Welcome to Baska Voda, yet another beautiful and popular place on the Makarska Riviera. Baska Voda is not far away from the city of Makarska, but it’s near the border between Makarska Riviera and Omis Riviera. Just like neighboring Brela, it’s a place often chosen by many tourists for their holidays on the Makarska Riviera.
When it comes to things to do in Baska Voda, there are plenty of options, most of them being some kind of outdoor activity because the best things happen outdoors. And that’s great. We are outdoor enthusiasts and have been adventure guides in Croatia for a long time, and we would encourage you to spend at least one day of your stay in Baška Voda exploring the area and joining at least one of the outdoor activities possible to do in Baška Voda or nearby.
You’ll be surprised how much you can discover just by roaming around.
About Baška Voda As we already said, Baska Voda is a municipality in Makarska Riviera that is, on the other hand, one of the most beloved landscapes in Croatia. Just like any other place on the Riviera, Baska Voda is a blend of the Biokovo mountain and the azure Adriatic Sea. That blend is especially visible in Baska Voda since some of Biokovo’s highest cliffs rise right above it. Some of the highest peaks of Biokovo mountain are located just above Baska Voda, too. If you ask us, the most fascinating part of the Biokovo mountain is located right above Brela and Baška Voda.
Baska Voda, in the past, was a fishermen’s settlement, just like other places on the Makarska Riviera. Tourism was nonexistent at that time, and people lived differently. Today, tourism is the main economic branch of Croatia, especially the Croatian coastline and islands.
Baska Voda municipality consists of other nearby villages: Bratus, Promajna, Krvavica, and Bast. Each of these villages has its peculiarities and places worth seeing. Baska Voda nowadays is a modern tourist center and one of the favorite holiday places near Makarska.
Highlights:
Brela features award-winning Blue Flag beaches.
Try traditional Dalmatian specialties in one of the local restaurants.
Scenic surroundings are perfect for exploration and relaxation. Baška Voda has everything for a pleasant vacation.
How to Get to Baška Voda Reaching Baska Voda is easy, and there are few transportation options at your disposal. If you are coming by car, the easiest and most convenient would be to use the A1 motorway that connects Dalmatia with inland Croatia. If you do so, just take the Zagvozd exit and go through the Sv. Ilija (St. Elijah) tunnel, and you’ll be in Baska Voda in no time.
If you are not willing to use the motorway and want to enjoy slower driving through Croatia, then there are many regional road options you can use to come to Baska Voda. But beware, some of these can get congested during the peak season, especially the coastal road between Split and Baška Voda.
Many tourists from more distant countries choose to visit Croatia by airplane. The closest airport to Baska Voda is Split Airport, and you’ll need an hour and a half to drive to reach Baska Voda. We suggest you rent a car if you are arriving by airplane because the car is the best way of exploring Croatia.
Many public bus lines are also available, and they are pretty frequent during the summer season. To conclude, this is how you come to Baška Voda:
By Car:
From Split (60 km): Drive along the scenic Adriatic Highway (D8). It can be congested during peak season, so avoid it then. Use the A1 motorway instead.
From Dubrovnik (145 km): Follow the coastal road or the A1 motorway (the motorway starts at Ploče, but we suggest coastal road because of the scenic road trip).
By Bus:
Regular buses run between Baška Voda and Split, Makarska, and Dubrovnik, although there might be some delays in the peak season.
By Plane:
The nearest airport is Split Airport (around 60 km away). From there, you can rent a car or use public transport to reach Baška Voda. We always suggest renting a car for the carefree exploration of Croatia.
Introduction to Things to Do in Baška Voda Speaking of things to do in Baska Voda, all of the best ones are outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking. Since the whole area is a blend of the sea and the mountain, water sports and walking activities are prevailing. There are many places to see around Baška Voda, too, but let’s focus on the things that will make your holidays richer and much more vibrant.
Water sports are the best option for hot summer days since it’s too hot to do any of the land activities like cycling or hiking. These could be done either early in the morning or later in the afternoon hours. On the other hand, if you are visiting Baška Voda during the preseason or postseason periods, you can enjoy land-based activities throughout the day because of the mild temperatures and overall nice weather.
Our pick of the best tours to try in the Baška Voda area
Explore the Biokovo Nature Park Biokovo Nature Park is among our favorite landscapes of Makarska Riviera. The whole Biokovo mountain stretches all along the Riviera and, together with the Adriatic Sea, makes it one of the most astonishing landscapes in Croatia. And what’s the best park on Biokovo Mountain?
