Positioned by the sea and shielded by a mountain, Makarska is truly a gem of the Croatian coast. Both the town and its surroundings are known for their pristine nature and breathtaking sights. Dreamy pebble beaches, steep mountain cliffs and the lakes that seem as if they are sinking into the ground; you will find all of these impressive landmarks and many more in and around Makarska. Read on to find out more!
Makarska Riviera is a true magnet if you are looking for a stretch of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia. Do not miss out on a special hotel in Makarska
Mount Biokovo is known for being the biggest and the highest mountain in Dalmatia and the second-highest in Croatia. It is so close to the coast that it looks like it is rooted in the sea, yet it is so high that it seems to be piercing the clouds. Biokovo was proclaimed a nature park to preserve its unique nature.
While being a tourist attraction all by itself, with barren rocks and steep cliffs intersected by characteristic vegetation, Biokovo Nature Park has some magnificent sites, both historical and contemporary. Kotišina, a little village at the foot of the mountain, is one of them since it hides many historic and natural treasures.
The new must-see spot is Skywalk Biokovo, a lookout in the shape of a horseshoe. Walking on a see-through glass floor 1228 metres above the ground will surely make your heart beat a little faster, but the view you’ll get is incomparable. Looking right down the cliffs or at the sea and the islands across, with a spectacular bird’s eye view of Makarska Riviera are more than enough reasons to be courageous and step onto the skywalk.
Kotišina may be a small village, but it was a witness to plenty of historic events and, more importantly, played an important role in many of them. Veliki Kaštel, a unique fort carved into the cliffs of Biokovo, is definitely the village's highlight. It was built during the Candian War in the 17th century to serve as a shelter.
Since the renovation and reconstruction in 2019, the fort is the residence of the Interpretation Center Veliki Kaštel, an innovative modern place that exhibits archaeological, ethnological and natural heritage of Kotišina and Biokovo. The Interpretation Center, a part of the Makarska City Museum, educates its visitors about the history and influence of Kotišina using modern technologies. A part of the exhibition is dedicated to the natural heritage and various plants that grow in the Biokovo area.
You can see more of those in the Biokovo Botanical Garden Kotišina which consists of indigenous flora growing on the slopes of the mountain. This beautiful botanical garden is also known as “garden of twelve flowering months” because the flowering plants can be found any time of the year.
On the north side of Biokovo, close to a lovely little town of Imotski, you can find two gorgeous karst lakes, both lying in a sinkhole and both named after a colour.
The Blue Lake is named after the colour of the lake itself, showcasing various shades of blue. The lake is situated in a sinkhole and surrounded by the cliffs on top of which is the fortress Topana, built in the 10th century. You can get all the way down to the lake following the trail. The water level varies and it might completely dry out, in which case the locals make an improvised football field at the lake’s bottom. When there is enough water, it is a popular place to go swimming and sunbathing. So, depending on the season you visit the Blue Lake, you can go hiking or swimming, either way enjoying the beautiful scenery!
The Red Lake got its name after the fascinating steep red cliffs that surround the lake and reflect in it. The lake is one of the deepest sinkholes in the world and, unlike the Blue Lake, it never dries out because it is connected to the underground waters through a cave-shaped canal. You also can’t approach the lake without professional equipment and being a skilled, experienced climber. Nevertheless, you can enjoy the spectacular view from the top of the cliffs!
So many beautiful landmarks and sights await you in Biokovo, Imotski and Makarska. Luckily, they are not far from each other. Depending on your starting and finishing stop, it takes about 10 to 20 minutes by car from Makarska to Biokovo, and approximately 45 minutes to Imotski and the two lakes. Staying in the luxurious Amines Khalani Beach Hotel and going on a field trip to these monuments of nature nearby would be just perfect. You can have a proper rest and relax in the hotel’s premium wellness zone before and after hiking and walking in the sky!
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