Makarska Riviera Travel Guide
Get to Know Makarska Riviera – The Beaches Paradise
Makarska Riviera is about 60 kilometers long and only several kilometers wide, squeezed under impressive Biokovo Mountain. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations on Croatian coast with the main town Makarska and super popular touristic towns of Brela, Baška Voda and Tučepi. When it comes to the beaches, Makarska Riviera is an absolute winner of Croatian Coast.
Numerous stunning sandy and fine gravel beaches with turquoise clear sea are everywhere – even in the heart of towns and villages. If you decide to explore this part of The Adriatic coast, you’ll agree with the fact – when it comes to the beaches, there’s no competition to Makarska Riviera’s.
Makarska Riviera’s Towns
Charming towns of Makarska Riviera with stunning beaches surrounded by rich Mediterranean vegetation will exceed your expectations. Makarska Riviera is pretty crowded in the summer and try to find a smaller town or village to avoid crowd on the beaches. Whatever you decide, you won’t make mistake, the entire Makarska Riviera is a top choice for holidays in Croatia. Besides Makarska, Tučepi, Brela and Baška Voda, the less popular destinations on Makarska Riviera with fantastic beaches are villages Zaostrog, Podgora and Gradac.
Where to stay on Makarska Riviera?
- Makarska is in the heart of Makarska Riviera, the biggest and the most crowded touristic destination. It is one of the most popular places on Croatian coast with fantastic nature, beaches, events and nightlife. Also offering a great choice of accommodation.
- Tučepi is an amazing place to stay, less crowded than town Makarska, with excellent hotels located just on the beaches and high quality private accommodation. It’s a perfect place for a relaxing holiday and great holiday destination.
- Brela is a small picturesque town, great destination with few but excellent hotels and high quality private accommodation, and incredible beaches in town center. If you are looking for an easy family holiday with a bit less crowd, don’t look further – Brela is the first choice since this town is without traffic crowd and offers everything you may need – from restaurants, bars, watersports and open market.
Perfect Base for Exploring Dalmatian Towns and Islands
Makarska Riviera is your perfect holiday base for discovering amazing Dalmatian towns and the islands. Not just that you are close enough to visit one of the most popular Croatian destinations Split and Dubrovnik (both easily reached by car or bus), but you can also get to Brač Island from town Makarska by short ferry drive, or you can reach famous Hvar Island from town Drvenik, located 30 km on south from town Makarska.
The beach in Tučepi
The Best Things to Do on Makarska Riviera
The Skywalk – A Spectacular View From Biokovo Mountain
The Skywalk is one of the most popular attractions in Croatia offering magnificent views over the Adriatic Sea and Dalmatian Islands. The Skywalk is a curved, glass-bottom walkway on a mountain ridge in Biokovo Nature Park. You’ll get the feeling of floating in the sky at an elevation of 1228 meters/4,000 feet on a viewpoint plateau 23 x 3 meters in size. The Skywalk is reached from the Biokovo road that starts at the entrance into Biokovo Nature Park, about 6 km east of Makarska, and leads to the highest peak, Sv. Jure (St. George).
The tickets for The Skywalk are required and slots are limited in summer season when the interest is huge — book early online to secure your spot. You can visit The Skywalk in your own arrangement or you can join one of several organized tour with the ticket included.
3 Fantastic Organized Tours to The Skywalk from Makarska:
- If you want to take a scenic ride in an open Tuk Tuk through Biokovo Nature Park to the Skywalk, enjoy the mountains and take spectacular pictures while discovering the natural beauty of the Biokovo Nature Park in a different way:
BOOK HERE Skywalk Tour with a Tuk Tuk from Makarska PLUS Skip the line ticket
- By joining a buggie adventure, you will visit The Skywalk and much more. You will also enjoy Dalmatian specialties and taste th local cuisine while enjoying the spectacular view from the top over Makarska and the nearby islands of Hvar and Brač.
