Croatian ferries. Self-Guided Trip to Brac Island What to See and Do

Marriage is amazing island, alluring picturesque beaches and olive groves. It is the third largest among the Croatian islands and, thanks to its location, has acquired the reputation of one of the warmest. The mild climate, mountain air, abundance of pine trees and olives attract people with weak respiratory systems to this region - staying here has a beneficial effect and heals the body for a long time. Holidays on the island of Brac in 2020, Croatia, will pleasantly surprise you with its prices and allow you to appreciate the beaches, entertainment and attractions.

It is worth noting that the history of the island dates back to the 8th century, when Croats lived in these territories. In the process of archaeological research, experts agreed on the settlement of the island during the Paleolithic period. In those distant times, it was inhabited by a tribe of Illyrians. A little later, the Roman and Greek governments reigned here. Later, the island was controlled by Byzantium, the Venetians, the French, and the Italians. And today - Croats.

Climate

Soft prevails here Mediterranean climate. It will be an excellent option for those who cannot stand the hot heat, since it is constantly blown by the sea breeze. Considering the azure-colored sea, it is worth talking about an excellent environmental situation. The island is surrounded by rocks and lush vegetation, fragrant with magical aromas. This place is great for visiting couples with children.

The highest temperatures here are in August and reach +35 degrees. Soak in warm waters Adriatic Sea You can go here from the first ten days of May, when the water warms up to +20. The swimming season ends in October, the water cools down to +17.

Brac on the map:

The main feature of the climate of this island can be considered its softness, which is not typical for the mainland. The maximum temperatures were recorded in August, the minimum in January. Here you can relax in one of the many bays alone with nature, especially tourists with small children often come here. Thanks to the optimal entry into the sea and clean, calm water, children will be able to swim safely. In addition, most beaches have breakwaters.

How to get there

When planning to go to the island in the warm season, you can purchase air tickets to a city where there is an airport. Direct flights from here are carried out using charter flights, or you can get there with transfers. It is convenient to get from Bol airport to the city center by taxi.

You can also take a ferry crossing. You can get to the island from Split or Makarska. The crossing duration is 45 minutes, ferries run several times a day.

Transport

Works on the island public transport. The most common are catamarans, speedboats, ferries and motorboats that wait for passengers along the coast and take them to major cities. If you wish, you can take the boat as a taxi. The price range for such a trip starts from 530 HRK. It is convenient to travel from city to city by bus; the ticket price is 45 HRK. There is also a taxi service, which is slightly more expensive than a bus.

Description of the resort and why it is interesting?

It is worth knowing that Brac is known throughout the world not only tourist destination– the most beautiful “Brac stone”, an ivory-colored stone, is mined here. Many buildings around the world are lined with this material, so it is extremely valuable and in high demand. Main part local population takes part in mining and lives off this work. Arriving tourists consider it their duty to buy themselves some kind of souvenir made from this substance, either it will be a miniature figurine, or a massive piece of furniture.

Holidays on the island of Brac are ideal for both families with children and youth groups - there is an abundance of hotels of different categories, sports clubs, gorgeous beaches, active nightlife and interesting excursion routes.

The architecture of the island is reminiscent of the Greek style - narrow streets, small bright houses with red roofs, well-groomed flower beds and cozy stylized cafes. When you come to this place, you feel like you are in a fairy tale, far from everyday problems!

Main resort towns– Bol, Supetar, Sumartin and Milna. Each is interesting with its own flavor and has a unique offer for tourists. Of course, the first thing anyone who arrives wants to see is the Golden Horn beach in Bol. One of a kind, it seems to be paving the way to the Adriatic Sea. In addition to the unforgettable picture, the water here is crystal clear and very warm.

Where to stay

Since the tourism business is developing rapidly in Croatia, investments in this area are being actively attracted. This allows us to maintain the hotel stock in good condition and compete with elite resorts in Europe.

Numerous accommodation offers will help any discerning traveler choose accommodation for the night - apartments, villas, apartments, hostels and hotels. The average cost of a hotel stay is 70 – 80 euros per night.

Hotel Villa Adriatica – Adults Only

A cozy boutique hotel is ideal for couples without children and is located in Supetar. Here travelers can enjoy true Croatian hospitality and delicious dishes. There are 22 comfortably equipped apartments with private bathrooms. They have everything you need for comfort. In your free time, you can swim in the outdoor pool or soak up the sun with your favorite cocktail. There is a wellness center on site. Heading to the Lounge Bar, you can spend time peacefully surrounded by picturesque nature, read a book or take a nap in the shade of a palm tree. There is a convenient beach nearby. The price category ranges from 8,000 rubles. per person per day

Hotel Amor

This comfortable hotel was built in 2007 near Supetar. This is a modern complex whose interior combines wood, stone and glass. Thanks to the skillfully thought-out exterior, presented in soothing green tones, here you can completely relax and forget about the drab everyday life. The hotel is surrounded by centuries-old pine trees and virgin nature, so this is an option for those who are planning a vacation in solitude with nature. Families with children or newlyweds will have a pleasant time here. If you wish, you can take a ride on a speedboat or sailing boat, or visit the diving center. Spa and sauna services are also provided. Often held on site entertainment programs. Active guests can visit the tennis court and volleyball court. Price per day per person from 5000 rub.

