In March, I spent my time in a small Croatian town that most Slovaks and Czechs are familiar with—Makarska. At this time of year, the sea in this area is still too cold for swimming, but there are other ways to spend your time besides swimming. Although I’d already been on two mountain hikes, I wanted to add a shorter walk. And that’s when it occurred to me that it must be possible to walk along the coast from Makarska all the way to the town of Brela. A glance at the map confirmed my hunch; I estimated the distance to be about 10 km. I packed my backpack, filled my water bottle, and headed straight to the starting point.
I set out from Biloševac Beach in Makarska, which is located about 1.5 km west of the city center. This pebble beach is known for its beautiful sea; it offers a variety of amenities and has a complete infrastructure. In the summer, it’s packed with people, but this time I was enjoying the solitude. And it never even occurred to me that a shark would be waiting for me here on the beach… luckily, it was just a stuffed toy 🙂 🙂 🙂 .
*Along the beaches to the village of Krvavica*
Since I was already quite familiar with Biloševac Beach, I didn’t start exploring new ones until I’d walked about 700 meters west. The path itself is beautiful; on one side you have a view of the peaks of the Biokovo Mountains, and on the other, views of the sea (the island of Brač and the Brač Channel). For a while, I walk through open terrain, then through green groves of Dalmatian pines.
There are hidden yet beautiful little beaches here that have even more charm now in March, since they’re empty. I walk along Cvitačka Beach, which is popular with nudists in the summer. I was captivated by the natural rock formations, which I found very photogenic.
Rama Beach also catches my attention. During the summer, there are no lounge chairs, umbrellas, or water attractions here. That’s why there are always fewer people here than on the city beaches. To me, this beach struck me as a balanced combination of fine gravel, refreshing shade, the scent of pine trees, the song of cicadas, and the crystal-clear sea. The dog beach is separated from the rest of the beach by rocks.
Beyond Rama Beach, the path winds for about 700 meters along rocky cliffs, in some places just above the sea. As you can see, it was already so warm here that I changed into a T-shirt and shorts in MARCI 🙂 …
As soon as the rocky stretch ends, I enter the harbor of the village of Krvavica, whose name was first mentioned in 1792, but judging by archaeological sites (Gradina, Lazine, Zakuće), this area was already inhabited in ancient times. During the summer, the harbor hosts fishermen’s evenings and Dalmatian music events. I stop by the harbor for at least a beer and also pay attention to the many local pets 🙂 .
*The villages of Bratuš and Promajna*
The route continues with alternating sections that sometimes run along the coast and sometimes veer slightly away, allowing you to admire the growing lavender and other “flowers.” In the distance, toward the mountains, you can see small vineyards, above which the slopes of Biokovo rise.
About 700 meters from the port of Krvavice lies the fishing village of Bratuš. This village was first mentioned in 1674 and was founded by settlers from the town of Podgora. It features well-preserved Dalmatian architecture and the notable Kačičevi dvori. Of course, the fishing tradition has now been replaced by tourism.
Just past Bratuš, I arrive at a small village that was originally a fishing village dating back to the 17th century, called Promajna. The name comes from a unique natural phenomenon—an unusually rapid sunrise that appears from behind the high mountain above the village later than in the surrounding areas. The rapid sunrise and the warming it brings about cause a transformation—promajna.
*Baška Voda Resort*
From Promajna, I continue for another 3 kilometers and arrive at one of the most famous seaside resorts on the Makarska Riviera—Baška Voda. There is a beach here named after the patron saint of Baška Voda—St. Nicholas the Pilgrim—called Nikolina. It has been awarded the title of the best-equipped beach on the Adriatic. In Baška Voda, I stop for an excellent lunch at the Puntin restaurant and continue on my way.
*Finish in the town of Brela*
The final 2 kilometers will fly by. I can’t get enough of the view of the turquoise sea and the beautiful, empty beaches.
My trip today wasn’t focused on exploring the towns and villages I passed through. I wanted to see what the beaches of the Makarska Riviera look like in March. And I succeeded. That’s why you won’t find any photos of historical landmarks in this post—instead, it’s filled with photos of beaches and mountains.
I really enjoyed the trip and highly recommend it to anyone, since it’s an easy walk. The route is about 10 km long, and there’s practically no elevation gain at all (you’ll probably climb a total of 100 meters).
You can enjoy the Croatian coast in March, not just during the summer. Just don’t let the weather forecast discourage you—just as I didn’t let it discourage me. I was surprised by a snow-covered highway on the way there, but in the end, I was strolling along the beaches in shorts and a T-shirt. In the evenings, I enjoyed the view from the terrace as the setting sun illuminated the Biokovo Mountains before finally “disappearing” into the sea.
If you decide to follow in my footsteps and need advice on accommodations, food, hiking trails, or other ways to spend your time around Makarska and Brela, feel free to contact me via email at ajka@uzisibalkaninak.com, my Facebook page “Enjoy the Balkans differently” or Instagram.
P.S.: All photos are protected by copyright 
