Gradac is a small tourist place on the southern edge of Makarska Riviera and a popular vacation destination more and more tourists visit Gradac each year. We could easily say that 99% of these tourists explore only 1% of Gradac’s potential. Most of them stay on the beaches, unwilling to explore further. Yes, Gradac has some of the nicest beaches there are and a sea can be tempting but if you are the kind of person not attracted only to these two, stick around and let’s explore together the top things to do in Gradac.
Except for the beach & sea combination, Gradac is full of places just waiting to be discovered and trails waiting to be walked or cycled on. Some of these places are easy to reach and for some of them you’ll need to spill a few extra sweat drops, but hey, no glory comes with just laying on a beach. Gradac is a nice blend of the Adriatic Sea and the Biokovo mountain, just like many other places on Makarska Riviera.
Our recommendation for the exploration of the Gradac area would be exploration by bike. There are few places you can rent a bike and you shouldn’t have any problems finding them. A great about Gradac municipality is the fact that all the places along the coastline are connected by walking trails and you can easily get from Gradac to Drvenik in no time. And most of the time, you won’t even see the main regional road. You’ll ride your bike near the sea most of the way and you just might stumble upon the perfect secluded beach since the Gradac area and Makarska Riviera are full of these.
How to Reach Gradac
Gradac is the southernmost part of Makarska Riviera, just 40 minutes of driving away from the city of Makarska. There are few options to come to Gradac and these depend on your preferences and distance from Croatia.
Visitors from the neighboring countries choose to visit Gradac by car. If you are coming to Gradac by car, the fastest and most convenient way to reach it is by using the A1 motorway in Croatia. This motorway connects northern Croatia with Dalmatia. For coming to Gradac you can either choose the Ploče city exit (Karamatići) or the Makarska exit (Zagvozd). You’ll have a similar arrival time in both cases but since a part around Makarska can be pretty crowded, we would suggest coming from Ploče direction. But make sure to drive the Makarska scenic route during your stay in Gradac or in the area.
Getting to Croatia by airplane is another popular way of reaching our beautiful country, especially for visitors from distant countries. The closest airport to Gradac is Split Airport and you would need around 2 hours of driving to reach Gradac. The best option for all that fly to Croatia and go to Gradac is to rent a car at the airport. Beware that in the high season roads can get pretty crowded so using the motorway is the better option.
Another option is frequent bus lines that connect Makarska Riviera with other parts of Croatia, but for the sake of adventure and exploration, we suggest you either rent a car or get by car to Croatia.
- By Car: Located along the Adriatic Highway, Gradac is well-connected to major Croatian cities like Split (100 km) and Dubrovnik (130 km). The journey offers stunning coastal views.
- By Bus: Regular bus services connect Gradac to other towns along the Makarska Riviera, Split, Dubrovnik, and inland cities.
- By Air: The nearest airports are Split Airport (SPU) and Dubrovnik Airport (DBV), both approximately 2 hours away by car.
Best Time to Visit Gradac
A lot of things to do in Gradac require good weather. Let us tell you something about the overall weather on Makarska Riviera, and finally, in the whole of southern Croatia too. The summers are dry and sunny and that’s why most people choose to visit Gradac at this period of the year.
The beautiful Adriatic sea is warm and everybody likes that. July and August are the warmest and driest months. The high season is between the 15th of July and the 20th of August. Most tourists visited Gradac in that period. There are many people around and it’s very alive.
Preseason and postseason would be the best times to visit Gradac if you ask us. Months like May, June, and September are perfect too. The weather is still great, although not hot. September is very warm and calm and the sea is perfect for swimming. Similar is with June. Always consider visiting Croatia in these periods because there are a lot fewer people around.
Finally, some outdoor things to do in Gradac are best done when the weather is not too hot. Here’s what to expect out of each season in Gradac.
- Summer (June to August): Ideal for beach and sun combination and water sports enthusiasts. Less ideal for hiking and land outdoor activities
- Spring (April to June) and Autumn (September to October): Perfect for hiking, cycling, and exploring the surrounding nature without the summer crowds.
- Winter (November to March): A tranquil time with not much going on, most of the tourist vendors are closed too.
Our selection of the best tours you must try while staying in Gradac
Introduction to Things to Do in Gradac
There are many great things to do in Gradac, some of them are relaxing and easy, like kayaking tours near Gradac, and the other ones are a bit more adventurous, such as hiking or taking the ATV tours in Biokovo Nature Park.
There are quite a few nice places not so far away from Gradac. Beautiful Baćina lakes and Neretva valley are just 15 minutes of driving away and it would be a bad idea not to visit them. Both of these natural wonders are situated near the city of Ploce, the largest city in the vicinity of Gradac.
