Bol guide
Blaca hermitage and day trips from Bol
The best day trip from Bol is the Blaca hermitage, a 16th-century monastery built into a cliff west of Murvica, reached by boat and a walk uphill or by road and a walk down. Other good days out are Dragon's Cave above Murvica, Jelsa on Hvar by catamaran, and the stone villages of inland Brač.
Blaca hermitage
Pustinja Blaca was founded in the 16th century by Glagolitic priests escaping the Ottoman advance on the mainland. Over generations they built a monastery into the side of a remote valley, farmed it, ran a school and collected books, clocks and scientific instruments, including an observatory telescope. It is now a museum, and its rooms look much as the last priest left them.
There are two ways in:
- By boat: boat trips from Bol drop you in Blaca bay, from where a path climbs up the valley to the hermitage.
- By road: drive towards the top of the valley from the inland road, park, and walk down a stony path to the hermitage, and back up again afterwards.
Either way, wear proper shoes and bring water: there is no café at the hermitage. It is closed on Mondays, and the opening hours, ticket prices and both ways in are on our Blaca Hermitage page.
Dragon's Cave
Above Murvica, a cave holds reliefs of a dragon, angels and other figures carved into the rock by monks centuries ago. It can only be visited with a local guide, and the walk up is steep. Read our Dragon's Cave guide before you go.
Hvar by catamaran
The Jadrolinija catamaran from Bol continues to Jelsa on Hvar, about 20 minutes away, all year, which makes Jelsa an easy day trip. In summer there are also sailings between Bol and Hvar Town. Check the return times before you go, because the last catamaran back can be early.
In summer you can also go one way on one of the bigger excursion boats from Bol harbour that sail to Hvar, and stay on. Ask at the boat the day before.
Villages of Brač
- Škrip, inland, is the oldest settlement on the island and has the Museum of Brač.
- Pučišća, on the north coast, is a white stone harbour town with a stonemasonry school.
- Dol, above Postira, is a small stone village known for hrapoćuša, a walnut cake made only on Brač.
- Supetar and Milna are the island's busy harbours on the north and west coasts.
A car or a rented scooter makes these easy; the island buses are timed for the ferries rather than for sightseeing.
Questions about day trips from Bol
How do you get to the Blaca hermitage from Bol?
By boat trip from Bol to Blaca bay and then a walk up the valley, or by car to the top of the valley and a walk down. Both walks are on stony paths, so wear proper shoes and bring water.
Can you visit Hvar from Bol in a day?
Yes. The catamaran from Bol reaches Jelsa on Hvar in about 20 minutes all year, and in summer there are sailings to Hvar Town. Check the last sailing back before you go.