We set off from Dubrovnik for our final coastal destination.  A scenic drive along the coast, pastries and espresso at the local cafe in Trpanj while waiting in the port for the ferry, then another ferry ride for our little red car (reversing the previous trip when heading to Dubrovnik) and we arrived at Makarska.

We read that Makaska was Croatia’s “French Riviera” but the reality was somewhat different to our imagined destination.

Not what we expected…..

By Australian standards, you would probably relate it to Surfers Paradise but on a smaller scale, a very much smaller scale.  The strip of beach is very small and where we are used to soft white sand, there’s only pebbles.  A small space on a chair or lying on a towel is premium real estate.

It’s a popular destination for northern Europeans, Russians, Croats and Bosnians.  Many are seen scanning the beach at breakfast time to secure their spot, leaving a reserved item for when they return swimwear donned for a whole day baking (read “cooking”) themselves in the sun showing plenty of skin in various stages of burn to leather.  Some of the sights actually hurt your eyes….

But the water is very blue and beautiful.

And it was a very pleasant promenade for refreshments.

Makarska is a port town on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, known for its beaches, seafront promenade and nightlife.   It’s situated on a small bay between wooded headlands with the striking black backdrop of Mt Biokovo which looks like it’s painted on a canvas as a backdrop.  Very stange.

There’s an old town of course featuring a church and surrounding shops and a large mariner with boats of varying sizes and price tags.

 

We were staying at a resort style hotel this time and I was very pleased to see a bath, having missed a good relaxing soak.

We chose a harbour side restaurant for our one night and as expected there were plenty of seafood dishes to choose from.   Thoroughly enjoyed Spagetti with Scampi and a Gnocchi with Gorgonzola & Salmon (quite rich as you can imagine).  The only drawback was trying to find a table far enough away from other smoking diners.

Jeff & Catherine xx