• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
The Travels of BBQboy and Spanky

The Travels of BBQboy and Spanky

  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Destinations
    • EUROPE (A to M)
      • AUSTRIA
      • BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
      • BULGARIA
      • CROATIA
      • CZECH REPUBLIC
      • ESTONIA
      • FINLAND
      • GERMANY
      • GREECE
      • HUNGARY
      • ITALY
      • LATVIA
      • LITHUANIA
    • EUROPE (N to Z)
      • MONTENEGRO
      • NORTH MACEDONIA
      • POLAND
      • PORTUGAL
      • ROMANIA
      • SERBIA
      • SLOVAKIA
      • SLOVENIA
      • SPAIN
      • SWITZERLAND
      • TURKEY
      • UKRAINE
    • CAUCASUS
      • ARMENIA
      • GEORGIA
    • ASIA
      • CAMBODIA
      • HONG KONG
      • INDONESIA
      • JAPAN
      • LAOS
      • MALAYSIA
      • PHILIPPINES
      • THAILAND
      • TAIWAN
      • SINGAPORE
    • NORTH AMERICA
      • MONTREAL, QUEBEC
      • REGIONS OF QUEBEC, CANADA
      • MEXICO
        • Pueblos Magicos of Mexico
      • U.S.A
    • CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
      • COSTA RICA
      • CUBA
      • DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
      • GUATEMALA
      • NICARAGUA
    • SOUTH AMERICA
      • ARGENTINA
      • BOLIVIA
      • BRAZIL
      • CHILE
      • COLOMBIA
    • AFRICA
      • SOUTH AFRICA
      • MOROCCO
      • TUNISIA
      • ZAMBIA
      • ZIMBABWE
    • OCEANIA
      • Australia
      • New Zealand
  • Topics
    • Nomadic Life / Full-time Travel
    • Accommodation
    • Expat Corner
    • Blogging & Bloggers
    • The Best and Worst
    • Deep Thoughts
    • planes, trains and automobiles
    • Hikes & Adventures
    • Travel Accessories
  • Travel Diaries
  • Resources
  • Work with Us

s

Why you HAVE to visit Makarska (Croatia)

Why you HAVE to visit Makarska (Croatia)

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.


 

 

St. Mark’s Church, Makarska, Croatia
St. Mark’s Church, the main church in town.

 

Riva in Makarska, Croatia
The Riva in Makarska. Great place for a walk around the harbour.

 

Views over the bay in Makarska, Croatia
lighthouse on the St. Peter peninsula.

 


 

 

beaches in Makarska, Croatia

views of mt. Biokovo, Makarska, Croatia

beaches and mountains, Makarska, Croatia
different views of the main beach in town.

 

water in Makarska, croatia
Looking down at the water from St. Peter’s church on the peninsula.

 

cats in Makarska, Croatia
I’ve never seen anything like this. Two kittens sleeping in a tree. Unfortunately we woke them up…but initially they were just hanging between the branches sleeping.

 


 

 

paths in Makarska, Croatia
At the end of the Peninsula of St. Peter you’ll find a barrier covered with love locks and a statue of St. Peter

 

posing by the statue of St. Peter, Makarska
Vedran and St. Peter.

 

church in Makarska, Croatia
back in town, views on a small church off the Riva, Mt. Biokovo behind.

 

mountain views, Makarska
The whole Dalmatian coast is mountainous, but nowhere are the mountains as imposing as they are over the town of Makarska. Somehow reminded me of Camp’s Bay in Cape Town.

 


 

 

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. 

 

harbor views, Makarska

beautiful Makarska, Croatia

sea and mountains in Makarska, Croatia

Why you HAVE to visit Makarska (Croatia)

 


 

 

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.

 

views of Makarska from Mt. Biokovo
Views from Vošac peak on Mt. Biokovo (in the first photo you can see Makarska down below)

 

views of the Adriatic from Mt. Biokovo

 


 

 

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.

 

 

Related: The Best of Croatia (and around) Itinerary

Related: The Best Day Trips from Split

Related: Bbqboy’s Guide to Croatia

.

Ps. If you find our blog helpful, please consider using our links to book your flights, hotels, tours, and car rentals. Have a look at our Travel Resources page

If you haven’t subscribed yet and want to get our posts and newsletters sent to your email, just insert your email address below

Great! Thank you for subscribing. If you don't receive a confirmation email, please check your Spam box.

Filed Under: CROATIA, EUROPE

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dennis

    October 30, 2022 at 3:18 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      October 30, 2022 at 4:21 pm

      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!

      Reply
  2. Corinne

    October 30, 2021 at 10:49 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      October 30, 2021 at 2:03 pm

      Great, nice to hear Corrine. It’s pretty stunning seeing all those mountains right behind town isn’t it?

      Reply
  3. Andrea Pisac

    October 30, 2021 at 7:21 am

    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 🙂

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      October 30, 2021 at 8:33 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Julie Normington

        February 2, 2021 at 6:58 pm

        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.

        Reply
        • Frank (bbqboy)

          February 2, 2021 at 9:31 pm

          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.

          Reply
      • Andrea Pisac

        October 30, 2021 at 11:25 am

        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!

        Reply
        • Frank (bbqboy)

          October 30, 2021 at 2:09 pm

          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?

          Reply
  4. Kemkem

    October 30, 2017 at 1:45 pm

    🙂 to my dedication. I’m terrified of cats 🙂 so l would not go near them.

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      October 30, 2017 at 2:02 pm

      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 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sidebar


Hi! We are Frank & Lissette from Canada. We sold our home in 2014 and have been travelling the world ever since.

About Us

Interested in Spain? See Mapping Spain, our new website that focuses exclusively on Spain

Follow us on Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Copyright © 2025 · The Travels of BBQboy and Spanky · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy

Nerja
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok