Planning a holiday on the Makarska Riviera and wondering what to do beyond swimming and sunbathing?
From hidden beaches and the crystal-clear Adriatic to the spectacular Biokovo Skywalk, boat trips, historic towns and adrenaline-filled adventures — the Makarska Riviera offers much more than a typical beach holiday.
The Makarska Riviera stretches along the coast beneath Mount Biokovo, from Brela and Baška Voda in the north, through Makarska, Tučepi and Podgora, to Gradac in the south.The combination of towering Biokovo, turquoise waters, pebble beaches, small Dalmatian towns and a wide range of excursions makes this part of the Croatian coast special.
If this is your first visit to the Makarska Riviera, here are our top 10 things to see and experience..
Walk above the mountainside at Biokovo Skywalk
If there’s one attraction you shouldn’t miss on the Makarska Riviera, it’s Biokovo Skywalk.
Set 1.228 metres above sea level,the Skywalk is a horseshoe-shaped glass platform extending over a steep cliff on Biokovo. From here, the views of the Makarska Riviera, the Adriatic Sea and the islands offer a completely different perspective from anything you’ll see along the coast.
The Skywalk is reached via Biokovo Road through Biokovo Nature Park. It is approximately 13 kilometresfrom the park’s main entrance, with a driving time of around 30 minutes. The road is narrow and winding, making the journey itself part of the experience.
Our tip — Don’t limit your visit to a quick stop at the Skywalk before heading back to the beach.
Extend your trip to Vošacone of Biokovo’s most beautiful viewpoints, where you can enjoy lunch, take a break and soak up the mountain atmosphere with views towards the sea.
For a completely different experience, try visiting Biokovo in the late afternoon and watching the sunset over the Makarska Riviera.
Explore the beaches of the Makarska Riviera
The beaches are one of the main reasons visitors come to the Makarska Riviera — but with so many to choose from, deciding where to go can be difficult.
Rather than spending your entire holiday on one beach, plan your own beach-hopping day and explore several different spots.
Punta Rata – Brela
One of the most famous beaches on the Makarska Riviera is found in Brela.
Punta Rata is known for its clear waters, pebbles, pine trees and the iconic Brela Rock, which has become a symbol of the town.
Brela is especially appealing to visitors who enjoy beaches, pine forests and seaside walks. The Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board highlights kilometres of natural pebble beaches and dense pine forests as defining features of Brela.
Nugal Beach – Makarska
If you’re looking for somewhere wilder and more secluded, head to Nugal Beach,located between Makarska and Tučepi.
You can reach it on foot through Osejava Forest Park. The feeling of discovering a small, hidden cove is what makes it so special.
Tučepi Beach
For a long, well-maintained beach with restaurants, cafés and amenities nearby, Tučepi is an excellent choice.
Tučepi has one of the Riviera’s best-known stretches of pebble beach. The town is relaxed enough for a family holiday while offering plenty to do on an active summer day.
Take a boat trip to our beautiful islands
One of the best ways to discover the Makarska Riviera is from the sea.
During the season, a wide range of boat trips, speedboat tours i private boat excursions depart from Makarska and other towns along the Riviera..
Popular trips include visits to:
- Brač
- Hvar
- Šolta
- small, secluded coves and beaches
- the Blue Lagoon, depending on the itinerary
- snorkelling spots and hidden sea caves.
For a relaxed full-day outing, choose an organised boat trip. If you prefer more privacy and flexibility, a private speedboat tour is an excellent option..
Explore Makarska Old Town
There’s more to Makarska than its beaches. At its heart lies a beautiful historic centre with stone-paved streets, squares, old houses, restaurants and cafés.
Places well worth exploring include:
Kačić Square
Makarska’s main square is the perfect spot for a morning coffee or an evening stroll.
Kalalarga
One of Makarska’s best-known old streets takes you through the historic heart of the town, where you’ll find traditional restaurants, small shops and authentic Dalmatian charm.
