Makarska in 2 Days: Best Things to Do + Travel Guide

2 Days in Makarska, Croatia – Beaches, Coastal Walks & Hidden Gems

I spent 2 days in Makarska as a solo budget traveller on a month-long Croatia trip, and I’m really glad I did!

After 4 nights in Omiš, I couldn’t resist exploring another coastal town backed by the dramatic Biokovo Mountain Range – there’s some stunning scenery along this coastline!

I could have visited on a day trip, but I was heading that way anyway (Zadar – Dubrovnik was my route). So I decided to stay a couple of nights – a great decision which allowed me to really experience what Makarska has to offer.

I mainly spent my time exploring the town, beach-hopping and walking the coastal trails. My only regret? Not squeezing in a visit to the Biokovo Skywalk – the stunning coastline kept me happily distracted, and I hadn’t done my research beforehand (I’m a very wing-it traveller!).

To help you plan your visit, I’ve put together this Makarska travel guide based on my 2 day visit, including how to get there, where to stay and the best things to do.

This post contains affiliate links, I may earn a small commission from any bookings made through them at no extra cost to you : )

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Is Makarska Worth Visiting?

Makarska’s convenient location along the main coastal bus route makes it easy to include in your Croatia itinerary. Plus, there’s budget-friendly accommodation available, making it welcoming even for solo travellers like me!

With the Biokovo Mountains framing the town, impressive viewpoints (Biokovo Skywalk!) along with beautiful beaches and hiking trails right by the main centre, Makarska appeals to travellers looking for relaxation as well as chilled adventure and exploration.

From Makarska, you can also take day trips to nearby islands like Brač and Hvar, making Makarska a great base for exploring more of the Croatian coastline if you choose to stay longer than 2 days.

It’s an ideal stop for anyone looking for a town with a lively yet laid-back holiday vibe, whether you’re travelling alone like I was, or with friends or family. I’m glad I stopped off here, and can say it’s definitely worth a visit whether that’s for a day, two days, or more.

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Where to Stay in Makarska

Makarska has plenty of central accommodation, from budget hostels to sea-view apartments – and wherever you stay, you’ll likely be within walking distance of the beach and promenade.

✨ Tip: Book in advance if you’re visiting in summer – the best-value places go quickly.
I always use Booking.com – once you’ve reached level 3 in their Genius program (easy to reach!), you get some pretty good deals! Explore Makarska accommodation here 🌴

Budget Stay:

As a solo budget traveller, I stayed at SUBTUB Hostel Makarska (Makarska’s only hostel). It’s in a great location – just a few minutes walk from both the bus station and waterfront.

The dorms are pretty spacious with private bathrooms and some rooms even have a balcony (mine did). There’s also a shared kitchen to help keep food costs down. Private rooms, including singles, are also available – perfect if you’re also a solo traveller looking for more privacy.

But I’ll be honest, it wasn’t really giving fun, sociable backpacker hostel vibes, at least not when I was there… That said, for a convenient and affordable base in Makarska, it absolutely works!

💸 I paid €28 per night in mid-September (for a female only dorm room).
👉 Check prices and availability here

Mid-Range & Beachfront:

If you want a bit more comfort, apartments and small hotels near the promenade are the best choice – many come with balconies and sea views. Some top-rated choices include:

• Hotel Central Beach 9 – apartment-style, right by the harbour and promenade.
• Hotel Park Makarska – classic beachfront hotel with pool, wellness, and restaurants.
• Hotel Maritimo Makarska – smaller, charming, with direct beach access and sea-view rooms.

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Best Things to Do in Makarska

Makarska’s Harbour and Promenade

The harbour and waterfront promenade are essentially the heart of Makarska. You can find cafés, restaurants, and shops stretching along the harbour and past the main beaches. It’s lively both day and night, and perfect for a relaxed wander to soak up the town’s atmosphere.

I loved strolling along the promenade at sunset, stopping off at Gradska Plaža to watch the sun dip below the horizon. Wherever you are along the promenade, the sunset glow shines and brings the perfect evening vibes with it. I enjoyed strolling further along here as darkness fell – the good, laid-back vibes made it feel welcoming even as a solo traveller at night.

Explore Makarska’s Old Town

Just behind the promenade by the harbour, you’ll find Makarska’s old town. It’s centered around Kačić Square (Trg Andrije Kačića Makarska), where you’ll find landmarks such as St. Mark’s Cathedral, the monument to Friar Andrija, and the Venetian Fountain. There are plenty of cafés, restaurants and shops around the square too, bringing extra life to the area.

Beyond the main square, the Old Town is small and compact. Wandering the narrow cobble-stoned streets doesn’t take long, so it’s easy to explore before heading to the beach or setting off on a coastal walk.

Park šuma Sveti Petar (St. Peter Forest Park)

Located on the peninsula is Park šuma Sveti Petar (St. Peter Forest Park), easily accessed from the harbour. After a quick walk down to the harbour from my accommodation, this was actually the first place that caught my eye, so I had to venture there.

