Activities
Of course, sunshine and the sea are the classics. Open-air concerts, summer festivals, and relaxed walks along the promenade create the special atmosphere that makes every holiday on the Makarska Riviera feel lively.
Sometimes, all you need is an ice cream and the view of the coastline to set the mood. But if the rain shows up, don’t worry – we’ve gathered a few ideas on how to spend the rainy day at the Riviera.
- If you’re not sure which concerts, festivals or seaside festivities to circle in your calendar, these picks will make the choice easier.
Raindrops or wine drops — you may enjoy both on the Makarska Riviera
When the clouds roll in, it’s the perfect excuse to duck into a Dalmatian konoba or restaurant and let time slow down. Until the sun reappears, let the fresh delicacies surprise you in their own way.
Pick by mood: a Michelin-recommended table, a favourite konoba, or a terrace with a good roof. A plate of marenda and a glass of local wine make a rainy day feel a lot like summer. Opening days are shorter in the off-season, so book ahead.
When the rain falls, stories rise
If the sun takes a break, the Riviera’s museums and souvenir shops are ready to fill your day with charm, curiosity, and a touch of Dalmatian heritage.
Harvest time, the olive way
From mid-October, the olive harvest begins, and fresh oil starts to appear in kitchens and markets. Tučepi is a good place to see where it comes from: the Millstones Monument on the waterfront honors the village’s oil-making tradition, and its olive press and oil-makers’ association date back to 1911.
Ask for local oil at your table, and try it the simple way, with good bread.
Explore secrets behind the monastery walls
Some of the Riviera’s best stories are kept behind thick stone walls. A cloister courtyard centered on an old stone well, shelves of manuscripts and incunabula, a cabinet of seashells, a garden with more than 250 plant species, and a painting of a spotted dog at the Last Supper. Rain is the perfect excuse to knock, step inside, and see what the friars have been keeping.
How about taking some time for yourself and finding a place where you don’t have to think about umbrellas or anything else?
Besides sightseeing, think active. Sports Center Makarska has a sports hall and pool (see also the Sports Center website), and Apfel Arena is another indoor option for a rainy day. Several hotels along the coast also run spas with saunas, gyms and massages; ask whether they welcome non-guests, and check schedules in the off-season.
Don’t let that good mood talk you into anything reckless. If the sky turns dark or you hear thunder rolling in, get out of the sea and stay out. Leave the SUP board, the boat trip, and the long swims for a calmer day, and always keep the shore within easy reach when the forecast is uncertain. Thunderstorms on the Adriatic don’t ask twice.
Check the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service before you head out, and let it guide your day, not just your outfit.
