Makarska is located on the Dalmatian coast, 65 km south of Split and 155 km north of Dubrovnik. It is the largest town on the 60 km-long Makarska Riviera, one of the most popular tourist areas in Croatia.
Living in Split, I’ve been to Makarska countless times over the years—and honestly, I love the place no matter the season.
While Split and Dubrovnik are all about diving into culture, history, and that classic old-town vibe, Makarska is straight-up a proper beach holiday spot. Most people who come here for a week or longer are here to soak up the sun, swim in the crystal-clear Adriatic, and chill along the promenade.
The Makarska Riviera boasts some of the best pebble beaches in Croatia—think turquoise water, pine trees offering welcome shade, and the dramatic Biokovo mountains rising right behind you.
Here’s my personal take: if you’re after pure beach time, lazy days by the sea, maybe some water sports or hiking up Biokovo, Makarska is perfect. It’s less about ticking off UNESCO sites and more about real summer vibes.
What to See and Do in Makarska
The center and old town of Makarska are located at the head of the horseshoe shaped (or omega shaped) bay.
The town square, with the Cathedral of St. Mark, is a nice place to sit and enjoy a coffee or lunch. At the upper end of the square, you’ll find a green market where you can buy fresh fruit, vegetables, and other locally produced products.
To the east of town lies a large forest park called Osejava. In the park, there are pleasant walking paths and a viewing platform.
In the southwestern arm of the horseshoe shape, you’ll find a peninsula with St. Peter’s Forest Park, which also offers great options for a relaxing walk in the greenery. At the end of the peninsula stands the lighthouse. Check out our walk around the park in the video above.
As a unique feature, Makarska has an Observatory right in the middle of the city. As promised in the video, here are the opening times:
From the port area, organized boat tours are offered. You can visit places such as Jelsa on Hvar, Bol on Brač, the Blue Cave on Biševo, and many other destinations. These boat tours usually include food and some drinks.
With Makarska being a premier beach destination, of course, all imaginable water activities and equipment rentals are readily available in the area.
You can rent boats, jet skis, SUPs (stand-up paddleboards), kayaks, pedal boats, and more from various spots along the coast and beaches.
The activity program includes waterslides (often inflatable ones at sea), a diving school with courses and trial dives, other highlights, parasailing, banana boat rides, tube rides, wakeboarding, snorkeling trips, and guided sea explorations.
Skywalk Biokovo
At 1,230 meters above sea level, you can visit the Skywalk, a stunning glass bridge jutting out from Biokovo Mountain.
The Skywalk is located about 20 km southeast of Makarska.
You can drive there by car (which I have yet to try myself), but the road is narrow and winding, so it might not be the best option during the busy summer season.
Another great choice is to join one of the many organized tours offered along the promenade in Makarska.
If you do drive, you can easily combine your Skywalk visit with a trip to the summit of Biokovo — Sveti Jure, the highest peak at 1,762 meters.
To enter, you need a ticket for Nature Park Biokovo, which costs €10 in the off-season and €15 in the main season. (Children under 7 enter free.)
Beaches Makarska
As mentioned above, Makarska is a beach destination with more than 3 km of beaches along its coast. The majority of these beaches are pebble.
East of town (in the direction of Dubrovnik), you can find Osejava Beach, located just outside the port bay of Makarska. Osejava is a smaller pebble beach in front of Hotel Osejava.
At the southeastern end of Osejava Park, you’ll find Nugal Beach, another pebble beach where nude bathing is allowed. The beach is about 2.4 km from the center of Makarska and can only be reached on foot.
West of the city center, you’ll find Makarska’s main beach areas, which include:
- Rocky beaches around the northwestern end of the Sveti Petar peninsula
- The very popular city beach (My favorite), which stretches more than 1.5 km from the Sveti Petar peninsula almost to the Aminess Laurel Khalani Hotel, where it continues as the pebble Biloševac Beach
Along the city beach runs a walking promenade lined with coffee bars and restaurants.
If you continue further west, you have several smaller beaches, like the Beach CvitaÄŤka, which are all quieter than the beach near the town.
