Hotels in Makarska
Makarska is a harbour town on Croatia's central Dalmatian coast, backed by the limestone wall of Mount Biokovo and facing the islands of Brač and Hvar across the channel. Hotels line a roughly two-kilometre pebble beach and the palm-shaded Riva promenade around the old Franciscan harbour. It works as a base for beach time, ferry hops to the islands, and day trips into the Biokovo hills.
Hotels in Makarska sit between Mount Biokovo's cliff wall and a curving pebble bay, which decides where you should stay before star ratings even enter the picture. The Riva promenade holds harbour hotels within walking distance of the Franciscan Monastery and the ferry quay for Brač, while the beachfront strip running south toward Osejava puts swimmers closer to the water than anywhere else on the promenade. Families lean toward the pavilion-style resorts spread along the pine-backed shore north of town, couples toward the smaller boutique addresses near Kačić Square. Split Airport sits roughly an hour's drive north, and the Makarska–Sumartin ferry runs straight from the harbour for day trips to Brač.
Makarska at a glance
Boutique Hotel Ani - Adults Only
Apartments Naja - Makarska Exklusiv
Boutique Hotel Mirjam
Hotel Osejava
Heritage Hotel Porin Makarska
Hotel Antonio
Aminess Laurel Khalani Hotel
Hotel Central Beach 9
Hotel Maritimo
Romana Beach Resort
Valamar Meteor Hotel
Hotel Park Makarska
Hotel Milenij
Hotel Biokovo
PLACES Dalmacija by Valamar
Aparthotel Miramare
Sunny Makarska by Valamar
Hotel Rosina
Hotel Heritage Casa Blanka
What to expect
- Riva promenade hotels within walking distance of the harbour and ferry quay
- Beachfront strip toward Osejava for direct pebble-beach access
- Pavilion-style family resorts among pine trees north of town
- Old Town around Kačić Square for boutique and heritage stays
- Biokovo Nature Park rising directly behind the hotel strip
- Ferry connections to Brač departing from Makarska harbour
Local tips
- ✓Book Riva-side if you want the harbour, the Franciscan Monastery and the ferry quay within a five-minute walk of your room.
- ✓Choose the pavilion resorts north of town if you're travelling with kids who need a kids' pool and flat beach access.
- ✓Check the ferry timetable at Makarska harbour before booking near the port if a Brač day trip is part of the plan.
- ✓Pack proper water shoes, since most of the Makarska Riviera's beach is pebble rather than sand.
- ✓Drive up toward Biokovo Nature Park early in the day, the road gets busy with day-trippers by midday.
- ✓Stay closer to Kačić Square if restaurants and evening life matter more to you than direct beach access.
Where to stay
FAQ
What is the best area to stay in Makarska?
The Riva promenade around the harbour suits travellers who want the Franciscan Monastery, restaurants and the Brač ferry within walking distance, while the beachfront strip toward Osejava and the pavilion resorts north of town put swimmers closer to the pebble beach itself.
What types of hotels does Makarska have?
Makarska mixes beachfront resorts and pavilion-style family hotels along the pine-backed shore, boutique and heritage addresses around the Old Town, and aparthotels with kitchenettes near the harbour, covering everything from adults-only wellness stays to family resorts with kids' pools.
When is the best time to visit Makarska?
Late May through June and September keep the sea swimmable while leaving the Riva promenade and the ferry queues to Brač noticeably quieter than the July and August peak, when both the beach and the harbour hotels fill fast.
How do you get from Makarska to the islands of Brač and Hvar?
Ferries and catamarans leave from Makarska harbour for Sumartin on Brač, with onward road or boat connections toward Hvar, which makes a harbour-side hotel useful for anyone planning an island day trip from town.
Is Makarska walkable without a car?
The Riva promenade, the Old Town around Kačić Square and the harbour ferry quay all sit within a twenty-minute walk of each other, though hotels further along the pine-backed shore north of town rely on the coastal road or a short taxi ride.
What can you do near Makarska besides the beach?
Biokovo Nature Park rises directly behind the town for hiking and mountain driving, while the Cetina River inland is a common day trip for rafting, giving beach-focused stays an inland counterpart within easy reach.