8 Best Sights in Central Dalmatia, Croatia

Built into a cliff face overlooking the sea by Glagolitic monks fleeing Ottoman invaders in the 16th century, the Blaca Hermitage is one of Brač's most serene sights. From the bay below the complex, it's a 2-km (1-mile) hike uphill and well off the beaten path, as it's only reachable by foot. Experiencing the hike helps you understand the monks' toil in constructing the site without modern amenities. You can also arrive by car from Nerežišća across Dragovode (now a ghost town) and then walk about 30 minutes up to the monastery. Either way, don hiking shoes and bring water, especially in summer. The monks also grew rich vineyards and lush olive groves, despite the wild and arid landscape. Inside, the fine collection of period furniture includes a piano and telescope that belonged to Father Nikola Miličević (1887–1963), Blaca's last hermit and an avid astronomer. In its heyday, the hermitage had a printing press, a school, and an observatory. Monks no longer liver here; today, it functions as a museum, where a guided tour is worth the expense.

The obvious spot for swimming and sunning here is the glorious Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape or Golden Horn) Beach, complete with a café and snack bar, plus sun beds and parasols. Paddleboats and Jet Skis can be rented through peak season, when the beach can get crowded. Regular taxi-boats run from the Old Town harbor to Zlatni rat; walking distance is 20 minutes. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; sunrise; sunset; swimming; windsurfing.

In a fine Baroque building on the seafront, the gallery displays more than 300 paintings and sculptures by big-name 20th-century Croatian artists who drew inspiration from the sea and landscapes of Dalmatia. The intimate gallery was named after Brač-born sculptor Branislav Dešković (1883–1939), whose works are on display along with those of Ivan Meštrović, Ivan Rendić, and others.

Founded in 1475, the Dominican monastery on the western edge of Bol has beautiful gardens overlooking the sea. The monastery church is home to a valuable 16th-century painting by Tintoretto, and the small on-site museum displays ancient Greek coins and amphorae found on the nearby islands of Hvar and Vis. In addition to maintaining the museum and church, the monastery's priests actively study and carry out the Dominican mission throughout Croatia and Europe.

This is the island's regional museum, located within its oldest settlement, called Škrip. Škrip comes from the Latin scrupus, referring to large sharp stones. The area was inhabited by the ancient Illyrians around 1400 BC and later by a Roman community. Today the museum displays artifacts from both of these eras and much more.

This sandy beach sits in a cove on Brač's northern coast, offering a more low-key alternative to Zlatni rat that's worth a visit for its clear waters and views of the Dinaric Alps on the mainland. Crickets chirp from the surrounding pines, which also offer shade from the sun. Above the beach are ruins from the 5th-century Basilica of St. Lawrence, which pilgrims visit on August 10, the saint's feast day. The beach is a 10-minute drive (about an hour walk) east of Postira following the main road, which turns to dirt for the last few miles.  Amenities: food and drink; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; swimming; walking.

After you've spent a few days swimming and lying on the beach, this park is a great place for an afternoon picnic with kids. A small animal park shelters a wide variety of domestic animals including ducks, pigs, goats, turtles, peacocks, parrots, and cows. There are even donkeys that kids can pet and ride. The park is about 3 km (2 miles) from Sutivan toward Mlin and has a large playground, a barbecue area, a restaurant with produce from the on-site garden, and a botanical garden with a fountain, as well as an amphitheater for performances and events.

The town of Bol is backed by the highest peak on all the Croatian islands, Vidova gora, and from here, at a height of 778 meters (2,552 feet) above sea level, the Adriatic Sea and the islands of Hvar and Vis spread out before you like a map. It's possible to reach the top following a clearly marked footpath from Bol, but be sure to wear good hiking boots, take plenty of water, and expect to walk at least 2½ hours to reach the summit. Alternatively, rent a mountain bike from Big Blue Sport and cycle up—note that you need to be pretty fit to face the challenge by bike or by foot.  If you have a headlamp and are relatively fit, wake early and hike up before sunrise, or go in the late afternoon and watch the sun set.