Shopping Makarska
In all areas of Makarska, you can find smaller supermarkets offering everyday necessities.
In the town center, there is a small shopping center directly opposite Hotel Biokovo. In the Old Town, you will mostly find souvenir shops, restaurants, and bars.
For larger shopping, head to the northeastern end of Makarska, where you’ll find the bigger Spot shopping mall. Right next to it is a Lidl supermarket.
If you’re looking for clothes, electronics, or sportswear, the Spot Mall offers the main options in town.
A bit further out, there is a large Kaufland supermarket. Across the Magistrala (main coastal road), you’ll find a Plodine supermarket and Capitol Park Makarska, which includes several shops such as a Super Konzum.
Getting to Makarska
The best airport to fly into is Split Airport (SPU). From the airport, you can travel by bus (which requires a change at the Split Bus Station) or book a private transfer, which is more convenient but also more expensive.
The best alternative airport is Dubrovnik Airport (DBV), from where you can reach Makarska in a similar way as from Split.
Makarska is located near the E65 highway, making it easy to reach by car. During the summer season, try to avoid the coastal road if possible, as it becomes very crowded.
Makarska has a bus station with direct bus connections from many cities across Croatia, including Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik.
There is a year-round car ferry connection from Makarska to Sumartin on BraÄŤ Island. In the high season, seasonal fast ferries also operate to Split, Dubrovnik, Bol, Hvar, and KorÄŤula.
My thoughts on Makarska?
Makarska is a great holiday destination for couples and families with school-aged children or teenagers. Most importantly, it suits those who want to spend the majority of their holiday on or near the beach.
The town offers many hotels right by the sea, many of which partner with large European travel agencies. A lot of travellers book full travel packages through agencies in their home countries.
Note: Of course, plenty of apartments and private accommodations can be rented directly.
As is the case anywhere in Croatia, Makarska is not a cheap destination, but you can generally expect slightly lower prices than in Split or Dubrovnik.
If you just want to visit Makarska for the day—like we often do—park near Hotel Biokovka or Hotel Dalmacija, then walk along the promenade into the town centre.
FAQ Makarska
How do I get to Makarska from Split, Dubrovnik, or the airport?
There are no direct buses from Split Airport (you must change at the Split bus station), and the same applies from Dubrovnik Airport. The most convenient option from either airport is a private transfer.
From Split and Dubrovnik city centres, there are affordable direct buses to Makarska.
When is the best time of year to visit Makarska?
Makarska is a classic summer destination. The best period to visit is May to September, with July and August being the most crowded (and hottest) months.
Which beaches in Makarska are the best?
The city beach is very popular thanks to its central location, but Makarska has quite a few beautiful options overall. Almost all beaches in the area are pebble beaches.
What are the top things to do besides the beach?
The top activities besides the beach include boat trips along the coast and a visit to Biokovo Nature Park, where you can experience the famous Skywalk and reach the Sveti Jure summit.
Where should I stay in Makarska?
The most popular areas to stay are the City Centre / Old Town, Ratač, and Donja Luka — these put you closest to the main beaches and promenade. Other parts of town are nice too, but they tend to be a bit further from the sea.
Is Makarska family-friendly or suitable for kids?
Yes, Makarska is very family friendly, especially for families with school aged children and teenagers.
Is Makarska worth visiting compared with Split or Dubrovnik?
Definitely — but keep in mind that Makarska is primarily a beach holiday destination, while Split and Dubrovnik focus more on culture, history, and old-town atmosphere.
Can you walk around Makarska easily without a car?
Yes — Makarska is very walkable. The promenade along the beaches and the town centre is especially pleasant and easy to explore on foot.
Are there buses or ferries from Makarska to nearby islands?
From the Makarska bus station, there are frequent buses to Split, Dubrovnik, and nearby coastal towns.
There is a year-round car ferry to Sumartin on BraÄŤ Island, plus seasonal fast ferries (summer only) connecting Makarska to Hvar Town and KorÄŤula.
