Makarska City Guide
Image by Tom Wheatley via unsplash

Croatia

Makarska City Guide

Split-Dalmatia County

Makarska is a small town on Croatia's Dalmatian coast with pebble beaches and clear sea. It sits below the Biokovo mountains, offering easy access to nature and a relaxed vibe. The town is popular with tourists but has fewer amenities than bigger cities.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
7

Seafood and local dishes like Peka, Pašticada are popular. Italian and European cuisines are available too. Vegan/vegetarian options exist but may be limited. Some places open late in summer.

Local Dishes:
Grilled fish, Octopus salad, Peka, Pašticada, Dalmatian prosciutto
International Cuisine:
Italian, European
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
7

Active nightlife in summer with bars, clubs, and beach venues.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Strong cafe culture with good espresso spots, though fewer specialty coffee shops.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is optional but appreciated. Around 5-10% in restaurants, rounding up in taxis.

Top Attractions
Makarska Beach
Beach
Main pebble beach right in town.
Makarska Promenade
Sight
Scenic walkway along the coast.
St. Mark's Church
Cultural
Historic church in town center.
Malacological Museum
Museum
Shell and sea life exhibits.
Biokovo Nature Park
Outdoor
Mountain park nearby with hiking trails.
SIM Cards

SIM cards are sold at kiosks and provider stores (HT, A1, Telemach). ID is needed to register. eSIMs are available with some providers.

Available at:
Hrvatski Telekom
A1
Telemach
Recommended Apps
Google Maps(Navigation)
Bolt(Transport)
WhatsApp(Communication)
Revolut(Finance)
HRT Meteo(Weather)
ParkMe(Transport)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
7

Streets are clean, especially in tourist areas. Recycling exists but is limited.

24/7 Services
Limited
4

Some pharmacies on 24/7 rotation, few minimarts open late, emergency care available at health center.

Groceries
Konzum
Lidl
Tommy

Supermarkets like Konzum, Lidl, and Tommy offer local & some international products. Fresh markets sell produce and fish. Shops mostly open 7 AM - 9 PM but may close on Sundays.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Card payments work in most places, but it's good to have some cash for markets and small shops.

ATMs

ATMs are common in town, including banks like Erste, OTP, and Zagrebačka. Watch for fees and avoid dynamic currency conversion.

Schools
Local only

Schools teach in Croatian. No international schools in Makarska; options are in Split.

Available Schools:
Osnovna škola Makarska

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Not Available
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Cafes along the promenade
Many have Wi-Fi and power outlets during the day.
Town center cafes
Comfortable spots for working.
Alternatives:
Makarska City Library
Quiet space for work.
Hotel lobbies
Sometimes good for working, especially off-peak.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
2

Limited nomad community; few meetups or coworking spaces.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Excellent
8

Several parks and shaded areas, good for walking and running.

Running
Excellent
8

Promenade and parks offer safe, scenic running routes.

Gyms
Available

Several gyms and sports halls available.

Available Gyms:
Fitness Centar Makarska
Gym & Fitness Centar Body Fit
Tennis
Good
6

Tennis courts at hotels and sports centers, some equipment rental.

Padel
Poor
3

Padel courts are uncommon but interest is growing.

Yoga
Good
6

A few yoga studios offer classes, including drop-in options with English-speaking instructors.

Martial Arts
Limited
4

Some clubs offer traditional martial arts like karate and taekwondo.

Skiing
Poor
0

No ski resorts nearby.

Water Sports
Good
7

Kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and windsurfing rentals available in summer.

Surfing
Poor
2

Traditional surfing is limited. Windsurfing and kitesurfing are more popular.

Diving
Excellent
8

Good dive sites with caves, reefs, and wrecks. Suitable for all skill levels.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
7

Local health center covers general and emergency care. KBC Split hospital has English speakers for serious cases. Pharmacies are common, some open 24/7 in rotation.

Hospitals:
Dom Zdravlja Makarska
KBC Split
Pharmacies:
Ljekarna Makarska
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is safe to drink here.

Common Scams
Overcharging taxis, Fake taxis, Pickpocketing, Tourist trap prices

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Excellent
8

There are playgrounds and kid-friendly cafes. Baby supplies are easy to find. Beaches and museums offer family activities.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Good
6

Generally accepting, but fewer dedicated LGBTQ+ spaces.

Pet Friendly
Good
6

Pet-friendly places are growing. Vet clinics and pet supplies available.

Communities
Makarska Riviera Info (Social)
Expats in Split & Dalmatia (Social)
Makarska Tourist Board (Official)

Quick Facts

Population
13,301
Power Reliability
Excellent
9/10

Electricity is stable with rare outages.

Beach Access
Available

Long pebble beaches with clear water, close to the town center.

Mountains
Available

Biokovo mountains rise near town with trail access from outskirts.

Languages
Croatian(100%)
English(80%)
German(50%)
Emergency
112
General Emergency
194
Ambulance
193
Fire Department
192
Police

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
2
🏔️
Earthquake
Moderate Risk
6

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Extreme heat
June, July, August
Temperatures often go above 30°C during summer.

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