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Franciscan Monastery & Shell Museum
There's a huge contemporary mosaic in the apse of the monastery's church and a well-presented shell museum tucked around the back (enter from Alkarska), the labour of love of a past friar.
Getty Images/Robert Harding World Imagery
Makarska
Makarska is a beach resort with a spectacular natural setting, backed by the glorious Biokovo mountain range. While the outskirts are a little shabby, there's a lovely long waterfront promenade and a pretty limestone centre that turns peachy orange at sunset. Active types base themselves here to take advantage of the nearby hiking, climbing, paragliding, mountain biking, windsurfing and swimming opportunities, and the good transport connections.
Makarska is favoured by tourists from neighbouring Bosnia, who descend on the town’s long pebbly beach in huge numbers during summer. It’s also popular with seniors as a medical-tourism destination.
The high season is pretty raucous, with many buzzing nightlife spots, but it's also a lot of fun for those with children. If you’re interested in hanging around beach bars and clubs, playing volleyball and generally lounging about, you’ll like Makarska. Outside the high season, things are quiet.
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Makarska.
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Buba
For a party atmosphere, head past the town beach to Buba beach, near the Hotel Rivijera, where music pumps all day during summer.
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Town Beach
Makarska's long, pebbly town beach stretches from the Sveti Petar park northwest along the bay. It's lined with hotels, ice-cream shops and beachy stalls.
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Makarska Municipal Museum
Kill time on a rainy day tracing the town’s history by checking out this collection of photos, old stones and nautical relics.