Why you HAVE to visit Makarska (Croatia)
There’s no place in Croatia that has a natural setting as spectacular as Makarska’s. Lying at the foot of Mt. Biokovo (Croatia’s 2nd highest peak), this small city looks out over a huge mountain range that extends along the coast in both directions. It is the center of the Makarska Riviera, a beautiful regions of beautiful beaches, pine trees, sparkling water and peaceful bays.
Lots of photos in this article showing you why you HAVE to visit Makarska.
Accommodation: I recommend the Hotel Park Makarska. Excellent.
After having explored the town and the St. Peter peninsula, we walked along the other side of the harbour for totally different views. You’ll find walking paths, rocky crags where nudists were sunbathing (late October but still warm enough), and some viewpoints and old ruins if you continue walking a little further.
Makarska is the perfect town for beach and nature. Sure, there are a few things to see in town but you can see the highlights in less than an hour [unless it’s a rainy day and you’re in the mood for museums: Makarska has a town museum as well as a Malacology (ie. shell) museum]. But the real highlight is nature and the fantastic views of the sea and mountains. Besides all the paths and trails around town, Makarska is the entry point to Biokovo Nature Park. Among other things, you can hike (or drive) up the mountain. Some of the most fantastic views I’ve seen in Croatia were from Vošac peak. More on driving Mt. Biokovo and all its attractions.
Practical Information
– Accommodation. A few Recommendations: Hotel Park Makarska (big modern hotel on the beach with a pool. All with fantastic views), Hotel Osejava (modern hotel, pool, great views), Apartment Petra & Apartment Rustic (fully equipped apartment, right in the old town, steps from everything).
– Makarska is about 75 minutes by bus from Split. There’s a bus almost every hour. You can see schedules here.
– Makarska’s Tourist Office has good info and great maps.. You can visit their office along the main road on the waterfront or just visit their site and download what you need.
– ‘Nature Park Biokovo’ has an information office in Makarska, also along the waterfront. Lots of info as well here on their website. There’s lots of things of interest on Biokovo, it’s a stunning mountain. See our post on Mt. Biokovo here. See my section below on tours because if you don’t have a car, I really, really recommend taking a tour to go up Mt. Biokovo.
– Tours. For a unique tour, this one takes you by tuk tuk to the new skywalk. If you’re adventurous, this one takes you to Sv. Jure (Mount George), the highest peak on Biokovo. Stunning.
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Related: The Best of Croatia (and around) Itinerary
Related: The Best Day Trips from Split
Related: Bbqboy’s Guide to Croatia
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Jealous I did not make the bike ride on this visit. I’ll be sure to put it on my agenda when I return. Cool pic of Vedran. Nice form Vedran.
Hey Dennis – I hope you guys Do return, was nice meeting the two of you. Have a safe trip to Zagreb tomorrow and enjoy Morocco!
Frank, I can see why you loved your day in Markaska. We spent a day there a few years ago, and what a surprise! I had never read much about it on the webs before, so we weren’t expecting such views and such a lively town. We loved it!
Great, nice to hear Corrine. It’s pretty stunning seeing all those mountains right behind town isn’t it?
Yes, that juxtaposition of the sea and Biokovo Mt. is really stunning in Makarska. And October may be just the perfect time to visit. I love the sight of almost empty beaches 🙂 In the summer, it’s so busy, you can barely walk between the towels and deckchairs. It was a long dream for me to explore Biokovo. I found the local information terrible – no one knowns anything, no one can give you a clear cut answer, the Botanical Garden on Biokovo was closed when we got there (even though the website said it would be open). We ended up walking for a few hours along the lower, forested part of Biokovo – which was really awesome, so I’m not complaining. But I would never hike up there without an experienced guide! This is the Croatian mountain with the highest number of rescue missions because so many tourists get lost. If you’re hiking up there – always wear proper boots and bring lots of lots of water (there are no natural springs there). Plenty of snakes around too 🙂
Very right in all respects Andrea. Honestly I don’t understand why people come to Croatia in July and August, I just don’t…
Biokovo is fantastic and once you get there it’s well planned. Lots to see and do, including some education walks, churches, and lots of great views. The drive up can be a bit tricky though as it’s basically a one lane to the top of the mountain. If there are cars coming down the other way there’s lots of jostling.
“Too many tourists get lost” – the problem is that too many tourists come totally unprepared. I’ve heard of some coming up the mountains in flip flops, bathing shorts and no water. And they don’t plan, don’t know the time to get up and down and get stuck on the mountain after dark. Never underestimate the stupidity of people 😉 . Croatia has to learn from other countries and start charging them for the cost of the rescue. Otherwise people SHOULDN’T get lost – trails are well indicated. I don’t think you necessarily need an experienced guide as long as you follow the trails and do your research. But people shouldn’t do it alone because you never know what can happen.
Hi Frank, interesting and very useful blog, thank you.
Just wanted to reply to the comment questioning why people visit Croatia in July and August….. we’re planning a trip this August (2019) because this is the only time we can make it as we are restricted to our daughter’s school holidays. It a case of visiting then or not at all…… I am doing lots of research to make sure we avoid the crowds as much as posssible. That’s how I found your blog! Hopefully we’re not making a ghastly mistake.
Hi Julie,
Not making a ghastly mistake at all 🙂 And your daughter I am sure will love Croatia.
If you need any tips or recommendations please feel free to write me personally [email protected]. I’ll help you best I can.
And I do hope you visit Makarska as well as Omis. Some incredible geography.
I totally agree that the responsibility is 50:50. Tourists come unprepared – we also saw a few in shorts and flip-flops. But the info is not there in your face either. Croatia is my country and I have to say I got lost on a few mountains here. I’m a huge supporter of the Croatian mountain rescue team (HGSS) – people who volunteer to save lost people stuck somewhere. They need help from tourist boards to provide information in a more systematic way 🙂 I am so glad you enjoyed Biokovo!
You’re right, official (governmental, non-profit) info is very hard to get. I agree with you about the HGSS, they do a great job. I’ll be in Zagreb at the end of November for a day Andrea. Will you be around?
🙂 to my dedication. I’m terrified of cats 🙂 so l would not go near them.
Really! Lissette and I drove to Markarska yesterday and the wouldn’t you know it – 4 little kittens came running up to us at the same spot I was with Vedran. Same kittens. We sat down and I had one jump up on my shoulder.
You see a lot of cats in the Balkans 🙂