Villa Mila

This mini-hotel located in Bol has an excellent reputation among tourists near the famous Zlatni Rat beach, almost in the city center. It offers free internet and family rooms, each with a balcony with scenic views. If you wish, you can ride around the surrounding area on a rented bicycle. Guests traveling by personal transport are provided with free parking. There is everything for a comfortable stay, and most importantly, the price is pleasantly surprising. Per day from 2000 rub.

Kitchen

National dishes

One of business cards Among the restaurants on the island, meat dishes are considered, with Vitalets taking the leading position. The dish is presented in the form of a sausage stuffed with young lamb offal, which is grilled.
If we talk about first courses, you should pay attention to soup stew, which is very popular in many restaurants in Croatia. The basis of the dish is various types fish and seafood. Most often it is served with polenta.
Among the main dishes, it is worth noting baked fish, octopus, which is stewed in white wine, and squid stuffed with various delicacies.
Merlot and cabernet are very popular among wines, which are often diluted with soda or mineral water.

The cuisine of this region will delight lovers of marine life - shellfish, crabs, wild fish, octopus, shrimp and more. In addition to the fact that these ingredients themselves are difficult to spoil, thanks to Croatian recipes, the taste of the dishes increases significantly.

Best restaurants

Considering the scale of the island, it is difficult to single out a couple of decent restaurants - there are a lot of them here. So, if you want to eat seafood and everything that lives in the sea, then you should visit Ranc Restaurant (Bol), Restaurant Galicija (Milna), Mendula Restaurant (Bol) and Argento (Bol). If you want to have a pizza snack, you can visit Pizzeria Roso (Ivanić Grad) or Pizzeria Slika (Milna). Well, you can taste fast food and European cuisine at Beer Garden Bar (Supetar).

The dishes presented on the island are slightly different from the national dishes of Croatia. But in general, healthy and light food is encouraged here. And this is not surprising, since many types of fish and other delicacies can be caught in the sea. But in general, Mediterranean cuisine predominates here.

Shopping

First of all, tourists on the island often buy souvenirs. If you do not take into account the numerous cups and magnets with picturesque views, gastronomy is a separate topic.

If you wish, you can go to the shopping center for a strong alcoholic drink in a souvenir package. Great option There will be cherry liqueur and many local wines. It is worth buying tangerine honey and truffle olive oil in the shopping center.
You can look at items made of coral or silver jewelry with garnet elements.
For those who plan to go shopping, you need to know that huge shopping centers not on the island. Among the hypermarkets, Mercator can be distinguished. And for shopping centers where you can go shopping, you should pay attention to Joker. You can purchase fresh produce and seafood at Fish market, which is a traditional market for seafood delicacies.

What to see and do?

The main attractions are the Golden Horn beach, the Dragon Cave, Vidova Gora and the Blac Desert.

Vidova Gora

It is famous for its altitude of almost 800 meters. The road to it is difficult and unsuitable for physically weakened pedestrians, but those who climb to the top will have a wonderful view of the coast. At its foot is the Dragon Cave.

Monastery complex

Built in a mountain, the desert is called Blac. Particularly popular is the route from Vidova Gora to Blac, walking along which you can enjoy unforgettable landscapes. This monastery was founded many years ago by priests who were persecuted from the mainland. Thanks to the efforts of the monks, excellent living conditions have been created here. Olive groves are planted on depleted lands. Near the monastery you can visit the spacious Church of the Blessed Virgin, which has an organ and choirs. Parishioners from surrounding villages came here more often. There is also a luxurious library and accessories for exploring celestial bodies. After visiting the deserts, it is worth considering the weapons room.

Ancient ruins

The village of Skrip is considered the oldest on the island and still preserves the remains of fortresses and ancient buildings. It is home to about 200 inhabitants and is nestled among rocky hills. The museum is located in the Radozhkovic Tower, which was built on the foundation of the Roman Mausoleum. According to legend, the wife and daughter of Emperor Diocletian were buried here in ancient times. It is interesting that many of the buildings in the village are made of stone, covered with a white roof. Having gone to these places, it is worth visiting the Church of St. Dir, which still contains valuable paintings by the artist Palma the Younger and a couple of wooden altars. Not far from the village is the Kirinich Castle, built in the 16th century.