Park šuma Sveti Petar climbs slightly, offering viewpoints over Makarska and out towards nearby islands such as Brač.

A notable landmark in the park to check out is the Church of St. Peter, of which the peninsula is named after.

Being a forest park, there are shaded trails perfect for a respite from the sun, and spots where you can sit and relax in a quieter setting than the beaches edging the peninsula.

I found it was pretty busy by Grotta, which is almost like a platform overlooking the harbour. But it’s easy to find quiet spots. I ventured a little further from here and it felt like a slice of quiet nature placed right among an otherwise lively town.

You can easily wander from the harbour, through St. Peter Forest Park, and join onto Makarska’s main beaches this way. This is what I did on my first day, then on the return after sunset walked via the promenade.

Beaches in Makarska

Spending time on the beaches is easily one of the best things to do in Makarska – this is a Croatian coastal town, after all! Wherever you choose to stay in town, you won’t be far from the sea.

🐚 If you’re wondering whether the beaches in Makarska are sandy, the answer is no. Like many of Croatia’s beaches, they’re mainly made up of small pebbles.

Makarska has a long main stretch of beach including Gradska Beach, Makarska Beach, and Donja Luka Beach. These all blend into one another and are backed by the lively promenade, so you’re never far from cafés, bars, and restaurants.

There’s plenty of space along this stretch, but it can still get pretty busy!

Do be sure to head to the beach for sunset – the sunset scenes were seriously stunning from Makarska Beach during my visit!

🌊 If you want to experience the coastline from a different perspective, there are sea kayaking tours that depart from the main beach area. This top-rated tour includes a snorkelling stop and is a fun way to discover quieter, more hidden spots along the coast.
➡️ Check availability and prices here

🌅 Sunset Lovers: The main beaches are amazing for watching the sun dip below the horizon – I found this the perfect way to end a solo travel day!

If you’re looking for a slightly different viewpoint, Osejava Beach sits right at the edge of the harbour, overlooking the town. From here, you can relax on the pebbled shore while taking in views of Makarska’s waterfront with the Biokovo mountains rising behind it. It’s a beautiful spot, but it’s also quite small, so it fills up quickly.

Park šuma Osejava

Osejava Beach felt a little crowded, so I continued along the path from the beach to Park šuma Osejava – a peaceful woodland area just beyond the harbour (on the opposite side from St. Peter Forest Park).

The park stretches along the coastline towards Tučepi and is filled with shaded trails, coastal viewpoints, and quieter spots to escape the busier town centre. It also leads to Nugal Beach, a secluded gem that’s absolutely worth the walk (more on that just below!).

Walk to Nugal Beach

Nugal Beach is a stunning, secluded bay and arguably Makarska’s most standout beach.

Accessible only via walking trails through Park šuma Osejava, it offers a more serene, nature-filled vibe than Makarska’s beaches in the heart of town. There’s no doubt visiting Nugal Beach is a top thing to do in Makarska!

🌿 Coastal Adventure: The walk to Nugal Beach is a must-do for nature lovers and beach seekers! For me, it was the combination of the trail and the beach that made this one of my favourite experiences in Makarska!

The trail passes through Park šuma Osejava and takes around 30 minutes to reach Nugal Beach. As soon as you hit the trail, you’re transported into a peaceful, nature escape – a contrast to the lively promenade and busy beaches.

From Osejava Beach, the path splits in a few directions – stick to the one along the water’s edge for the best coastal views. Having this trail right by the town definitely gave Makarska bonus points for me!

The views all along are beautiful, and just wait until Nugal Beach comes into sight. From the trail, you can look down over Nugal Beach, where the cliff-backed bay and turquoise water make you immediately think, yes – that was worth the walk!

It really does offer a completely different experience from the beaches in town.

The natural feel extends beyond the scenery – part of the beach is nudist. But don’t let that put you off if it’s not your thing; I didn’t realise this before visiting, but soon found there was a mix of people, with those going au naturel mostly keeping to the far end of the beach.

Even if you don’t want to go and lay on the pebble beach, the walk itself and the views over the beach are well worth the short hike.

Walk to Tučepi

As a hiking-and-nature lover, another top thing to do in Makarska for me was walking to Tučepi, the next town along the Makarska Riviera.

Like the walk to Nugal Beach, this route begins through Park šuma Osejava. The most direct path cuts through the centre of the woodland, with trees providing shaded sections before opening up to beautiful coastal views as you near the Tučepi end of the park.

The trail eventually joins Tučepi’s waterfront promenade. I wandered as far as Dračevice Beach, where I grabbed some snacks nearby and spent some time on the busy beach. The vibe here felt pretty similar to Makarska (and a contrast to the walking trails!) – lively, yet still relaxed and easygoing, with that classic laid-back holiday feel.

