Makarska Riviera is a stunning piece of Croatia. It’s one of the most popular parts of this country, and after you read this article, and see the images attached to it, you’ll know why immediately. Not only will you know that, but you’ll want to visit Makarska Riviera during your next visit to Croatia.
If that’s the case then you came to the right place as this will be our ultimate guide to Makarska Riviera – a place with the best beaches in Croatia and some of the most adventurous activities you can do in our country. And all that is brought to you by the locals. Yes, Makarska Riviera is our home and we pretty much explored every part of it.
We are writing this article in order to introduce this part of Croatia to you, in case you have never heard of it. Maybe you’re planning your vacation in Croatia and don’t know which places to visit, or you are specifically visiting Makarska Riviera but want to know more of insight information about the best activities first hand.
Stick around and let us guide you through this magical part of Croatia.
Our Pick of the Best Tours You Can Try on Makarska Riviera
Reaching Makarska Riviera
Reaching Makarska Riviera is pretty easy. There are many available transport options and it’s up to you to choose the most convenient one. Most of the visitors come to Makarska Riviera by car although it’s located in southern Croatia and as such it’s further from some of the European countries than other Croatian regions such as Istria for example.
But since it’s such a stunning piece of Croatia, it’s not a problem to drive for a few more hours to reach it. If you are coming by car from some of the nearby countries, the easiest and most convenient would be for you to take the main Croatian motorway and get out at the Makarska exit (Zagvozd exit on the A1 motorway).
If you are coming from more distant countries, then the airplane is the best option to get to Makarska Riviera. The closest airport is one located in the city of Split and it will take you around an hour and a half to get to Makarska Riviera. There are many bus lines connecting Split and Makarska, the largest city of Makarska Riviera. But we would recommend you rent a car instead because driving through southern Croatia is the experience in itself.
Let’s summarize how to get to Makarska Riviera:
- By Car:
- Most visitors drive to Makarska Riviera, even though it’s further south than other Croatian regions.
- Recommendation: Take regional and local roads for scenic natural wonders, even if it takes a bit longer.
- For the fastest route, use the Croatian motorway (A1) and exit at Makarska (Zagvozd exit).
- By Air:
- The closest airport is in Split, about 1.5 hours from Makarska Riviera.
- Tip: Rent a car in Split to enjoy the scenic drive and flexibility this offers.
- By Bus:
- Many bus lines connect Split to Makarska. While buses are convenient, renting a car enhances the experience. Secondly, buses can be overcrowded during summer and not as punctual as you might think.
Makarska Riviera Scenic Route
Let’s stick to the driving topic just for a while longer. When you visit Makarska Riviera, you’ll immediately notice how beautiful it is. It’s a blend of the Adriatic Sea and the Biokovo mountain and simply driving through it can be a rewarding experience. The Makarska Riviera route has been proclaimed as one of the most beautiful road routes in Croatia.
The roads of the Riviera are in very good condition. They can be a bit crowded in the summer months, but it never gets too problematic. We drive on the right side in Croatia and the roads are wide enough so you won’t have any problem even if you come from the left-driving country.
Highlights of the Makarska Riviera scenic route following the Dalmatian coast (Magistrala):
- Breathtaking Views: A unique blend of the Adriatic Sea and the Biokovo Mountain.
- Smooth Roads: Well-maintained and wide enough, though summer crowds may cause slight delays.
- Tips:
- In Croatia, you drive on the right side, and the roads are wide enough for easy navigation.
- Plan for short stops to capture stunning panoramas. There are many nice viewpoints by the road for this purpose.
The Best Time to Visit Makarska Riviera
The weather is good most time of the year. We would suggest you rule out the winter period if planning to visit Makarska Riviera. There’s simply not much to do around in that period and a lot of places like restaurants and other amenities are closed. There are still a lot of sunny days and pretty warm ones like in other parts of Dalmatia, but cloudy and windy days still prevail.
It all starts to change from April onward and the weather stays nice almost to November. As we approach the summer the weather becomes warmer and the hottest months are July and August. The sea is warm enough for swimming from June to October. If you are not sensitive to colder temperatures, you can swim earlier and later than these periods. We have witnessed a lot of people do it. We do it occasionally as well.
