Makarska

Beach Bliss Meets Mountain Drama

Makarska is a coastal town on Croatia’s southern Adriatic shore known for its long sandy beach and clear blue waters. The town stretches along the coastline with historic stone buildings near the harbor and modern hotels nearby. Local markets sell fresh seafood, while cafes line the promenade where people gather to watch boats pass by. Makarska sits between mountains and sea, making it easy to explore both land and water activities. Its relaxed atmosphere attracts visitors seeking a quiet seaside experience with easy access to nearby islands and national parks.

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Town in Croatia

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 7.7

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	9

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tourist services, especially in summer. Most locals in tourism are helpful and used to international guests, though a few Croatian words are always appreciated.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Makarska Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

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Read how our scores work

Great for Adriatic beaches and seaside relaxation. Swim in clear waters, stroll lively waterfront promenades, hike nearby mountains and enjoy cafés and sunset coastal views.

Place score

7.6

Best at:

Sea

Walkable

Cosy towns

Mountains

Beaches

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

❤️ 8

Couples

Croatia – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted, but some smaller businesses may prefer cash. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. Leaving 5-10% in restaurants is common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally allowed, especially in tourist areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in public places but allowed in designated areas.

Statehood Day (May)	Events and closures occur.
Easter (March/April)	Religious observances and closures.
Christmas (December)	Markets and celebrations.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt, Cammeo
Other:	Island-hopping and exploring the Adriatic coast are highly recommended. Summer can be crowded.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Makarska, Croatia

🌦️

Jan

🌦️

Feb

🌦️

Mar

☀️

Apr

🌦️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

☀️

Aug

☀️

Sep

☀️

Oct

⛈️

Nov

🌦️

Dec

High season:	June - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Oct.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Most hotels, restaurants and beach bars close November to March, main season June to September

Biokovo mountain hiking best May to October, upper trails and Skywalk can close in wind or snow

Strong bora and jugo winds can cancel ferries to Brač and Hvar from Makarska

Don't miss

🌄 Hike to Biokovo Skywalk for breathtaking views
🏖️ Relax on Makarska’s long pebble and sandy beaches
🚶‍♂️ Stroll the lively Makarska waterfront promenade
🏘️ Explore the old town’s charming streets and squares
⛪ Visit St. Peter’s Church and forest park trails
⛵ Try sailing or kayaking along the Adriatic coast

You've been here?

Why travel to Makarska?

Makarska is a dream for beach lovers and adventure seekers. The long seafront promenade buzzes with cafés, bars and shops, while the old town charms with stone alleys and bustling markets. You can hop between pebble beaches, rent a kayak or catch a boat to nearby islands. For a change of pace, hike or cycle in Biokovo Nature Park or stroll through pine-shaded forest parks. The town is popular with both locals and international visitors, so it feels lively but not overrun. Just be prepared: July and August are hot and crowded, parking can be tough and beaches fill up early. Many attractions and restaurants close or reduce hours in winter. Summer nightlife is lively, so expect some noise near the center.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Biokovo Nature Park
2 Marina

🎡Places for activities

1 Skywalk Biokovo
2 Amazing view on Nugal Beach

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Nugal

🎈Events

Makarska Summer Festival
Fishermen’s Nights
Space Days at the Observatory
Local Food Fairs
Music Concerts on the Riva
Dalmatian Klapa Singing Evenings
Beach Volleyball Tournaments
Carnival Parade
Christmas Market
Outdoor Movie Nights

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Walk the Riva promenade to St. Peter's Lighthouse.
Hike Biokovo Nature Park trails for stunning Adriatic Sea panoramas and mountain peaks.
Visit Vepric Sanctuary, a replica of Lourdes shrine carved into seaside cliffs.
Swim at hidden coves in St. Peter Peninsula park, away from crowded main beaches.

How to travel to Makarska

Makarska is about 1.5 hours by car or bus from Split (the nearest big city and airport). Regular buses run from Split, Dubrovnik and other Dalmatian towns. Ferries and boat tours connect Makarska with Brac, Hvar and nearby islands. The scenic coastal road (Jadranska Magistrala) is popular for road trips.

Access summary

From Split Airport (SPU): Shuttle or bus via Split, about 2–3 hours.
From Split city: Frequent coastal buses or car along D8, roughly 1.5–2.5 hours.
From Dubrovnik: Long scenic coastal bus or drive, usually around 3–4 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Makarska

Makarska offers everything from luxury beachfront hotels and resorts to family-run guesthouses, apartments and campsites. Most accommodations are close to the beach or promenade. Book early for July and August, as rooms fill up fast in peak season.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Bluesun hotel Neptun - All inclusive

Bluesun Hotel Berulia

Pinadria Camping Resort

9.4

SUBTUB Hostel Makarska

8.8

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Makarska

Makarska is compact and walkable, with most beaches, the old town and the promenade within easy reach. Local buses connect Makarska to neighboring towns and beaches along the Riviera. Taxis are available, but parking is limited in summer. Cycling is a great way to explore the coast or head into the mountains.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-2 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 2% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Hvar, Croatia - 50 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£58	£140	£391
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£26	£60	£150
🍝 Food per day	£26	£72	£213
🚕 Transportation per day	£5	£8	£28

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£34
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£13
🍟 Fast food combo	£7
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£9.50
☕ Cappuccino	£2.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.15
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£17
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.30

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£13
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£39
🤧 Cold medication	£6.50
💇 Basic haircut	£7

Safety information overview

General safety

Makarska is very safe, with low crime rates. Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas and keep an eye on belongings at the beach. Roads can be busy and parking tight in summer, so use caution.

Health & Medical

Good medical care is available, with clinics and pharmacies in town. Bring any prescription meds. Tap water is safe. In summer, sunburn and dehydration are the main risks — stay hydrated and use sun protection.

Accessibility

Most main sights, beaches and hotels are accessible, but some old town streets and mountain trails are uneven or steep. Public transport is accessible, but check ahead for specific mobility needs.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and widely available. Public fountains are rare, but you can refill bottles at cafés or hotels. Bottled water is sold everywhere.

Packing recommendations for Makarska

📷

Camera

👟

Comfortable walking shoes

🌞

Sun cream

🚰

Reusable water bottle

👕

Light, breathable clothing

summer

👛

Cash in small denominations

for markets

📕

Guidebook with offline map

Universal travel adaptor

Type C/F

💳

Credit card with no foreign transaction fees

Nearby recommended places

Dubrovnik

Split

Mostar

Krka National Park

Omiš

Dalmatia

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Summary:	Cool and rainy, most places closed
Temperature:	-0 – 6 °C
Water temp.:	14 °C
Rain:	114 mm (Frequent heavy rain)
Crowdedness:	Not touristy

Summary:	Cool and damp, quiet seaside town
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Water temp.:	14 °C
Rain:	116 mm (Frequent heavy rain)
Crowdedness:	Not touristy

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Water temp.:	14 °C
Rain:	103 mm (Moderate rain nearly daily)
Crowdedness:	Not touristy

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Water temp.:	15 °C
Rain:	89 mm (Moderate rain nearly daily)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists

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Temperature:	9 – 18 °C
Water temp.:	18 °C
Rain:	110 mm (Rain almost daily)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists