Makarska vs Split: Which Should You Stay In?

Two Very Different Kinds of Holiday

Split and Makarska are 60 kilometres apart on the Dalmatian coast, and they represent two fundamentally different holiday experiences. Split is a city — ancient, layered, complex, with Roman ruins, a ferry terminal, a nightlife scene, and an airport. Makarska is a resort town — beautiful, relaxed, beach-focused, and built almost entirely for summer visitors. One is not better than the other. It depends entirely on what you're looking for.

Choose Split If...

You want easy access to the islands. Split's ferry terminal connects to Hvar, Brač, Vis, Šolta, Korčula, and dozens of smaller islands. Makarska has no ferry connections to the major islands.

You want history and culture. Diocletian's Palace, the cathedral, the underground cellars, the museums, the markets — Split is a city with 1,700 years of continuous history and an extraordinary amount to explore on foot.

You want variety. Split has better restaurants, more nightlife options, a wider range of accommodation types, and more day trip possibilities than Makarska.

You're flying in. Split Airport is 25km from the city centre. The nearest airport to Makarska is Split or Dubrovnik, both requiring a 1-1.5 hour drive.

You want more of a city-break feeling. Split feels like a real city even in summer. It has a culture and pace of life that exists independently of tourism.

Choose Makarska If...

Beaches are your priority. Makarska's beaches are significantly better than Split's. The main beach in Makarska town is a long, clean strip of pebble beneath the Biokovo mountain — one of the best urban beaches in Dalmatia. The surrounding riviera (Brela, Baška Voda, Tučepi) is even better, with pebble beaches and water clarity that rivals the islands.

You want a relaxed, resort feel. Makarska is built around relaxation — the promenade, the beach, the evening stroll (korzo), the seafood restaurants. It is quieter and more laid-back than Split.

You want dramatic mountain scenery. Biokovo mountain rises almost vertically behind Makarska to 1,762 metres. The contrast between the mountain wall and the Adriatic below is one of the most dramatic landscapes in Croatia. The Biokovo Skywalk (a glass walkway on the mountain) is one of the most extraordinary viewpoints in the country.

You're travelling with family. Makarska is well set up for families — calmer beaches, more affordable accommodation, a relaxed town centre with no pressure to do much except enjoy the coast.

Why Not Both?

Split and Makarska are only 60 km apart and connected by a beautiful coastal road (or regular bus service). The standard approach for many visitors is to base in Split for the first 3-4 days — exploring the city, doing day trips to Hvar and Brač — then move down to Makarska for the final 2-3 days for beaches and the Biokovo scenery.

Alternatively, base in Split for the entire trip and do Makarska as a day trip (1 hour by bus). This works well if you want to see the riviera without the logistics of changing accommodation.

Adriatic Pass Covers Both

Adriatic Pass includes experiences and discounts in both Split and Makarska — 4x4 off-road Biokovo adventures, Split boat tours, island experiences, and more. If you're spending time in both places, one pass covers the whole trip.

See Split experiences and Makarska experiences to plan what to do in each location.