Makarska is a small city on the Adriatic coastline of Croatia, about 60 km (37 mi) southeast of Split and 140 km (87 mi) northwest of Dubrovnik. It has a population of 13,834 residents. Administratively, Makarska has the status of a city and it is part of the Split-Dalmatia County.
Makarska is a tourist centre, located on a horseshoe-shaped bay between the Biokovo mountains and the Adriatic Sea. The city is noted for its palm-fringed promenade, where cafés, bars and boutiques overlook the harbour. Adjacent to the beach are several large capacity hotels as well as a camping ground.
The centre of Makarska is an old town with narrow stone-paved streets, a main church square where there is a flower and fruit market and a Franciscan monastery that houses a sea shell collection featuring a giant clam shell.
Makarska is the centre of the Makarska Riviera, a popular tourist destination under the Biokovo mountain. It stretches for 60 km (37 mi) between the towns of Brela and Gradac.
Its former cathedral of Saint Mark was the see of the former Roman Catholic Diocese of Makarska, which was merged in 1828 into the Diocese of Split-Makarska.
Makarska has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. Winters are warm and wet, while summers are hot and dry. Makarska is one of the warmest cities in Croatia.
Vegetation is of the evergreen Mediterranean type and subtropical flora (palm trees, agaves, cacti) grow in the city and its surroundings.