If you want to have fun, there are several options for spending time - visiting bars with live music or playing sports. You need to understand that sports are quite developed on the island - equipped grounds for beach soccer and volleyball, tennis courts, diving and bicycle rental centers, fishing and rock climbing clubs. Also, walking is in demand, because the nature and local landscape are mesmerizing.

Almost 200 kilometers coastline And resort villages of all stripes – the island of Brac is a complete tourism reserve. Local residents, if they do not work in the tourism sector, grow grapes, fish, produce olive oil or mine the legendary “Brac stone”. The island is known as the sunniest in the Adriatic - than on the mainland, and pomegranates and kiwis grow on the streets.

Where to stay on Brac?

Travelers on the island of Brac settle along the coast - the center of the island is given over to forest areas, olive plantations and vineyards. The most popular recreation areas with the maximum concentration of hotels, shops and restaurants are Supetar (north of the island) and Bol ( southern part Brača, this is where Zlatni Rat beach is located). The first one is good for its atmospheric baroque houses and the ancient Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary (from its bell tower you can take excellent panoramic photos of the Supetar marina), the second one has stunning views of the mountains.

Not far from Supetar is the village of Sutivan - it is located near a major road junction and will be convenient for those who plan to drive around Brac in a rented car. There is also a small marina where you can rent a small boat and explore the coast from the sea. Another “yachting” place on Brac is the village of Milna (about 20 km from Supetar); at any time of the year you can rent a yacht at the local pier. On the eastern side of Brac you can stay in the area of Sumartin, a fishing village with a laid-back Mediterranean atmosphere. The main local feature is the very clean sea with an abundance of sandy and small pebble coves.

Beaches of the island of Brac

Zlatni Rat

The most popular and most crowded beach on Brac is Zlatni Rat, or Golden Cape, marked Blue flag. You won’t find such a stunning palette of blue shades anywhere else in Croatia! The beach is covered with sand (interspersed with tiny pebbles); you can hide from the sun's rays in a pine grove. The place is very windy - tourists here are offered parasailing, kitesurfing or surfing. But there are almost no restaurants - to avoid standing in a long line, stock up on snacks in advance. There are always a lot of tourists here; periodically new groups of vacationers from other islands are brought to the shore. Shower and toilet are paid.

Pučišća

The town of Pučiška with the beach of the same name is located in a calm bay, so big waves doesn't happen here. The shore is strewn with pebbles, there are rocky areas, and the entrance to the transparent turquoise sea is flat almost everywhere (in some areas you can dive into the water from the embankment). The beach has changing cabins and showers, many cafes and restaurants, as well as children's entertainment. And also this popular place among divers.

Povlja

A relaxing holiday awaits you in the village of Povlja on the northern coast - there are much fewer tourists on the local beach than in other resorts of Brac. The sea is very calm, the water is warm, there is a lot picturesque bays. There are several cafes scattered along the coastline in the immediate vicinity of the beach. Also in this area you can find the classic Brac beach: a white stone embankment with stairs and a sharp entrance to the water.

Vlacica

Convenient small-pebble beach in the north-west of the island, near Supetar. There are locker rooms and playgrounds, there are water activities and several cafes, and rental of sun loungers and umbrellas is available (from 15 kuna). By the way, both this and other beaches in the vicinity of Supetar are almost windless - the town is located at the foot of the mountain.

Average temperature water in the Adriatic Sea near the island of Brac fluctuates between 23-24 °C from July to September (in winter the sea cools down to 13-15 °C). The beach season begins in May, when the water warms up to 18-20 °C. There is no need to be afraid of waves - the beaches are either located in cozy bays or equipped with breakwaters. Low tides reach up to 50 cm, but are pronounced only in poorly protected bays and in strong winds.

What should travelers on Brac be afraid of?

There are practically no pickpockets and street scammers on the island, but sea urchins– as much as you want, especially on wild beaches. Therefore, if you decide to swim away from established areas, be careful (hedgehogs lie on the bottom) and enter the water in coral slippers.

What is a must see on Brac?

The village of Skrip is a whole reserve of Roman antiquities (from an abandoned quarry where marble was once mined for the Split Palace to the graves of the daughters of Emperor Diocletian). They say this is the oldest settlement on Brac!

The Dragon Cave in the Murvica area is the remains of a 15th-century cave monastery, where mysterious carvings of dragons, angels and the Mother of God were discovered.

Vidova Gora is the main observation deck of the island and the highest point of the Croatian islands. At its top you can see the ruins of the Church of St. Vid and, of course, take the best landscape photos of your entire vacation - the frame will include endless hills covered with crooked pine trees, rocks, tiled roofs of Bol and the blue of the Adriatic.

What to bring from the island of Brac?

