This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission
for purchases at no additional cost to you.
Dubbed one of the most spectacular beaches in the world by the New York Times, National Geographic, and Insider Travel is Zlatni Rat Beach or Golden Horn Beach in Croatia.
Located along the Adriatic Sea on the southern coast of the island of Brač and two kilometers west from the town of Bol, is this natural phenomenon. The beach is nestled in a cove surrounded by hundred-year-old pine trees, rolling hills, and rocky cliffs. Just behind Zlatni Rat Beach, the mountain Vidova Gora rises up and conjures up a picture-perfect panorama.
This geographic wonder was formed by the deposition of fine rocks from the Vidova Gora mountain, the highest mountain on the island of Brac. Over centuries the rocks were finely ground into small pebbles. The 500-meter-long pebble beach is shaped similar to a small peninsula which stretches into the sea.
Golden Horn Beach has a unique shape, like a white tongue stretched into the sea. The outer tip of the beach changes depending on the current, tide, and the wind, and so this dreamy beach constantly shows itself in a slightly different shape. One day the headland bends a little to the right and sometime later again to the left.
Typically, the mornings at the beach are windless. The Maestral (summer wind) blows in a channel between the islands of Hvar and Brač and it appears every afternoon almost without exception. On the other side of the beach the sea is always calmer and offers perfect bathing conditions.
But it is not just its shape that makes it beautiful and unique. Zlatni Rat Beach is surrounded by the crystal-clear sea that goes from turquoise blue to dark blue in just 10 to 20 meters. The area is over 20,000 square meters and can comfortably accommodate over 10,000 people.
Golden Horn Beach is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the views and the breeze, however, it is internationally famous among adrenaline junkies who love windsurfing and kitesurfing. Nearby the beach, there are several windsurfing and kitesurfing centers where you can take lessons and rent the equipment.
The beach also offers plenty of other exciting things to do such as parachute, jet ski, kayak, paddle boat, and banana boat rides. There is also an enormous water park. Near Zlatni Rat Beach you can also go scuba diving and play tennis or volleyball on Borak beach. Also available are rental motorboats to explore many other secluded beaches west and east of Bol.
For a relaxing time, there is the possibility to rent sun beds and umbrellas and the many pine trees of the peninsula offer natural shade.
There are two restaurants just a few steps from the beach, where you can enjoy local specialties under the natural shade, and several stands where you can buy fresh fruit, cool drinks, and snacks. Toilets, changing rooms, and showers are also available on site.
From the town of Bol there are many different options to travel the 2 kilometers to Golden Horn Beach.
The least recommended way is by car since Bol is a tiny town and driving a car in the summer months is not always a pleasure. However, if you choose this option, there is ample vehicle parking for the day at a cost of 15-25 euros.
An excellent option is to walk the roughly 20 -30 minutes by the sea, there is a promenade in the shade of pine trees and it offers beautiful views of the surrounding coastline.
The third option is the street tourist train that rides all day back and forth from Bol (near petrol station) at a cost of 4 EUR one way.
The fourth option is water taxis that go all day from Bol straight to Zlatni Rat Beach. These are small taxi boats that carry from 20 to 50 people and cost 4 EUR one way.
The fifth option is hailing a taxi in Bol. Lastly, there are bike rental shops in Bol.
Regardless of which option you choose, it is important to remember that Golden Horn is a pebble beach so do not forget to wear your water shoes!
Speedo Women’s Water Shoe Surfknit Pro · Engineered to offer the ultimate support, breathability and comfort · made walking around and entering the beach much more comfortable
The season to visit Croatia is from the beginning of May to the end of October during summer temperatures, sunshine, and little rain. Golden Horn Beach is busy during the peak summer travel months of June to August. To experience the best of Golden Horn Beach, visit during the shoulder season, September and October, to avoid the crowds.
Golden Horn Beach is postcard-worthy!
Until next time…
· izzy
Additional travel information on Croatia:
Leave a Reply