Brač: Bays, Culture and Trails

On Brač, the coast and island culture are not separate themes: the island combines hundreds of beaches and bays with a history dating back to antiquity, distinctive foods and opportunities to stay active on land and at sea. When planning your trip, you can weigh different priorities: coastal areas, cultural sites or active experiences. This way, you can get to know Brač from more than one perspective.

Bays, Elevation and Trails

The island has hundreds of beaches and bays. These include developed pebble and sandy beaches, as well as unspoiled rocky coves. The descriptions thus distinguish between shorelines both by their surface and by their character. When planning your time by the water, you can use these differences as a guide when choosing between types of beaches.

Vidova Gora offers a different landscape: at 778 metres, the mountain on Brač is the highest on the Adriatic islands. The island also offers plenty of ways to stay active on land: several hundred kilometres of cycling and hiking trails crisscross Brač. This provides trails for two different ways of getting around, while the coastal areas offer a distinct travel theme of their own.

Activities at Sea and Beyond

On Brač, sailing, water skiing, diving and kayaking are offered as activities at sea and around nearby islands. The range of activities thus extends beyond trails on land. From Split, travellers can also set out by boat to the Dalmatian islands of Brač, Hvar, Šolta or Vis. This puts Brač in context alongside a choice of several island destinations, without reducing the island itself to water sports.

Stonecraft and Island History

Brač’s history dates back to antiquity; the island is considered one of Croatia’s richest in culture. In Pučišća, the centuries-old stonemasonry school is presented as a place where visitors can learn more about Brač stone. Those interested in the material and its cultural significance can find a practical introduction to stonecraft there.

The Museum of the Island of Brač is now housed in the Radojković defensive fortress. Its exhibits include finds from Kopačina Cave, Roman tombstones, nautical charts and various handicrafts from Brač. The collection brings together different perspectives, from archaeological finds and tombstones to seafaring and craftwork. The museum and stonemasonry school each offer a distinct focus within the island’s cultural attractions.

Olive Oil and Traditional Cuisine

At the Olive Oil Museum in Škrip, visitors can taste and buy olive oil and other local foods. The museum combines a look at olive oil with the opportunity to discover other regional products. One of the island’s important culinary traditions is vitalac, a dish made from lamb or goat offal.

Brač is considered the birthplace of olive oil, sheep’s and goat’s cheese, spit-roasted lamb and various desserts. Recipes are passed down from generation to generation. Together, these dishes and vitalac paint a picture of island cuisine in which both specific ingredients and traditional recipes play a part. For your trip planning, the culinary themes complement the choice between the coast, cultural sites and activities on land or at sea.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Općina Sutivan, Općina Milna, Općina Selca, Općina Bol, Općina Nerežišća, Općina Supetar, Općina Pučišća; Dugi Otok.

Go to the main travel overview: Croatia.