Croatia, Dalmatia, Brac island, Bol, Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape) beach

© Tuul & Bruno Morandi/Getty Images

Zlatni Rat

Top choice in Bol


Zlatni Rat, Croatia's most photographed beach, extends like a tongue into the sea for about a quarter of a mile (400m). Despite the hype and constant crowds, the "golden cape" is a gorgeous place. Made up of smooth white pebbles, its elegant tip is constantly shuffled by the wind and waves. Pine trees provide shade and rocky cliffs rise sharply behind it, making the setting one of the loveliest in Dalmatia. There's a small nudist section immediately west of the cape. To avoid the worst of the winds, you're best to hit the beach in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Windsurfing at Zlatni Rat

Bol is a windsurfing hot spot, with much of the action centered on Zlatni Rat. Although the maestral (strong, steady westerly wind) blows from April to October, the best times to windsurf are the end of May and the beginning of June, and the end of July and the beginning of August. The wind generally reaches its peak in the early afternoon and then dies down at the end of the day.

Big Blue Sport, based on a beach 700m east of Zlatni Rat, rents windsurfing gear (per hour/half-day €18/40) and offers six-hour beginners' courses (€135). It also rents stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and mountain bikes.

Windsurfers on sailboards in turquoise sea water
A lot of Bol's windsurfing action is around Zlatni Rat © Julia Lavrinenko / Getty Images

Places to eat near Zlatni Rat

The best option for a meal is Mali Raj, located just above the beach by the car park. This alfresco tavern has a shady garden and serves delicious Dalmatian dishes such as grilled squid and fish. There are also various places where you can order drinks on the beach itself.

Getting there

Put Zlatnog rata is a shady mile-long (1.5km) pedestrian promenade that links Zlatni Rat to the historic center of the pretty town of Bol, the bus station and the ferry wharf. It follows the waterline all the way and is lined with pine trees and interesting sculpture. In summer, stalls sprout up, selling trinkets and ice creams, and touting tours and activities. Taxi boats run from the old-town harbor, and there is parking near the beach for those with their own wheels.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Bol attractions

1. Stina

1.07 MILES

This local winery operates a slick, modern tasting room in the First Dalmatian Wine Co-op warehouse (built in 1903), right on the waterfront. Call in at…

2. Our-Lady-of-Carmel Church

1.21 MILES

Bol's main parish church is a pretty baroque structure built between 1668 and 1788. The sturdy stone exterior is ornamented with a frilly pediment set…

3. Branislav Dešković Art Gallery

1.27 MILES

Housed in a Renaissance-baroque town house right on the seafront, this excellent gallery displays paintings and sculptures by 20th-century Croatian…

4. Dominican Monastery

1.67 MILES

Positioned at the end of a pretty pebbly beach, this monastery was founded in 1475, but it's far from the oldest structure on the site; the little chapel…

5. Vidova Gora

1.7 MILES

At 778m, Vidova Gora is the highest point on the Adriatic Islands and the view from the top is astounding. From here the entire island of Hvar is spread…

6. Dragon’s Cave

1.94 MILES

It takes about an hour to hike to this strange cave from Murvica, 5km west of Bol, where an extremely unusual set of reliefs decorates the walls. Believed…

7. St Stephen's Church

5.38 MILES

Built in 1605, this large church has a baroque facade and water-damaged paintwork inside in shades of pale green, blue and grey. Note the faux-marble…

8. Vina Carić

5.44 MILES

Offers tastings and snacks from its cellar in Vrboska, 5km northwest of Jelsa.