You guessed right – it’s Biokovo Nature Park. It’s a protected area of the Biokovo mountain, and it even includes the part of the mountain visible from Baška Voda and peaks such as Sv. Ilija or Šćirovac (Miletnjak) – is one of the hardest accessible mountain peaks in Croatia.
It’s possible to explore Biokovo Nature Park with your own car, but the traffic is so dense during the summer months that we advise you to book one of the available guided tours through the park and enjoy a carefree experience.
Activities:
Hike the trails leading to Sveti Jure, the park’s highest peak. Vošac is another Biokovo peak with perfect views.
Experience the Biokovo Skywalk, a glass platform offering incredible views of the Adriatic coastline and nearby islands.
Observe local flora and fauna as well as some endemic species.
Tips:
Bring proper hiking or sports shoes and sufficient water for longer hikes.
Start your hike early in the morning if you are hiking during the summer months.
Explore the coastline by kayaking in Baška Voda or nearby Makarska Kayaking is one of the best things to do in Baska Voda, no matter the season. Kayaking is the perfect way of exploring the coastline, and as you already know, the coastline of Makarska Riviera is stunning. Some of the best beaches in Croatia are located right here. There are many secluded beaches that you can discover only by kayaking. The part of the coastline from Makarska toward Baška Voda and Brela is among the most stunning parts of Makarska Riviera.
There are options for renting a kayak in Baska Voda. If you do so, we suggest you explore the part toward the Brela further. You could kayak to the Vruja part, which is characterized by high cliffs that rise from the sea. If you are a beginner or want to book a guided tour, we suggest you do so for the best possible experience.
Highlights:
Kayak along secluded bays and rising cliffs.
Explore and enjoy hidden beaches and snorkel in the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea.
Best For: Families, couples, and those who love a bit of adventure.
Book one of the adventure tours in the Omiš area The city of Omiš is located not so far away from Baška Voda, and you will need around 30 minutes of driving to reach it. It’s a place of great historical significance, and it’s also considered to be one of the best adventure tours in Croatia. The city of Omiš is located at the mouth of the Cetina River, which is known as one of the best rivers for rafting in Croatia. But there are many other tours you can try there.
Experience:
Any of the adventure tours available in the Omiš area – Via Ferrata Omiš, Omiš zipline, Cetina river rafting, or any other similar activity you would like to try.
Tips:
Book your place on the tour in advance, particularly during the summer months.
Wear comfortable and proper clothing for any tour
Go Cycling or Walk Along the Sea Promenade Waterfront promenades are a common thing for all the cities and villages along the Makarska Riviera coast, and Baska Voda is no exception. These waterfront promenades are perfect for many activities – running, walking, cycling… If you are an active person, we suggest you do a morning run on these promenades and fill your day with energy.
These promenades connect all the places on the Makarska Riviera, and you can easily reach Makarska just by walking near the sea. Beautiful Brela is in another direction, and you can reach it in just 10 minutes by walking by the sea. If you use bikes, then you can reach all these places even faster. You’ll pass near many beaches along the way, and who knows, you might find a perfect one for you and spend your whole day there.
Walking along these promenades is one of the most relaxing things to do in Baska Voda, and it’s a perfect early morning or sunset activity.
Highlights:
Full of cozy cafes, local restaurants, and souvenir shops.
It offers a stunning experience of the coastline and nearby islands.
Family-Friendly: The flat and well-maintained trail is perfect for families with young children.
Book a Boat Tour from Makarska or Baška Voda to nearby islands Some of the most famous Croatian islands are located just across Baska Voda. These are Hvar and Brac Islands, Brac Island being the closest. Both of these islands are equally beautiful and easy to reach. Many boat excursions from Baska Voda will take you to some of the most popular places on these islands – Zlatni Rat Beach near Bol, for example.
Boat tours are available both from Makarska and Baska Voda. Choose the best one for you and enjoy your island adventure.
Destinations:
Brač Island: Famous for Zlatni Rat Beach, a famous horned-like beach in Croatia.
Hvar Island: Great historical towns and crystal clear sea.
Activities:
Explore some of the best places on Croatian islands.
Hike to St. Ilija peak Sv. Ilija (St. Elijah) peak is the highest peak in the vicinity of Baska Voda and among the highest peaks of the Biokovo mountain. We don’t recommend hiking to this 1642-meter-high peak if you are not an experienced hiker. And even if you are, we don’t recommend you do this hike in the summer months. It simply gets too hot and almost unbearable. If you still want to hike it during summer, start as early as possible.