Makarska Riviera is most visited during July and August which are the hottest and most dry months of all the months in the year. Still, if you ask us, we would suggest visiting Makarska Riviera in preseason or postseason periods. It’s still warm and it’s much calmer since most of the tourists have gone back home or not yet arrived. The sea in these periods is wonderful for swimming too and it’s easy to get your place on any of Makarska Riviera beaches.
To conclude what to expect out of each period:
- Spring to Autumn (April to November):
- April to June: Pleasant weather, perfect for exploration.
- July and August: Hottest and driest months with many people around.
- September to November: Fewer tourists, still relatively warm sea temperature (September and first half of October especially), and serene beaches.
- Winter (December to March):
- Limited activities, but sunny days and mild temperatures can still be enjoyed.
- Some restaurants and Biokovo nature parks may be closed.
Reasons to visit Makarska Riviera
Let’s talk about some reasons why someone would want to visit Makarska Riviera and spend their holidays here. We will mention just a few of these reasons but we’re sure you’ll find one to attract you among them.
Makarska Riviera Beaches and Clear Sea
We start with the things that still bring most of the tourists to Makarska Riviera – it’s a crystal clear Adriatic sea and some of the most beautiful beaches there are in Croatia. Summer is the most popular time to visit Croatia and everything is full of tourists. Most of the Makarska Riviera beaches get crowded too.
But some of them are not so easy to reach. We suggest you explore these hidden and secluded beaches and choose them for your swimming and relaxation far away from the crowds. The Adriatic sea is beautiful and warm here and you’ll wish you stay dipped in it for a whole day. You’ll also want your holiday to last forever. You’ll simply fall in love with Makarska Riviera.
- Popular Beaches: Easy to access but can get crowded in summer.
- Hidden Gems:
- Makarska Riviera is also full of secluded and not-so-easily-reachable beaches where you can enjoy in peace. Seek less accessible beaches for a peaceful swimming experience.
- The calm sea provides a meditative, rejuvenating escape from every problem you might have.
Beautiful and Diverse Nature
What would the beaches and the sea be without the nature that surrounds them? Nothing. Nature is the second reason why you should visit Makarska Riviera. It’s simply rich and it makes such a wonderful blend with all the blueness of the Adriatic Sea.
You’ll find a lot of Mediterranean vegetation here, a lot of pines which will provide you with a nice shade during your beach swimming sessions. All the seagulls will welcome you with their songs and the sunsets you’re going to see at Makarska Riviera will be some of the best sunsets you have ever seen.
- Lush Vegetation: Mediterranean flora, including pine trees offering beachside shade.
- Wildlife: Seagulls provide a delightful backdrop of sounds.
- Sunsets: Some of the most breathtaking views, blending sky, sea, and mountains.
Biokovo Mountain and Nature Park
We have to admit that the landscape of Makarska Riviera wouldn’t be as half as beautiful if there was no Biokovo mountain. This amazing mountain stretches along the whole Riviera and together with the Adriatic Sea makes one of the most unique landscapes of Croatia.
Biokovo Mountain is a place of adventure and beautiful views. It’s perfect for daily hiking tours that will spice up your vacation. Whether you’re just passing through Makarska Riviera or staying at it, Biokovo Mountain is something you need to visit.
Part of the Biokovo mountain is a protected nature park which is possible to visit by car. It’s one of the most popular things to do while staying at Makarska Riviera and a lot of people decide to go up there. The road that goes through the park is narrow and we suggest you choose appropriate times to visit the Biokovo Nature Park. Or you can join one of the guided tours that leave from Makarska each day.
- Daily Hiking Tours:
- Trails offer diverse challenges and rewarding views.
- Pro Tip: Start early to enjoy cooler temperatures.
- Nature Park:
- Drive through the park to experience panoramic views.
- Skywalk: A glass platform providing a breathtaking experience. Literally.
- Road Tip: Visit during non-peak hours, as park roads are narrow and it’s more crowded than ever now that the Biokovo skywalk has been built.
