With so many idyllic coastal towns and beaches to choose from, it can be difficult to decide where to spend your holidays in Croatia. Located just a few hours away from Split, Bol town on Brač Island has a little something for everyone. From a charming old town and award-winning beachfront winery, to mountains and beaches, including the iconic Zlatni Rat.
Our Favorite Things to Do in Bol
Discover a New Beach Every Day
Bol, Croatia is surrounded by charming pebble beaches, providing visitors an opportunity to explore a new one each day, all within walking distance.
Start your day early with a nice swim in the crystal-clear waters of Martinica or Bijela Kuća beach, and immerse yourself in tranquility with scenic views of the Dominican Monastery.
For a more active day, there is a number of water sports to try at the beaches of Bol, including sea kayaking, paddle boarding, parasailing and other.
Visit Zlatni Rat, Croatia’s Gem
Undoubtedly, one of the most popular attractions near Bol is Zlatni Rat beach, also known as the Golden Horn or Golden Cape. This beautiful pebble beach extends like a peninsula into the Adriatic Sea and is regarded as one of the most picturesque beaches in Croatia.
Bol is the nearest town to Zlatni Rat, making it an ideal location to visit the beach. A lovely promenade connects Bol and Zlatni Rat, and it takes approximately 20-25 minutes to walk one way.
Enjoy Local Wine with a View
For those who love to sip on local wine while admiring a stunning sea view, there is a delightful surprise in the heart of Bol. Stina Winery is a fantastic spot to taste Dalmatian wines and watch the sunset. It’s the perfect way to end your day, and they also offer wine tasting tours for a more immersive experience.
Hike Bol’s Mountains
If you are looking for a challenging but rewarding hike with panoramic views, the trail from Bol to Vidova Gora is a great option. However, be sure to plan and prepare in advance, especially during the warm season to avoid the heat.
Another popular sight in the mountain area is the Blaca Hermitage, also known as Pustinja Blaca.
Explore the Old Town and Croatian Cuisine
Bol offers all the charms of a Croatian seaside town — historic white stone houses, red tile roofs, mountain views, and colorful boats on the Adriatic waters. It’s peaceful during the day but vibrant at night. Stay longer to discover one of the many local food festivals held throughout the year and indulge in delicious cuisine (fresh tuna steak!).
Tips for Travelling to Bol, Croatia
The following tips focus on how to travel from Split to Bol using the public transportation. Brač Island and Bol are well-connected to mainland Croatia, making it easy to reach Bol.
Other transportation services, such as taxis, rental cars and direct transfers, are also available and can be pre-booked or arranged on-site, depending on your travel preferences and budget.
Location
Bol is a beautiful coastal town situated in the southern part of Brač Island in the Adriatic Sea. Brač Island is located off the coast of Split, the second-largest city in Croatia. Both Brač Island and Split are in the Dalmatian region of Croatia.
Best Time to Visit
Summer is the peak season in Bol, Croatia and the town can get quite crowded. If you prefer quieter times (and potentially score lower prices), consider visiting during the shoulder season — in May or September and October.
To give you an idea, in June the beaches were already a little busy during the day but completely empty in the mornings. The old town was sleepy in the daytime and came alive every evening. The temperatures crossed 86°F or 30°C (in the shade!), making it really hot between 12 pm and 4 pm.
Currency
As of 2023 January 1st, Croatia has adopted the euro currency.
Before that, the currency of Croatia was the kuna (HRK). To estimate prices in USD or EUR, divide prices in kuna by 7.5 or 7.6, respectively, depending on the exchange rate.
Closest Airports
Getting to Bol from the airport is relatively easy, with the closest airport being Brač Airport (BWK), located just 9 miles (15 km) or a 20-minute drive away. However, since flights to this airport may be limited, it is often easier to fly into Split Airport (SPU), which is the second closest option.
Once you have arrived at Split Airport, there are a few options how to reach the ferry port:
- A shuttle bus going to the Split city center. It is probably the best and budget-friendly option as it takes you directly to the central bus station, which is adjacent to the port of Split.
- Journey with a public bus no. 37 is cheaper than the shuttle bus but takes around 50 minutes. The bus arrives at Sukoišan bus station, which is a 20-minute walk from the port.
- Alternatively, you can use ride-hailing apps like Bolt to request a ride from the airport to the ferry port or the old town.
Getting from Split Port to Bol
Reaching Bol from Split is easy with regular ferry connections to Brač Island. The island has two ports — Supetar in the north and Bol in the south.
While a direct ferry to Bol might seem like the best option, there are more daily connections to Supetar which offers greater flexibility in planning your itinerary. Check ferry routes and schedules on Jadrolinija or Croatia Ferries websites before you go, as they may change during the season.
If you arrive at Supetar, there is a bus to Bol that takes about an hour to reach the town. Ticket prices and schedules are available on the Arriva website.
In case there is a long wait for the bus, consider a shared taxi ride. Local taxi drivers are well-acquainted with the ferry schedule and can offer rides to tourists in need. And the best part is that cost per person was very similar to the bus fare. Easy!
Getting from Bol to Split
Bol is quite small and its port is rather a pier in the town center. For returning, a direct connection between Bol and Split is really convenient. If your accommodation is centrally located, you may walk straight to the catamaran and sail to Split in 1 hour after departure.
Bonus tip: During high season, as there are many people travelling, boarding takes time and departures/arrivals may get delayed. The catamaran we took from Bol to Split arrived half an hour later than scheduled. Keep this in mind, especially if time is sensitive and you need to catch a plane after getting back to Split.
An alternative route for going from Bol to Split is catch a bus or taxi to Supetar, then take a ferry to Split.
Where to Stay in Bol, Croatia
Staying in the heart of Bol gives lots of choices and flexibility for accommodation. There are beaches on both sides of the town that are easily accessible on foot. A central location also means that you will have good transportation connections with other parts of Brač Island, other Croatian Islands or the mainland. Moreover, Bol has much to offer, including many cafes and restaurants to explore, as well as the local winery with an amazing sea view.
If you pick a stay a bit farther from the seacoast, you may need to climb up some hills. The upper town area is a lot calmer than Bol center as there are mostly villas and hotels with some really nice restaurants here.
The area between Bol and Zlatni Rat has many hotel resort options. Some of these hotels even offer all-inclusive packages.
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