If you are visiting in less hot months, May, for example, then hiking to this peak is among the most amazing things to do in Baska Voda. The view from the top is spectacular, and you’ll need around 4 hours to reach this peak of Biokovo Mountain. Make sure you take a lot of water with you and be aware of your abilities and possibilities because Biokovo is one of the harshest mountains in Croatia.
Highlights of a hike to Sv. Ilija from Baška Voda:
Absolutely stunning hiking trail experience
The view from the top is worth every single drop of sweat you’ll spill along the way
The Best Time to Visit Baška Voda Similar to other Mediterranean countries, the Croatian coast has a very warm climate. There are a lot of sunny days throughout the year. Summers are hot and dry, and July and August are the hottest of all the other months. July and August are the months when Baska Voda is most visited, too.
Preseason and postseason periods include the months of May, June, September, and October. The weather is still very pleasant during these months, although it’s not as hot as during the high season. The sea temperature is also good for swimming in these periods, although it’s slightly colder in May and October.
If you want to visit Baska Voda just because of the combination of sun and sea, then summer is the best option for you. If you are interested in other outdoor activities, especially land ones, then preseason and postseason periods are a much better option.
Summer (June to August):
Perfect for beachgoers and water sports lovers.
The area is full of events and activities, and the sea is perfect for swimming.
Spring (April to June) and Autumn (September to October):
Great for hiking, exploring, and enjoying the outdoor activities on Makarska Riviera overall
Winter (November to March):
Peaceful and quiet, offering a great getaway, though most of the facilities are closed. Good period for winter hikes on Biokovo mountain.
What to Visit Near Baška Voda Although the Makarska Riviera might be enough for the whole duration of your holiday, some places on the boundaries of the Riviera are worth exploring. Along with the things to do in Baska Voda, you can spice up your holiday and discover new places not so far away.
Omiš Just 30 minutes of driving away from Baska Voda, in the direction of the city of Split, lies the city of Omis. It’s an old Croatian city and a place where the famous Cetina river meets the Adriatic Sea. The city is worth exploring since it has the old city core and many fortresses on the hills above it.
Omis is also one of the most famous cities for rock climbing in Croatia. If you are an adventurous soul, we suggest you try the Via Ferrata trail in Omis. Cetina Canyon is a marvel of nature, and you must visit it when you visit Omis.
A historic town known for its rich history and the beautiful Cetina River canyon.
Activities: Ziplining, rafting, kayaking, canyoning and similar outdoor experiences
Baćina Lakes If you are eager to go further south from Makarska Riviera, soon enough, you’ll reach the landscape of beautiful Bacina lakes – a group of 7 connected lakes that make one of the most unique landscapes in Croatia. It’s one of the calmest and most serene places on the Adriatic coast.
There are many tour options on Bacina Lakes and we used to organize our Bacina Lakes kayaking tour there. So far, it’s one of the most popular tours we offer, and anyone who has kayaked in the Bacina Lakes environment was simply stunned.
A serene group of seven connected lakes near the city of Ploče.
Activities: Kayaking, paddleboarding, and birdwatching.
Neretva River Valley Not so far from the Bacina lakes, you have a chance to visit another unique landscape – the Neretva River delta. Both Bacina Lakes and the Neretva River delta are situated not so far away from the city of Ploce in southern Croatia. Neretva river delta is a place made of sand and joy.
It’s one of the rare places with vast natural sandy beaches. It’s a place you must visit if you are going toward Dubrovnik or staying near it. Lately, it’s known as one of the most famous places for kiteboarding in Croatia. The whole Neretva Valley is full of places to discover and enjoy.
Known as the “Garden of Croatia,” it’s famous for its fertile land and traditional boat safaris.
Island of Hvar and Brač We have mentioned these islands in the article. These are among the most famous islands in Croatia, and their beauty is absolutely stunning.
Explore historic towns, secluded beaches, and local wineries, especially on Hvar island (Sv. Nedilja, for example).
Brač island is accessible by ferry from Makarska, while there are many day boat tours toward Hvar island and Blue Cave on the Biševo near Vis island.
Before you venture to Baška Voda Hope we helped you with this article and you have a clearer image when it comes to things to do in Baska Voda and places to visit near it. We provided you with a list of activities we would try if we were in your place and visiting Baška Voda . We already tried many of the activities mentioned in this article, and we loved them. Hope you will find one for yourself and make some great memories of your Makarska Riviera vacation.
Enjoy your Baška Voda holiday!
