From white sandy beaches to lush mountains and quaint towns, this tiny EU island wouldn’t look out of place if it was picked up and moved over to the Caribbean – but it’s only three hours from the UK
Lush mountains melt into golden sands and cobalt waters in this stunning EU island that could easily be mistaken for the Caribbean or Maldives. Despite being a mere stone’s throw from the insatiably hyped city of Split, which garners more than 900,000 tourists every year, the island of Brač is one of Croatia’s last hidden gems.
Despite being only 91 square miles in size, this island packs a big punch and was originally known for its resource of white marble. Many famous buildings were constructed using this stunning stone, from the palace of Dioklecian in Split to the cathedral in Trogir and Šibenik. It is even rumoured that the White House in the USA used the ‘Stone of Brač’ back in 1792.
Now, Brač has transformed itself into a postcard-perfect hotspot filled with natural beauty and history. “Despite its proximity to Split, Brač is less touristed than the glittering islands of Hvar and Korcula further south,” said travel experts over at Wayfarer Wave. “No celebrities or tycoons glide their yachts into Brac’s harbours nor do politicians stroll village streets. For that reason, it provides an excellent window into authentic island life, particularly in the interior.”
Brač’s most famous attraction has to be Zlatni Rat, one of the most photographed beaches in Croatia that runs into the crystal-clear waters in a tongue-like shape. It’s set behind endless pine trees and rocky cliffs that soar into the sky – making it a great place to kick back and relax with a book, or try your hand at something adventurous like windsurfing. There’s even a small nudist section immediately west of the cape if that’s your thing.
For history buffs, a visit to Blaca Hermitage is a must. This once-remote mountain cleft was turned into a shelter by a group of priests and servants on the run from Ottoman Turks back in 1551. “By the 18th century the hermitage ministered to three remote villages, with the priests operating a school from one of the rooms,” explains Lonely Planet. “The school closed in 1963 with the death of the hermitage’s last resident priest, the extraordinary Fr Nikola Miličević, who was also a poet and an astronomer of international repute.
If you’re wanting something a little more adventurous, hike up Vidova Gora. Standing a staggering 778m tall, it is the highest point on the Adriatic Islands and offers unbeatable views. On a clear day, you’ll be able to spot the entire island of Hvar and the mountains of the Pelješac Peninsula.
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Getting to Brač isn’t the most straightforward journey, which may explain why it hasn’t been shoved under the tourist limelight. First, you’ll have to fly into Split on Croatia’s mainland, which takes around two and a half hours. You can fly direct from a slew of major UK airports, including Bristol, Manchester, and London: if you’re flexible with dates – you can grab return fares for as little as £60 in April.
Once in Croatia, you’ll need to catch a ferry over to Brač, which takes around 50 minutes. “In the high season, it runs 14 journeys per day, in total 98 times per week from Split. In the low season it runs seven to nine journeys per day, in total 61 times per week,” states Croatia Ferries. Foot passenger tickets will set you back between €4-€6.
Accommodation on Brač varies depending on your budget. For example, a week’s stay (Monday, April 7-14) in a basic double-room apartment will set you back just £227, based on two people sharing. However, if you want to live it up in luxury, a fancy two-bedroom apartment with a balcony costs £768 for the same dates.
*Prices based on Skyscanner and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.
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