Sumartin

The eastern gateway of Brac Island and the fisherman's flavour

Sumartin is the youngest settlement on the island of Brac

Sumartin, founded in the 17th century by refugees from the mainland fleeing the Turkish invasion, has its own unique charm and serves as an important sea gateway linking Brač with the Makarska Riviera. By Croatian standards, it is the youngest village on the island and does not have the medieval and Roman spirit of the others. Sumartin has a population of up to 500 people, which by our standards falls under the category of a village, but the locals call it a town.

Ferry Sumartin – Makarska

Makarska – Sumartin ferry timetable for 2021

The main way to get to Sumartin is via Ferry Makarska – Sumartin, operated by Jadrolinija. This route is particularly convenient for those travelling by car from the south of Croatia or planning to explore the eastern part of the island. From other Brač settlements such as Supetar or Bol, Sumartin can be reached by car or shuttle bus, but it will take longer due to its location on the opposite side of the island. We entered the island of Brac by ferry from Makarska to Sumartin. We crossed the island in half an hour by car and were in Supetar.

What to see

The Franciscan monastery of St Martin is visible in all the photos of the island

Actually the village is small. One of the main attractions of Sumartin is the Franciscan Monastery of St. Martin (Franjevački samostan svetog Martina), after which the village is named. The monastery was founded by Franciscan monks who arrived here together with the first settlers. Well, there are a lot of churches in Croatia. During difficult historical periods in Europe, it was the Chritian Church that acted as a nucleus of consolidation.
Sumartin is also known for its long tradition of shipbuilding (brodogradilište). Wooden ships are still built and repaired here, and you can see how craftsmen continue their age-old trades. The village itself retains the atmosphere of a quiet fishing town with a picturesque harbour where fishing boats and small yachts bob on the waves.

Beaches in Sumartin

There are several pleasant pebble beaches in and around Sumartin itself. They become visible from the ferry as you approach the island. The central beach (Plaža Sumartin) is suitable for families. There are also more secluded bays nearby, such as Rasotica Bay (uvala Rasotica) or ZukovikBay (uvala Žukovik), where you can enjoy the cleanest water in a quieter environment. These beaches tend to be less crowded than the famous beaches on the south coast.

Where to eat

In Sumartin you'll find several traditional conobas and restaurants, mostly along the seafront. The menu here is based on fresh fish and seafood (svježa riba i plodovi mora), which local fishermen bring ashore daily. Not a bad place to try authentic Dalmatian cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.

Entertainment

Well, I wouldn't say Sumartin is a village for entertainment. It's more relaxed and measured compared to the larger tourist centres on the island. Here you can enjoy the quiet, stroll along the seafront and watch the fishermen at work. Fishing (ribolov) and boat trips (izleti brodom) to nearby picturesque bays or even to the Makarska Rivieraare popular . From here you can explore the lesser-known but equally beautiful eastern part of the island of Brac.