Makarska travel guide

Makarska is an easy destination to plan yourself: hotels, flights, car rental and activities in one place, no juggling ten different sites. Makarska works well as a base for day trips to nearby towns and scenic routes. The nearest airport is in a neighbouring city, and a rental car is the easiest way to cover the rest. There are currently around 20 places to stay listed in and around Makarska, covering a range of budgets. The catalogue includes 8 vetted activities and tours with real guest ratings. 6 routes to nearby towns are mapped out from Makarska, handy if you're planning side trips beyond the city itself.

Accommodation in Makarska starts at around €209 per night, with a typical rate near €309 across roughly 20 nearby options — handy for budgeting your trip.

Well-reviewed hotels: Boutique Hotel Mirjam, 4-star, guest rating 9.6 from 2087 reviews, from €320 per night; Hotel Tamaris, 4-star, guest rating 9.5 from 1088 reviews, from €238 per night; Hotel Antonio, 4-star, guest rating 9.4 from 1520 reviews, from €214 per night; Villa Andrea, 4-star, guest rating 9.4 from 335 reviews, from €221 per night; Bluesun Hotel Jadran, 5-star, guest rating 9.4 from 1543 reviews, from €420 per night.

Day trips & routes: Omis — about 37 km, 44m drive; Podstrana — about 55 km, 1h 12m drive; Split — about 87 km, 1h 15m drive; Kastel Sucurac — about 87 km, 1h 8m drive; Kastel Luksic — about 92 km, 1h 13m drive; Kastel Novi — about 95 km, 1h 17m drive. Fastest option is Omis: 44m by car.

Makarska: what to know

Things to see: "River Rafting from Split- Cliff Jumping- Cave Visit", rated 5 from 116 reviews, from €40; "BRELA Bikini Dive *Try SCUBA DIVING*", rated 5 from 103 reviews, from €134; "Taxi Supetar, Brač", rated 5 from 92 reviews, from €15; "Hvar & Brač PRIVATE Speedboat: Cave, Blue Lagoon & Hidden Bays", rated 5 from 69 reviews, from €340; "Private Blue Cave Tour from Split, Brač, Trogir and Hvar", rated 5 from 47 reviews, from €1500.

Makarska has no direct airport — most travellers fly into the nearest airport city and continue by rental car or transfer. Getting around the city and out to the 6 nearby destinations listed above is easiest by car — intercity public transport tends to be slower and less frequent. The median nightly rate in Makarska is around €309, useful for comparing overall trip cost against nearby cities.

To rent a car in Makarska you usually need a passport, a driving licence and a bank card for the deposit hold. With 20 places to stay nearby, it's worth comparing a base near the rental desk against one closer to the sights. Given 6 routes worth driving from here, check the mileage and one-way drop-off terms before you book. When touring Croatia, plan stops in advance: fuel stations and car parks in smaller towns are not always open around the clock.

What to see in Makarska in 7 days

A ready week, day by day: highly rated places, lunches, tours and trips out of town. Ratings and opening hours come from Tripadvisor, distances are real driving distances.

day1

Getting to know Makarska

An unhurried first day: the centre on foot, one landmark and a quiet dinner near where you're staying. Don't plan anything far — after travelling, getting your bearings matters more.

All day
A free day — the market, the waterfront, the next neighbourhood over.

Hotel check-in is usually from 2pm — if you arrive earlier, most places will store your luggage.

day2

The main sights

The fullest day: two or three key places back to back. Start early — queues build by midday at the popular ones, and the light is better for photographs after lunch.

All day
A free day — the market, the waterfront, the next neighbourhood over.

Up to 35 °C in the days ahead — do the walking in the morning and spend midday indoors.

day3

Museums, history and local food

A day for what needs time and attention: museums, historic quarters, and lunch somewhere locals actually go.

Afternoon
River Rafting from Split- Cliff Jumping- Cave Visit
5.0· 116from €40
River Rafting from Split- Cliff Jumping- Cave Visit — rated 5 from 116 reviews.

Many museums close on a Monday or Tuesday — check the opening hours before you set out.

day4

A day out of town

Get beyond the city: the nearby towns and countryside are usually what stays with you. A rental car is the practical way — public transport on these routes is slow and infrequent.

All day
Omis
Omis is 37 km from Makarska, about 44m by car. Leave in the morning so you're back before dark.

Book the car ahead: in season there is little left and the counter price is higher.

Rent a car in Makarska

day5

Walking and what you missed

A free day. Go back to wherever you wanted to linger, and add one or two places from the list you haven't reached.

Afternoon
BRELA Bikini Dive *Try SCUBA DIVING*
5.0· 103from €134
BRELA Bikini Dive *Try SCUBA DIVING* — rated 5 from 103 reviews.

Carry some cash for markets and small cafés — cards are not taken everywhere.

day6

A tour, or a second trip out

A good day for a guided tour: a guide tells you what the signs don't, and takes the driving off your hands.

All day
Podstrana
Podstrana is 55 km from Makarska, about 1h 12m by car. Leave in the morning so you're back before dark.

Book the car ahead: in season there is little left and the counter price is higher.

Rent a car in Makarska

day7

Last day and departure

A calm finish: a favourite spot once more, some shopping, a late lunch. Leave yourself room before the airport.

Afternoon
Taxi Supetar, Brač
5.0· 92from €15
Taxi Supetar, Brač — rated 5 from 92 reviews.

Allow twice what the map says for the airport run — it is never the quiet hour when you need it.

What to see and where to eat

What to see and where to eat in Makarska

Tap a place for photos, opening hours and reviews

Top attractions

Restaurants and cafés

What travellers say about places in Makarska

Source — Tripadvisor

5 Restaurant Cvit SoliFamily

Good food, good service. Salt fish & tekara were great.

Good good & good service. Salt fish & tekara were great. Also the location is really nice.

qalatys2026-08-06on Tripadvisor

5 Restaurant Cvit SoliCouples

Perfect evening

The Location was very romantic and had a nice relaxing atmosphere. The waiter (Teodor) was very nice and professional. The food was very delicious and in big portions. All in all we very much recommend this restaurant!

theresahC2883FY2026-08-06on Tripadvisor

5 Restaurant RivaCouples

Great fish

We thought the good was Very good and high quality. I had the angler and my girlfriend the seabass, both were amazing! Great service and nice atmosphere, Very cozy location!

97arvidv2026-08-06on Tripadvisor

3 Afrika Moto Jet SkiCouples

The scooters are amazing, but the young guy who welcomes you at the reception is very unfriendly.

The scooters themselves really impressed me and genuinely gave me a lot of positive emotions. However, the young man at the reception was very unpleasant and unfriendly.

J2278TMdavidm2026-08-06on Tripadvisor