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Makarska riviera atractions
A combination of nature, sea and mountains - a romantic postcard of Central Dalmatia. The Makarska Riviera is full of natural beauty and cultural and historical attractions. Enjoy the views of the stars, learn all about shells and fish and enrich your vacation with great experiences!
Biokovo Nature Park
Biokovo is a mountain range that leaves all visitors breathless with its rich flora and fauna. The nature park is located above the Makarska Riviera and is an ideal place for all lovers of hiking, climbing, cycling and sightseeing.
In the Biokovo Nature Park you can easily meet chamois, wild cats, mouflons, marten weasels, snakes and many other animals.
Biokovo peak, St. Jure (St George) is with 1762 m altitude, 3rd highest peak in the Republic of Croatia, after the peak Sinjal (1831 m altitude) and the peak Kamešnica (1809 m altitude) on the mountain Dinara. However, as the TV transmitter on St. Jure is 90 m high and it is located about 2 m lower than the very top, the top of the transmitter is with altitude of 1850 m, the highest point in Croatia. From St. Jure is a fantastic view on the Makarska Riviera, islands and hinterland.
On clear days it is even possible to see the Mt. Gargano in Italy, from an incredible distance of 250 km.
It is important to note that tickets can be purchased exclusively online through the website of the Biokovo Nature Park, and due to the traffic on Biokovska road, the entrance to the Park is possible for 25 vehicles every full hour.
In the period from 01.06.-30.09. entrance to the Nature Park is possible from 6:00 to 20:00 (the last entrance to the Park is at 19:00).
Skywalk
The most attractive lookout point in Croatia
Skywalk Biokovo is a modern horseshoe-shaped lookout, built outside a steep stone cliff with a glass walkway and a protective fence that at the most protruding point in the length of 12 m covers the cliffs.
It is located at 1228 m above sea level near Makarska - in the Nature Park Biokovo. The view from the Skywalk leaves everyone breathless.
It offers a spectacular view of Biokovo's vertical rocks, the Makarska coast, the Adriatic Sea and numerous islands:
- Brač
- Hvar
- Vis
- Pelješac peninsula
- Korčula
- Mljet
Even Italy can be seen on particularly clear days. Skywalk has the ability to receive up to 30 visitors at a time, which makes it time-limited to stay on the glass platform.
Right next to the Skywalk is the Ravna Vlaška Information Center, which is open to visitors every day throughout the season. At Information Center visitors can get information about the Park, get acquainted with the geological past of Biokovo based on a geological pillar, see photos of flora and fauna and learn about glacier pits and the life of residents in secondary livestock settlements in the past. Promotional material is available at the Center and numerous thematic educational and promotional souvenirs can be purchased.
The working hours are harmonized with the working hours of the Biokovo Nature Park and are subject to change, where up-to-date information can be found on the Park's website.
Saint Peters lighthouse
Another symbol of Makarska is located at the entrance of the city - 10 meters from the sea on the peninsula of the same name- Saint Peter. The lighthouse was built in 1884. In front of the lighthouse there is a beautiful terrace from which come the magical sounds of the sea and waves.
Take a walk through the peninsula itself, which is adorned with rich flora and fauna, and "lock" your love with your loved one on numerous lookouts, because as the locals themselves say, this is a peninsula of love.
Malacological Museum
Makarska Malacological Museum is one of the most valuable cultural institutions.
The Malacological Museum is part of the Franciscan Monastery and was founded by Jure Radić, known as the "Father of Biokovo", who left the most valuable heritage of the Makarska Riviera with an attractive exhibition of shellfish from the Adriatic Sea and around the world. The museum contains more than 3000 specimens of shells and in the museum you can see not only the shells of the Adriatic Sea, but also many types of tropical and subtropical seas, which are the most attractive colours and shapes among all shells. In the exhibition you can see shells from other seas and oceans from:
- Hawaii
- Oceania
- California
- China
- Japan
- the Caribbean
- Australia
- Madagascar
- Tanzania
- the Philippines
- Indonesia
- the Red Sea
- Antarctica and the Coral Barrier
Osejava Forest Park
This beautiful forest park connects Makarska and Tučepi. You can enjoy nature through macadam paths that are ideal for walking, running or cycling. Exploring the forest itself, you will come across a hidden cove or beach that can only be yours that day.
