Brela or Makarska: Which Is Better for Your Holiday?

Brela is a good choice if you want to spend most of your holiday on the beach, explore smaller coves and walk beside the sea. Makarska is a better fit if you want more to do between swims, a wider choice of evening activities and easy access to the ferry to Brač.

Your accommodation can make as much difference as the town you choose. An apartment near Brela’s waterfront may be more convenient than a villa high above Makarska. Equally, staying in central Makarska may suit you better than booking somewhere in Brela that involves a steep climb after every trip to the beach.

Brela is part of the Makarska Riviera, so both destinations share the same stretch of the Dalmatian coast. This guide compares Brela with Makarska town to help you decide where to stay.

• Choose Brela if you want to explore coves and spend most of your day beside the water.
• Choose Makarska if you enjoy historic streets, waterfront cafés and a choice of places to go in the evening.
• If you will not have a car, central Makarska is convenient for combining beach days with other activities. Brela also works well if your accommodation is within easy walking distance of the beach, restaurants and shops.
• If you are travelling with children, compare the walk to the beach, the available shade and nearby facilities before choosing your accommodation.
• Stay in Makarska if you want easy access to the public ferry to Sumartin on Brač. You can also join boat excursions that depart from Brela.
• Compare similar accommodation and include transport in your budget, because neither destination is always cheaper.

Brela suits holidays spent mostly on the beach

Brela has around seven kilometres of coastline, with pebble beaches, coves and areas shaded by pines. Punta Rata is its best-known beach, but you can also consider Soline, Podrače, Stomarica and Jakiruša when deciding where to stay.

You can spend the morning swimming, walk along the promenade to lunch and return to the beach in the afternoon. Staying close to the beach you want to use makes it easier to enjoy that kind of relaxed day.

For the most recognisable stretch of coastline, our Punta Rata beach guide explains what to expect before you arrive.

Brela is popular in summer, so you should still expect company on its beaches. The amount of natural shade varies from one spot to another and changes throughout the day. If you are travelling with children or planning a long afternoon outside, look for a beach with suitable shade.

Makarska combines beach time with the convenience of a town

Makarska’s main beach is west of the harbour, with cafés and places to eat along the waterfront. It is convenient if you want to swim, stop for lunch and spend some time in town. Biloševac and Cvitačka are farther west and offer alternatives to the central beach.

Nugal, south of town, takes a little more planning. You reach it on foot or by boat, so it is less convenient if you want to park close to the beach or have a lot to carry.

Think about how often you will return to your accommodation during the day. If you need to go back for lunch or a child’s nap, an easy walk can matter more than a famous view. Water shoes are also useful on the pebble beaches.

A listing that says “close to the beach” does not tell you how many steps are on the route or how the uphill return feels in the heat.

In Brela, the promenade follows the coast, but some accommodation is on steep streets above it. Once you have chosen a beach area, look at the actual walking route from each property to the shore.

In Makarska, staying near the harbour or old town puts restaurants and evening walks close by. Accommodation near the main beach is convenient for swimming, while hillside villas may offer more space and a pool. For a hillside stay, consider how often you will need a car or taxi.

Before you book, ask the property owner these questions.

• What is the actual walking route to the beach, and does it involve steps or a steep climb on the way back?
• Is there a reserved parking space, where is it, and is it included in the price?
• Where are the nearest grocery shop and restaurants, and will they be open during our stay?
• Can a taxi reach the entrance so that we can unload our luggage there?
• Are the bedrooms close to a busy road, a bar terrace or shared outdoor areas?

If you have limited mobility, look beyond the property’s location on the map. Ask about entrance steps, lifts and slopes, as well as the route to the beach.

Our guide to places to stay in Makarska helps you compare hotels, apartments and villas according to the holiday you want.

Makarska suits visitors who like having a choice of things to do in the evening. You can walk along the waterfront, stop at a café or explore Kalalarga and the old-town streets before dinner. Kačić Square and St Mark’s Church are worth including in a town walk, while the Sveti Petar and Osejava peninsulas offer walks beside the sea.

You can also visit museums or plan an evening at the observatory. Opening times vary, so arrange these visits around the hours of the individual attraction.

Brela suits visitors who are happy to have dinner near their accommodation and then take a walk beside the sea. Seasonal water activities and locally departing boat trips give you other ways to spend the day.

If you are travelling as a couple, think about how often you want to go out and how you will get home. A villa above either town may offer the setting you want, but taxis could become a regular part of your evening.

