Skywalk Biokovo

The Biokovo Skywalk is a glass-floored viewing platform built on the edge of a cliff in Biokovo Nature Park, the great limestone mountain that rises directly behind Makarska, on the Dalmatian coast. It opened in the early 2020s and quickly became one of the most talked-about attractions of the Makarska Riviera, because it lets visitors step out over a drop of hundreds of metres, with the sea, the islands and the coastline spread out below. Another entry in this guide describes the same structure under a similar name, and this one concentrates on the setting and on how to plan a visit.

Biokovo is a mountain of bare, pale rock, running for about thirty kilometres parallel to the sea, with steep cliffs on the seaward side that fall almost vertically to the narrow strip of coast. It is protected as a nature park, because of its rich flora and fauna, among them many endemic plants, mouflon sheep, chamois, peregrine falcons and a large number of caves and pits. The highest peak, Sveti Jure, reaches about 1,760 metres, and the road that climbs toward it is one of the highest paved roads in the country. The skywalk stands on the upper part of the mountain, well above a thousand metres, and from the platform, the view takes in the whole Makarska coast, the islands of Brač, Hvar and Korčula, the Pelješac peninsula and, on exceptionally clear days, the Italian coast across the Adriatic.

The platform itself is a narrow, curved walkway of steel and glass that projects over the edge of the cliff, with a section of transparent floor that gives a direct view of the drop beneath your feet. It is safe, built to current standards and tested for heavy loads, but it can be frightening for those who dislike heights, and visitors can choose to stay on the solid parts and enjoy the view from the railings. Photographers like the early morning and late afternoon, when the light is soft and the haze is lower, and clear days after a change of weather give the best visibility.

Getting there normally involves driving up the mountain road from the Makarska side, a winding route with hairpin bends and wide views, and parking near the start of the short path to the platform. The nature park charges an entrance fee, and access can be restricted in bad weather or in winter, when the road may be closed by snow or ice, so check conditions before setting out. The temperature on the mountain is much lower than at the coast, and the wind can be strong, so bring a jacket, a hat and water, and wear sturdy shoes. Hiking trails lead from the area to other viewpoints and to the summit, for those who want to walk.

Makarska has beaches, a lively promenade and a Franciscan monastery with a shell museum, which are good for the rest of the day, and Buba Beach and Nugal Beach are listed in this guide. Allow two to three hours for the trip. The skywalk suits photographers, families with older children and anyone who enjoys big views.