Bol, Brač Island
The third largest island in the Adriatic at 25x9 miles is Brač. The terrain varies between limestone hills and olive groves. Both Split and Brač fell under Byzantine and then Venetian rule.
Bol, a coastal town on Brač island, boasts natural beauty, history, culture, and modern amenities. Its highlights include Zlatni rat, a stunning beach with a unique shape resembling a golden horn, crystal-clear waters, and lush vegetation. With its vibrant atmosphere, narrow alleys, charming squares, and ancient stone houses, Bol is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion. Whether you prefer sunbathing, swimming, or exploring the area's rich heritage.
Zlatni rat beach in Croatia is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, and thanks to its particular shape, it is also one of the most exceptional beaches in the world. Many world-famous business and travel magazines like the New York Times, National Geographic, the Insider Travel listed it many times in their articles as one of the most spectacular beaches in the world.
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Things to do in Bol
Explore the historic town center of Bol, with its charming cobblestone streets, medieval buildings, and quaint cafes and shops.
Take a hike up Vidova Gora, the highest peak on the island of Brač, for breathtaking views of Bol and the surrounding scenery. You can drive to the top of Vidova Gora (Mount St Vitus). Or if you love to hike, you can go on a 6-hour guided hike from Dol to Vidova Gora. Alternatively, you can bicycle down from the top of Vidova Gora to the seaside on a guided bicycle tour. On the way, you’ll stop in Skrip and visit the Olive Oil Museum and the ancient stone village of Splitska.
Visit Stina Winery for a wine tasting experience, where you can sample local wines made from native grape varieties grown in the region. Tour the grounds and cellars while tasting their most popular wines. Their waterfront location, steps from where we'll dock in the marina, makes it that much more appealing. They make delightful Pošip (white wine) and Plavac Mali (red) grape varietals. But their signature wine is Plavac Mali Masterpiece, a red Zinfandel derivative.
Visit the Dominican Monastery-Hermitage Blaca, also called Blaca Cave Monastery- a historic landmark in Bol that houses a museum showcasing religious art and artifacts from the region.
Go snorkeling or scuba diving in the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea, where you can explore colorful marine life and underwater caves.
Visit Zlatni rat (Golden Horn) beach, one of the most famous and beautiful beaches in Croatia, known for its stunning white pebble shoreline and crystal-clear turquoise waters. *see below on how to reach the beach
Getting from Bol to Zlatni rat beach
1) An excellent option is to walk from Bol to Zlatni rat beach along the sea promenade, which is in the shade of pine trees. The walk from Bol is and 20-30 minutes along a wide, paved boulevard lined with trees and lots of hand-made shops. 2) Alternately there's a tourist train that drives back and forth all day from Bol center (near petrol station) and costs 4 EURO one way. 3) Another option is taxi boats that go all day from Bol center straight to Zlatni rat beach. These are small taxi boats that carry from 20 to 50 people. The ride is fun along the coast and takes 10-15 minutes. It costs 4 EUR one way.
Go mountain biking
Brač Island is a great place to rent a bike and explore the island’s rich cultural heritage and beautiful natural landscape. The best places to rent a bike on the island are the towns of Bol and Supetar. One of the easiest places in Bol to rent from is Big Blue Sport in Bol (fee), located close to Zlatni Rat Beach.
Beach Activities: (Click each link to book directly with the vendor)
Do a jeep tour of the island (FEE) (GYG)
Hop in a 4-wheel drive Land Rover and drive through the untouched countryside. Imagine rugged rolling hills blanketed with shrubby pine forests and olive groves. The first stop is the Olive Oil Museum in Skrip.Then, onto Nerexiscs, a tiny town known for its minuscule church. Next stop was Vidova Gora. You can also swim and lunch in a secluded, centuries-old house in Smrka Bay. Float in the pristine water while waiting for lunch, which is served at a shaded rustic table overlooking the azure sea.
Murvica Beach
Murvica Beach is a beautiful bathing highlight not far from Bol. This small hidden bay is an insider’s tip for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the main beaches on the island. A special feature is the wonderful location. This very fine pebble beach is embedded in the hilly vineyard landscape, surrounded by green pine trees, and captivates with its extraordinary beauty. It is located just below the village of the same name, Murvica, about 4 km from Bol.
Swim near a Dominican Monastery
Just a 10-minute walk from Bol, you’ll find a Dominican Monastery flanked by two pebble beaches. Each beach has a small restaurant, and there’s lots of shade, so you can really disconnect and stay a while
Admire the art at the Branislav Deskovic Gallery
Right in the center of the Bol seafront is a Renaissance-Baroque palace-turned-gallery. The gallery showcases 20th-century Croatian artists and sculptors born in or inspired by Bol.
Sip Aperol spritzes by the Bol Marina
The sun is setting. Head to the marina to people-and-yacht watch as you sip a refreshing Aperol Spritz. Several bars and cafés here have the perfect view of the Adriatic.
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RESTAURANT TAVERNA RIVALocated just above the Riva (seaside promenade) in the middle of beautiful Bol Town harbor, Restaurant Taverna Riva is the perfect place to eat an array of delicious local food while doing a spot of people watching and taking in the wonderful surroundings and atmosphere! Dishes are based on traditional food of the area such as meat and octopus “under the bell”, seafood, shellfish and pasta – there is also a Pizzeria on the ground floor if you just want a quick bite.
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RESTAURANT KONOBA MALI RAJThis is a lovely spot, set in pretty gardens, close to the famous Zlatni Rat Beach next to Bol Town – a great place, with a nice ambiance, for relaxing after a morning on the beach or a meal later in the evening. The menu is varied and so whether you’re after traditionally prepared Dalmatian dishes like roast lamb and Octupus “under the bell” or a lighter Scampi “Buzara” or classic fish, seafood and meat, you won’t be disappointed.
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RESTAURANT RIBARSKA KUCICA
Ribarska Kucica is a cozy eatery on the beach in a picturesque bay just outside Bol Town that serves up delicious Croatian food. Specialising in seafood, a must-try is the fish stew (locally it’s called “degada”), the octopus salad and the seafood tagliatelle is wonderful. If you’re not a seafood person then the steaks are very tasty too. All washed down with the wonderful local wine, of course.
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RESTAURANT KONOBA NONO BAN
Nono Ban is a ranch style ‘Konoba’ and well worth stopping at as you cross the island – in a pretty courtyard, it serves traditional home made food, cooked on an open fire. Delicious ‘Peka’ – meat or fish, potatoes and vegetables are baked in the fire under a steel ‘bell’. This traditional way to cook is popular all over Croatia, and soo delicious. The restaurant also serves home-baked bread and very nice local wine. Set under the olive trees, this is the perfect way to escape the sun for a few hours and enjoy a traditional lunch or dinner. Recommended!
Restaurant Nono Ban is just before Gornji Humac on the main road 115 – it is easily reachable from Sumartin Bay, Bol Town, Pucisca Bay & Povlija Bay, considered Central Brac Island.
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To DrinkCocktail Bar Bolero: Set beneath towering pine trees on the seaside promenade leading to Zlantni rat, Bolero is a cool place to stop for coffee or cocktails, either before or after an excursion to the beach. Relax on wicker sofas with music in the background.
Stina: Located on the seafront promenade in Bol, overlooking the harbour, Stina offers tasting (by the glass) of its own wines. www.stina-vino.hr
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