Both destinations can be lively in summer. If a quiet bedroom matters to you, ask about nearby roads and entertainment before booking.

Brela works well for families who want to spend most days on the beach. Makarska may be a better choice if your family wants to combine swimming with town walks and other activities.

With toddlers, look for shade, toilets, somewhere to buy food and an easy route back for a rest. A short, steep walk can be harder than a longer, level one when you are carrying beach bags or pushing a buggy.

With older children or teenagers, consider what everyone wants to do after swimming. Staying in town can be helpful when family members have different interests. A villa with a pool may also suit your group if you expect to spend some afternoons at the property.

Choose your accommodation and beach together. The most suitable family stay is one where everyday journeys are easy for everyone.

You can stay in either destination without a car, provided you choose a convenient location and plan how to reach your accommodation.

Central Makarska is a useful base if you want to visit the beach, spend time in town and take trips from the harbour. Brela also works well without a car if you plan to stay mostly in the area and can walk comfortably to shops and restaurants.

From Split Airport, you can take the airport shuttle to Split’s main bus station and continue by coach along the coast. A direct private transfer avoids the change in Split. Allow extra time for summer traffic whichever option you choose.

If you take a coach to Brela, find out where your service stops and how you will get from there to your accommodation. The stop may be some distance from the harbour or your apartment.

If you choose a hillside property without hiring a car, allow for taxis in your budget. Think about the journeys you will need for luggage, groceries and evenings out.

Public parking in Brela can be hard to find in July and August. Parking around Soline and towards Punta Rata has been listed at €4 an hour, so an included parking space can be a useful benefit when choosing accommodation.

Makarska has several parking zones, and the arrangements vary by season. Cheaper parking may involve a longer walk to the waterfront, so consider both the rate on the sign and the location.

When comparing accommodation prices, use the same dates, number of guests and cancellation terms. Compare the facilities too, especially if you are choosing between a beachfront apartment and a hillside villa with a private pool.

To compare the full cost of your holiday, include these expenses.

• Add the accommodation price, cleaning charges and any other mandatory fees.
• Include parking at your accommodation and at any beaches you plan to visit.
• Allow for airport transport and any local taxis you expect to use.
• Set aside money for meals and the excursions you want to take.

A lower room rate may save less than you expect if you need taxis every day. On the other hand, your group may value the extra space and pool at a villa enough to make hiring a car worthwhile.

Makarska has a direct Jadrolinija ferry to Sumartin on Brač, and the crossing takes roughly an hour. Staying in Makarska is convenient if you plan to use this ferry during your holiday.

The ferry arrives in Sumartin, which is a different town from Bol. To visit Zlatni Rat or a winery in Bol, you will need to travel farther across the island and leave enough time to catch your return ferry.

You can also join boat excursions that depart from Brela. Before choosing one, look at where it goes, how much time you have ashore and where it brings you back. An organised excursion may suit your plans better than arranging a trip by public ferry.

You do not have to stay in both places to enjoy them. Choose one as your base and visit the other during your trip. Brela’s promenade continues towards Baška Voda, but walking all the way towards Makarska is a longer outing that needs more planning.

Choose Brela if you want to spend most of your time swimming, walking along the coast and enjoying relaxed evenings near your accommodation. Look for somewhere with an easy walk to your preferred beach.

Choose Makarska if you want to combine swimming with time in town, evenings out and trips from the harbour. Stay near the old town or main beach for convenience, or consider a hillside villa if you prefer more space and are happy to use a car.

If you are still unsure, imagine a typical day in each place. Think about the walk back from the beach, a trip to the shops and the journey home after dinner. Choose the accommodation that makes those everyday plans easiest.

Is Brela quieter than Makarska?

Brela generally suits visitors looking for a quieter beach holiday, while Makarska has more town activity and nightlife. Both can be busy in summer, so the location of your accommodation still matters.

Is Brela or Makarska better without a car?

Central Makarska is convenient if you want to walk to the beach, restaurants and town attractions. Brela also works well if your accommodation is close to the beach, shops and places to eat.

Which is better for a first visit to the Makarska Riviera?

Choose Makarska for a broad introduction that combines beaches and town activities. Choose Brela if the main purpose of your trip is time by the sea. You can visit the other destination without changing accommodation.

Is Brela cheaper than Makarska?

Prices depend on the property, your dates and what is included. Compare similar accommodation and add parking and transport costs, especially when choosing between a waterfront stay and somewhere uphill.

Image credit: Makarska beach — DaBler / Wikimedia Commons / public domain.