Makarska's coastline is more varied than a single main beach suggests. Some beaches are wide, busy and easy; others are hidden behind pine trees and take a short walk to reach. Here are the ones we recommend most often to guests, and what each of them is actually like on the day.
Last updated · November 2025
Makarska Main Beach
The main beach runs for more than a kilometre along the town, backed by pines and the promenade. It is a pebble beach with clear, shallow water — comfortable for children and easy to reach from anywhere in the centre.
It has the widest range of services on the Riviera: sun loungers, showers, small bars, water sports for teenagers, and cafés a few steps behind the beach.
It is also the busiest, especially in July and August. Come before ten in the morning for a shaded spot under the pines; the front row goes early.
Nugal Beach
Nugal is the quiet counterpoint to the main beach. It sits inside a small cove reached by a walking trail through pine forest — around twenty minutes from town on foot, through the Osejava peninsula.
The setting is dramatic: a pebble cove backed by cliffs, water that stays exceptionally clear because there is no road access. It is a favourite with locals for exactly this reason.
Take proper shoes, water, and something to eat. There is no beach bar and only limited natural shade.
Cvitačka Beach
Just north of the town, Cvitačka is a family-friendly pebble beach with cafés, showers and easy access from the coastal road. Calmer than the main beach, well-organised, and comfortable for a full day with children.
It works especially well if you are staying at the northern end of the town or driving in for the day — parking is easier here than in the centre.
Ramova & Biloševac
Two smaller beaches within easy walking distance of the centre. Ramova sits at the southern edge of the main beach and stays a little quieter; Biloševac is a small pocket popular with locals for an evening swim after work.
Neither has the range of services of the main beach, but they are perfect on a day when the front rows in town are already full.
The Osejava Peninsula
Osejava is not a single beach — it is a small pine-covered peninsula that shelters the whole town. A wide walking path circles it in about forty minutes; along the way you pass small rocky entry points to the sea, benches under the pines, and views back over Makarska.
It is the best place for a slow morning walk, or for a swim from the rocks rather than from a pebble beach.
Which beach is right for you?
A quick way to match the beach to the day you want to have.
| If you are looking for… | Recommended beach |
|---|---|
| Families with children | Main Beach or Cvitačka |
| Quiet atmosphere, nature | Nugal |
| Escape from the crowd | Ramova or Biloševac |
| Walking, rocks, sunsets | Osejava |
Local tips before a day at the beach
Water shoes are worth having, especially for children — most beaches are pebbled, and the entry points can be sharp under bare feet.
Between 11am and 3pm in July and August, look for natural shade under the pines rather than paying for a lounger in the sun.
Bring water. There are cafés at the main beach and Cvitačka, but nothing along the walking trails to Nugal or around Osejava.
Frequently asked.
Are Makarska's beaches sandy?+
Most Makarska beaches are pebbly, not sandy. Water shoes are useful, especially for children.
Which beach is best for families?+
The main beach and Cvitačka are the easiest for families — long, gently shelving, well-organised, and close to services.
Are there quiet beaches near Makarska?+
Yes. Nugal, reached by a walking trail through pine forest on the Osejava peninsula, is the best-known quiet option. Ramova and Biloševac also stay calmer than the main beach.
Can you walk between the beaches in Makarska?+
Yes. The town is compact and most beaches are connected by the promenade or by a walking trail — from the main beach you can reach Nugal, Osejava, Ramova and Biloševac on foot.
Do Makarska beaches have natural shade?+
Yes — the pines that back the main beach and Cvitačka provide good natural shade if you arrive early enough to claim a spot.
