Makarska Riviera in Croatia – from Brela to Gradac

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | The Makarska Riviera is one of Croatia's most spectacular stretches of coastline, with the clear waters of the Adriatic Sea on one side and the mighty Biokovo massif on the other. Along the approximately sixty-kilometer-long riviera are popular holiday resorts such as Brela, Baška Voda, Makarska, Tučepi and Podgora, as well as smaller coastal communities and numerous beaches and coves.

We have traveled along the Makarska Riviera on several occasions and experienced both larger resorts and smaller places along the coast. Here we collect our experiences and tips about resorts, beaches, excursions and attractions - and tell you what it's like to discover the Makarska Riviera by motorhome.

Where is Makarska Riviera located?

The Makarska Riviera, located in Split-Dalmatia County, starts in Brela, just over 50 kilometers south of Split, and then continues south to Gradec. Along the entire coastline, the clear waters and pebble beaches of the Adriatic Sea meet the dramatic mountain slopes of the Biokovo massif.

Resorts on the Makarska Riviera – from north to south

Along the Makarska Riviera are a series of larger and smaller holiday resorts, often sandwiched between the Adriatic Sea and the steep slopes of the Biokovo massif. Many of them have pebbly beaches, clear water and promenades with restaurants and cafes in common. At the same time, the resorts differ somewhat – from lively Makarska to much smaller coastal communities further south.

Here we follow the Makarska Riviera from Brela in the north to Gradac in the south.

Brela

Brela is located in the northern part of the Makarska Riviera and is primarily known for its beautiful beaches and its dramatic location between the sea and Biokovo. Along the coast there are several kilometers of pebble beaches, pine trees and small bays.

One of the most famous beaches is Punta Rata, and just off the beach is the small rock Kamen Brela, or Brela Stone, with its characteristic pine trees. It has become something of a symbol of Brela and is one of the classic photo motifs from the Makarska Riviera.

Baška Voda

Just south of Brela lies Baška Voda, once a small fishing village but now one of the popular holiday resorts on the Makarska Riviera. It has a small harbour, restaurants and cafes, and several pebble beaches with the slopes of Biokovo as a backdrop.

Baška Voda is smaller than Makarska but still has a lot to offer for holidaymakers. The resort is therefore well suited for those who want restaurants, beach life and tourist services close by, but prefer a smaller seaside resort to the largest city on the Riviera.

Makarska

Makarska is the capital and center of the Makarska Riviera. The city is beautifully located in a bay below Biokovo and offers significantly more city life than the smaller towns along the coast. It has a lively harbor promenade with restaurants and cafes, beaches and an older town center with stone houses and small streets.

When we visited Makarska, we took the opportunity to have lunch at an outdoor restaurant by the harbor. We had pasta with shrimp and salmon and a large beer each – and also had the nice company of some Halmstad residents who were vacationing in Makarska.

A nice way to experience the city is to walk along the water and out onto the lush peninsula of Sveti Petar. Makarska is also a good starting point for excursions in the area, not least up Biokovo. From the harbor, boats also go out to the islands off the coast.

Tučepi

A few kilometers south of Makarska lies Tučepi, a popular resort with a long pebble beach and promenade. Along the water there are restaurants, cafes and bars, and the small harbor adds to the Dalmatian holiday feeling.

Here too, the contrast between sea and mountains is palpable. Biokovo rises steeply behind the buildings and makes Tučepi, despite its tourist offerings, feel like a rather narrow strip between the mountains and the Adriatic Sea.

Podgora

Continuing south, you will come to Podgora, another classic seaside resort at the foot of Biokovo. The resort stretches along the coast and has beaches, a marina and a promenade with restaurants and cafes.

Podgora can be an alternative for those who want to live in a smaller town than Makarska but still have plenty of restaurants and swimming opportunities within walking distance. Behind today's resort there are also older buildings higher up towards the slopes of Biokovo.

Drvenik

Drvenik is a small coastal town in the southern part of the Makarska Riviera. Here too, the mountains lie close behind the coast and along the sea there are pebble beaches, accommodation and restaurants.

For many travelers, Drvenik is primarily known as a gateway to the island of Hvar. From here, the car ferry crosses over to Sućuraj on the eastern tip of Hvar. Drvenik can therefore be both a stop along the Riviera and a practical starting point for those who want to combine the mainland with a few days on Hvar.

Podaca

Even further south is small Podaca, which is considerably quieter than, for example, Makarska. The settlement is located between the mountain slopes and the sea, and along the coast there are pebble beaches and smaller accommodations.