The island is famous for olive oil (absolutely not inferior to Greek or Italian counterparts), grapes and figs. If you are not afraid of overload on the plane, take a closer look at the dishes or dolls made of “Brac stone” - snow-white limestone, which has long been used here as the main building material.

How to get to the island of Brac?

Closest to the island international airport located in Split (direct Aeroflot flights from Moscow land here, as well as connecting flights from St. Petersburg). Take a taxi to the port of Supetar (from 250 kuna) - from there ferries run to Brac. Buses go towards the port (to the Obala Lazareta stop) (about 30 minutes on the way, a ticket costs about 30 kuna). The boat trip will take about 50 minutes - ferries and boats moor in Supetar.

In September 2012, my mother and I visited the town of Bol. It is located on the island of Brac, in the Dalmatia region of Croatia. The former fishing village has turned into a fairly famous resort thanks to the Golden Cape beach (Golden Rat).

Golden Cape Beach in Bol

We got to Bol from Split. The direct ferry to Bol runs only once a day and departs from Split at 16:00. We wanted to get to the island early, so we went to Supetar (a town on the island of Brac, where ferries from Split go regularly). Tickets for two cost 33 kuna (1 kuna equals approximately 5 rubles). The ferry has three decks. On the first floor there are cars, on the second there are blue leather sofas with the opportunity to order coffee and buy chocolates, and on the third there is an open deck with rows of plastic yellow chairs. We stayed on the second one. Our suitcase turned out to be too heavy, and we had to carry it up the stairs.

Arriving in Supetar we saw minibuses and for 40 kunas for two with two suitcases we got to Bol. There was no need to look for anything in Supetar. Just behind the ferry there is a bus station with buses and taxis.

The same ferry sails to Supetar

Ferry pier to Supetar in Split

Ferry schedule from Split to Supetar

Second floor on the ferry from Split to Supetar

Third floor on the ferry from Split to Supetar

A wonderful view of Split opens on the departing ferry

Wonderful view from the ferry

Bol small town, it has only three streets running along the coast. The majority of tourists (in my opinion, about 70%) on those two days of our trip were German pensioners, some of them were with grandchildren aged 10-14 years. The main street, beautifully restored, is lined with several restaurants and bars. In the very center of the city, near the fishermen's monument, the post office and the Kastil Hotel, there is a Konzum supermarket.

Monument to fishermen on the central embankment

We settled in the central hotel in the city of Kastil, listed in all the guidebooks to Croatia that I have seen. A room with sea view for two cost 78 euros. The hotel is good, the room is small. In the morning you can have breakfast on the wonderful veranda. There was wi-fi in the hall. However, in some rooms facing the sea, it is difficult to sleep until late in the evening due to the restaurant located on the ground floor, which plays live music until late at night. Although they covered Led Zeppelin and Radiohead, it was difficult to listen to the singing due to the lead singer’s lack of hearing.

Hotel Kastil

Hotel room

View from the window

Restaurant under the window

We came to Bol because we wanted to see the legendary Golden Cape beach. My mom loves beaches and I thought it would be nice to go there with her. Many Russian tourists they come to Bol by boat from Makarska for 3 hours and, as we overheard on the beach, are not delighted with swimming on the beach of the Golden Cape. They arrive after getting to the beach on a tourist train or boat, missing out on the most beautiful thing in Bol - a walk along a 1.5-kilometer paved marble road framed by pine trees to the beach along the sea. This is a wonderful walk, useful for people (German pensioners know about this and therefore go to Bol), there are many benches along the way that allow people to sit on them and relax. Also along the road there are cute sculptures made of white stone, and a variety of Mediterranean vegetation blooms, which made my mother very happy. You can, of course, go down to the sea earlier and not have to go all the way to the beach. But this walk was easy and pleasant, probably all thanks to the combination of pine forest and sea air.

Road to Golden Cape Beach

Sculpture on the pier

Rest bench

Sculpture of the Virgin Mary and Child>

Pines and sea

Color of the sea

Golden Cape Beach is like a language that the land shows to the sea. In 2009, Lonely Planet included it among the ten best beaches in the world. It is free, like the rest of the beaches in Croatia, a fee is charged for sunbeds and umbrellas, but nothing prevents you from lying down on your towel. The beach is not sandy, but with small pebbles. Walking with bare feet is tolerable. However, it is a little disappointing because it is not nearly as beautiful as in the bird's eye view photo (see first photo). The shape of the beach is quite unusual, but it is also found in Russia, in the city of Yeisk on the Sea of Azov. There are advantages to this unusual shape. On one side (on the left) the shore is flatter and in this place it is convenient for children to swim, and on the right side It becomes deep after a few steps - adults without children are usually located there. Further behind them are small coves where nudists (or naturists) settle. On the beach itself, nudism is prohibited, as is proudly stated by the sign at the entrance to the beach.

