Why Brač may be the best Croatian island for a family vacation

Just a short ferry-hop from the city of Split, Brač was put on the map by its extraordinary Zlatni Rat beach — a giant tongue of pebbles that shifts with the tides and winds, making it a remarkable natural phenomenon. But this small Adriatic island is also ideally located for island-hopping, watersports, pootling around in characterful stone villages and active days out to mountain lookouts and along coastal hiking trails. And, at the end of each day, there’s always a welcoming restaurant terrace to retire to.

1. Discover Dalmatia’s best beach

Brač’s northern coastline offers several impressive beaches including Lovrečina Bay and Splitska Beach — or do as the locals do and look for one of the island’s smaller, quieter stretches of sand where kids can dive straight in. Brač is also home to one of Croatia’s most photographed beaches — Zlatni rat, also known as the Golden Horn, in the settlement of Bol. Famous for its distinctive tongue-like shape, clear waters and fringe of pine trees, Zlatni rat’s fine shingle shifts with the tides and winds, making it a remarkable natural phenomenon. It’s typically calm in the mornings, making it a great time for family paddles, while winds pick up in the afternoons, when it becomes popular for watersports that are sure to interest active teens, such as kitesurfing.

Tip: Lively cafes and bars surrounding Zlatni rat make it a great place for people-watching, selfies and kid-friendly beachside mocktails.

2. Explore island culture

The towns of Supetar and Pučišća are both worth exploring during quieter mornings or late afternoons. Supetar is Brač’s main port town, with a palm-fringed promenade, Romanesque architecture and busy medieval streets. Meanwhile, Pučišća’s traditional white limestone buildings, Renaissance palaces and baroque flourishes often give it the mantle of one of Europe’s prettiest towns. Plan a visit to the stone mason school and pick up souvenirs from the stalls along the bay.

Tip: At the end of Pučišća bay, there’s a stretch of beach with public showers, where you can cool off after a hot afternoon of sightseeing.

3. Find outdoor fun

Plan an early morning hike or bike ride along a bite-sized section of the island’s Via Brattia trail, an 87-mile loop connecting the island’s oldest settlements of Pučišća and Škrip with smaller villages, Zlatni rat beach, local museums, monasteries, vineyards and olive groves. The section from Supetar heading towards Sutivan is accessible enough for kids and well signposted, taking in coastal views; families who enjoy cycling can tackle it on bikes or ebikes hired from Rent A Roberts sports centre in Supetar. Alternatively, kids who like a lookout point can summit Vidova Gora. The highest peak of all the Adriatic islands, it rears some 2,560ft above sea level and offers panoramic views of Brač and its surroundings. Families with younger children can drive straight to the top in about 20 minutes from Supetar; older kids might like the challenge of hiking it from Bol, which is a steep schlep of around six miles that’ll take between three to five hours.

Alternatively, kids who like a lookout point can summit Vidova Gora. The highest peak of all the Adriatic islands, it rears 2,560ft above sea level and offers panoramic views of Brač and its surroundings. Families with younger kids can drive straight to the top in about 20 minutes from Supetar; older kids might like the challenge of hiking it from Bol, which is a steep schlep of around seven miles, there and back, taking three to five hours.

Tip: For any strenuous activities such as hiking and biking, it’s best to plan your trip for the early morning before the sun gets too strong.

4. Feast on local cuisine

Brač’s cuisine is rich in fresh seafood, local olive oil and island herbs, fusing Italian and Mediterranean flavours in ways that are likely to prove a hit with kids. Vala Hrvaska in Splitska is a laid-back option with highchairs and outdoor tables in view of the water serving local charcuterie boards and cheese platters, alongside fish, lamb and seafood such as mussels and octopus for more adventurous young diners. Tavern Kopačina in the village of Donji Humac, about four miles from Supetar, is best known for its authentic Dalmatian cuisine, lamb dishes and homemade olive oil. Book the outdoor terrace for its scenic views of the traditional stone Brač houses, rolling hills and a glimpse of the Adriatic Sea. Book a tour and lunch at the Olive Oil Museum in the hillside village of Škrip, which offers an interactive experience for families where kids can have a go at pushing the olive press while adults sample tastings of island olive oils.

Book the outdoor terrace for its scenic views of the traditional stone Brač houses, rolling hills and a glimpse of the Adriatic Sea. You could also take a tour and have lunch at the Olive Oil Museum in the hillside village of Škrip, about a 10-minute drive away, which offers an interactive experience for families where kids can try their hands at pushing the olive press while adults sample tastings of some of the island’s olive oils.

Tip: Try Brač’s local speciality dish, lamb peka, where the meat is slow-cooked with Mediterranean vegetables under a bell-like lid.

5. Try island-hopping & day trips

For a change of scene, Brač is well positioned and well connected for island-hopping to Hvar and Vis, or a day trip to the city of Split on the mainland, just a 50-minute hop away. Though Split is lesser-known than Dubrovnik, it has an equally attractive Old Town with narrow streets kids will love to wander, a UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace and an ancient Roman Palace. Young history-lovers will also appreciate the Split Archaeological Museum. Some tour operators can book private ferry trips, though there are local operators such as Jadrolinija or Adriatic Fast Ferries.  

Tip: Book ferry trips from Brač well in advance, especially during the high season; in Split, the waterside Riva Promenade is lined with cafes and restaurants that cater to young ones.