Why you should add Brac to your travel wish list

Brac is a Croatian island located on the Dalmatian Coast. The island has its own airport but is only serviced by a small number of flights. The vast majority of visitors fly into Split and then board a ferry to Supetar (the largest town on the island). Brac is one of the most beautiful islands we’ve ever been to. Its laid back atmosphere, beautiful beaches, stunning towns and gorgeous landscapes make it a must visit for a summer beach break. We stayed at TUI Suneo Supetar which was a stone throw from Banj, a stunning pebble beach with crystal clear waters. The picturesque town of Supetar was around a 10-minute stroll away, boasting a harbour surrounded by restaurants and bars. There’s also a bus station allowing you to travel around the island at affordable prices.

Supetar

History & Culture

Whilst approaching the island you’re greeted by a breathtaking view of Supetar that looks like an image from a postcard. Supetar is a chic little town centered around a beautiful harbour overlooked by the bell tower of the St Mary Annunciation Church. Make sure you check the church out as you’ll find roman mosaics dating back to the 6^th century. You’ll also find the beginning of the Ivan Rendic trail on the adjacent street.

Approximately a 15-minute walk from the church is Supetar cemetery. You’ll find this place by walking west from the harbour down Vlacica and following the coastal route around Banj beach. This place is an unexpected beauty, especially the striking petrinovic mausoleum. This was built in the 1920s from Brac stone, the same stone used to build the Annunciation Church in the town centre and Diocletian’s Palace in Split.

Nightlife

On the harbour front you will find a vast array of bakeries, restaurants and bars. We visited Café Bar Galeb one evening and watched the sunset over a couple of sex on the beach cocktails. It was a perfect evening.

If it’s food you’re after, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There are restaurants offering traditional Croatian cuisine, seafood, pizzas, burgers, grilled meats, Japanese and Chinese cuisine. As we stayed in an all-inclusive, we didn’t eat out that often but when we did, the food was delicious. If you’re wanting a quick bite and a beer, Benny’s Bar is great for burgers and beers. During the day the bars vibe is relaxing, however, at night it turns into a nightclub and is worth a visit if you want to party.

If you’re wanting to do something different one night, why not visit the open-air cinema. This place shows all the latest movie releases. Entry prices are around €5/6 Euros depending on what you’d like to watch. There’s also a bar allowing you to get drinks and snacks whilst you enjoy a movie under the stars.

Bol

If you’ve looked at any Croatian travel guide, you will have come across photos of Bol. It’s the second largest town on the island, with approximately 1700 people living there. It’s also home to the best beach in Croatia and one of the most famous in the world, Zlatni Rat beach. We travelled to Bol by bus which took approximately an hour and cost us €6.50pp. This is easily our favourite location on Brac, with various restaurants, tourist shops and a stunning beach lined with beach bars. If you’re an adrenaline lover, there are many water sports to keep you occupied from kayaking to parasailing.

Bol is a haven for foodies. You’ll find restaurants serving pizza, fresh seafood, steak and of course, traditional Croatian cuisine. Some of the most noted restaurants to try are Vusio, Pumparela, Ribarska Kucica and Konoba Dinko. If you’re just looking for a light bite, there’s also sandwich bars and cafés dotted around.

Zlatni Rat beach

The main attraction in Bol is undoubtably the famous Zlatni Rat beach. It’s located 2km west of the town centre. It’s accessible via a 20-minute walk down Put Zlatnog Rata. This walkway is naturally shaded and there are stalls where you can buy drinks and snacks.

Why so famous? Zlatni Rat beach is protected by the Croatian government as a geomorphological location, meaning it changes its shape based on the wind and tide. During summer its tip is pointed straight due to the calm wind and water conditions. However, at other times of the year it veers either side. At the centre of the beach is a pine grove, allowing for shade, so you can still enjoy the beach during the hottest parts of the day without getting sunburnt.

If water sports are your type of thing, there is an aquapark which is great for all the family. You can also participate in more adrenaline fuelled activities such as waterskiing, banana boating, parasailing and tube riding.

If you fancy a tipple, you can check out the beach bars located on the outskirts of the pine grove. Our favourite was AURO Beach Bar. This place served up some amazing cocktails and local beer for relatively cheap prices. The bar is owned by the 585 family who also own Varadero cocktail bar, Topolino Pizzeria and other establishments in town. If you enjoy the vibe here, you should definitely check out the other places!

Vidova Gora (Highest peak on Brac island)

If hiking is your thing, why not hike Vidova Gora during your visit. Standing at 2559ft (780m) this is the highest peak on the island, and the highest peak in all the Adriatic. As we only spent a day (around 8 hours) in Bol, we didn’t get chance to hike the mountain, although we would have loved to as we heard the views of Zlatni Rat were insane!

According to EarthTrekkers, this hike takes approximately 3-5 hours and spans a distance of over 10km. The hike begins in Podbarje, at the junction between Bracka Cesta, Gornje Podbarje, just follow the signs. Ensure you wear comfortable shoes, take sun cream and water with you as it gets very hot during the summer.

Pucisca

We decided to embark on a day trip to Pucisca when we heard the locals talking about its beauty. This little village is located approximately 25km from Supetar, with the bus taking around 35 minutes. Upon arrival in this tiny, delightful village, you can instantly see why it is a constant addition in the list of the prettiest villages in Europe. We were instantly drawn the backdrop of lush, green hills and the Church of St Jerome, with its red-tipped tower dominating the landscape.  

On the outskirts of this small town there are three quarries where Brac stone has been mined for centuries. The buildings in Pucisca are all made of this material which adds to the rustic charm. Talking about Brac stone, Pucisca is home to one of the most world-renowned stonemasonry schools, Klesarska Skola. You can visit this school and see first-hand the craftsmanship of the students.

The bay is the perfect place to cool off during the height of the day. We walked down Put Macela and found Pucisca beach, a small, pebbled beach brilliant for relaxing and taking a dip in the Adriatic. Be careful when entering and exiting the water as during the summer months, there’s sea urchins on the rocks (We didn’t realise what they were until Dylan managed to stand on one).

Lastly, don’t leave this beautiful village without looking around the markets as they sell some beautiful souvenirs all made from the locally mined Brac stone.

So why should you put Brac on your travel wish list? From its stunning beaches to its wonderful towns full of culinary delights, history and culture, there is something for everyone. The relaxed pace of the island makes it the perfect place for a summer getaway. Although if we were to go back, we would stay Bol. Supetar was a great place to stay but we just fell in love with Bol and would love to spend more time there.