Here we stayed at Camp Podaca, a small campsite built in terraces above the sea. From the campsite, a staircase went directly down to the beach and from our place we had a nice view of the Adriatic Sea.

We also remember the small-scale feel. The coastline consisted primarily of residential buildings, smaller apartment buildings and small campsites rather than large hotel complexes. The campsite was best suited for smaller camping vehicles as both the entrance and several of the pitches were narrow.

Gradac

Gradac is located in the southernmost part of the Makarska Riviera and is another popular seaside resort with long pebble beaches and clear water.

The pace here is slower than in Makarska, while there are restaurants, cafes and everything else you need for a beach holiday. Gradac is also located so far south that the town works well as a starting point for those who want to continue their journey towards, for example, the Neretvadeltat and Dubrovnik.

Excursion to Biokovo and Skywalk

The Biokovo massif rises dramatically behind the Makarska Riviera and is one of the area's great natural attractions. The Biokovo Nature Park offers hiking trails, viewpoints and the spectacular Biokovo Skywalk viewing platform at Ravna Vlaška, 1,228 meters above sea level. The platform juts out over the mountainside and has a glass floor with views of the coast and islands of the Adriatic Sea.

Makarska Riviera by motorhome

We have travelled along the Makarska Riviera ourselves by campervan and find it a wonderful way to experience the coast. You can stay in smaller towns, find campsites close to the sea and at the same time have the freedom to make excursions along the Riviera.

If you are traveling during high season, it may be wise to book a campsite in advance. Also keep in mind that during July-August it can be very crowded and a bit challenging to find parking spaces.

We also discovered that the entrances to some campsites, which are located along the coast, can be steep, so with a large camper you have to drive slowly and carefully.

When is the best time to travel to Makarska Riviera?

The Makarska Riviera has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and milder winters. July and August are high season, with warm bathing water, lots of people and a wide range of restaurants, activities and boat trips.

For our part, we think that early summer and early autumn are particularly nice periods on the Croatian coast. In June and September it is still warm and suitable for swimming, while it is usually a little quieter than in the middle of the high season.

Spring and autumn are also good for those who primarily want to go on excursions, hike or travel around by car or camper. Then the temperatures are more comfortable for activities, but keep in mind that some restaurants, campsites and tourist businesses may have limited opening hours outside the summer season.

Getting to and around the Makarska Riviera

The Makarska Riviera is located along the Dalmatian coast south of Split, and Split is the natural gateway for many, not least for those arriving by plane. From Split there are buses south towards Makarska and further along the coast, and by car or rental car it is easy to combine several of the resorts on the Riviera.

By car or rental car

A car is a convenient option if you want to discover several places along the Makarska Riviera and also make excursions on your own. The coastal road D8, Jadranska magistrala, runs through or past many of the resorts and offers stunning views of the Adriatic Sea at times.

Keep in mind that traffic can be heavy during peak season and parking can be difficult in the most popular beach resorts. If you are coming by motorhome, it is even more important to plan where you will park and stay overnight.

By bus

There are buses between Split, Makarska and several of the resorts along the Riviera, making it possible to vacation here even without a car. Buses can be a good option if you mainly plan to stick to one or two resorts.

However, if you want to discover smaller places, beaches and attractions on your own, a car gives you significantly more freedom.

By ferry to Brač

From Makarska, the Jadrolinija car ferry goes to Sumartin on eastern Brač. The crossing takes about an hour, and the line also runs in 2026. This makes it easy to combine a holiday on the Makarska Riviera with the island of Brač.

A practical detail is that Makarska–Sumartin is a line where a purchased ticket means a reservation on the selected departure. Jadrolinija still recommends that you be at the ferry terminal at least 45 minutes before departure.

By ferry to Hvar

Further south, a car ferry runs between Drvenik and Sućuraj, on the eastern tip of Hvar. The crossing takes around 30 minutes, so it's a quick way to get to the island if you're travelling by car or camper.

However, Sućuraj is far from Hvar town and other famous places on the western side of the island, so the ferry is especially convenient if you want to explore Hvar with your own vehicle or continue your journey across the island.

By boat and excursion boats

During the tourist season, various boat trips and excursions are also offered from Makarska and other coastal resorts. This can be a nice option for those who want to get out on the Adriatic Sea and visit islands and bays without taking their car.

More to see in the neighbourhood

There is much more to see and experience just north or south of the Makarska Riviera, as well as out on the islands in the archipelago. Here you will find more reports and tips.

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• Brač
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