First of all, to make things clear, we need to say that we are not fans of crowded beaches which means this ‘Makarska Riviera beaches’ list will consist of secluded beaches that are not right in the middle of tourist places of Makarska Riviera. If you want to reach the ones we mention in the text below, you’ll need a shorter or longer walk or even drive a bit. But trust us, it will be worth it.
You’re going to be able to enjoy in the silence and far from the crowds, and that’s exactly how the beach experience should look like. At least that’s what we believe in. When we say far from the crowds, it doesn’t mean that these beaches are empty, they simply have fewer people around than, let’s say, the main beach in the city of Makarska.
Where Is Makarska Riviera Located? The Makarska Riviera is a coastal part of southern Croatia, a unique blend of the Adriatic Sea and Biokovo mountain rising immediately from it. This makes it one of the most beautiful and popular landscapes in Croatia. Especially among many tourists who choose to spend their holidays here. When you see all the beautiful places you can experience and do here, it’s no wonder that holidays on Makarska Riviera are so often enjoyed by so many.
First things first, Makarska Riviera beaches are among the most beautiful ones in the whole of Croatia. They are made of small pebbles, sometimes as small as sand. Sure, there are beaches like this in other parts of Croatia too, but nowhere are they scattered like in Makarska Riviera. And there is only one Biokovo mountain that makes the landscape of Riviera so unique.
Most of the Makarska Riviera beaches are easily accessible. Some are right in the middle of tourist centers such as Tučepi, Makarska, Baška Voda, or Gradac, so you don’t need to walk far if you are staying in one of these. But beaches that are secluded and not so easy to reach are the best ones and the ones we often search for. And these are the kind of beaches that we are going to explore in this article.
Makarska Riviera is part of the Split-Dalmatia County and is easily accessible from nearby major cities:
Split: Approximately 60 kilometers north (about an hour’s drive).Dubrovnik: Around 140 kilometers south (a two-hour drive).Nearby Airports: Split Airport is the nearest international airport, followed by Dubrovnik Airport. Both of them are good options if you are coming to Croatia by airplane.
Highlights of Makarska Riviera So what else to expect out of your vacation on Makarska Riviera. We already told you about the best beaches in Croatia, but is there anything else that makes Makarska Riviera stand out even more. In fact, there is and here’s just a short list of some of the things you can expect if you choose to spend your holidays on Makarska Riviera.
Stunning Beaches: Absolutely stunning pebble beaches and hidden bays are the landmarks of the Riviera.Biokovo Mountain: A natural backdrop offering hiking, cycling, and many other adventure options.Charming Towns: Towns like Brela, Makarska, and Drvenik, each with its unique vibe and distinctive history.Island Hopping: Easily reach islands like Brač and Hvar for day trips. Especially from Makarska. We suggest you take at least one of these island-hopping day trips from Makarska.Cultural Heritage: Ancient chapels, monasteries, scattered all across Makarska RivieraAbandoned old villages: In the previous centuries, locals used to live closer to the Biokovo peaks than to the Adriatic Sea. Many of these old villages are now abandoned and worth exploring.
Must-Visit Beaches on Makarska Riviera Let’s start with our list of must-visit Makarska Riviera beaches. remember, some of these are secluded and you’ll need to walk a bit to reach them. But that’s all the charm. You’ll feel almost like you’re in a hidden and forgotten paradise.
1. Nugal Beach We are starting right in the city of Makarska. Nugal Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Croatia and among the most beautiful beaches of Makarska Riviera. What else do you need to know about this beach apart from its beauty? Well, it’s an FKK beach (nudist beach), at least a larger part of it. Approximately 80% of the beach is reserved for nudists and 20% for clothed swimmers.
Nugal Beach is characterized by steep cliffs that surround it. It’s not so far from the city of Makarska, but when you are at it, you don’t feel like you’re near the urban center. To reach it, you’ll need to walk for about 20 minutes from the city of Makarska.
Since this beach is very popular and close to Makarska, you can expect to be at least a bit crowded, especially in the summer months. If you want to avoid crowds, it’s best if you visit it early in the morning or later in the afternoon hours.