Proximity to Nearby Islands
Croatia is a country with more than 1,000 islands. Not all of them are inhabited and not all of them are large. But many of them are. Some of the most famous islands in Croatia are situated right across Makarska Riviera. We’re talking about Hvar and Brač islands here. Even though Vis and Korčula islands are not so far away too and there are many day boat tours leaving from Makarska toward these islands.
But to reach Hvar and Brač you need only 30 minutes of ferry ride. The ferry for Hvar leaves from Drvenik on Makarska Riviera and reaches Sućuraj on Hvar Island and there is a direct ferry line from Makarska to Brač Island.
Many boat excursions start from Makarska and sail toward some of the most popular places on both of these islands. A good reason to visit Makarska Riviera.
- Hvar and Brač Islands:
- Ferries from Drvenik and Makarska make these islands accessible within 30 minutes of a panoramic ferry ride.
- Excursions:
- Many boat tours start from Makarska to popular island destinations such as Blue Cave on Biševo or Zlatni Rat Beach on Brač island.
Adventure Activities
We always leave the best things to be the last. Since we have been adventure guides for a long time, we know all the adventure potentials of Makarska Riviera. We even had our kayaking tours there. And if you ask us, the adventure opportunities of Makarska Riviera would always be the first reason to visit it. There are many adventure options available, ranging from ziplines and hiking tours to cycling, kayaking, and ATV tours.
- Top Activities:
- Ziplining, hiking, cycling, kayaking, and ATV tours.
- Combine with nearby Omiš:
- Omiš offers even more opportunities with different adventure tours and complements Makarska Riviera perfectly.
Other Places to Explore Near the Riviera
When you visit Makarska Riviera you can spend your whole time exploring all of its wonders and you will still have enough to do. But some great places on the boundaries of Makarska Riviera are great to visit and experience. Let us tell you about a few of them.
Omiš
When you go toward the city of Split, the first larger city you’re going to stumble upon is the city of Omiš. It’s a city of similar size to Makarska and it also has a significant historic past. It’s famous for the canyon of the beautiful Cetina River too. Many different adventure tours are being organized there, and the rafting tours on the Cetina River are among the most popular ones.
Then there is one of the most famous ziplines in Croatia with the cables crossing the Cetina canyon. The city of Omiš is a very popular place for rock climbing in Croatia and we would suggest you try the Omiš Via Ferrata trail experience, the unique combination of hiking and rock climbing.
- Omiš:
- A historic town known for the Cetina River canyon.
- Activities: Rafting, ziplining, and the Omiš Via Ferrata trail.
Baćina lakes
If you drive in the other direction, more south, as soon as you cross the southern border of Makarska Riviera you’ll stumble upon stunning Baćina lakes. It’s the true oasis of serenity and you can have some peace and relaxation there even in the high season since it never gets too crowded there. There are many adventure tour options on Baćina Lakes such as kayaking and SUP tours or traditional boat safaris. Baćina Lakes are located just 50 minutes of driving away from the city of Makarska, in the proximity of the city of Ploče.
- Baćina Lakes:
- Just 50 minutes of driving toward the south, this tranquil oasis offers kayaking, SUP tours, and boat safaris.
Neretva River Valley
Neretva Valley is another significant landscape in southern Croatia. It’s very close to the Baćina lakes and the Neretva river mouth is its most famous and most visited place. It’s a landscape full of long sandy beaches and since it’s one of the most popular places for kiteboarding in Croatia, there are a lot of wind riders there in the summer months. But it’s not the mouth of the Neretva River that’s beautiful, there are many other places to see and things to do in Neretva Valley.
- Neretva Valley:
- Famous for its sandy beaches and kiteboarding opportunities. One of the best places for kitesurfing in Croatia
- Explore beyond the river mouth for hidden gems.
Aerial view of people walking on sandbars at Neretva river mouth near the city of Ploče, Croatia.
Are You Ready to Venture to Makarska Riviera?
Did we manage to light a spark of interest with this article? We certainly hope so. If you choose to visit Makarska Riviera, you’ll find yourself in a place worth exploring in every way imaginable. You’ll have a lot of nice things to do and by doing them, you’ll make your holiday in Croatia a memorable and pleasant experience.
If you find yourself at Makarska Riviera and want to add some adventure to your vacation, give us a call. Enjoy your stay in Croatia!