There is also a room in the pine trees where you can use the shower and toilet for a fee.

Bol itself turned out to be a nice little town. But it is completely touristy. You can relax here quite calmly and relaxed. But at the same time, those who are looking for complete solitude will not find it there. During the day, boats come to the beach. My mother summed it up at the end of the stay that two days was great, but more time would have been boring. I myself would probably return there at the beginning of spring or at the end of autumn, when the town is empty and you can walk along the embankment and on the way to the beach look at the amazing turquoise sea, and the color of the fir trees under the rays of sunlight, and at night at the stars and lights on neighboring island. The restaurants there serve tasty and satisfying food.

In the morning at 6.30 we sailed on a catamaran to Split. Tickets for it are sold without a seat and can be bought at the kiosk in front of the catamaran parking lot, which opens at around 6 am.

The island is located very close to Split, but the presence ferry crossing and almost an hour's journey makes it relatively “sparsely inhabited”.

We got to the treasured island by land, air and water. The plane from Helsinki took us to Split airport. Croatia greeted us with a hot breeze (38 degrees) and queues at passport control.

Next was an attraction called “get a car”. During the preliminary search for a car for vacation, we were faced with the fact that the cars from the rental companies we traditionally choose were unrealistically expensive. We have chosen some budget option. A representative had to meet us at the airport with a sign (not just us). It took us about twenty minutes to find him. It turns out that he had already met someone and was providing him with a car. This office did not have an office, registration was carried out literally on the knee, at the counter at the exit, where he accepted payment. At the same time, he continuously talked on the phone and was absent on urgent matters. Finally, he told me to leave the airport in a certain direction and wait there for a couple of minutes. He brought us a car there, which became ours for the next ten days.

We rushed to the port right when the ferry was leaving, but loading was still ongoing. Having bought tickets, we stood in line of cars. Loading was completed three cars before us, and everyone began to turn around. At this time, a ferry arrived, which was supposed to depart in an hour in the direction we needed. We stood next to him and began to ask the employees if we could stand here, since the queue was forming far behind. Having received permission to park closer to the sea, we began to wait for loading to begin.

The ferry departs from the port of Split, with regularity approximately every hour. The flights are operated by Yadroliniya.

http://www.jadrolinija.hr/ - the address of their website, where you can check the schedule, prices and routes.

Price: car and five people - about 50 euros.

There are a lot of people who want to get on the ferry, so you need to arrive in advance (as experience has shown, about fifteen minutes before). Twenty minutes before departure, boarding begins, by that time there is already an impressive queue of cars, and not only cars. Crossing over large number trucks that take up a lot of precious space.

Leaving the car on the lower deck, we walked to the passenger areas. Such places were in a closed salon with air conditioning and a restaurant, or an open deck with a canopy. Fifty minutes on the way flew by: first we watched Split receding.

It’s funny, but high-rise new buildings against the backdrop of the mountains of this city with a venerable history looked quite nice from afar.

The mountains in the background were getting higher, the houses were getting smaller - this was probably the Makarska Riviera.

Soon Supetar appeared.

As soon as our car left the ferry, our acquaintance with the island began. The acquaintance is not short and not long - five incomplete days. It seemed to us that this was quite enough to enjoy the beauty and hospitality of the island. We left it with a certain amount of understatement and sadness - it had not yet become boring and there were still places unknown to us - another reason to return again. But first things first.

We chose the resort of Bol for accommodation; more details about it in a separate article; here are our impressions of the island as a whole. Naturally, they started from the roads. In truth, there is only one main road on the island. It runs along the entire island and branches depart from it to resort areas. The road did not cause any particular complaints: there was a lane in each direction and many turns, which many passed exclusively in oncoming traffic. But if on the first day this winding snake seemed narrow and somewhat dangerous to us, then after familiarizing ourselves with other roads on the island, we realized that this was a local highway - the best, widest and most convenient they have.

So, on the way to Milna, we were faced with the fact that the road surface is really very narrow, and there are no shoulders at all. The road simply ends in a vineyard (and about a meter away) or downhill. There were no signs of bumpers or any kind of fencing there. So our idea of watching the sunset in Milna died by itself when we imagined how to drive along this road in the dark.

There are very few secondary roads, occasionally they are asphalt, but mostly they are dirt.

Driving on such roads inevitably covers the entire car with a thin layer of white dust.

In general, when turning off the main roads, it would be good to be sure that you definitely need to go there. Out of habit, this activity is quite nerve-wracking. This is what a regular two-lane road looks like.

The roadway was only wide enough to accommodate one car, with stonework on the sides and no passing places. Fortunately, this road was not particularly popular. Listing all the shortcomings of the roads on the island of Brac, I note that we did not see a single accident, although it seemed to us that the road designers did everything possible for this. A little traffic obviously saves the situation.