Highlights:
Secluded and serene, surrounded by pine trees and accessible only by foot, boat, or kayak.
Designated as a naturist beach but everybody’s welcome here
Why Visit:
The beauty of the surrounding cliffs and peaceful ambiance make it one of the most unique spots on the Makarska Riviera.
Tips:
Bring water, snacks, and proper shoes for the walk from Makarska.
2. Punta Rata Beach This one is not secluded but since it has been proclaimed as the best beach in Croatia many times, we decided to include it on our list. And really, once you see this beach, you’ll be stunned by its beauty.
Location: BrelaHighlights:
Known for the nearby Brela Stone, a symbol of the Brela.
Family-friendly with crystal-clear waters and plenty of trees providing shade.
Why Visit:
Often ranked among the most beautiful beaches in Europe.
Activities:
Swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, or lounging in nearby cafes.
3. Vira and Duba Beaches Near Drvenik Vira and Duba are among our favorite Makarska Riviera beaches. These 2 beauties are situated near Drvenik on Makarska Riviera and we often spend our summer free time there. Our Makarska Riviera sunset and night kayaking tours are starting on Vira Beach.
Vira and Duba are 2 separate beaches, but they are so similar and close to each other that we needed to put them as one. Vira Beach is larger. Both of the beaches have parking spots on the main road and you need a few minutes of walking to reach them.
The fact that these beaches are spacious (Vira especially), and there is limited parking space available, makes them less crowded than some other similar beaches.
Highlights:
Peaceful and less crowded, offering a more private beach experience.
Surrounded by lush greenery and dramatic cliffs.
Why Visit:
Perfect for those seeking solitude and natural beauty.
Tips:
Access may require a short hike or boat trip.
4. Secluded Beaches Near Živogošće Blato These beaches are situated between Zivogosce Blato and Zivogosce Mala Duba. They are usually accessible either by boat, kayak, or from the land (at least some of them). Since they are not so far away from the Zivogosce, you can even swim to them. They are a group of many smaller beaches, each with its distinctive peculiarities.
The land approach is maybe the most problematic one since few improvised trails resemble real hiking trails and you need to be extra careful when taking these. But in the end, you’ll be surprised how beautiful this set of smaller Makarska Riviera beaches is.
These smaller Makarska Riviera beaches usually don’t have a name because they are too small and there are too many of them. So this is another one of these smaller beaches. This beach is also situated near Zivogosce Blato, but not as close as those mentioned before. This one is closer to Camp Čiste.
In fact, there are a few beaches here again, but the one we like the most is the one with a cave near it. Amazing place to see and relax. And again, we stop on this beach both in our night kayaking and sunset kayaking tours on Makarska Riviera.
We used to pass and stop at these beaches on our Makarska Riviera sunset kayaking tour.
Highlights:
Small secluded beaches with soft pebbles and calm waters.
Ideal for couples and adventurers who enjoy exploring off-the-beaten-path locations and enjoying peace
Why Visit:
Offers unmatched serenity and crystal-clear waters.
Tips:
Pack essentials as facilities are minimal.
5. Klokun Bay Beach Near Drašnice Getting closer to the city of Makarska again. Klokun Bay Beach is situated near Drasnice and it’s the longest of all other Makarska Riviera beaches mentioned in this post. It’s also set in a beautiful landscape with high Biokovo cliffs rising right above it.
If you want to visit this beach, we suggest you leave your car at the designated place on the coastal road and head down toward the sea. You’ll need about 10 minutes to jump in the crystal clear sea of this beach.
Highlights:
Small, secluded bay surrounded by high cliffs.
Crystal-clear sea perfect for snorkeling.
Why Visit:
A picturesque and quiet spot for nature lovers.
Tips:
Best accessed by kayak or boat, but also accessible from land.
6. Djevičanska Beach Near Igrane We end our list with this beautiful beach located not so far away from Igrane, another famous tourist place on Makarska Riviera. We used to pass this beach on our kayaking adventures a lot of times too and this is one of our favorite among Makarska Riviera beaches.