A little cycling, a little swimming and sunbathing, enjoying nature and the crystal clear sea is a real paradise for all tourists looking for an active vacation. Through the park forest in certain places there are benches for rest and respite. Explore all the lookouts from where you can see fantastic view of the nearby islands on one side and the Biokovo mountain massif on the other.
Astropark and observatory
One of the biggest attractions of the city of Makarska and is also the youngest observatory in Croatia. It is located in the center of Makarska on a small hill called Glavica, which is surrounded by forest that provides as much darkness as possible, which is ideal for a view of the endless sky. Every year in mid-August, the observatory hosts the traditional Space Days event.
Why in mid-August?
Because then meteor showers fall from the sky, popularly known as the tears of St. Lawrence.
The observatory is open from 21:00 till 00:00 in summer.
Sanctuary Vepric
If you are looking for a place on the Makarska Riviera for a spiritual renewal and prayer in an environment of enchanting nature, visit the sanctuary Vepric, dedicated to the Mother of God of Lourdes.
The sanctuary is located at the western entrance to Makarska and it consists of a cave with a statue of The Virgin Mary, a chapel, an open-air altar, a Stations of the Cross, etc.
The sanctuary consists of a chapel with a sacristy, an altar in the square, a confessional, a Stations of the Cross, a home for spiritual exercises and a procession path.
This is one of the most visited Croatian shrines and an unavoidable place of pilgrimage on the path of spiritual renewal.
If you find yourself on the Makarska Riviera on August 15th, during the feast of the Assumption, be sure to visit the sanctuary.
Parish Church of Our Lady of the Rosary
The parish church is located in the municipality of Podgora in the town of Igrane.
Located in the bay of the same name below Biokovo, right next to it, a beautiful bell tower rises towards the sky, modelled on that of Saint Duje in Split.
A little lower than the bell tower is another building that stands out, and that is Zale tower, which is well preserved for over 400 years, and is named after Ivan Antičić - Zale, the legendary hero who built it to serve him and his army in defence from the Turkish invasion.
Kotišina Botanical Garden
It is located just above the town of Makarska, above the village of Kotišina.
The garden was founded by Jure Radić (1920-1990), franciscan and scientist, with the purpose of preserving and getting to know the flora of the mountain Biokovo.
There are several hiking trails through the garden, and about 300 wild plant grow in the garden, from typically Mediterranean to mountain, and a small number of introduced exotic plant species.
This is not a botanical garden in the classical sense of the word, where each plant is introduced according to certain rules, but is conceived as a "fenced part of nature", where natural forms of vegetation with native flora will be preserved.
Near the botanical garden you can see fortress called Veliki Kaštel from the 17th century, converted into an Interpretation Center. It is the central place of interpretation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage of the Makarska Riviera.
To get to the Kotišina Botanical Garden and the Veliki Kaštel Interpretation Center, you must turn north after exiting Makarska in the direction of the town called Vrgorac, from the same road as for the main entrance to the Biokovo Nature Park, but about 5 km before. A narrow road after about 1.5 km leads to the garden and interpretation center.
Even more attractive is the visit the garden on foot from the center of Makarska, above the center market which takes you to the Botanical Garden in about 45 minutes.
The entrance to the botanical garden is free, and is open on weekdays from 08.00 to 13.00 and from 15.00 to 20.00.
Note: closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Podbiokovo villages
The villages above Brela, Makarska, Tučepi, Podgora, Igrane and Živogošće are very picturesque.
In the villages you can still see what this area used to look like, the original rural architecture combined with beautiful views of the coast and the islands of Brač, Hvar and Korčula.
These houses have been built especially solidly since ancient times, in order to withstand the gusts of the wind called bura, which sometimes clog up to 150 km / h.
It is interesting to mention that before the Second World War, the local villagers were engaged in extracting ice from the Biokovo pits in order to supply Makarska hotels at a time when there were no refrigerators. After extraction, they had to be transported to Makarska without melting. It was hard work, but necessary for survival.
Many villages were abandoned after the devastating earthquake of 1962, but even today some enthusiasts try to revive this picturesque area. If you are interested in the ‘hidden’ side of tourism with the powerful story behind it, be sure to take a walk through these villages.
Choose Makarska Riviera because of the magnificent blue sea and endless pebble beaches in the shade of pine trees under which you will find your fragrant corner of paradise. Do not miss to climb to Biokovo mountain and organize trips to the listed attractions and create unforgettable moments.
