Makarska Riviera Croatia Holidays
Makarska Riviera
Holidays
The most dramatic and beautiful stretch of the Dalmatian coast — a 60km riviera of pebble beaches, crystal-clear turquoise water and pine forests backed by the extraordinary Biokovo mountain range, with the liveliest resort town in Croatia and the finest beach holiday destination on the mainland
Search Makarska Riviera Holidays
Flight Time
2h 30m to Split + 1h bus
Best Time
May to June, September to October
Country
Croatia
Suppliers
our travel partners ·
Makarska Riviera Holiday Guide
The Makarska Riviera is the most dramatic stretch of the Dalmatian coast — the extraordinary Biokovo mountain backdrop, beautiful pebble beaches, crystal-clear water and the liveliest resort town on the Croatian mainland. 2.5 hours to Split + 1 hour by bus.
May, June, September and October are ideal.
We search Travelpack and JTA Holidays for the best Croatia deals.
Popular Areas in Makarska Riviera
Average Temperatures
Jan
10°C
Feb
11°C
Mar
14°C
Apr
17°C
May
21°C
Jun
25°C
Jul
29°C
Aug
30°C
Sep
25°C
Oct
20°C
Nov
15°C
Dec
11°C
Ready to Book?
Call us or send an enquiry and we'll find you the best deal across Travelpack and JTA Holidays.
Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Makarska Riviera
The Biokovo mountain backdrop, Makarska town, Brela beach, the crystal-clear Adriatic water, Biokovo Nature Park and the most dramatic and beautiful stretch of the Dalmatian coast.
Biokovo Mountain Backdrop
The Biokovo mountain range is the most extraordinary natural feature of the Makarska Riviera — a dramatic limestone massif rising almost vertically from the coast to 1,762m (the second highest mountain in Croatia), creating the most dramatic mountain backdrop of any beach resort in Europe. The contrast between the crystal-clear turquoise Adriatic and the towering grey limestone cliffs of Biokovo is the most extraordinary coastal landscape in Croatia. The Biokovo Skywalk (a glass-floored walkway on the cliff edge at 1,228m) is the most dramatic viewpoint in Croatia.
Beaches
The Makarska Riviera has the finest beaches on the Croatian mainland — a 60km stretch of beautiful pebble beaches with crystal-clear turquoise water and pine forests. The most beautiful beaches include Brela (the finest beach on the Riviera — a long, beautiful pebble beach with extraordinary clear water and the famous Brela Rock, a small rocky islet in the sea), Baska Voda (the most family-friendly beach on the Riviera), Makarska (the most lively beach, in front of the town) and Tucepi (the longest beach on the Riviera, 6km of pebble beach).
Makarska Town
Makarska is the liveliest resort town on the Croatian mainland — a beautiful town on a sheltered bay, with a charming old town of Baroque buildings, a beautiful main square (the Kaciceva Square — the most atmospheric square on the Riviera), excellent restaurants and bars, a lively nightlife scene and the most vibrant and energetic atmosphere of any resort on the Dalmatian coast. The Franciscan Monastery (with an extraordinary collection of shells — the finest shell collection in Croatia) is the most unusual attraction in Makarska.
Biokovo Nature Park
The Biokovo Nature Park is the finest mountain destination in Dalmatia — a dramatic limestone massif above the Makarska Riviera, with extraordinary views of the Adriatic, the Dalmatian islands and (on a clear day) the Italian coast. The park is accessible by car (the Biokovo Road — the most dramatic mountain road in Croatia) or on foot (several marked hiking trails from the coast). The Biokovo Skywalk (a glass-floored walkway on the cliff edge at 1,228m) is the most dramatic viewpoint in Croatia and is unmissable.
Brela
Brela is the most beautiful village on the Makarska Riviera — a charming, quiet village 14km north of Makarska, with the finest beach on the Riviera (a long, beautiful pebble beach with extraordinary clear water and the famous Brela Rock), a beautiful old village of stone houses and the most authentic and unhurried atmosphere on the Riviera. Brela was voted one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world by Forbes magazine. The village is much quieter and more authentic than Makarska and is the finest base on the Riviera for those who want peace and beauty.
Food & Wine
The Makarska Riviera has excellent food — the most celebrated dishes include grilled fish (the finest on the Dalmatian mainland), lamb roasted under a peka (the most traditional Dalmatian dish), black risotto and the finest local wine from the Dalmatian hinterland (Plavac Mali from the Peljesac Peninsula — the finest red wine in Croatia — is available in all the best restaurants on the Riviera). The best restaurants are in Makarska (the most lively) and Brela (the most authentic).
Water Sports & Activities
The Makarska Riviera is the finest water sports destination on the Croatian mainland — the crystal-clear water and reliable winds make it excellent for windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and snorkelling. The most popular activities include boat trips to the island of Brac (30 minutes by ferry from Makarska — the finest beach in Croatia, Zlatni Rat, is 1 hour from Makarska), sea kayaking along the coast and hiking in the Biokovo Nature Park.
Practical Tips
The Makarska Riviera is 1 hour from Split by bus (buses run frequently along the coast road). The nearest airport is Split (2.5 hours from London). A hire car is useful for exploring the Riviera and the Biokovo Nature Park. May to June and September to October are the best times to visit — July and August are extremely crowded and hot. The Riviera is popular with Croatian and Bosnian families in peak season. Book accommodation well in advance for July and August.
Explore Makarska Riviera on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
Google Maps embed — add your API key to activate
Set mapEmbedUrl in the destination data to display an interactive map here