Highlights:
The name translates to “Virgin Beach,” emphasizing its untouched beauty.
Accessible by a short scenic hike or boat/kayak.
Why Visit:
A hidden oasis perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Tips:
Go early to enjoy the sunrise and peaceful surroundings.
Best Activities on Makarska Riviera Apart from beautiful beaches and surrounding landscapes, Makarska Riviera offers much more other opportunities, especially when it comes to nearby places to visit or activities to do. Here are just some of the activities to enjoy in this part of Croatia:
Hiking: Explore trails in Biokovo Nature Park, including the famous Biokovo Skywalk.Cycling: Ride along scenic coastal routes or tackle mountain trails.Kayaking: Paddle along the coastline to discover hidden beaches and caves.Snorkeling and Diving: Explore the vibrant underwater world of the Adriatic.Island Hopping: Take a boat trip to Brač, Hvar, or Korčula for a day of exploration.Ziplining: Fly above the Riviera for breathtaking views.
Our top pick of the tours you must try when on Makarska Riviera
Places to Visit and Things to Do Nearby Finally, as beautiful as Makarska Riviera might be, there are some other nearby places worth visiting too. Let us just walk you through a few of those.
1. Biokovo Nature Park Protected area of the famous Biokovo mountain, one that goes so well with the rest of Makarska Riviera. A perfect blend, we would say. After a day of enjoying one of the Makarska Riviera beaches, we suggest you embark on any of the adventures Biokovo Nature Park offers.
Activities: Hiking, wildlife observation, ATV tours, cycling, and visiting the Biokovo Skywalk.
2. Baćina Lakes Baćina Lakes is located on the southern edge of Makarska Riviera and it’s a place of serene beauty of 7 connected lakes. We dare to say that these are among the most unique lake landscapes in Croatia. We used to organize our Baćina lakes kayaking tour here and all of our guests would immediately fall in love with this unique landscape of southern Croatia.
Activities: Kayaking, paddleboarding, and enjoying the surrounding landscapes.
3. Neretva River Valley Just a little bit further south than Baćina Lakes lies Neretva Delta and Neretva River Valley, another unique landscape of the Croatian south and something totally different from the landscape of Makarska Riviera. Neretva delta is also one of the most famous places for kiteboarding in Croatia and if you choose to visit it during the summer afternoon, you’ll see many of the kitesurfers just flying around.
Activities: Kiteboarding, boat safaris, and tangerine picking.
4. Omiš Omiš is considered to be the adventure capital of Croatia because of the many adventurous activities and tours you can do there. Omiš is located at the mouth of the Cetina River and it presents you with a multitude of adventures. Ziplining, Omiš Via Ferrata, and Cetina river rafting are among the most popular ones.
Activities: Ziplining, rafting on the Cetina River, and exploring the old town.
5. Makarska Town Finally, we reach the central part of Makarska Riviera. Well, it’s not located in its center but it’s central as it is its most vibrant and largest town. Many day boat tours leave from Makarska toward the nearby island every day and we suggest you book at least one of these to enhance your experience of Makarska Riviera.
Highlights:
Walk along the lively promenade.
Visit the Malacological Museum and St. Mark’s Church
Explore the St. Peter’s peninsula and its lighthouse
The starting point for reaching a Nugal beach
Tips for Visiting Makarska Riviera Beaches Before we leave you alone or before you start to explore some of our other articles on our Croatia Travel Blog, let us just give you a few more final tips for visiting Makarska Riviera beaches.
Pack Essentials: Bring sunscreen, water, and snacks as some beaches we covered here lack facilities.Arrive Early: Even some of these beaches can get crowded during peak season.Check Access: Some beaches require hikes or boat rides to reach.Respect Nature: Follow Leave No Trace principles to keep the area intact.
Before you Venture into the exploration of the best Makarska Riviera Beaches As this article and the images presented through it clearly show, Makarska Riviera is the absolute beach paradise of Croatia. We hope we have helped you find your favorite among the many beaches of Makarska Riviera and that you’ll spend some of the best moments of your vacation in Croatia on it.