But that’s not the end of our adventure! You will experience an exciting buggy ride that will allow you to explore the beauty of the Makarska Riviera.
- If looking for more adrenalin, there is a tour by Quads tailored just for you. As you conquer the challenging terrain, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the Adriatic coast and the surrounding Dalmatian islands. But the adventure doesn’t stop there! The tour culminates in a heart-pounding walk on the iconic Skywalk. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to challenge yourself and experience the beauty of Biokovo Mountain from a whole new perspective.
BOOK HERE: Skywalk Biokovo Quad Tour Amigos plus Skip the line ticket plus the peak of Biokovo Sinjal
Try Scuba Diving in Brela
If you’ve always wanted to learn to dive, beautiful beach in Brela is a great place to do it. This diving experience is designed to give a stress-free introduction to the sport to beginner divers. The activity can be customized to suit your needs. You’ll dive right from the beautiful beach near the dive center, and will be accompanied by an instructor to keep you safe and all the gear included.
Read more and BOOK YOUR DIVING ADVENTURE HERE: BRELA Bikini Dive *Try SCUBA DIVING*
Kayaking Around the Cliffs and Hidden Beaches
A fantastic way to discover the cliffs and hidden beaches is to paddle away from Makarska for sightseeing incredible nature along the coast. It is great experience for whole family with cliff jumping opportunity. Your guide will paddle with you around nearby peninsulas to secluded beaches and take a break from paddeling for some snorkeling or taking pictures of the gorgeous coastal scenery. This small-group kayaking tour is limited to 8 people and you can BOOK HERE: Half-Day Small-Group Kayaking Tour in Makarska
Get to know Makarska Riviera – the best beaches destination in Croatia
Discovering Historical Villages Above Makarska Riviera by E-Bike
If discovering authentic historic villages above Makarska Riviera sounds like fantastic day, join this super fun tour by e – bike with a stop at Botanical garden and Kotišina fortress where you can try VR glasses for experiencing an amazing beauty of Biokovo mountain. Amazing views and nature plus the brand new e-bikes with tour guide are big reasons to spend a great day!
Read more and BOOK HERE: E-Bike Guided Tour at Historical Villages of Makarska
Zip Line in Tučepi
Zipline is a popular entertainment for all age groups, designed for nature and adventure lovers. Zip Line Tučepi is placed in the heart of Makarska Riviera, soaring above Tučepi canyon. It is quickly and easily accessible and takes you to a unique experience of descending on steel cables from where you will enjoy spectacular views of nature and the Biokovo Mountain. There are 6 steel cables stretched across a beautiful canyon in the middle of untouched nature. The participants slide down the cables with professional equipment and high level of security, accompanied by professional guides. Just let your clothes be comfortable, your shoes sporty and you are ready for this unique adventure!
Day Trips From Makarska
A Day Trip To Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is not just around the corner, but definitely reachable and worth of visiting for a day trip from Makarska. You should consider visiting Dubrovnik from Makarska, especially if you are not sure when or if you will come back to this part of the world. Dubrovnik is “the pearl of the Adriatic” and an outstanding old town that will take your breath away. Discovering The City Walls and Fortresses, walking down the main Stradun Street, a cable car ride to Mt. Srđ for an outstanding view to the Old town and Adriatic Sea are just some reasons to visit Dubrovnik.
If you plan travelling to Dubrovnik by car in your arrangement, you will drive on the highway A1, called Dalmatina ending at town Ploče (100 km on the north from Dubrovnik), and then you will cross Pelješac Bridge before continue to drive on the coastal Adriatic road. And you can also get to Dubrovnik by bus or private transfer. Read more about Dubrovnik, the most famous sightseeing attractions and how to avoid cruise ship crowd in the Old Town in our Travel Guide to Dubrovnik.

