Makarska, between mountain and sea
Makarska is a tourist resort and a small city, located on coastline of the Adriatic sea of Croatia, around 60 km from Split on one side, to around 140 km away from Dubrovnik on the other side. The whole surrounding region is known as Makarska Riviera, with Makarska always being it’s centre. Makarska is also famous as a medical resort for the senior generations.
The shape of the deep sheltered bay reminds of a horse shoe, and the beautiful sea nature is accompanied by the Biokovo mountain rising from the other side, creating a mesmerizing sight to see. This attractive natural setting, good climate and a lot of tourist attractions make it one of the most popular tourist destinations on the Croatian coast.
Makarska has a long waterfront promenade with palm trees, bars and cafes overlooking the harbor, a great place to go for a walk and relax in the shadows while sipping your morning coffee.
The streets of the centre of Makarska are narrow and stone-paved, just like most of the old towns in Croatia. In the centre there is a main church square, accompanied with a flower and fruit market, as well as a Franciscan monastery, holding a collection of sea shells.
The central square of Makarska is marked by the Baroque St. Mark’s Church, sometimes even called the Makarska’s cathedral. The construction of it was started in 1700. but was never fully finished. There are other churches worth of your visit, such as the St. Philip’s Church from the 18th century or the St. Peter’s Church from the 13th century, located on the St. Peter’s peninsula that was rebuilt in 1993.
A number of beaches in Makarska are just waiting for you to explore them, backed up by the pine woods hovering the beautiful clear blue sea. Makarska has a town beach, a long curved filled with pebble rocks, offering peddle-boats, banana rides and jet skis that you can rent and enjoy with your friends and family. Buba beach is a great alternative for a little quieter place, accompanied with the Buba bar to entertain you after you’ve done your swimming and tanning.
Swimming in the Adriatic is not to the only activity to do in Makarska. The Biokovo mountain gives a chance to hike or bike the rocky but well marked paths and reach the peak, which will take a few hours depending on your ways of travel. There are also options of paragliding and windsurfing for those who are of a more adventurous spirit.
The Makarska Summer is a great event that takes place in June every year, a chance to listen to some great music and see theatre performances and many other things. There are some nightclubs where you can party until the early morning hours, with unique clubs situated in a cave, created to give you a special atmosphere that you can hardly find anywhere else.
The gastronomy of Makarska Riviera is a part of the famous Dalmatia’s cuisine, with the Dalmatia’s pasticada being the first on the list, a beef meal filled with garlic and pancetta and prepared in red wine. Other specialties include the prosciutto and sheep’s cheese, drizzled with some home-made olive oil, as well as the lamb and potatoes prepared under the peka and served with seasonal vegetables. Makarska is also famous for their sweets, such as the Rafioli ( an original sweet made of pastry and walnuts) or the cake Makarana (made with almond and liqueur Maraskino).
If you would like to rent a Villa, luxury house or a lighthouse in this area, you can find more information here: Rent Luxury Villa in Makarska
If you would like to buy a Holiday house in Makarska, you can find more information here:Properties for sale in Makarska