Makarska Beach

Makarska Beach is the city beach of Makarska, the main resort of the Makarska Riviera in Dalmatia, Croatia, and it is among the most popular stretches of Adriatic shore on that coast, one of Croatia’s best-known seaside strips. It curves around the harbour in a long, pebbly sweep, backed by a palm-lined promenade, with the huge grey wall of the Biokovo Mountains rising abruptly behind the town. The contrast between the sparkling water and the bare limestone slopes is the signature view of the Riviera.

The setting is the beach’s main asset. Biokovo climbs to more than 1,700 metres only a few kilometres from the sea, and its steep face forms a dramatic backdrop in every direction. Along the shore, pines grow at the edge of the beach and on the peninsula of Sveti Petar, which closes the harbour to the west, and they give welcome shade on hot afternoons and a resinous scent that mixes with the salt air. The water is deep blue and clear, and the shoreline is mostly fine pebbles and small stones, which keep the sea transparent but call for water shoes if you have sensitive feet.

Makarska’s beach is lively and well equipped, in the Croatian manner of promenade and pines. The promenade runs alongside, lined with cafés, bars, restaurants and shops, and in summer there are beach clubs, sunbeds, water sports and children’s attractions in and near the water. It is a good choice for families and for people who like to have services close at hand, rather than seeking an empty cove. Because of this, it gets very busy in July and August, and quiet spots are hard to find at midday; arriving early in the morning or choosing a spot toward the ends of the beach helps, and in June and September the atmosphere is much more relaxed. Parking near the seafront is limited and costs more than in outlying areas, so many visitors leave their cars farther away and walk.

Makarska has more to offer than the beach. The old town, with its main square and the church of St. Mark, is a short walk, and the harbour has boats to nearby islands. For something different, the Biokovo Skywalk, a glass-floored viewing platform on the mountain, and Biokovo Nature Park offer views and hiking, and a drive up the mountain road gives spectacular panoramas of the coast and islands. Quieter beaches within reach include Nugal, a pebble beach in a rocky cove, and Buba Beach, which have a more secluded feel than the main strand.

The beach suits families, couples and groups who enjoy a social atmosphere. Bring sun protection, water shoes and a hat, and expect noise in the evenings in high summer, since the promenade stays lively late.