The city of Makarska and the Makarska Riviera thanks to its position in the central part of the Croatian coast and Dalmatia are an ideal place for visitors who, besides bathing and summer fun, are looking for a little more. Close to major cultural and historical centers such as Split and Dubrovnik or natural sights such as the Biokovo Mountains and Krka Waterfalls, it gives every visitor access to an unforgettable environment for a very short time. Nature lovers, lovers of historical spectacles or simply curious, can make day trips, regardless of whether they organize by themselves or use a rich offer of well-organized excursions offered by travel agencies and shippers. Summer daily trips from Makarska are organized on the nearby islands of Brač and Hvar. Excursions include visits to the towns of Jelsa, Vrboska on the island of Hvar and Bol on the island of Brač.
When the ship docks in the bay of Jelsa, guests have the opportunity to feel for a moment the beauty of primeval Dalmatian architecture, as well as life on the island. The narrow stone streets "kale" hide the richness of island life details, seemingly beautiful and simple, but in many ways very demanding and challenging. Sailing further leads to the island of Brač and famous tourist resort Bol, known for its world phenomenon - Zlatni Rat. The sandy beach that changes its shape depending on the flow of the sea and the waves is one of the most famous motives of the Croatian coast. Many world magazines consider it to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Bol, former fishing village, is also famous for the tradition of wine growing and olive growing, so some of its famous top quality wines or olive oil bottles become a souvenir that many tourists bring from this area. In addition to swimming and good time, these trips at very affordable price include meals, fish or meat on the grill with side dishes, and drinks.
The most popular among the islands is the motor boat Makarski Jadran, with the famous captain "Barba Mito". There are also motor boats Voga, Calypso and others. Small boats and gliders are available in the port of Makarska, very popular for day-trips to small hidden beaches, coves and coastal restaurants with a rich gastronomic offer of local meals and drinks. The ferry to the island of Brač sails several times a day from the Makarska port. At a very affordable price in one hour you are in fishing village called Sumartin. If you have bicycle, motorcycle or car, from Sumartin you can visit the pearls of the island of Brač: peak Vidova gora, stonemasonry school in Pučišća or famous Brač stone quarries. Recently, by introducing a catamaran connection with Dubrovnik, it is possible to short-term visits to the islands of Korčula and Mljet. On sailing to Dubrovnik, the "Krilo" catamaran enters port of Korčula, and then in Sobra on the island of Mljet. If you think that couple of hours is enough to get acquainted with the historical heritage of Korčula or to feel the seductiveness of the preserved natural on Mljet, this is a good opportunity for you.
The cities of Split and Dubrovnik are the jewels of Dalmatia and the historical ensembles under the protection of UNESCO. In Makarska, during the summer, there are organized bus excursions accompanied by tourist guides. Split and its Diocletian's Palace will impress you with its 1700 years of uninterrupted life pulsating through the narrow stone streets "kale". You can enrich the visit to Split by going to nearby Trogir, whose old town is also protected by UNESCO. Not far from Split is the archaeological site of Salona, full of traces of monumental buildings of former rich settlements in this part of the Roman Empire. Near Split is a fortress Klis. The attractive appearance of this stone fort was determined by its strategic position. Each stone witnesses to the traces of the fiery past, from the medieval Croatian rulers, the Ottoman invaders, to Venetian reconstruction. Dubrovnik is a must-see for every guest who arrived in this part of the Adriatic.
Bus tours will take you briefly through the Bosnian border and of Neum. The first encounter with Dubrovnik reveals all the monumentality of its walls. The old town is surrounded by perfectly preserved walls, but special attraction represent forts, Minceta, Revelin, Bokar, Lovrjenac. The harmony of architectural solutions in old city you will feel the best by strolling through main street, Stradun. From Onofri's Fountain to the Rector's Palace you will find the simplicity of Dubrovnik's palaces and unobtrusive wealth, once very powerful European state, the Dubrovnik Republic. It is true that Dubrovnik's last wave of popularity is owed to the Game of Thrones film series, but also to films such as Robin Hood, Star Wars. Some of the most spectacular scenes are recorded right here. The walls are God-given scenery for summer theater like Shakespeare's Hamlet or ballet performances of world famous ensembles.
When returning from Dubrovnik it is obligatory to visit Ston. A small seaside resort is an important strategic point of its time. The famous saltworks, Ston Solana was defended by the longest European defensive walls, exceptionally well restored in the old manor. Eventually, a dinner is required at one of the restaurants in Ston. Gastronomy is experiencing highlights here with the offer of fresh fish, shellfish, and especially oysters, allegedly aphrodisiac properties, with a glass of good vine; Dingač or Pošip, top quality wines from the vineyard on peninsula Pelješac. Makarska offers its guests opportunity to visit Mostar, the center of Herzegovina, because of its proximity to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The city was divided by the river Neretva. Across the river is stretched famous stone Old Bridge. The symbolism of the bridge and linking will surprise every traveler here. In a few steps it moves from the legacy of Western culture to the world of the Orient. Cobbled streets, small houses recognizable eastern architecture, pastry shops, stores with various goods, leaving everyone impressive memories.
