Brač is close enough to see from Trogir and big enough to fill a day — ferry across from Split, climb Vidova Gora for the view down over Zlatni Rat, and swim off Croatia's most famous beach. Here's the honest, practical way to do it in a single day.
Written by Ante Milic · Last updated July 2026
Brač is the largest island in Dalmatia, yet only around 13,000 people live on it — which tells you most of what you need to know about its pace. From Trogir you can reach it, climb its highest point and swim off its most famous beach inside a day, without rushing. The route below is exactly how we'd do it; tap any point on the map to jump straight to that part of the day.
Five simple stops — a short drive, a ferry, and a loop around the western end of the island. Tap a marker to jump to its write-up below.
Tap a marker to jump to that stop — for live directions and sailing times, use your maps app and the ferry timetable below.
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≈ 35–40 min, Trogir to the Split ferry port.
≈ 50 min, Split to Supetar (Jadrolinija).
Car — the easiest way to link the stops.
Scooter, if you're confident on one.
A full day, setting off early.
Swimwear, water and a layer for the breezy summit.
Honest notes on each part of the day — what to expect, how long it takes, and where we'd linger.
Every version of this trip starts at home. Have breakfast, fill the car, and aim to be on the road reasonably early — the earlier you catch a ferry, the more of Brač you get before the afternoon crowds and the drive back. If you're still deciding where to base yourself, our beaches guide and things to do pages cover the rest of the area.
It's about a 35–40 minute drive from Trogir to Split's ferry terminal, right on the edge of the old town. A car is easily the most practical way to do this whole trip — it's what lets you drive up Vidova Gora and down to Bol later without waiting on anyone's timetable but the ferry's. If you'd rather travel light, a scooter is a fun alternative for confident riders.
We wouldn't rely on buses for a day like this: the local connections exist, but they rarely line up cleanly with the ferry, and you can lose half the day waiting around. If you haven't sorted transport, it's cheapest to book a hire car at Split Airport near Trogir and collect it on arrival — see our car rental guide for the details.
📷 Our photo
The Jadrolinija ferry from Split to Supetar — Brač's main port — takes around 50 minutes, and in summer the sailings are frequent. It's a genuinely pleasant crossing: Split shrinks behind you, the islands slide past, and by the time the harbour comes into view you already feel a long way from the mainland.
Supetar itself is an easy, relaxed place to land — a low-key harbour town with a palm-lined waterfront, a few cafés and a good-natured, unhurried feel. It makes a nice contrast with busier Bol later on, and it's where you'll come back to for the ferry home. From here, the road climbs south across the island.
📷 Our photo
From Supetar, drive up to Vidova Gora — at 778 metres, the highest peak of any island in the Adriatic. The road winds up through pine and low scrub to a broad, breezy plateau, and then the whole south coast opens up beneath you. The view that everyone comes for is the one looking straight down onto Zlatni Rat, the pale spit of shingle reaching out into impossibly blue water far below. It's the sort of view that quietly stops conversation for a moment.
There's a simple konoba near the top if you want a drink with the panorama. Bring a layer — it's noticeably cooler and windier up here than at sea level.
Down in Bol lies Zlatni Rat — the "Golden Horn" — Croatia's most photographed beach: a long finger of white shingle that genuinely changes shape as the wind and currents shift it, so it's never quite the same twice. Bol, the town it belongs to, is livelier and more touristy than sleepy Supetar, with more bars, boats and beach traffic.
An honest word on the beach itself: on my first visit I actually found it a little overrated — it's smaller and busier close up than the drone shots suggest, and in peak season you're sharing it with a crowd. That said, it's unquestionably worth seeing, the water really is that clear, and having looked down on it from Vidova Gora first makes it click. Spend the afternoon swimming and lazing, then head back to Supetar in good time for the ferry to Split and the short drive home to Trogir.
A car turns Brač into a smooth loop: ferry over, drive up Vidova Gora, down to Bol, back to Supetar. It's cheapest to book a hire car at Split Airport near Trogir and collect it on arrival.
If you're a confident rider, a scooter is a lovely way to take the island's quieter roads — just factor in the mountain road up to Vidova Gora and the summer heat.
Island buses do run, but the timings rarely dovetail with the ferry, and connections are sparse. For a single day, they'll cost you more time than they save.
Foot passengers can usually just turn up, but if you're taking a car across, arrive early in July and August — vehicle spaces fill first. Always glance at the day's Jadrolinija timetable.
The Jadrolinija car ferry from Split to Supetar takes about 50 minutes, with frequent summer sailings. Check the day's timetable and arrive early if you're taking a car across in peak season.
For a day trip, a car is by far the most practical option — it links Vidova Gora and Bol without waiting on connections. A scooter is a good alternative for confident riders; buses rarely line up with the ferry.
It's genuinely worth seeing, and the water is beautiful. Honestly, we found it a touch overrated close up on a first visit — but the view of it from Vidova Gora is unforgettable.
Yes — a comfortable full day. Drive 35–40 minutes to Split, take the ~50-minute ferry to Supetar, then loop Vidova Gora and Bol before heading back the same way.
Hi, I'm Ante. My family has been connected to Trogir for many years and we've spent countless summers exploring this stretch of coast and its islands. This guide shares the trips we genuinely recommend, along with honest advice on what is—and isn't—worth your time.
