In the past decade or so, Croatia has become a firm favourite with curious travellers keen to find out what all the fuss is about. The good news is you can totally believe the hype – because Croatia is, in a nutshell, simply wonderful from east to west and north to south.
The stunning Dalmatia region of the country is renowned for its gorgeous beaches, which are lapped by the Adriatic Sea, but also for its depth of history. So, for anyone looking for a destination that offers the chance for some deep and meaningful relaxation, but also the opportunity to scratch beneath its sun-kissed surface, the Dalmatian Coast can certainly deliver the goods.
Make Mine Makarska
The beautiful coastal town of Makarska is nestled in an idyllic bay on the Makarska Riviera, framed by lush woody headlands and backdropped by the impressive sight of Mt. Biokovo. It’s the ideal place for a laidback getaway, with access to some truly gorgeous beaches and countryside, but it’s also imbued with history and culture at every turn. Here’s our top four attractions not to miss.
The Old Town
As anywhere, if you want to get straight to the soul of the town, head to the historic Old Town. Aside from being a brilliant photo opportunity, with its stark, clean lines and dramatic backdrop, Kacic Square, the heart of the Old Town, features one of the town’s most important landmarks. The Baroque St Mark’s Church dates back to 1700, and houses an extensive collection of important religious artworks. It’s well worth exploring the cool interiors, while outside there’s a statue of the local Franciscan friar and poet, Andrija Kačić Miošić, as well as a lovely fountain. For the most part, though, simply wandering the streets and stopping for refreshment in one of the cafes will give you a real insight into local life.
The Nature Reserve
If you’re up for getting out into the fresh air and up close and personal with nature, a spot of hiking (there are trails of varying difficulties) in the Biokovo Nature Reserve is a must. The landscape is ridiculously picturesque, and you pass by prehistoric ruins, abandoned villages, groves of olives and grapes, and lush forested areas. If you’re game, aim for Sveti Jure, the ultimate peak at 1,762m, or for something a little easier, the Staza peak is 897m. But if you’re not feeling as energetic as all that, you can also hire a scooter to navigate the windy roads to the peaks – although that option is not for the faint-hearted! However you get elevated, the views over the town, surrounding region, and out over the Adriatic Sea are nothing short of spectacular.
The Islands (Hvar and Brač)
You can’t stay here and not do a little island hopping, because the much-loved Hvar and Brač are just so close! Book onto an island-hopping cruise and explore both in just a few hours, and you’ll be very glad you did. For two islands so close to each other, they have distinctly different personalities. Brac is home to the famous (and absolutely gorgeous) Zlatni Rat Beach and is a little more laidback than its neighbour Hvar, which has a very lively nightlife after the sun goes down. However, Hvar also has some excellent historical sites that you can take your time to explore, including an old monastery.
The Makarska Monastery
Back on the mainland and dating back to the fifteenth century, the town’s Franciscan monastery has had a number of incarnations over the centuries, destroyed (by invaders and also natural events) and rebuilt several times. This storied past is defined through its blend of architectural influences, topped off by the Baroque bell tower. Today it makes a fitting home for about five thousands rare books, journals and manuscripts, along with some valuable historic artworks. Arguably the highlight of the monastery, though, can be found in the grounds, in the form of the fascinating Shell Museum, which features more than 3,000 shells from around the world.
For a small town, Makarska packs a pretty hefty punch and the above are just a few of the many local highlights you’ll be able to discover on even a short stay in this charming coastal enclave. If you’ve got longer, you’re in for even more of a treat, with the entire Dalmatian Coast laid out like a jewel of Croatia waiting for you to explore.
Where to Stay
Hotel Central Beach 9: Located in a brilliant position just a few steps from the gorgeous beach, this quality hotel offers well-appointed contemporary rooms with air-conditioning and all the mod-cons. Featuring a kitchenette, TV and a private bathroom, you can choose to stay in a unit with a balcony to take in the fantastic location. There’s an onsite restaurant, delicious buffet breakfast, and you’re within easy access of the many attractions of the town.
Hotel Park Makarska: Beautiful modern rooms, a fantastic beachfront location, and views for days – what more could you want? How about an onsite spa and wellness centre, a la carte restaurant, free WiFi, air-conditioning and an outdoor pool, bar and sun terrace? This superb hotel has all that and plenty more besides!
Valamar Meteor Hotel: Featuring elegantly appointed rooms, fantastic onsite amenities including four pools (indoor and outdoor), a wellness centre, a fabulous sun terrace overlooking the ocean, and an exclusive restaurant, Valamar Meteor enjoys an outstanding location right on the beautiful beachfront. A relaxing and memorable home-from-home hotel!
How to Get There
The easiest way to get started on your holiday as quickly as possible is to fly into Split Airport, which has a flight time of around 2.5 hours from UK airports. Flights start from as low as £43, with numerous carriers including EastJet, Jet2, and British Airways (among others) offering a good range of times to suit your needs.
Once you land at the airport in Croatia, if you’ve pre-booked a Makarska transfer with Shuttle Direct, getting the rest of the way to your accommodation is a breeze. You can choose either a shared service or a private, door-to-door one, and your journey will be fast, comfortable and stress free.
Overview
UK to SPU Flight Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
SPU to Makarska Distance: 102 kilometres
Shuttle Direct Split Transfer: 1 hr, 13 minutes approx.
Types of Transfer
There’s more than one way of getting from Split Airport to Makarska with Shuttle Direct. Depending on the way you like to travel and how much you’ve budgeted for your airport transfers, there are a few different options from which to choose.
If you’re looking to save a bit of money and don’t mind travelling with other passengers, one of our economical shared shuttle buses is a great way to go. You’ll meet at a designated point and travel in a clean, comfortable vehicle from Split Airport to Makarska. Because the cost is split over all the passengers it’s a lot cheaper than a private transfer.
If you prefer to travel on your own but don’t like the thought of standing in a taxi queue, a pre-booked taxi is a great way to get from the airport at Split to Makarska. When you land, your driver will be waiting to deliver you right to the door of your accommodation without delay.
A minibus is a fantastic option for those travelling with family or friend groups. It means everyone (and their associated luggage) will be able to travel in the same vehicle, which makes it both logistically easy and very budget-friendly.
For those looking for a touch of luxury, one of our private Split transfers will give it to you. As soon as your flight lands, your driver will meet you inside the terminal to escort you to the vehicle, and you’ll be whisked to your accommodation in style and comfort, ready to start your holiday as you mean to go on!
Choosing the Right Transfer
While there are various choices for your Makarska transfer, everyone’s needs are different so only you can decide which one suits you best. Basically it will come down to prioritising cost or convenience.
Cost: If you’d rather save a little money, which could be better spent on other things on your holiday, a cost-effective shared shuttle bus is probably your best option. You’ll need to meet at a prearranged location outside the terminal, and you’ll then be dropped at a central location in your destination.
Convenience: However, if a door-to-door service is a no-brainer for you, then one of our luxury private transfers, or a pre-booked taxi are your best options for getting from the airport at Split to Makarska. You won’t have to think about meeting points or waiting around for other passengers, but you’ll pay a little extra for the privilege of convenience.
About Shuttle Direct
Here at Shuttle Direct we know everything there is to know about airport transfers. We provide safe, comfortable and affordable transfers to and from destinations all over the world. With a range of services, from shared shuttles right up to top-of-the-range luxury private vehicles, we’ve got something to suit every traveller’s needs and budget. Pre-book with us and then sit back and enjoy the service!
