The Makarska Riviera – a Croatian beach holiday between Omiš and Makarska
A summer holiday on the Makarska Riviera – beaches below Mount Biokovo, Omiš and the Cetina canyon, Brela, the Biokovo Skywalk and Split an hour away.
- Best time to visitJune – September
- Suggested stay7–10 days
- Getting there~1,000 km from Sofia via Serbia and Bosnia (~12 h) or fly to Split
The Makarska Riviera is a 60 km strip of beaches between Brela and Gradac. Above it rises the limestone wall of Mount Biokovo, more than 1,700 m high. The beaches are white pebbles, the water is astonishingly clear, and pine trees reach right down to the sea. Between Omiš and Makarska lie small villages such as Lokva Rogoznica, Mimice and Pisak, with quieter stays in family guesthouses steps from the beach.
Beaches
- Punta Rata in Brela – with its pine-topped rock, one of the most photographed beaches in Europe.
- Makarska – a long beach and a lively promenade with cafés and nightlife.
- Tučepi and Podgora – long, family-friendly beaches.
- Lokva Rogoznica and Mimice – quiet coves and pebble beaches.
What to do
- Omiš – a former pirate town at the mouth of the Cetina river, with the Mirabela and Starigrad fortresses. The Cetina canyon offers rafting, kayaking and ziplining.
- The Biokovo Skywalk – a glass platform over the abyss at more than 1,200 m, with views of the islands. The road up is narrow and steep.
- The islands – ferries run from Makarska to Brač, and from Drvenik to Hvar and Korčula.
- Split – about an hour’s drive. Diocletian’s Palace is a UNESCO site where people still live today.
Getting there
By car – via Belgrade, Sarajevo and Mostar, or via Zagreb on the coastal motorway (about 1,000 km, 12 hours). By air – fly to Split (about 1 hour’s drive to Makarska).
When to visit
June–September. The sea is warmest in August. June and September are quieter and cheaper.
Practical tips
- Bring water shoes – the beaches are pebbly and there are sea urchins on the rocks.
- Book a room or guesthouse early for July and August.
- Take care on the Skywalk road – it’s narrow with hairpin bends.
- The currency is the euro.
Photos
Updated: November 2026
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