Most visitors come to Makarska for the sea, and stay because there is more to it than they expected. A morning on the beach, a walk into the Old Town, an afternoon on Biokovo — the town works as a base for slow days and small adventures. This is how we usually suggest guests spend their time.
Last updated · November 2025
Explore Makarska Old Town
Start at Kačić Square and let the narrow streets pull you in. Small churches, quiet courtyards, family-run cafés — it takes an hour to wander through, and half a day if you stop for coffee.
Go once in the morning for the quiet, and once again in the evening when the whole town seems to spill onto the pavement.
Walk the promenade at sunset
The waterfront promenade runs from the marina along the town and out towards the pine trees. It is at its best in the last hour of sunlight, when the whole coastline turns gold and everyone in Makarska seems to be doing the same walk in the opposite direction.
Biokovo Nature Park & the Skywalk
Biokovo is the mountain that shapes Makarska — a wall of rock rising straight out of the sea behind the town. Driving up the park road brings you to the Skywalk, a horseshoe-shaped glass viewing platform with unbroken views over the coast and the islands.
Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The middle of the day is hot, exposed and slow — the road up is narrow and takes patience.
Spend the day at the beach
Makarska's coastline is more varied than a single main beach suggests. If you are staying more than a few days, mix the main beach with the pine-shaded coves further out — Nugal on foot through Osejava, Cvitačka to the north.
The full guide is here: Best Beaches in Makarska.
Eat the way locals eat
Konobas in the Old Town for grilled fish and black risotto; relaxed restaurants along the promenade for a longer dinner; a small café in the morning for coffee on a shaded terrace. The best evenings usually involve a short menu, house wine, and food that arrives without much ceremony.
See the local restaurant guide: Best Restaurants in Makarska.
Take a boat trip
From the marina, local operators run half-day and full-day trips to nearby coves and islands. Brač, Hvar, and quiet swimming coves along the Riviera are all within reach.
It is one of the easiest ways to see the coast from the water — and to swim somewhere that is not accessible on foot.
Where to catch the sunset
The Osejava peninsula is the local answer. A twenty-minute walk from the Old Town takes you onto the walking loop; find a bench facing west and stay for the last thirty minutes of light.
For a more social sunset, the marina and the promenade fill up naturally at the same hour.
Things to do with children
Slow mornings on the pebble main beach; ice cream on the promenade; playgrounds behind the marina; a short boat trip to a nearby cove. Biokovo is doable with older children — the Skywalk in particular — but is a lot for younger kids.
A three-day itinerary
A simple version of the trip we usually suggest for a first visit — leaves room for changing your mind, and doesn't try to do too much in a day.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Coffee in Kačić Square, wander the Old Town | Main beach and the pines | Dinner at a konoba, walk the promenade |
| Day 2 | Drive up to the Biokovo Skywalk early | Return to town, late lunch by the marina | Sunset walk on Osejava |
| Day 3 | Boat trip from the marina | Swim at Nugal on the way back | Long dinner at a promenade restaurant |
Frequently asked.
Is the Biokovo Skywalk worth visiting?+
Yes, especially for the views. Go early morning or late afternoon and drive carefully — the road is narrow and steep in places.
Can you take a boat trip from Makarska?+
Yes. Local operators at the marina offer half-day and full-day trips to nearby coves and islands during the summer season.
How many days should you spend in Makarska?+
Three to five days is a comfortable first visit — enough time for the main beach, the Old Town, a Biokovo trip, a boat trip, and a slow evening or two on the promenade.
Is Makarska walkable?+
Very. The town centre, the promenade, the beach and the Old Town are all easily covered on foot. A car is only useful for Biokovo and for exploring further along the Riviera.
