Family Holidays in Makarska: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Yes — and mostly for practical reasons. The town is small and walkable, so you do not spend the holiday in the car. The main beach runs the length of the town, so morning swims are a five-minute walk from most accommodation. The promenade is safe, wide and closed to traffic, so children can walk beside you without worry.

The general atmosphere helps too: Makarska is quieter than Split or Hvar Town, and less packaged than some of the resorts further south. Days are slow, dinners are unhurried, and no one is in a rush.

The main beach is the obvious first choice — pebbled, gently shelving, with pines behind for shade and services within a few metres. Cvitačka, just north of the centre, is calmer and easier for parking if you are driving in for the day.

Both have showers, cafés, and a mix of paid and free areas. Water shoes are worth having for young children on any pebble beach on the Riviera.

The full guide is here: Best Beaches in Makarska.

Slow mornings on the beach; ice cream on the promenade in the afternoon; playgrounds behind the marina; a boat trip out to a nearby cove for older children.

Biokovo is possible with older children — the Skywalk is the main draw — but the winding road up is a lot for very young kids. For younger children, the town and the beach are usually enough.

Small events, night markets and family-friendly concerts pop up along the promenade in the summer — check what is on when you arrive rather than planning around them in advance.

A few things make a real difference on a family holiday: a proper kitchen for breakfasts, air conditioning in the bedrooms, private parking (much easier than hunting a street space each day), and a location that keeps the beach and a supermarket within walking distance.

For families of three or four, a two-bedroom apartment in the town centre is usually the sweet spot. For larger families or two families travelling together, a three-bedroom apartment tends to work far better than two smaller ones — one big living space in the evening, and enough bathrooms in the morning.

The hottest hours are 12pm to 4pm in July and August. Most local families do the beach in the morning and again after 5pm, with the shaded middle of the day at home.

Two supermarkets in the centre cover most needs; one small pharmacy just off Kačić Square handles most day-to-day requests without needing a doctor.

The main promenade is stroller-friendly. Some of the smaller streets in the Old Town are stone-paved and uneven — a lightweight stroller is easier than a big travel system.

Most restaurants along the promenade are relaxed about children — outdoor seating, pasta and pizza on the menu alongside the fish, and space to walk around between courses.

The konobas in the Old Town are quieter and more traditional; they work well for older children but can feel more grown-up for younger ones. Booking ahead in July and August helps everywhere.