'With its trademark red-roofed houses, pine trees and stunning blue sea, beautiful Baska Voda is a Dalmatian resort with a fine pedigree.'
A famous Italian doctor once wrote, 'Who comes once to Baska Voda, always returns'. It might be a sweeping generalisation but you can see his point. This captivating corner of Croatia has been attracting visitors for centuries. And when you first set eyes on the gently curving bay with its awesome mountain backdrop, it's easy to see why. That's not to say you're stuck in a time-warp. Baska Voda has all the assets of a modern resort, including a pretty promenade lined with 'kafici', where you can sip a glass of Dalmatian wine and soak up the cosmopolitan atmosphere. As for the beach life, it's a good as it gets. Cue safe swimming for the kids and plenty to keep you occupied if you're overdosing on the sunbathing, including the chance to challenge the local lads to a game of volleyball or take off on a parasailing excursion. What's more, with 3000 years of existence under its belt, Baska Voda has plenty to offer if you like a generous helping of history served up with your sun, sea and sand. The Archaeological Museum is definitely worth a visit, as is the unique Malacological Museum, which houses a kaleidoscopic collection of colourful shells from the Adriatic and around the world. Last but not least on the sightseeing menu are Baska Voda's churches. The town is known as the 'Little Vatican' because of its long religious tradition, so there are some fine examples spanning several centuries to browse around.
Today's tourists are welcomed by modern accommodation in a historical setting. A part of the Makarska Riviera, Baska Voda is just 10km from the major town of Makarska, which is easily accessible by bus or hire car, although many visitors might not wish to to leave this popular resort during their holiday here, finding everything they need on their doorstep.
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Baska Voda hotels and apartments
Our hotels and apartments in Baska Voda include Hotel Horizont and Hotel Villa Bacchus.
More Croatia holiday destinations
Looking for holidays in Croatia? Our Croatia holiday destinations include Baska Voda, Bol, Brac Island, Brela, Brtonigla, Cavtat, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Korcula, Labin, Lanterna, Lopud Island, Loviste, Lovran, Makarska, Mlini, Novigrad, Opatija, Orasac, Orebic, Pjescana Uvala, Plat, Porec, Pucisca, Rabac, Ravni, Rovinj, Ruzici, Sibenik, Stikovica Zaton, Supetar, Trogir, Trpanj, Trsteno, Tucepi, Umag, Zaton Mali and Zaton Veliki.
Beaches
As with the rest of the Makarska Riviera, Baska Voda's beaches are white pebble. Well maintained by the local authorities, the town's more than 30 beaches provide the gateway to excellent snorkelling and scuba diving, surfing, water skiing, paragliding, sailing and banana boating. Boats can be hired for excursions to nearby islands. Just out of town is a naturist beach popular at weekends with local families.
Eating out
Local, national and international cuisine is available in the town's cafeterias and tavernas, with locally-caught, fresh seafood amongst the main attractions. The cooking style is Mediterranean in that it employs plenty of olive oil, garlic and herbs with most dishes being fish based. A typical first course might consist of pasta topped by seafood. Mixed fish stewed with polenta is a regional speciality.
Nightlife
There's not a huge choice on the immediate doorstep, but still plenty of exuberant activity until the early hours in Baska Voda's healthy selection of restaurants, konobas (local restaurants), bars and night clubs. Music and entertainment on offer ranges from traditional folk music and dancing to disco. For more lively entertainment head to the nearby resort of Makarska.
Shopping
The mix of outlets is pretty much what you would expect from a small tourism-oriented town, with a greengrocer, fishmonger and butcher providing an alternative to the local supermarket fare, plus a florist, a cobbler, a photo studio, a sprinkling of souvenir shops, specialist stores, and banks. Most daily needs are available within walking distance.
Local information
In addition to excellent water activities, Baska Voda offers mountain cycling and trekking in the crisp air and pine forests of Mt Biokovo.
The mountain is home to a nature park, alpine trails, interesting caves and historic villages. Unique local attractions include a museum with artefacts from excavations of local sites dating back to the 1st century AD, and the Malacological Museum which claims to have the largest collection anywhere of sea shells from the Adriatic as well as hundreds more from around the world. The churches of St. Lawrence (built 1750) and St. Nicholas (1889) are also well worth a visit.
Location
About 10 km north of Makarska and 50 km south of Split
Transfer time
About 1 hour 30 minutes to 3 hours (longer in high season)
Recommended
Luxury
