IAS NIKA TRAVEL

Makarska & Makarska Riviera, Dalmatia, Croatia

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Makarska Riviera is a part of the Dalmatian Adriatic coast, about 60km long and only several kilometres wide, squeezed under towering mountain Biokovo. A string of settlements along the coast from the border with the Omiš coast on north-west to Neretva delta on the south-east. The biggest towns along Makarska Riviera are: Brela, Baska Voda, Promajna, Makarska, Tucepi, Podgora, Drasnice, Igrane, Drvenik, Zaostrog and Gradac. Sunny climate and long pebbly beaches make this region a popular tourist destination.

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The town Makarska is situated within the Makarska Riviera, about 60 km south-east of Split and 140 km Northwest of Dubrovnik. Makarska is the centre of the Makarska Riviera, a popular tourist destination framed by the Biokovo mountain.

Makarska has a rich cultural and historical heritage. A special attraction is the Malacological Museum (in the Franciscan monastery) with an interesting and unique collection from the Adriatic and other seas in the world. It is considered one of the most beautiful and richest malacological museums in the world. It is a tourist centre, located on a horseshoe shaped bay between the Biokovo mountain and the Adriatic Sea.

The city is noted for its palm-fringed promenade, where fashionable cafés, bars and boutiques overlook the pretty harbour where many pleasure craft are moored. Adjacent to the beach are several large capacity hotels as well as a camping grounds.

Athletes and recreation enthusiasts may use numerous playgrounds, facilities and equipment for all kinds of sports on the ground and in the sea. The tennis camp has nine clay courts; one colour set court and two lighted indoor clay courts. This modern tennis centre, situated close to the famous beach of Makarska, is often the venue of important tennis tournaments.

Makarska is also a health resort, with the well-known recreational and health centre Biokova, which offers various therapeutic services. Very pleasant are walks along the port and public beaches, and mountain lovers may go by one of the mountain trails to the peaks of Biokovo, which offers a panoramic view on the surroundings, fresh air and quietness. Biokovo Mountain has very interesting geomorphological forms and endemic plant species. High game is amply represented there.

Cultural and entertainment programs are an integral part of the life of Makarska, especially during the tourist season. The traditional Makarska Cultural Summer takes place in July and August, offering a rich drama and concert program, performances of Dalmatian harmony-singing groups, art exhibitions, recitals and folk music performances. The most popular events are the Fishermen's Night.

The area of Makarska was inhabited by the Illyrians. The city appears in the Tabula Peutingeriana as the port of Inaronia, but is mentioned as Muccurum in a document of the synod held in the Salona (533), when also the town's diocese was created. In the 7th century the region between the Cetina and Neretva was occupied by the Slavs, who established the Neretva Principality, with Makarska as its administrative centre. The dodge of Venice Pietro I Candiano, whose Venetian fleet aimed to punish the piratesque activities of the city's vessels, was defeated here on September 18, 877. The principality was annexed to the Kingdom of Croatia in the 12th century, and was conquered by the Republic of Venice a century later. In the late 15th century the Ottomans conquered Makarska (cited by this name for the first time in 1502), surrounding it with walls provided with three towers, not disappeared.

After the return under the Venetian aegis from 1646, it was given to the Austrians by the Treaty of Campo Formio (1797). In 1805-1815 it was under French rule, which brought cultural, social and economic development. The Congress of Vienna assigned Makarska to Austria-Hungary, under which it remained until 1918.In the early 20th century agriculture, trade and fishing remained the mainstay of economy. In 1914 the first hotel was built, beginning the tourism tradition in the area.

Podgora is a small town on Makarska Riviera. This little fishing village is mentioned first time in the 19 century as a birth place of Don Mihovil Pavlinovic, priest, politician and writer, the first person to speak Croatian in the Dalmatian parliament, seeking the unification of Dalmatia and Croatia. Podgora is a modern tourist destination, with favourable climate, the pebbly beaches and cosy bays with the sea which is relatively warm very early in the year. Podgora is an attractive seaside resort from the early spring to the late autumn.

Its rare beautiful landscape, the azure sky and the limpid sea make Podgora the peerless beauty spot of the Adriatic. The nature park Biokovo offers possibilities for mountain biking, climbing and wanderings course. Your pleasure will be increased by the well organized trips to near islands, Dubrovnik, Split or the Krka waterfalls, by the unforgettable morning or evening promenades along the sea or by the romantic fishing expeditions at night.

Brela is a tourist town located between the Biokovo mountain and the Adriatic Sea . It's known as the pearl of Makarska Riviera. The pearl of Adriatic or the pearl of Mediterranean is the name given to the city of Dubrovnik. In 1968 Brela was crowned as "Champion of Adriatic" for high achievements in tourist activity.  Even though Brela is rather densely populated with tourists in the season, it maintains a relaxed atmosphere and remains a place for families rather than the young party crowd. The beach is pebbly and the water crystal clear, which is due to the filtration provided by the sheer mountains lying as the backdrop to the village.

In Makarska Riviera you can find accommodation in hotels, apartments, holiday houses, luxury villas, rooms and camp-sites.