Refills. The story with gas stations is the following - they seem to be hidden from view. For several tens of kilometers we tried to see at least one - in vain. The navigator helped here too, but it was hard to believe that it was not deceiving us once again. It turned out that the gas station is located right by the sea in a small port and yachts are usually refueled there, but you can also refuel a car.

The gradient of ups and downs on Brac is noticeable. Cycling, especially from Bol, is quite a difficult task, only feasible for trained people.

Our way of knowing different places I would define it as vehicular-pedestrian. We get to the point, leave the car and walking tour ten to fifteen kilometers, ending with a swim if possible.

The most important thing to visit on the island of Brac, at least that’s what all the guidebooks say, is Vidova Gora. Her most high point 778 meters above sea level is an observation deck where tourists flock. There is a small parking area and great views. We started with this attraction.

There are several ways to get here. The first one is on foot from Bol. Eyewitnesses write that the one-way route takes more than two hours and is quite difficult. We didn’t try it because we didn’t find any signs for the beginning of the trail. The second way is to get to the parking lot near observation deck by car, and then go for a walk. (If you follow highway 113 from Bol to Milna, then before reaching the village of Neresiska, there will be a left turn, where a couple of kiosks and the roads form a triangle. There is a sign for Vidova gora). An asphalt road leads through pine trees to a parking area.

We turned the other way and came out onto a marked path that led along the slope. Walking along the dazzling white stones, we enjoyed the views of the sun and the smell of pine needles.

Below is Bol, with its famous beach cape and the bell tower of the Dominican monastery.

Sea, islands.

For about forty minutes we moved from one slope to another, but the further we walked, the more obvious it became that if this task was feasible, then it was quite far to go, and after enjoying the views and silence (there was no one here except us), we turned back.

The mountain is covered with vegetation. These are mainly Dalmatian black pines.

Views, views, views - the thought appears that because of them the mountain got its name. This is a misconception; a good review has nothing to do with it. It turns out that in ancient times the pagan deity Svetovid, the god of war, fertility and abundance, was worshiped on the mountain. Then, during Christian times, the chapel of St. Vitus (Vita) appeared here. There is a version that the Christian saint was a kind of “successor” of the pagan deity. A temple dedicated to him was built on the mountain in the 13th and 14th centuries, now it is in ruins, and the mountain was named after him.

We returned to the place where tourists gather, perhaps the most beautiful views, after all, this is the highest point. But here it is difficult to sit alone on the stones above the cliff and enjoy the silence and beauty.

A very pleasant place where it is worth spending a few hours walking around mountain paths and pine forest.

Approaching Milna, we notice a change in the landscape. Pine-covered slopes give way to yellowish bald hills. Apparently, these are exactly the places where fires raged several years ago.

We notice small piles of stones that make this landscape even more interesting. The piles are clearly man-made. Brac is famous for its white limestone. The whitest in the world, so say the islanders. Since time immemorial, this stone has been mined for construction (it was used for cladding buildings, both in Croatia and far beyond its borders). The islanders built houses from it. The outcropping of the rock made farming more difficult. Space was cleared for planting grapes and olives, and stones were placed in piles - and this is how the unique landscape of the island of Brac appeared.

Before reaching Milna you can see a picturesque village. Its name is in the photo above. The village is very photogenic located above the gorge.

Milna is a small village that was a port back in the Roman era. Yachts come here, and the port area is a series of restaurants.

At all settlements We found Bracha very nice, but quite monotonous. The houses are light-colored and have simple architecture with wooden shutters and bright tiled roofs, dominated by the church's bell tower.

Old town on the island of Korcula - a copy of Dubrovnik, only without the crowds of tourists. In the center of the Adriatic, opposite the Italian Bari, is the small fishing island of Vis. Fishermen from Vis provide tuna, sea bass and octopus to major cities in Croatia. On Hvar there are remains of Venetian architecture, as well as clubs and parties, and on Brijuni there is a zoo and the villa of Josip Broz Tito. And this is only a small part of the interesting places.

Why go to the islands of Croatia?

The main advantage of the island of Croatia is the smaller flow of tourists compared to the coast and the main cities and resorts - Split, Makarska and Dubrovnik. So it's easy to find wild beach With pure water and often without people at all. And this is even at the height of the season. The season on the islands begins in mid-June and lasts until October inclusive. Best time trips - September. The Adriatic islands are for those who love rocky beaches, deep cool seas, a minimum of civilization and simple Balkan food. The islands can be reached by ferry and catamaran. Ferries are more pleasant - you can sit on the open deck, drink excellent Italian coffee, read, look at the sailboats, ferries and islands passing by. This is no longer transport, but the beginning of a journey. Catamarans are faster and have flexible sailing schedules, but they are small ships without open decks on hydrofoils, similar to our rockets. It also pumps strongly even in calm water.
www.jadrolinija.hr - ferry schedules and tickets
www.krilo.hr - schedules and tickets for catamarans and ferries

Advice: If you see small boats and signs on them with the names of islands and beaches, feel free to sit down and go for a swim. In Croatia, almost every small town on the islands has a developed water transport- minibuses to beautiful beaches, where it is difficult or impossible to reach on foot or by car. We need to bargain.

