'Sociable, colourful Makarska offers excellent holiday amenities, superb pine-backed beaches and a magical old town all united along a sparkling blue-and-emerald coastline.'
Sitting under brooding Mount Biokovo, Makarska gives plenty of bang for your holiday buck. Charm, great food and splendid beaches are here by the bucketful, all swathed in a contagiously easy-going atmosphere. Clasped between green peninsulas, the town's setting couldn't be more enticing. Azure seas fill a semi-circular bay scattered with sleek boats. The historic old town, once an outpost of the Roman, Venetian, French and Austro-Hungarian empires, climbs the slopes behind the bay. And by the water's edge, a palm-studded promenade ripples with people taking boat trips, feasting on ices and watching the world go by from colourful waterfront bars. Whatever you fancy doing, it's here. If you're hooked on beaches, this place will have you whistling a happy tune. Along the next-door bays, pine-shadowed pebble beaches and hidden coves beckon, all washed by warm, polished-glass waters that are dreamy for divers. And beach life isn't just a daytime thing here. After dark, stylish cocktail bars serve chilled drinks on the pebbles. Spot of culture anyone? Beat a path to Makarska's old town to admire the lovely Venetian fountain and churches cocooned in its stone-paved lanes. And don't miss its headline act, a picturebook 16th century Franciscan monastery, crammed with religious artworks and weirdly, a fascinating seashell museum. Or stretch your legs hiking in Biokovo Mountain Park, following trails through a collage of wildflower meadows, craggy peaks and half-forgotten villages. Later, rest at a harbourfront restaurant and watch the sun disappear as you feast on brodeto, Dalmatia's spicy fish stew, followed by Makarska's famous sweet ravioli sprinkled with sugar and almonds. Then it's onto a nightclub to dance the night away … or that pillow to dream of the day ahead.
The town has a modern infrastructure and a population of approximately 15,000. Cultural sights include a baroque palace, two 18th century churches (St Mark's and St Philip Neri, which has a fine baroque interior), a Venetian fountain, and a Franciscan monastery whose present structure dates to 1614. There are numerous shops and restaurants, as well as bars and nightclubs.
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Makarska hotels and apartments
Our hotels and apartments in Makarska include Hotel Biokovo and Hotel Marco Polo.
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
Makarska's peaceful bays, with their clear blue water and white pebble beaches, are fringed by pinewoods and set against a spectacular mountain backdrop. Mt Biokovo shelters the area and contributes to the balmy climate. A variety of watersports are available, as are boat trips to nearby islands.
Eating out
A wide variety of dishes, particularly seafood and game, are available in Makarska's attractive restaurants and many cafes. An interesting alternative is the Fish Picnic, which offers sun, sea and a relaxing change of pace. You sail to one of the numerous private coves near the town and a guide grills you freshly-caught fish on the beach as you enjoy a glass, or bottle, of local wine.
Nightlife
Makarska is a vibrant town with a range of evening and night time entertainment, from sampling the local cuisine on a restaurant terrace (perhaps to the accompaniment of live music), to cafes, bars, discos and nightclubs. The main town disco is the Opera while a popular bar for the younger crowd is Pjer located alongside the harbour. Unique in town is Art Cafe which holds concerts, exhibits and other events and is well worth checking out.
Shopping
The bustling town centre is packed with shops, market stalls and boutiques, and is one of the top shopping centres in Croatia outside of Porec. Everything the visitor is likely to need is at hand while there is also plenty of scope for impulse buying or simply window shopping.
Local information
Along with beaches and watersports, the town offers football and athletics facilities, tennis courts, and well protected anchorage for boats. Ferry trips to nearby islands are available. A trip to the mountains is a must, with one of the most popular organised excursions being the Mountain Breakfast. Leave the town centre early by motorcoach which goes nearly to the Veliko Brdo mountain peak. A 40-minute walk through Alpine scenery to the top of an incline offers an enchanting view of the nearby islands and Makarska Riviera bay. Sunrise in the mountains is greeted with a local breakfast of an aperitif of loza - domestic grape brandy, homemade bread, ham, cheese, spring onions and tea. In town, two art galleries exhibit works by local artists. The municipal museum displays local cultural and historical artefacts, while the Malcological Museum has a fine collection of Adriatic seashells, as well as some local palaeontology and a herbarium of local plants.
Location
About 65km south of Split and 120km north of Dubrovnik
Transfer time
About 1 hour 30 minutes
Recommended
Luxury