1. Visit Baćina Lakes
The Bacina Lakes are a group consisting of 7 different lakes and 6 of them are connected. It’s a place of unique beauty and ultimate serenity. Not many people visit them (which is good) and it’s the best place to visit if you are tired of crowds or just want to recharge your inner batteries somewhere. Crowds of Gradac beaches can be overwhelming and we suggest unwinding at Baćina lakes.
If you want to stay active, you can choose between kayaking and SUP tours or you can cycle around all the lakes since there is a trail that connects and goes around most of the lakes. There are 2 beach bars in the area and you can go on a safari boat tour from either one of them. The temperature of the lakes is always warmer than one in the sea which makes them perfect for swimming even in the months preceding the summer season.
Did you know that Gradac gets tap water from Bacina lakes? There are other peculiar things regarding the lakes. One of them is 2 2-kilometer-long tunnel that connects Baćina lakes with the Matica River that runs through Jezero Valley and serves as a drainage canal during the rainy season. The good thing about it is that it’s dry during the summer and it’s possible to walk through it in its full length. Just equip yourself with a flashlight and you’re good to go.
- Why Visit: These lakes are perfect for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and traditional boat safaris.
- What to Do: Cycle around the lakes, swim in the warm waters, or enjoy a picnic by the shore.
- Don’t Miss: Jumping into the cold springs for a refreshing experience.
2. Explore Neretva River Delta
On the other hand, the Neretva delta is a completely different story. It’s a place made by the Neretva River on the last 20 kilometers of its journey through Croatia. It’s also situated near the city of Ploče and we recommend visiting it in combination with the Baćina lakes. We would also suggest you visit Baćina lakes in the morning and Neretva delta in the afternoon hours. If you follow our advice, you’ll see a lot of kitesurfers enjoying the wind that blows almost every afternoon.
Neretva river delta has become one of the most popular places for kitesurfing (kiteboarding) in Croatia. You can even sign up for kitesurfing school here and learn the basics of this perfect summer activity.
If you are not interested in any of the activities, you can still enjoy the unique landscape. There are a lot of sandbars around and you can walk for hundreds of meters straight into the sea while it reaches only to your ankles. Neretva Delta has some of the most beautiful sunsets in the area and it’s a good idea to end your day sungazing from one of the sandbars.
- Why Visit: It’s a haven for birdwatching, kiteboarding, and exploring the vast sandbars.
- What to Do: Take a traditional boat tour through the canals or enjoy local specialties like eel and frog dishes.
- Don’t Miss: The seasonal mandarin harvest in autumn.
3. Hike Any of the Hiking Trails in Gradac
Mountains. You can’t miss them when staying in Gradac. They are all around you and since we are mountain and hiking lovers we had to put the mountains in the top things to do in the Gradac list. Even though, we need to be honest and say that summer might not be the best season to enjoy hiking. The reason for this is obvious – the heat. It can become unbearable so have that in mind when planning your hiking trip anywhere in Croatia.
Although it might not be the best season, you can still hike some of the most popular hiking trails in the Gradac area. Just make sure you bring enough water and start early and you’ll have yourself a pretty good time. And after the hike – straight to the beach.
The great thing about hiking in the Gradac area is that it has a few easy hikes and easily reachable places such as Vrisje. It would take you less than one hour to reach this famous viewpoint and even though it’s not as high as some other peaks, the view from it is amazing. It’s one of the best panoramic views of the Gradac area if you ask us.
One of the most popular mountain peaks in Gradac is the St. Ilija peak with a height of 773 meters. If you are a regular hiker, it would take you around 1 hour and 30 minutes to stand on the top of it. The view from this peak is equally stunning, but this time you get the chance to see Baćina lakes and Neretva river valley in the distance. Even though Biokovo mountain peaks near Gradac are among the lower ones on Makarska Riviera, they still deliver a real hiking experience and gorgeous views.
- Why Visit: Enjoy panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea and the surrounding countryside.
- Popular Trails: Hike up to Mount Rilić or explore the old stone paths connecting Gradac to nearby villages.
- What to Bring: Comfortable hiking shoes, water, and a camera to capture the stunning vistas.
4. Try Rock Climbing in Gradac
Rock climbing is yet another activity you can try while staying in Gradac. There is a climbing area right on the way to Vrisje (which we mentioned earlier) and there are more than 10 routes with different difficulty grades.
Gradac rock climbing area is perfect for beginners with a more than few beginner-grade routes. If you have never climbed before, you should check out our rock climbing tour for a beginner’s basic course in rock climbing. Rock climbing is among the most adventurous things to do in Gradac. There is a new sector currently being made and Gradac is going to get a lot of new climbing routes of all grades in the future.
- Why Visit: Test your skills on high cliffs with routes suitable for beginners and experienced climbers.
- What to Expect: Stunning views of the coastline.
