Makarska holidays

How to reach Makarska

• Flight time: There are no flights to Makarska. Flights to Split, the nearest airport, take about 2 hours 30 minutes from London. Flights are also available from various UK airports.

• Transfer time: From Split Airport, you can take a bus, shuttle or taxi to Makarska. The bus journey takes about 2 hours, while a taxi ride is around 1 hour 20 minutes.

• Price: The airport bus costs approximately €8 one-way, while a taxi fare ranges from €90 to €120, depending on traffic and time of day.

Weather and best time to visit Makarska

Deciding on when to take your Makarska holidays will depend on your preferences for heat and the company of your fellow tourists.

• April to June: This is an ideal time to visit Makarska, with mild weather and fewer tourists. Average temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C, and you can expect 8–10 hours of sunshine daily with moderate rainfall of 50–70mm per month.

• July to August: These are the peak summer months, with temperatures soaring to 30°C or higher. It's the perfect time for beach activities and water sports. Rainfall is minimal, with just 20–30mm and sunshine hours extend to 11 per day.

• September to November: This period offers a more relaxed vibe with pleasant weather, ideal for exploring the town and surrounding areas. Average temperatures drop from 25°C to 15°C, with rainfall increasing to 70–100mm and around 7–9 hours of sunshine daily.

• December to March: Winters are mild compared to the UK, with temperatures ranging from 6°C to 12°C. Rainfall is higher, averaging 80–120mm, and there are about 5–6 hours of sunshine. It's a quieter time, perfect for those who enjoy a more laid-back experience.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Croatian is the official language, but this is one of the most touristed parts of the country, so English is widely spoken.

• Local habits and customs: Croatians are welcoming and gregarious. Greeting people with a smile and saying “dobar dan” (good day) will be much appreciated. Tips (napojnice) are not obligatory, but if you’ve had a round of drinks or a full meal, it’s polite to round up the bill by 10 percent or to the nearest convenient figure.

• Health and safety: Makarska is safe, but it's busy so be cautious of your belongings, especially in crowded places.

• Currency: The official currency is the Euro. ATMs are widely available, and credit cards are accepted in most places.

• Getting around: Buses run the length of the Makarska Riviera, but in Makarska itself, bikes and scooters can be rented from numerous outlets in town, including Bicikleta Rent A Bike.

• Electricity and plug types: Wall sockets in Croatia operate at 220 volts and take round, two-pin plugs. British and US travellers should purchase a continental adaptor before leaving home.

• Time zone: Makarska is in the Central European Time (CET) zone, which is 1 hour ahead of GMT, and observes Daylight Saving Time.

• Required travel documentation: UK travellers need a valid passport to enter Croatia. No visa is required for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Best beaches in Makarska

Makarska, located on Croatia's stunning Dalmatian Coast, is renowned for its beautiful beaches, each offering something unique for beachgoers. Here’s a guide to some of the top beaches you can explore during your Makarska holidays:

Makarska Beach

Makarska Beach, also known as Gradska plaža, is one of the most popular beaches in the area. Stretching along Donja Luka Bay, this 1.5-kilometre-long beach is lined with fine pebbles and shaded by pine trees. It offers numerous amenities such as beach bars, restaurants, and water sports facilities including pedal boats and aqua parks. The beach's proximity to the old town makes it a convenient and lively spot for both relaxation and entertainment.

Punta Rata Beach

Located in Brela, just north of Makarska, Punta Rata Beach is often considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia. Known for its distinctive rocky promontory and crystal-clear waters, this beach is perfect for swimming and snorkelling. The pebble beach is surrounded by pine forests, providing natural shade and a picturesque backdrop. It’s a popular spot, so arriving early is recommended.

Nugal Beach

For those seeking a more secluded experience, Nugal Beach is a hidden gem located between Makarska and Tucepi. Accessible only by a hike through the Osejava Nature Park, this natural bay is set against dramatic cliffs and lush pine forests. Nugal Beach is also an FKK (nudist) beach, although non-nudists are welcome in certain sections. Its untouched beauty and tranquil atmosphere make it a must-visit for nature lovers.