How to get there?

It is better to start traveling around the islands of the Croatian region of Dalmatia from Split or Dubrovnik. These are big transport hubs with the airport, seaport and bus stations. Plan your route in advance and buy tickets for ferries or catamarans (websites). There are also convenient connections between the islands, but the schedule depends on the day of the week and the season. Some islands can only be reached once a day. Book apartments, not hotels - Croatia is very developed private sector, but most hotels are typical concrete boxes from the Yugoslav past.
In Istria (technically the islands are part of the Primorsko-Goranska County), the island of Krk can be reached by car - it is connected to the mainland by a bridge, and to Cres - by ferry from Rijeka or from the same island of Krk.

In Split, most flights from Moscow arrive in the afternoon, so check the ferry schedule to catch the ferry from your plane, or stay overnight in Split. The journey from the airport to the city will take about an hour, and the bus will take you directly to the ferry terminal. If you have time before the ferry, throw your things in the storage room and head to the Old Town - seven minutes along the embankment. Drink coffee on the steps of Diocletian's Palace from the time of the Roman Empire, climb the tower there, and walk to the very Italian square (red arches). Huge Mediterranean liners leave the port of Split, cargo ships to Italy and many ferries that carry tourists and locals to dozens of islands.

Brac

Brac is the green and hilly island closest to the mainland. Many people there have dachas - this gives a homely look and sets a leisurely rhythm. If you are looking for a quiet holiday in the countryside, then this is the place for you. Small bays with a dozen houses, a church, a shop with village bread, and if you’re lucky, a cafe. There are no equipped beaches, but they are not needed - smooth warm stones under the trees right by the water are much more pleasant. With the exception of rare sandy beaches, the coast is rocky. Brac is famous for its sandy Bol beach, where they practice windsurfing. But after it entered the ranking of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, it is not crowded.

Interesting fact: Not only Diocletian's Palace in Split was built from stone from the island of Brac - it was used in the construction of the parliament building in Budapest and even the White House in Washington.

Advice: It is convenient to get to Brac by car from Split (ferry to the town of Supetar) and go to Makarska from Sumartin if you are heading to the south of Croatia or Montenegro.

Island website with information on English: www.bracinfo.com

Hvar

Hvar is called the Croatian Ibiza for its abundance of bars and noisy parties. Which, however, after 11 pm they move to desert island next door so as not to disturb local residents. This is just part of what this island of winemakers and farmers is rich in. Just look at the beautiful archipelago of atolls right opposite the Old Town bay. This is why it is worth sailing to Hvar. Rent an apartment near the Old Town pier and go to new small islands every morning. Boats depart from the pier in Venetian Square. A round-trip ticket will cost no more than 10 euros, and the sail to the farthest island will take 20 minutes. The most beautiful beaches are on Palmizana and Mlini. On Palmizana, try to find a table at the fish restaurant Toto’s (the left path from the pier, all the way uphill along the path inland from the yacht pier) - take homemade white wine with ice and octopus salad.

You can swim, and then walk further along the path up the mountain, go around another bar and reach the shore of the open sea. There is a strong wind, rosemary bushes and rocks where you can sunbathe or have a picnic (there are no shops on the island, only cafes, so take everything with you). The waves are so high that it won't be hot on the rocks. In the heat of Palmizana it is pleasant to walk through the forest and small botanical garden. Snorkeling is good at Mlini beach - follow the path to the right of the bay where the boat arrives and you will get to a small beach. Throw things on the rocks under the tree right next to the water and dive.

You can drink coffee and have a snack right there - in a small tavern. Jerolim Island has the most relaxed atmosphere, with no bars, restaurants or marinas. Just a small cafe in the shade of trees, hammocks and a beach in a small shallow bay. Here, by the way, there is a nudist beach - one of the first in Europe.

On Hvar you can visit wineries, climb to the fortress above the city and see a panorama of all the tiny nearby islands, rent a car, scooter or bicycle and explore villages with olive groves, citrus orchards and vineyards, or go to the oldest theater in Europe in the main square.