- Don’t Miss: Climbing routes near Gradac, on the hiking trail to Vrisje
5. Cycle Through Old Villages of Gradac Area
Before places such as Gradac were formed on the coast of Makarska Riviera, people lived in villages that were right in the middle between mountain peaks and the sea. When the people moved to live by the sea, old villages were abandoned and the houses slowly started to decay. Nowadays a lot of them are being rebuilt and serve as vacation houses. All these villages of the Gradac area are connected with unpaved roads perfect for cycling.
You can do multiple variations if you choose to cycle these trails, for example, you can cycle through the old villages in one direction and return by the sea in another. This way you can stop on a beach for swimming. Each of the old villages has a road that connects them with its sea counterpart. Since the roads are mostly unpaved, you should use a mountain bike for this adventure.
Always go cycling in full equipment and with spare parts such as extra tires. Every village along the way is a story for itself and a place worth exploring and many of them have their tables of things worth seeing so pay attention to these while cycling. We’ll just mention one of our favorite places along the way and that’s Gradina, an ancient fortress and viewpoint in the Drvenik area. Cycling is a relaxing activity and when it comes to things to do in Gradac, it’s the activity perfect for exploration.
- Why Visit: Cycling offers a unique way to discover the region’s cultural and natural treasures.
- What to Do: Ride through ancient olive groves, vineyards, and traditional Dalmatian villages like Podaca and Zaostrog.
- Don’t Miss: Stopping on the viewpoints along the way
6. Visit Biokovo Nature Park
Biokovo Nature Park is a must-visit place if you are staying anywhere on Makarska Riviera. It’s one of the most visited landscapes in the vicinity and it lets you explore the best parts of stunning Biokovo mountain. There are many great activities to book there too and we don’t suggest you go by your own car into the Park because of the many vehicles entering each day and the fact that the road through Biokovo nature park is pretty narrow.
What we suggest as an alternative is that you visit Makarska and book a day trip to Biokovo Nature Park from there. If you still prefer to go by your own car, make sure you book the park tickets on time since there is a limited number of vehicles that can be at the park at any given moment.
Once in the park, make sure you visit the Biokovo skywalk, one of the most famous attractions of the Biokovo nature park, as well as peaks such as Vošac and Sv. Jure – the highest point of Biokovo mountain.
- Why Visit: Home to the famous Biokovo Skywalk and the second-highest peak in Croatia, Sveti Jure.
- What to Do: Hike, cycle, or drive through the park to enjoy breathtaking views and diverse flora and fauna.
- Don’t Miss: Watching the sunset from the Skywalk, a glass platform peering over the cliffs.
7. Visit Hvar Island
We were thinking a lot about what to put as a number 5 on this list. And since we have visited Hvar island not so long ago we decided that it’s the right option for many reasons. First of all, it’s the most easily reachable island if you are staying in Gradac. The ferry connects Drvenik and Sućuraj on Hvar island and you can see the schedule on Jadrolinija main site. The ferry ride is pretty cheap and short and Hvar is a beautiful place. Both the island and Hvar town. There are many famous places to visit there, with Red Rocks being one of our favorites.
We suggest you take one day and explore the whole island. Many of the places are reachable by car even though some of the best ones are not. Instead, you should walk a while to reach them. If you like wine, then you need to go to Sv. Nedelja and visit a famous local winery. Paklinski islands are another place worth visiting and you can go there with a local taxi boat from the city of Hvar. The city of Hvar is also very beautiful and it has been one of the most popular places to visit in Croatia for a long time.
- Why Visit: Known for its lavender fields and historic sites
- What to Do: Explore the medieval town of Hvar, relax on secluded beaches, or take a day trip to stunning locations
- Don’t Miss: The Blue Cave excursion for a magical natural light show.
8. Explore the Beaches of Makarska Riviera
As you already know, Gradac is part of Makarska Riviera. One of the best things about it is that it’s full of beautiful beaches just waiting to be discovered. But just like the things to do in Gradac, there are many similar things to do in the rest of Makarska Riviera.
You don’t need to drive far to experience some of it. When talking about Makarska Riviera beaches, there are many secluded ones that are a perfect choice if you want to get away from the crowded ones in the centers of the tourist places of Makarska Riviera. Even though there might be a lot of people on these beaches too, they are still less visited.
- Why Visit: Crystal-clear waters, pebbly shores, and dramatic mountain backdrops.
- Best Beaches: Gornja Vala Beach in Gradac, Nugal Beach near Tučepi, and Cvitačka Beach in Makarska.
- What to Do: Sunbathe, swim, or try water sports like jet skiing and parasailing.
Before you Venture
As the southernmost place on Makarska Riviera, Gradac is a great place to stay and explore the nearby attractions. We hope this article helped you find a thing for you among these things to do in Gradac.
Enjoy your vacation in Croatia!