The Franciscan Monastery and the Malacological Museum
The Malacological Museum houses an extensive collection of seashells and snails from the Adriatic and other seas around the world. It’s an interesting choice for visitors looking for a break from the beach and a little culture.
Makarska Waterfront
Early evening is the ideal time for a waterfront stroll — as the heat of the day fades, restaurants and cafés come to life, and Biokovo above the town takes on a whole new palette of colours.
Walk through Osejava to Nugal Beach and visit St Peter’s Peninsula
If you enjoy nature + sea + walkingdon’t miss a stroll around Makarska’s peninsulas.
Forest Park Osejava offers a network of walking trails along the coast, through pine forests and over rocky terrain. These paths also lead towards the famous Nugal Beach.
On the other side of Makarska lies St Peter’s Peninsulaone of the best-known spots for panoramic photographs of the town.
This is a perfect activity for early morning or late afternoon, when temperatures are milder.
The best part?
You don’t need to plan a full excursion. Just put on comfortable trainers, bring some water and set off from the centre of Makarska.
6. Visit Brela and one of Croatia’s most beautiful beaches
If you’re staying further south along the Riviera, in Makarska, Tučepi or Podgora, take a trip north.
Brela is one of the Makarska Riviera’s best-known destinations and frequently appears on lists of Croatia’s most beautiful coastal towns.
What makes Brela special is the combination of:
the sea + beaches + pine forests + walking trails + Biokovo.
Rather than heading straight to the beach, take a seaside stroll and explore the smaller coves.
More active visitors can enjoy a range of outdoor activities — from water sports to walking trails leading towards old hamlets and Biokovo.
Spend a day in Omiš and on the River Cetina
Although Omiš lies beyond the Makarska Riviera, it’s one of the best day trips from Makarska.
The town is close enough for a day visit and offers a completely different experience from a typical Dalmatian coastal town.
Omiš sits at the mouth of the River Cetina, between the sea and dramatic cliffs.
What can you do?
- explore the old town
- climb up to Mirabela Fortress
- discover the Cetina Canyon
- go rafting
- try canyoning
- ride a zipline above the canyon
- take a boat tour along the river.
If you’re looking for a little adrenaline during your holiday, rafting on the Cetina is one of the best options.
For something more relaxed, combine a visit to Omiš and its old town with a boat trip through the canyon for a wonderful day out.
Go on an adventure – ziplining, rafting and kayaking
There’s more to the Makarska Riviera than relaxing on the beach.
With both mountains and the sea nearby, you can try a wide range of outdoor activities.
Ziplining above Tučepi
Tučepi is also known for its zipline in the Biokovo foothills. The Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board lists the approximately one-kilometre zipline route among the area’s adrenaline attractions.
Kayaking
Kayaking is a great way to explore the coast from a different perspective.
Paddle past rocky shores, secluded coves and beaches that cannot be reached by car.
Snorkelling
The crystal-clear waters of the Makarska Riviera are ideal for exploring marine life.
Even if you’re not an experienced diver, a mask and snorkel are enough to discover a completely different world beneath the surface.
Rafting on the Cetina
For those seeking more adrenaline, a day trip to Omiš combined with rafting on the Cetina is an excellent choice.
For organised outdoor activities in Makarska, look for local operators such as Makarska Adventure.
Explore Tučepi and Podgora
Some of the most memorable moments on the Makarska Riviera require no planning at all.
Just a car, a bicycle or a good pair of trainers.
Tučepi is known for its long beach, seaside promenade and relaxed atmosphere, while Podgora offers a more intimate Dalmatian setting.
These towns are ideal for a day of exploring if you want to escape Makarska’s busiest summer crowds.
In Tučepi, it’s well worth combining:
the beach → a seaside stroll → the old village → Biokovo.
The chance to go from the sea to the mountains in such a short time, from almost anywhere along the Riviera, is one of this region’s most distinctive features.
Enjoy the beautiful sunsets
At the end of the day, don’t rush back to your apartment.
The Makarska Riviera takes on a completely different atmosphere in the evening.