The city of Bol on the Island of Brač in Croatia is a beautiful hidden gem in the Adriatic Sea. It is home to the symbol of the Adriatic, the most photographed beach in Croatia, Zlatni Rat beach. It has an abundance of outdoor activities, a harbor that gives you quick access to other nearby islands and a smaller crowd that gives you more peaceful experience to enjoy all the amazing views.

History to Today

The Island of Brač has inhabitants dating back to pre-historic times. The main occupation during those times was cattle breeding. Later during the 2nd millennium the Illyrians began to inhabit the island. From there it went on to be ruled & occupied under a variety of inhabitants from Romans, Venetians, Pirates, Austrians, Yugoslavia and finally after World War II Croatia became an independent Country and Brač being a part of that.

Agriculture, sailing and fishing were the main sources for the economy up to the 20th century when tourism started to come into the picture. Wine and olive growing also thrives in this region.

Today Bol is continually growing as a tourist hot spot and after visiting I can clearly see why so many are starting to catch on. Bol is a must visit and provides a bit of a sanctuary from busier parts of the Dalmatia region of Croatia.

Things to Do

Beach Time

I already mentioned the most famous beach which is Zlatni Rat. Zlatni Rat is beautifully finned shaped my nature and offers smooth rocky shores with gorgeous clear turquoise waters that are great for swimming. It is also great for just sunbathing and enjoying the breathtaking views. There are several other beaches nearby that are also gorgeous and worth checking out. Matinica and Bijela Kuca are two to other great beaches in Bol just on the opposite side of the city center than Zlatni Rat.

Eat, Eat, Eat

The city of Bol is small and charming but offers a good variety of restaurants with delicious food. You can find pizza, pasta, amazing fresh seafood, gelato, lighter meals and more. There is no shortage of great options. One of my favorite meals was as Belvedere Restaurant. I had a local delicious gnocchi with prosciutto along with a yummy local wine.

When you walk down the main street you will see restaurant after restaurant with lovely outdoor terraces to eat and enjoy the views.

Day Trips

I took an awesome day trip with Afitat Travel (@afitat_travel) to nearby islands Hvar and Vis. It was a small tour of about 9 of us all together. We first visited the small beautiful city of Komiža on the Island of Vis, which had beautiful bright green waters that were an amazing contrast to the mountains and city backdrop. Next we went on to the larger city of Vis, Vis Island. Here we indulged one of the best meals of fresh fish I have ever had. After we got to check out a bit of the city and have our meal we made our way to the city of Hvar, Hvar Island. Here we were able to hike up to the fortress at the top of the city & see amazing views out into the Adriatic. We then headed back to Bol and returned in time for dinner. This is just one of many opportunities to see nearby sites of the city of Bol. You can check out Afitat Travel for more options and boat rentals.

One of many adorable streets of Vis, Croatia

Wellness Center

Bol is home to one of the best wellness centers in the region. I got the chance to spend an afternoon of relaxation at the Thalasso Wellness Center inside the Bluesun Elaphusa Resort. It is a beautiful 4000m2 facility that offers a wide variety of amenities and services that utilize the fresh sea water. It truly was the best way to unwind the stresses of travel and heal the mind and body. I highly recommend you check it out during your stay. For more detailed information check out my blog post - THALASSO WELLNESS CENTER.

The Dominican Monastery

The Monastery sits on the far end of the harbor on the Peninsula Glavica and is easy to walk to from anywhere in town. It was built in the 15th century. It has a beautiful garden, surroundings and a museum you can learn more about the history. It has two beautiful beaches on either side as well.

Wind Surfing - Sailing

Bol is also a hot spot that attracts windsurfers and sailers. This is another great activity you can do as a beginner to take lessons or if you are already skilled in one of these areas.

Tour the City

Walking around the city is a good way to spend time in Bol. There are several cute shops on the main road and side streets to wander. There are also several bike rental options and trails that can take you all around, and even to nearby villages. As I did a lot of walking I found beautiful street art, views and charming side streets. I fell in love with wandering around and taking in the stunning sites in this cute town.

Where to Stay

When you come to Bol, I highly recommend renting out one of the beautiful apartment units that Bol Homes has to offer. I loved my stay with them. They have amazing customer service, kitchens to cook your own meals in convenient locations. They are also extremely clean as well as knowledgeable and helpful with anything you want to know or do on the Island. You can check out all their rental options at bolhomes.com You can also give them a follow on instagram @bolhomes

Getting to Bol, Brac

Bol can be reached by several different ways. The closest city on the mainland is Split, Croatia. Split is a popular tourist destination and is how I made my way to Bol. There are several ferry options, especially in the high session. You can take a ferry that leaves almost every hour from Split harbor that goes to Supetar, Brač. From Supetar you take a bus ride to Bol. I did this on my way in and the bus ride was a beautiful way to see more of the island. There are also direct ferries from Bol to Split or even Split airport that leave a few times a day. There is also the option of a direct ferry from Dubrovnik to Bol but this only goes once per day. You can check all the times & options through Jadrolinjia & Split Express

I can’t express enough how amazing my time was in the gorgeous city of Bol. I can’t wait to go back. A big thank you to Bol Homes for introducing me and inviting me to their amazing city. If you visit Croatia do not miss out on seeing this beautiful piece of paradise.

Health, Love & Happiness,

Courtney