in Postira

Postira is active year-round thanks to its fishing and olive oil industry, and it’s also an ideal hub for outdoor adventurers, well-connected to watersports on the coast, hiking trails, and cycling routes. The town beach edges a small bay with clear blue water providing the perfect place to relax and soak up the sun. In the highly walkable, charming old town area there are winding cobbled streets and narrow alleyways that are fun to wander with breathtaking views that include glimpses of the endless blue sea and even mountain ranges on the mainland. With lots of cafes lining the waterfront, you’ll find plenty of places to enjoy the scenery and people-watching while sipping drinks and enjoying delicious local meals.

Visit the Stonemasonry School in Pucisca

If you want to learn more about Brac’s culture, be sure to visit the Pucisca Stonemasonry School. It’s one of the most interesting things to do on the island, housed in an impressive building overlooking a tranquil bay in Pucisca. One of only three schools in all of Europe that still teaches manual stone carving techniques, during the summer it’s open to visitors. Check out the exhibits featuring works made by aspiring stonemason students and learn all about Brac’s famous gleaming white limestone. You’ll find out how statues, buildings, and all sorts of pieces are made from it while delving into the island’s traditional culture at a school that’s become a cultural hub.

Marvel at the Dragon’s Cave

One of the most popular attractions in the village of Murvica, just a few miles from the town of Bol, is Zmajeva spilja, or the Dragon’s Cave. The unique cave sits above the village, accessed with about a 30-minute walk. Guided tours are available to learn about its history and legends which include a magnificent relief carving of a dragon on the wall, and stalagmites and stalactites. It was once a temple and residence for Glagolitic priests who spent their monastic life there, combining both pagan and Christian traditions. It’s still well-known for a number of myths, including witches, fairies, werewolves, and Orkomarin, which is a giant one-eyed dragon said to live in it. The dragon on the wall represents this superstition.

Go Scuba Diving

Brac is outstanding for scuba divers, including sites around the town of Bol which is the best if you’re hoping to encounter dolphins. They’re attracted to the gentle winds with the water calm, protected by the winds blowing through the Hvar channel. There are also diving schools that offer organized diving trips. Purple Bay is another ideal spot with four drop-offs, each of which is a separate dive site. The walls have many notches and holes that provide homes to all sorts of marine life, including scorpionfish, gold sponges, and sea fans. Occasionally you can even see a spotted shark. Salce is known for its beautiful reefs with small caves and holes inhabited by rays, conger eels, and scorpionfish.