Gradska Plaža

Gradska plaža, the City Beach, is the main beach of Makarska, the lively resort town at the centre of the Makarska Riviera in central Dalmatia. It lies directly in front of the old town and the waterfront promenade, and it is easy to reach on foot from the main square and the streets around it. The setting is among the finest on the Croatian coast. Behind the town, the grey limestone wall of the Biokovo mountain rises steeply to almost 1,800 metres, and in front, the sea opens out toward the islands of Brač and Hvar. The contrast between mountain and sea is striking, and it frames the beach in a way few other places can match.

The beach is made of fine pebbles rather than sand, a point worth knowing before you come, and it slopes gently into water that is clear, clean and a vivid blue-green. Swimming is comfortable for most ages, and the shallow edge suits children. A pair of water shoes is useful for walking over the stones. Along the shore, you will find cafés and restaurants offering coffee, cold drinks, grilled fish and other Dalmatian dishes, and sunbeds and umbrellas are available to rent. Water sports, including paddleboarding, kayaking and pedalos, add variety. In summer, the beach comes alive with beach volleyball games, live music and festivals, and the evening atmosphere on the promenade is relaxed and sociable.

For quieter space, other stretches of the coast within walking distance offer less crowded options. Buba Beach and Nugal Beach, a naturist-friendly cove reached by a path, are known alternatives, and the forested Sveti Petar peninsula, with its paths and small coves, lies at the western end of the bay. The town itself is full of character, with a central square named after Andrija Kačić Miošić, a Franciscan monastery, a small museum of seashells and a network of cobbled streets and stone houses. Makarska was settled in antiquity and grew in the Middle Ages and under Venetian and Ottoman influences, and its baroque churches reflect later prosperity.

Biokovo Nature Park offers a very different day trip. Hiking trails climb the mountain, and the Biokovo Skywalk, a glass platform on the slopes, gives wide views over the coast and islands. The highest peak, Sveti Jure, is among the highest in Croatia. Parking near the beach fills up quickly in peak season, so arriving early or leaving the car on the edge of town is wise.

The beach suits families, couples, groups of friends and anyone who wants swimming and town life in one place. Visit in June or September for pleasant weather with fewer crowds.