Tucepi Beach

Tucepi Beach, extending for 4 kilometres, is another family-friendly destination with bright pebbles and gently sloping shores. The beach offers a range of activities including water sports and has a lovely promenade lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes. The scenic backdrop of the Biokovo Mountains adds to its charm, making it a great spot for both relaxation and adventure.

Cvitačka Beach

Cvitačka Beach provides a balance between tranquillity and entertainment. Located a bit away from the main town, it’s less crowded and boasts cleaner waters. The pebble and gravel beach is perfect for swimming and snorkelling, and it offers basic amenities such as toilets and nearby bars. It’s a peaceful spot ideal for those looking to escape the busier beaches.

These beaches are just a few of the many stunning spots along the Makarska Riviera, each offering its own unique charm and activities. Whether you’re looking for vibrant beach life or a quiet retreat, Makarska’s beaches are sure to make your holiday memorable.

Local dishes in Makarska

You can find fantastic traditional Dalmatian cuisine all along the Makarska Riviera, though Makarska town itself is the place to head for, thanks to the scores of restaurants lining the Riva.

Some typical dishes

• Prsut: Dalmatia’s most celebrated hors d’oeuvre is pršut, home-cured ham served in thin, melt-in-the-mouth slices. Perfect with a drop of wine.

• Frogs legs: Unusual perhaps, but these tasty morsels – popular throughout the region – are either fried in breadcrumbs, grilled with garlic, or wrapped in slivers of pršut.

• Soparnik: Sumptuous savoury pie made with Swiss chard, onions and garlic, encased in thin dough - a great vegetarian option in a country where there are few.

Meat dishes

• Pašticada: Slabs of beef stewed in prunes and red wine, a dish that features on the lunchtime menus of almost every konoba (a small restaurant or traditional tavern).

• Ćevapi: Juicy rissoles of grilled minced meat served with ajvar (a pepper-based condiment) and flatbread – the classic Balkan staple.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Brudet: A scrumptious fish stew comprising various types of fish, to which tomatoes and wine are added, and typically served with polenta.

• Crni rižot: One of Dalmatia's most iconic dishes, this black risotto takes its name from the main ingredient, cuttlefish ink – and the blacker the risotto, the better the taste.

Street food

• Burek: A thick, flaky pastry packed with either minced meat, cheese or spinach, perfect for lunch on the run.

Local drinks

• Prošek: A sweet dessert wine made from dried grapes, Prošek is a local speciality that pairs wonderfully with desserts.

• Rakija: There’s nothing like a shot of rakija (grape brandy) to oil the wheels of social intercourse. Knock back a herb-infused travarica or carob-flavoured rogačica for a truly heart- and soul-warming experience.

Best things to do in Makarska

The Makarska Riviera is Dalmatia’s most package-tourist-saturated stretch of coast, but has much to offer independent travellers too, most notably its long pebble beaches and rugged unspoilt hinterland.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Biokovo Skywalk: A semi-circular, glass-bottomed walkway that juts out over a precipitous cliff edge with views that simply don’t get any better.

• Sveti Jure: Ok, so it’ll take some effort to get here but Sveti Jure, the highest peak in the Biokovo range at 1762m, affords thrilling views. You can also drive up, which is an adventure in itself.

The best districts

• Makarska Old Town: Central Makarska is a pleasant mixture of old and new, with a huddle of stone houses hiding behind a seafront lined with Habsburg-era buildings and modern blocks.

• Gornji Tucepi: There’s a lot to enjoy up here, with a network of minor roads and farm tracks leading past a knot of stone houses, vineyards and olive groves towards a succession of half-abandoned hamlets, all cowering under the shadow of the Biokovo massif.

Museums

• Seashell Museum: In the courtyard of the Franciscan monastery, this is more engrossing than you might expect, its colourful exhibits shown to maximum advantage in a stylish and well-planned display.

Parks and gardens

• Biokovo Botanical Garden: Occupying a part-scree-covered slope directly below the grey cliffs of Biokovo, the garden is seeded with plants indigenous to the rocky, arid regions of central Dalmatia, a truly beautiful spot.

