A small Mediterranean town on Brač island's south coast, with the white-pebbled Zlatni Rat beach stretching into clear Adriatic waters. 15th-century Dominican monastery nearby.
Bol sits on the south coast of Croatia's Brač island, where the white pebble beach of Zlatni Rat extends into the Adriatic Sea. You'll find Tintoretto's "Madonna with Child and Saints" in the 15th-century Dominican monastery, and local Plavac Mali wines at Stina's harborfront winery. The afternoon winds that sweep around Zlatni Rat attract windsurfers and kitesurfers from April through October.
Swimming at Zlatni Rat Beach
The V-shaped Zlatni Rat extends 500 meters into the Adriatic Sea. The water temperature ranges from 20°C to 25°C in summer, and you can swim on either side of the peninsula. Wind and waves reshape the beach throughout the year. A tree-lined path connects the beach to the town center - a 15-minute walk (1.2 km). Beach vendors rent sunbeds for €10-15 per day, and several bars sell drinks and snacks.
Exploring the Dominican Monastery
The Dominican monastery, built in 1475, sits on a small peninsula east of the town center. Inside, you'll see Tintoretto's "Madonna with Child and Saints" from 1563, alongside works by Croatian painter Tripo Kokolja. The monastery museum displays Roman artifacts from the 2nd and 3rd centuries, early Croatian sculptures, and a collection of coins and religious objects from the 15th-18th centuries.
Wine Tasting at Stina Winery
Stina Winery operates from a restored 1903 building near the harbor. The winery produces red wines from Plavac Mali grapes grown on the island's southern slopes. You can join daily tastings (€20 per person) to sample their wines and learn about local wine-making techniques. The original stone facade remains intact from the building's days as part of Dalmatia's oldest vintners' guild.
Water Sports in Bol
Afternoon maestral winds blow consistently from 2-7 PM between April and October, creating conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Local schools rent equipment (€30-50 per day) and give lessons (€60-80 per hour). The water visibility extends to 20-30 meters, making it suitable for scuba diving. Several dive centers organize trips to nearby underwater caves. Kayak and paddleboard rentals start at €15 per hour.
Hiking Vidova Gora
The trail to Vidova Gora's 778-meter summit starts at the edge of Bol. The hike takes about two hours up and 1.5 hours down. From the top, you can see Zlatni Rat beach 780 meters below, and the islands of Hvar and Vis across the water. The mountain has marked trails for mountain biking and designated areas where you can collect mushrooms in autumn.
Getting to Bol
Ferries run year-round from Split to Supetar (1 hour), followed by a 40-minute bus ride to Bol. In summer, direct catamarans make the Split-Bol journey in 50 minutes. Brač airport, 15 kilometers from Bol, receives flights from Zagreb, Vienna, and Prague. In town, everything within 2 kilometers of the harbor is walkable. Bike rentals cost €15-20 per day.
Where to Stay
Apartments and small hotels cluster around the harbor and along the promenade to Zlatni Rat. Hotels require three to seven-night minimum stays from July through August. Summer room rates range from €80-200 per night. Book at least three months ahead for July-August visits, when the town fills with visitors.
