Brna: Bay, Beaches and Hiking Trails

Brna lies on the southern side of the island of Korčula in a sunny bay surrounded by lush pine forests. Olive groves, citrus and fig trees, and vineyards also shape the landscape around the bay. Different activities can shape your travel plans: time by the water, walking trails or cycling trips.

The Bay and Its Beaches

The deep, sheltered bay provides a safe harbor for boats of all kinds. Activities there include sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and boat trips to nearby islands. Available activities and active providers may vary. Kayak tours offer a way to explore hidden coves around Brna. Fishing is also a regular activity in the bay.

Žal is a shallow, quiet beach next to a children’s playground. Istruga is a wide, shallow bay about a ten-minute walk from the center of Brna. It offers therapeutic mud and swimming opportunities; a walking path leads towards Pinčena. This gives you the choice between a beach next to the playground and a bay with opportunities for swimming and walking.

For diving, PDC (Ronilački centar Prišćapac) is about 5 km from Brna. The center offers beginner courses and daily dives for experienced divers; its offerings may change.

Hiking and Cycling in Brna and Općina Smokvica

The path to Istruga Bay runs from Smokvica to Brna and then on to the bay. A 5 km hiking route passes through Brna to the Veliki Zaglav viewpoint and returns towards the sea via Kosirna and an olive grove. The routes therefore have different destinations: one leads to the bay, while the other leads to the viewpoint and back towards the sea. Trail conditions may vary. In the wider destination of Općina Smokvica, there are also numerous hiking and walking trails through olive groves and vineyards. The Smokvica Panorama Trail starts in front of the main church, Gospa od Kandelora, heads towards St. Rok and offers panoramic views of vineyards and the sea.

You can also visit several places by bicycle. One circular route runs from Smokvica through Brna and back; another passes through Smokvica, Brna, Prižba and Prišćapac. The routes or trail markings for both may change.

Brna, Wine and the History of Općina Smokvica

Brna was established in the 19th century as an export port for wines from Smokvica, which were transported to other destinations along the coast. In the wider destination of Općina Smokvica, Pošip is closely tied to the wine tradition: the wine was discovered more than 150 years ago in the fields below Smokvica, on the hill of Pinćaluš. Smokvica and neighboring Čara form the main Pošip wine-growing area; most vineyard work there is traditionally done by hand. Pošip is Croatia’s first legally protected white wine.

Local wineries in Smokvica offer wine tastings. If you plan to attend a tasting, it is best to ask about the date in advance. You can also enjoy local Pošip in a restaurant in Brna overlooking the bay.

Historical sites in the wider destination of Općina Smokvica include several churches and older buildings. The Church of Sveti Mihovil was built in 1372 on a hill above Smokvica; a short climb from Smokvica leads to panoramic views over vineyards, olive groves and the sea. Next to the parish church in Smokvica stands a Venetian loggia dating from the 17th century. The remains of the walls of the Illyrian fortress of Gradina are also located in the Smokvica area.

Discover more destinations: Prigradica, Prizba, Blato

Back to the wider travel overview: Općina Blato.