• Osejava Park: Although a popular trail for birding, hiking and cycling, you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of the day through this scenic park.

Historical monuments

• St. Mark’s Cathedral: Located in the main square, this 18th-century Baroque cathedral is a must-see. Its beautiful interior and impressive facade are notable highlights.

• Zaostrog Monastery: Pretty Zaostrog is built around a 16th-century Franciscan monastery which has a simple, plant-filled cloister and a small museum, displaying church silver and religious manuscripts.

Day trips in the area

• Brač: The third-largest of Croatia’s islands is ideal for a spot of Mediterranean-island chilling - but away from the coast, the starkly beautiful interior has considerable allure. Discover more about this beautiful island with our deals on holidays to Brač.

• Split: With its seafront cafés and ancient alleyways, shouting stallholders and travellers on the move, bustling, exuberant Split is one of the Mediterranean’s most compelling cities. Check out the best offers on holidays to Split.

• Imotski Lakes: Set amid stony hills on the Herzegovinian border, Imotski is famous for its Red and Blue lakes, gawp-inducingly deep pools that must be seen to be believed.

Activities for families in Makarska

Whether it’s a day kicking back on the beach, getting out and about on the water, or trying something a little more vigorous in the mountains, holidays to Makarska offer plenty for families to do.

• Beaches: Makarska is blessed with superb beaches. In Zaostrog there’s a long family-friendly pebble beach, and the path north out of town leads to some attractive rocky coves. Drvenik is a pretty seaside village with a magnificent brace of shingle beaches ranged around its two crescent-shaped bays.

• Sea kayaking: A safe and fun activity for all ages, particularly here on the gentler waters of the Makarska Riviera. Take a tour, which starts in Jakiruša Bay in Brela, passing undeveloped rocky coastline before arriving at equally unspoiled Vruja Bay, home to a deserted sandy beach.

• Biokovo Nature Park: For families who enjoy the outdoors, try an assault on Biokovo’s challenging mountains.

Free things to do in Makarska

Makarska is packed with activities you can enjoy without having to dip too deeply into your wallet, from fab beaches to a pair of major summer festivals.

• Free events: Running throughout July and August, the Makarska Cultural Summer features concerts and theatre performances in town squares, chamber music in the town church and carnival-style events on the Riva. The Fishermen’s Night held every Friday in July and August is a great opportunity to cruise the seafood snack stalls and catch a bit of open-air music.

• Beaches: Makarska town’s main beach is west of the centre, where a seafront path backed by the main package hotels stretches for some 2km. Elsewhere, Tucepi has a great beach, as does Zaostrog, which possesses a long pebble beach.

• Promenade walks: Makarska’s nightly korzo flows past the string of lively café-bars crowded into the Lištun, the narrow pedestrian street that connects Kačićev trg with the far end of the Riva; it’s a lovely way to spend an evening without spending much - ok, perhaps just a cheeky ice cream.

Nature and outdoor activities in Makarska

The Makarska Riviera means being surrounded by the clear blue Adriatic, backdropped by the dramatic Biokovo mountain range, the perfect playground for outdoor pursuits.

• Hiking: The long grey streak of the Biokovo ridge, which hovers over the Makarska Riviera for some 50km, is one of the natural wonders of the Adriatic – and great for hiking. It takes five to six hours to scramble its highest point, Sveti Jure - but be warned, this is not suitable for occasional hikers.

• Rafting: Rafting down the River Cetina is the ultimate adrenaline rush, with excursions usually starting at Penšići and ending at Radmanove Mlinice, 10km further down. For a real white-knuckle, whitewater ride, try and schedule a trip after heavy rain - admittedly a rare occurrence here.

• Ziplining: There are two zip lines close to Makarska: one over the Cetina river, and another at Tučepi, in the valley below Biokovo, albeit with less picturesque views.

• Diving: Night dive anyone? More Sub runs all kinds of diving activities for all ages and levels, including boat dives, sunset dives, and, for the ultimate adrenaline rush, night dives, which might even take in a wreck.