I actually combined this walk with my trip to Nugal Beach, continuing on to Tučepi after a couple of hours there. On the way out, I followed the coastal path along the edge of the park, then retraced my steps slightly from Nugal (it’s a dead end) before heading up to the higher trail towards Tučepi. On the return, I stuck to the higher trails, which led me directly back to town in time for sunset.

It made for the perfect active-but-relaxing day – seeing and experiencing plenty without needing to spend anything on activities (the perfect budget traveller day in Makarska!). It was the mix of walking, swimming, beach-hopping, and stopping to admire the views whenever I felt like it that made it such a standout.

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Best Tours & Experiences in Makarska

If you’re staying a little longer, or prefer to explore without quite as much walking as I did, there are some great organised experiences in Makarska that make it easy to experience more of the area.

Biokovo Nature Park – Skywalk

One of the most popular and top-rated experiences in Makarska is visiting the Biokovo Skywalk, a glass platform that extends out in a horseshoe shape over the edge of a cliff in Biokovo Nature Park (part of the Biokovo Mountain Range).

How to Visit the Skywalk

Visiting is pretty straightforward, and there are some easy options depending on your budget and how you want to explore:

• Skywalk entry + transfer (around 3 hours total) – the most budget-friendly option

• Guided Biokovo Nature Park tour with Skywalk (around 5 hours total) – ideal if you want to explore more of the park and gain more of an insight into the area

You’re essentially ‘walking in the sky’ at 1228m above sea level, with seriously impressive panoramic views over the Makarska Riviera, the Adriatic Sea, and the surrounding mountains. If you love viewpoints, this is 100% an experience to add to your Makarska must-do list.

…but I didn’t do it. And I love a good viewpoint.

So why not?

I hadn’t planned my visit at all (classic me!), and by the time I found out about it and realised how amazing it looked, it was already my second evening and I’d run out of time. It’ll be top of my list when I’m back some day! So hopefully reading this post helps you learn from my mistake… woops! Don’t miss out and book your visit here.

Island Boat Tours

If you fancy getting out on the water, island boat tours from Makarska are a great way to experience more of Croatia beyond the town.

Nearby islands like Brač and Hvar make for popular day trips, with many tours combining both into one itinerary. Some also include a stop at the small, lesser-known island of Zečevo, adding a ‘hidden gem’ experience.

On an island boat tour, you can expect a mix of swimming stops, crystal-clear water, and scenic cruising along the coastline. It’s an easy, relaxing way to see more, and perfect if you don’t have time to dedicate longer to visiting the islands like I did (I’d already spent four nights in Hvar so didn’t opt for a boat tour on my visit).

A couple of great options to check out are:

• Makarska: 3-Island Speedboat Golden Horn & Blue Lagoon Tour
  Explore the iconic Golden Horn beach on Brač, swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Lagoon, and enjoy a scenic speedboat ride along the Makarska coastline. Perfect for a mix of sightseeing, swimming, and sunbathing.

• Makarska: 3-island Speedboat Cave & Blue Lagoon Tour
  Visit hidden sea caves and the famous Blue Lagoon, stopping for swims and snorkeling along the way. Ideal for adventure lovers and anyone looking for a fun, active day on the water.

Sea Adventures Beyond Boat Tours

If you prefer to stay active on the water, kayaking tours along the coast are a popular choice. Many include snorkeling stops and take you to quieter, hidden spots along the coast.

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Budget Tips for Visiting Makarska

• Use public transport to get to Makarska: Buses from Split, Dubrovnik, or nearby towns are frequent and affordable – check schedules and prices on Busbud.
• Stay in a hostel (if travelling solo): SUBTUB Hostel Makarska is a convenient and affordable base.
• Walk everywhere: With a long promenade and scenic coastal trails, you can even stroll to nearby towns like Tučepi.
• Grab bakery bites: I couldn’t resist the pizza slices at local bakeries – perfect for a beach picnic without breaking the bank… Beach picnic over restaurant is my vibe!
• Visit outside peak season: I went in September, which meant lower accommodation prices and more availability compared to the busy July–August months.
• Free activities: Enjoy the beaches, walks along the promenade, hiking trails, and exploring the old town – no ticket required!

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Is 2 Days in Makarska Enough?

Yes, if you’re short on time: 2 days lets you explore the town, stroll the promenade, hit a few beaches, and enjoy coastal walks from town. Since I was travelling along the coast and had already experienced a lot of Croatia, 2 days felt perfect for me (minus the fact that I ran out of time to do the Biokovo Skywalk!)

Want more adventure? Use Makarska as a base for day trips to islands like Brač or Hvar, nearby towns such as Omiš, larger cities like Split, or longer hikes in the Biokovo Mountains.

Makarska ended up being a great addition to my Croatia solo travel itinerary. Between the beaches, forest trails, mountain views and chilled atmosphere, it was the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Whether you visit for a quick overnight stop or stay a few days longer, it’s definitely a worthwhile stop along the Croatian coast.

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