Skip to content
Voykit
Set your trip — dates, party, bagsPlanner

Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Major city · Croatia

Makarska

Give Makarska 2 nights as a beach-and-mountain base: swim in the morning, drive or tour Biokovo in the afternoon, walk the old town at dusk.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
EUR
Best months
Jun, Sep
avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, heat, peak prices)
Airports
SPU · DBV
Nights
2
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
  • Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
  • Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
  • Croatia ↗Croatia is in the EU and the Schengen area; the EU Entry/Exit System applies to non-EU visitors. Check the official EU and Croatian sources for your passport.
  • Croatia ↗Book car ferries and popular catamarans ahead in summer; foot passengers still need to be early for the busiest routes.
  • Croatia ↗Split and Dubrovnik fine visitors for walking shirtless or in swimwear away from beaches; carry a cover-up.

Makarska is the main town of the Makarska Riviera, a 66 km strip of shingle beaches and small resorts on the coast road between Split and Dubrovnik. The Biokovo mountains rise straight behind it, the old town sits around a small harbour, and a ferry crosses to Brač in an hour. Most visitors arrive on package deals from Split airport, 85 km north, and spend their days on the beach strip and their evenings in the old town. It works as a 2-night base, or as one night if you are driving the coast and want a swim.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Makarska, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee at a beach-strip café€1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
  • BeerBeer: draught / supermarket can€3–5 (≈ US$4–6) / €1–2 (≈ US$2–3)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€8–15 (≈ US$10–18)
  • Museum or sight ticketMunicipal Museum entry€1 (≈ US$2)
  • Budget bedApartment for a family of 4, a night, per room€90 (≈ US$110)
  • Mid-range bedDouble room or apartment, a night, per room€90 (≈ US$110)
  • High-end bedDouble room or apartment, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget €45 (≈ US$55) · Mid €80 (≈ US$95) · High €150 (≈ US$180)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Makarska Riviera beachesBiokovo Nature Park and Sveti JureOld town and harbourFerry to Sumartin on Brač
Airports
SPU Split Airport (85 km north; bus or car about 1 h 30 min. Most Riviera package arrivals use this airport.) · DBV Dubrovnik Airport (160 km south via the Pelješac Bridge; about 2 h 30 min by car.)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Makarska: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

10°C

4°C

10 rd

Feb

11°C

4°C

9 rd

Mar

14°C

7°C

9 rd

Apr

18°C

10°C

9 rd

May

23°C

14°C

8 rd

Jun

27°C

18°C

6 rd

Jul

30°C

21°C

4 rd

Aug

30°C

21°C

5 rd

Sep

26°C

17°C

7 rd

Oct

21°C

13°C

9 rd

Nov

16°C

9°C

11 rd

Dec

12°C

6°C

11 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Walk: the beach strip runs about 4 km and links the hotels to the old town and the Sveti Petar peninsula. A road train runs along the strip every 20–30 min, useful with small children. Buses south to Tučepi and Podgora run every 30–60 min and take about 30 min; buses north to Split take 1 h 30 min–2 h. Local taxis are small one- or two-car operators, so book ahead at night. A car is only worth it for Biokovo and the Riviera villages.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Sumartin, Brač

go

Door to door: About 1 h 15 min

Jadrolinija ferry from Makarska harbour, about 1 h, 4–5 sailings a day

Adult single about €2, car about €20. Public transport on Brač from Sumartin is very limited: take a car or arrange a pickup.

Split

go

Door to door: About 2 h

Promet bus along the coast road, every 30–60 min, 1 h 30 min–2 h

Fare about €7.50 one way. Doable as a day trip, but Split deserves its own night.

Dubrovnik

skip

Door to door: 3–4 h each way

Bus, 3–4 h via Neum; or a guided excursion with hotel pickup

Too far for a comfortable return day by public bus. Excursions run, from about €40 for a non-guided tour.

Cetina river, Omiš

go

Door to door: About 45 min

Car or tour, about 30 min

Rafting and kayaking trips run from town; the river is mostly calm with a few fast sections.