Vis

An hour and a half by boat from noisy Hvar or two and a half from Split - and you are on a small fishing island in the center of the Adriatic. There are two villages and one road around the island. In one village there is a pier for ships and ferries, a parking lot for sailboats, a school, a post office, a bank and a supermarket. The other, on the opposite end of the island, is a medieval fishing village. Little has changed since the first sailors arrived on Vis. Two rows of sturdy stone houses along the bay, a lighthouse, several fish restaurants, one pizzeria (good), fishing boats, a church and a beach. The beach is pebble, the water is cool and crystal clear. Behind the beach there is a trail for hiking along the steep slope of the mountain. The path goes to the cliffs above open sea, goes through olive groves and rosemary thickets. If you decide to go for a walk, take plenty of water, comfortable shoes and a snack with you - there is no place to replenish supplies along the way.

Advice: There is a ferry from Split to Vis every day. The journey takes two and a half hours. You can get from Vis to Hvar in 40 minutes, but only once a week - on Tuesdays.

Dubrovnik is such a celebrity that it’s somehow awkward to talk about it. It is bright, original and interesting, but the problem is that thousands of tourists from all over the world think the same and flood its streets every day, regardless of the season and weather. That is why you need to go to one of the islands closest to it: Lokrum or Lopud.

Lokrum

A small island-reserve with a rocky coast ten minutes from Dubrovnik.
Getting there: 10 minutes by small tourist boat from the pier in Dubrovnik Old Town. In the morning he leaves every 15–20 minutes, last flight from the island to the city - around five in the evening. Check the schedule at the Lokrum pier.

It is better to go to Lokrum for the whole day: there is one bar and one cafe. And not a single hotel or apartment can stay overnight. The only ones local residents Lokruma - peacocks.
Get off the boat early in the morning, drink coffee in a small bar, walk through the forest deep into the island and find there beautiful beach- here is your task for today. Look for iron ladders in the rocks into the sea - I advise you to swim only near them. The shore is very rocky, it is better to jump into the water and use the stairs to get up. The water here is crystal clear and transparent - at a depth of 20 meters you can see every pebble on the bottom. You can snorkel in the tiny coves between the rocks. This shore of Lokrum faces the open sea, so there are often strong waves. If you want calm water, head to the other side of the island - it looks out over Dubrovnik Bay. It’s better to wait out the heat in the shade in the forest or sleep on the grass in an olive grove. Have lunch at the only cafe on the island, it awaits you near the monastery. In the evening, it’s nice to walk around Lokrum along numerous paths - in an hour and a half you can walk around the entire island, look at peacocks, admire the bays, rocks and views of Dubrovnik.

Lopud

The island is 40 minutes from Dubrovnik. Quite a lot of people go there capital ships, on which local residents also get to Lopud. On the waterfront, look for a small guesthouse and restaurant with a veranda covered with grapes. Lunch on a bucket of mussels in white wine or octopus - all local and fresh from the water. Good sandy beach(which is rare for Croatian islands) on the other side of the island - half an hour along a path through the forest.

Korcula

The old town on the island of Korcula is the twin brother of Dubrovnik. A peninsula with an old port, medieval walls, narrow streets, a 15th-century cathedral, but more nature and a lot less tourists. Ferries go here from Split and Dubrovnik. Venetian architecture, rare sandy beaches for Croatia, vineyards, pine trees that cover most of the island, and an archipelago of 40 small nearby islands, where, like Hvar, it is convenient to swim for a day on the beach - all this makes Korcula a very attractive place for relaxation. They say Marco Polo was born here.

gv-line.hr or jadrolinija.hr.

Mljet

If you are looking for peace, quiet and crystal clear sea, then go to Mljet. One side of the island is inhabited, but the other is covered with forests and lakes - this is national park. Most come here for the day: after the last boat departs for Korcula or Dubrovnik, you stay in the tiny village of Polace. There are several restaurants here with local food and only one small hotel Odisej. From here you can walk to two salt lakes (Big and Small) and even swim to the island of St. Mary in the center Big Lake. It houses a 12th-century Benedictine monastery. These lakes used to be fresh, but for some reason the monks decided to connect them with the sea. We recommend renting bicycles and exploring the forested part of the island or kayaking along the bays along the coast. The bottom of the Mljet Canal is decorated with corals, and around the entire island there are many sunken ships for diving enthusiasts.

Find ferry schedules and tickets at jadrolinija.hr.

Krk

Krk is an island in the north Adriatic coast Croatia, it can be reached by car - the island is connected to the mainland by a beautiful road bridge. The airport of Rijeka, the third most populous city in Croatia, is also located here.
The town of Malinska with the resort of Khaludovo will interest lovers of bars and discos; you should go to Baska for good beach holiday(attention: sandy beach! On the Adriatic, the vast majority of beaches are pebble). Also of interest are the city of Punat, the island of Kosljun, the city of Vrbnik and the capital of the islands - a city called Krk.

Whichever Croatian island you choose for your holiday, your companions will always be the clean Adriatic Sea, fresh vegetables, cheeses and seafood, cozy towns and villages, as well as a wonderful Mediterranean climate.

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