On the way to Mostar, many will stop in Međugorje, a religious center that annually attracts over one million pilgrims. The nature surrounding Makarska i fascinating. The pristine clear sea and the green shores of pine trees and olive groves, at the foot of the stone monument - the mountain of Biokovo. Seemingly crude and relentlessly gray stone because of its natural uniqueness was declared as Nature park. At guests' disposal are mini bus tours which will take you to Sv. Jure (1762 m), the highest peak of Biokovo. Nature Park Biokovo (except its breathtaking viewspoints: Vošac, Šibenik, Ravna Vlaška) offers introduction to the geological characteristics, as well as interesting flora and fauna. Refreshments offer is not large, only in several mountain cottage, so it is necessary to arrange in advance. Many tourists choose to conquer Biokovo on some of the many hiking trails. We recommend you to take professional guides. High-quality shoes and clothing is necessary as well as large stock of water.
Biokovo's moodiness is legendary and every year takes victims. Every hiker, beginner and more experienced must have a charged cell phone. In case of need you can contact HGSS - Croatian mountain rescue service by calling phone number 112. Croatia is known and proud of the preserved nature and numerous protected natural beauties. With excursions to the Biokovo Nature Park, excursions from Makarska have also to the Krka National Park. The Krka River and its hydro-geological karst phenomenon will leave you breathless, and unspoiled nature provides unforgettable moments of pleasure. The excursion usually involves visiting the city of Šibenik. It is the city which, by its beauty near Split and Dubrovnik, and renovated forts and numerous museums will guide you to Šibenik's burning and glorious past. Excursion to the National Park Krka can include a visit to Zadar. Once the capital of Dalmatia, it is a city of rich past and vibrant present.
Walking along the Zadar castle or across Kalelarge, you will come to the novelties, "Greetings to the sun", a light monument to our part of the Universe, and to the "Sea Organ", the original idea that turmoil of the sea turns into serene melody. Church of Sv. James in Šibenik, as well as the Venetian walls of Zadar as a whole under the protection of UNESCO. World famous water richness of Croatia, offers several pearls near the Makarska Riviera. We have already mentioned the Krka National Park and Krka waterfalls, but it is worth visiting the karst phenomena of Red Lake and Blue Lake. Those lakes near Imotski will not leave you indifferent. Marked trails and viewpoints along the Blue Lake will give you a complete experience of this natural spectacle. Local people in the summer resort use the lake as a bathing resort. Due to a complex set of underground sources, sometimes the lake dries up, and then at the bottom of the locals organize a unique football game. Not far from Blue Lake is Red Lake that will surely take your breath away..
The vertical cliffs that surround the lake are over 250 meters high. The depth of the lake is still doubtful, but recent measurements have shown that the deep over 280 meters. Visiting the Imotski area would not be complete unless you include a visit to one of the famous Imotski wineries. Tasting a wide selection of quality wines, snack of homemade cheese and prosciutto, and a brief introduction to the traditional way of winemaking novelty in the offer of this well-known wine-growing region. We have to complete the excursion offer with excursions to the rivers bordering the Makarska Riviera area. To the west of Makarska is the river Cetina. Day trips include rafting with dinghy boats down the rapids. In a few hours you will experience the beauty of completely unspoilt nature of the lower water flow of the river Cetina. The end of this rafting tour is at Radman's Mills, restaurant that offers a wide variety of local specialties, from "peka", "soparnik", lamb on spit and fish specialties. Not far from this post, at Cetina's delta, lies the town of Omiš.
Its cobbled streets and fortresses, Mirabela and Fortica, make extraordinary scenery for stories about the famous Cetina's pirates. South of Makarska is Neretva river. Quick and restless river in its course in Bosnia and Herzegovina, enters into Croatia as broad and quiet river. The wide fertile delta is famous for its agriculture and is often referred to as Croatia's California. Visiting to the museum of archaeological monuments in Vid, whose artifacts testify to the richness of life during the Roman Empire, would not be complete without tasting gastronomic specialties of this region, the famous "brujet", frogs and eels stew. Neretva's delta is an ornithological reserve, but also an ideal place for lovers of windsurfing and kiteboarding. Makarska Riviera is an ideal place for all those who think that sun and sea are not enough for a good vacation. With your own car or with organized excursions, you can for a very short time change the summer mood with unforgettable natural spectacles or historical complexes of fascinating beauty. Today, when we have a lot of information at our fingertips, visit some of the natural phenomena or a Dalmatian old town will show you that nothing can enrich us as our own experience. Good luck with your search!