The Old Town of Dubrovnik
A Perfect Beach Day on Brač and Hvar Islands
The most famous beach on the Adriatic, The Golden Horn Beach (Zlatni Rat) is awaiting for you on Brač Island. The beach is located in town Bol, one of the most popular tourist destination in Croatia.The Golden Horn Beach is not just for swimming and sunbathing but for windsurfing and many other water activities. The windsurfers from all around the world come to this beach and you can expect a windusurfing show while sunbathing. The beach is 500 meters long, changing the shape depending on the wind.
Another island facing Makarska Riviera is super popular Hvar Island, famous for the authentic Mediterranean ambience, rich culture and history and the beaches.
Brač and Hvar islands are reachable from Makarska by ferry or catamaran but maybe will not get you to the beaches and towns you would like to explore.
If you want to experience the perfect beach day on The Golder Horn Beach (Brač), Mala Stiniva Beach (Hvar) and beautiful bays on your way PLUS stopping in the villages Vrbovska and Jelsa (Hvar) do not think twice. There is a private tour from Makarska by speedboat you can BOOK HERE: Golden Horn Beach & North Shore of Hvar Island Private Boat Tour

The Golden Horn Beach on Brač Island
Rafting Adventure and Hidden Gems of Cetina River
Rafting through crystal green waters of Cetina River could be the best part of your holidays. If you would like to experience a thrilling blend of exhilarating rafting and captivating activities on the river, this is an adventure tailored just for you. There is a fantastic rafting day trip from Makarska, led by a local guide with over 10 years of expertise. He will unveils the river’s hidden gems and shares intriguing tales and rich history of the area. Whether navigating through thrilling rapids or engaging in additional activities, every moment promises excitement. Discover the essence of the Cetina River and join this unforgettable experience that combines adrenaline-pumping rafting with cultural exploration. If you are an adventure seeker and nature enthusiasts BOOK HERE: Rafting Adveture-Cliff Jumping-Cave Visit-River Cetina
The Baćina Lakes for a Paddle Board Super Fun Day
On a half way between Split and Dubrovnik, six interconnected lakes and one separate lake form together the The Baćina Lakes. Still mainly off the radar of most tourists, these lakes with depths ranging from 5 – 35 meters, will take your breath away with their sparkling and unspoilt beauty. If you would like to experience gliding along a canal system through bird habitats, fishing villages and swamps on a stand-up paddle board, you can book your Paddle Board Super Fun Day HERE.
Wine Tasting at Grabovac Family Winery
The Grabovac family has been dedicated to winemaking for over two hundred years, ever since Stipan Grabovac first got a license to produce and sell wine in 1812. Nestled in the heart of the Imotski valley, Grabovac Winery is a sanctuary for wine lovers, blending centuries of heritage with modern artistry. Head to their winery and listen to their and passion. They will unveil the secrets of their vineyards to their visitors, and while reservations are preferred, walk-ins are always welcome.
You can take a day trip to the winery in your own arrangement or join a professional guided tour with 6 still wine tastings, served prosciutto, cheese, sausages and homemade bread included. Read more about and BOOK HERE: Wine Tasting Grabovac Tour From Makarska
Krka Waterfalls
If you are a waterfalls fan, you don’t miss a spectacular natural attraction of Krka River and its seven magnificent waterfalls, located about 10 km from coastal Mediterranean town of Šibenik. Krka Waterfalls National park is an amazing natural and karst phenomenon you can explore by boat or by vehicle or hiking. If you are looking for the best experience, take a boat tour. Besides wonderful natural heritage the Park is rich in cultural and historical monuments including archaeological sites and sacral heritage. You can head to Krka waterfalls in your arrangment, or book a tour with the tickets included HERE.

Krka Waterfalls: Skradinski Buk
A Day Trip To Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Experience Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina on a day trip while visiting the unique Old Bridge in Mostar, UNESCO World Heritage site. You can visit Mostar in your own arrangement by car or bus. But if you prefer more comfort travelling, especially during the hot summer, BOOK HERE: Mostar Private Tour From Makarska
Nature Park Biokovo Mountain
The coastal beauty of Makarska Riviera is squeezed below dramatic Biokovo Mountain Nature Park watching over you all the time when you are on Makarska Riviera. It is the second largest mountain in Dalmatia with the highest peak St. Jure at 1762 meters and outstanding view to Adriatic Sea and Dalmatian Island. Biokovo offers you exciting hiking trails, lookout points, presentation centers, Botanical Garden Kotišin, biking, rock climbing and paragliding. One of the most popular attractions in Croatia, The Skywalk, is located in te Park.
Discovering Bikovo is very tempting, but you should be very careful and don’t forget: the mountain is more dangerous than it looks, with peaks appearing much closer than they actually are. You should be well prepared for this adventure.
Download for FREE The official mobile guide of Nature Park Biokovo.
Important notes for the visitors of Bikovo Mountain:
- Don’t climb alone on the mountain. The best way to visit Biokovo is to join an organized group.
- Wear suitable clothing and footwear, no hiking in flip-flops! The ground is hard, stony, filled with rocks, moving screes and bulk materials, and there is a real danger of snakes.
- Don’t leave without water and sunscreen. Biokovo has no drinkable water and the sun is high and strong.
- Avoid using of fire and if needed, use it only at designated and marked places.
- Camping is not allowed in the Park. You can camp in Park only with a permission from the Park Authority.
- The snakes live there and in case of a bite of snake you should seek for the professional medical care immediately.
More info on hiking, rock climbing and cycling please find on Biokovo official website.

A view from Biokovo Nature Park
Where is Makarska Riviera and How to Get There
Makarska Riviera is located along Southern Dalmatian coast between Split and Dubrovnik – precisely it’s stretched from the town of Brela to Neretva River Delta (located on south from famous Dubrovnik). You can easily reach Makarska Riviera by car or bus driving on motorway A1, but if you are more comfortable with flying, you can choose between two airports – Split Airport on north (cca 115 km distance) or Dubrovnik Airport on south (cca 160 km distance). If you decide to fly, Split Airport is better option – it’s is closer and the motorway will get you directly to Makarska Riviera. If you drive a car, please read our Getting around Croatia by car page for your safe driving.
If you want to visit Makarska Riviera from Southern Dalmatian Islands Jadrolinija operates ferry routes from Brač Island (town Sumartin) and from Hvar Island (town Sućuraj).
MAKARSKA – BRAČ ISLAND FERRY SCHEDULE
DRVENIK – HVAR ISLAND FERRY SCHEDULE
For more info on how to get to Makarska Riviera please read our Travelling to Southern Dalmatia page.

Travelling to Makarska Riviera on motorway Dalmatina
Accommodation on Makarska Riviera

Panorama of town Makarska