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With around 60 km of coastline stretching from Brela in the north to Gradac in the south, the Makarska Riviera is one of Croatia’s most beautiful and sought-after regions.
Set between the Adriatic Sea and the dramatic Biokovo mountains, this stretch of coastline combines crystal-clear waters, pebble beaches, pine forests and small coastal villages. It’s a destination that works just as well for beach relaxation as it does for hiking, wine tasting and exploring traditional villages.
The Riviera is a trendy tourist destination because it is easy to get around and its infrastructure, but mainly for its natural beauty, beautiful beaches surrounded by pine trees, crystal clear waters and quiet bays.
We visited in early September, when the weather was still warm but the peak summer crowds had already started to fade. It was a great time to explore without the intensity of high season.
We stayed in Tučepi for nine days, which turned out to be a strategic base to explore both the northern and southern parts of the Riviera. Looking back, splitting the stay between different towns (or even combining it with more time on the island of Korčula) would have allowed us to see even more, but Tučepi still worked really well for a slower-paced trip.
However, looking back, I should have divided our stay into two different parts of the Riviera or stayed longer on the island of Korčula, where we spent five incredible days before heading to Makarska (read more here).
But, I’ve learned from it, and even so, we enjoyed ourselves a lot and got to know incredible places.
Each day we went to one or two different beaches/towns, and even then, we didn’t get time to see everything.
Honestly, I’m not particularly eager to run around, and I prefer to enjoy the beach, lie on the sand (in the case of Croatia, on the rocks), get some sunlight, drink something and relax.
But as I mentioned, with so many beaches, I didn’t have time to visit them all, and I decided to make a list and write first about the ones we went to and below, another list with the ones I didn’t have the opportunity to go to. Even if you’ve been to one I didn’t go to, leave a comment below to help our readers.
Best beaches near Makarska
Tučepi
With almost 3km of a crystal clear, shallow, pebble beach and a promenade with shops and loads of restaurants that goes all the way to Podgora, Tučepi is an excellent option to spend your holiday.
As I already said, we stayed nine days in this beautiful and peaceful town, and we chose the Hotel Tamaris for our stay because it was in a good location and the price was fair.
On the hillside, the villages of Podpeć, Čovići, Srida Sela, Šimići and Podstuo are well-known for their olive groves, vineyards and the fantastic view of the sea and the surrounding area.
Besides the main beach, Tućepi has other small ones like:
– Kraljev gaj: I was not too fond of this one because the water was dirty.
– Slatina Beach
If you are looking for adventure, in Tučepi, you can also find the 1000m Zipline.
Brela
Brela is the first town you approach in the Makarska Riviera when coming from Split. It is a modern tourist resort with 4km of promenade, and you can find a lot of small beaches, such as:
– Punta Rata: voted by Forbes as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is where the Brela Stone, a small pine-topped islet that is in many postcards of Croatia, is located.
I didn’t go, but here are other are well-known beaches in Brela:
– Podrace: a tiny 150m beach surrounded by pine trees.
– Vrulja Beach: It is best to come to the beach by boat from Brela.
– There is also Stomarica and Jardula Beach.
Baska Voda
It is a favoured tourist resort, where you can find restaurants, bars and a beautiful beach (crowded at high season).
– Bratuš: a cute small fishing village where we stopped to have a drink and relax.
I didn’t visit, but they are well-known:
– Promajna: a tiny village with a beautiful, quiet, less crowded beach than the neighbours.
– Bast, Topići, Krvavica, Ramova, Nikolina, Ikovac and Podluka Beach.
Makarska Town
Makarska is the main town of the Riviera and the busiest hub in the region. It has a long waterfront promenade, a harbour area and plenty of restaurants and nightlife. It works well as a base or as a day stop while exploring the surrounding coastline.
I’ve written more about it here.
Podgora
It was one of my favourites on the Riviera. There is a promenade full of cafes and restaurants. The main beach is beautiful, but the most famous is Plišivac Beach, with around 1km long of pristine water and surrounded by pine trees.
Igrane
It is a small harbour village with a beautiful beach. It is quiet and calm compared to other towns and has good restaurants and accommodations.
But the best part is between Igrane and Drašnice, it’s called Plaža Djevičanska, and there is a beautiful and calm beach where you can relax.
Drašnice
This little village has a pebbled beach with crystal-clear turquoise water. A good place if you are looking for a quiet holiday.
Podaca
Podaca is a small tourist destination divided into three bays: Viskovića Vala, Kapeć and Ravanje. The beaches here are beautiful and relatively calm, making it a good option for a quieter stay along the southern part of the Riviera.
Živogošće – Velika or Mala Duba
It is a gorgeous bay located between Živogošće Mala Duba (after the Wisper of the Sea) and Živogošće Blato. It can be reached on foot along the shoreline from Mala Duba or from the main road. Just be careful because there is only a tiny parking sign (P) and nothing else. So get to that road and go down for about 100m.
Beaches that I didn’t have time to visit but are worth mentioning:
Nugal Beach: I confess I wanted to go but was too lazy to walk 30 minutes on a hot day and didn’t want to spend money on a boat. It is famous because an over 10m high waterfall runs to the beach.
Super Public Bath (Cvitacka): It is a secluded beach with beautiful scenery. There are two more extensive beaches and a few smaller ones.
Solarić: It is a secluded beach most visited by the locals.
Dračevac: One of the most recognised by the naturalists (FKK). It can get crowded.
Garma: Just after Dračevac (south direction). It is suitable for diving.
Živogošće – Ninfa Panorama: very crowded during the high season.
Drvenik: ideal for family holidays, it has two bays, Gornja and Donja Vala, and a promenade is connected to Zaostrog. It is where we took the ferry to go to Hvar.
Zaostrog: this little village is beautiful, and you can have a nice and quiet holiday. If you are interested in sightseeing, there is the Franciscan monastery of St.Mary to visit.
Lučica I and II: these two secluded beaches can be crowded during high season and are popular with locals.
Gradac: an important tourist destination with many facilities, such as watersports, day trip boats, bars, restaurants, etc.
Final thoughts
The Makarska Riviera is one of the most diverse coastal regions in Croatia. Despite its popularity, it still offers plenty of places where it’s possible to find peace and quiet, especially outside peak season.
That said, I still found myself preferring the Croatian islands, which tend to feel calmer and more preserved. Korčula remains my favourite, followed closely by Hvar and Bol.
Still, the Riviera offers an incredible mix of nature, villages and beaches, and is well worth exploring — especially if you enjoy road trips along the coast.
I’ve also been to Split and Dubrovnik, and I’ve already written a separate post about Omiš if you want to read more about that area here.
TIPS:
1. Rent a car! The beaches/villages are further away from each other, and dozens of paradisiacal beaches are difficult to access. A car makes it much easier, and you can create your schedules without depending on public transport, which, according to the locals, is unreliable.
We decided to hire a car for the flexibility, and I usually compare rental options through Discover Cars, which brings together providers in one place and makes it easier to find a car that suits the trip and budget.
2. Travel outside peak season if possible! Croatia can get very busy in July and August. Visiting in June or September usually means better prices, fewer crowds and a more relaxed experience along the coast.
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