Kotišina and Biokovo

go

Door to door: About 30 min to the booth

Car up Highway 512 from Šimići; park toll booth at the lane entrance

Park toll €7 for one day, €13.50 for 3 days, €33.50 for 7 days. The road climbs to Sveti Jure at 1,762 m; go only on a clear day.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Beach strip (Šetalište Dr Franje Tuđmana)

Hotels and apartments one block from the water; no traffic on the strip itself. Best for swimming and families.

Old town and harbour

Alleys, bars and restaurants around the port; 5–10 min walk to the beach strip. Best for a short stay without a car.

Tučepi and Podgora

Smaller Riviera resorts 5–10 km south, 30 min by local bus; quieter and often cheaper in July–August.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
€45–70 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
Mid
€70–120 (≈ US$85–140) excl. bed
High
€120 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Double room or apartment1 × 2 nights × €90€180
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €80€320
Promet bus Makarska–Split, one way2 × €8€15
Jadrolinija ferry to Sumartin, adult single2 × €2€4
Biokovo park toll, one day1 × €7€7
eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10€20
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge€55
Trip total≈ €150 per person per day, bed included€601≈ US$700

2026 estimate in euros; flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee at a beach-strip café€1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
Ice cream cone€1.80–2.50 (≈ US$3)
Seafood main in a konoba€15–28 (≈ US$18–35)
Beer: draught / supermarket can€3–5 (≈ US$4–6) / €1–2 (≈ US$2–3)
Municipal Museum entry€1 (≈ US$2)
Two-tank dive with equipmentcash onlyabout €81.50 (≈ US$95)
eSIM or data SIM, about a week€8–15 (≈ US$10–18)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Makarska is a safe, busy resort town; the real irritations are beach-chair collectors with no posted price, cash-only restaurants and summer crowds. Swim where others swim, and keep an eye on children near the scooters on the beach strip.
  • Beach chairs stacked on the shingle are not free: a collector may ask for payment with no posted price and no receipt. Agree the amount first or move to the open shingle.
  • Biokovo's upper road needs a car with a strong low gear and a clear day; cloud can close the view completely. Check conditions before paying the park toll.
  • Many restaurants and konobas take cash only; keep euros on you and use the exchange kiosks rather than ATMs if you want to avoid bank fees.
  • The beach is shingle, not sand, and there are no tides. Water shoes help.
  • On Biokovo trails stay on the path; the horned viper is the one snake to avoid.

Emergency numbers

All emergencies (English-speaking)
112
Police
192
Fire
193
Ambulance
194
Sea rescue
195

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

MakarskaMakarska

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Na ovu adresu, molimTo this address, please

Emergency

  • All emergencies112
  • Police192
  • Fire193
  • Ambulance194
  • Sea rescue195

Embassy

No embassies in Makarska; most are in Zagreb, with consulates in Split. US citizens: US Embassy Zagreb (check the address).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Bus Makarska → Split: about €7.50 (≈ US$9), 1 h 30 min–2 h
  • Ferry Makarska → Sumartin (Brač): adult about €2 (≈ US$3), car about €20 (≈ US$25), 1 h
  • Biokovo park toll: €7 (≈ US$9) one day, €13.50 (≈ US$16) three days

Say or show

  • Dobar dan — Hello (DOH-bar dahn)
  • Hvala — Thank you (HVAH-lah)
  • Koliko košta? — How much is it? (KOH-lee-koh KOHSH-tah)
  • Račun, molim — The bill, please (RAH-choon MOH-leem)
  • Mogu li platiti karticom? — Can I pay by card? (MOH-goo lee PLAH-tee-tee KAR-tee-tsom)
  • Gdje je plaža? — Where is the beach? (gdyeh yeh PLAH-zhah)

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Makarska. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun, Sep · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, heat, peak prices) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for SPU: last bus and transfer options field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: beach strip, old town and harbour, Sveti Petar, Osejava Park.
  3. Place pages with verified hours (Municipal Museum, Malacological Museum, Biokovo toll booth) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Beach-chair and cash-only fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Croatia

Sources