Podgora Cost Guide 2027: Daily Budgets and Prices

01How Much Does a Trip to Podgora Cost?

Podgora is a small town on the Makarska Riviera, about 10 km south of Makarska. It is cheaper than Makarska itself and clearly cheaper than Split, Hvar or Dubrovnik, although prices climb sharply from July to mid-August. Croatia uses the euro, so all figures below are in €.

Daily Budget by Travel Style

Couples sharing an apartment spread the room cost, so the per-person figure falls noticeably. In June and September, cut the accommodation portion by 25–40%.

02Accommodation Prices in Podgora

Apartments and Private Rooms

Private apartments dominate. Off-peak double rooms and studios start around €35–60 per night, and well-rated apartments with a balcony typically run €65–130. In July and August, expect €90–150 for a decent apartment near the sea, and more for new design apartments or villas. Villas with pools can exceed €250 per night.

Many hosts require a minimum stay of 5–7 nights in July and August. Stays shorter than that often carry a surcharge or are refused. Tourist tax is added on top, usually a few euros per person per night in summer.

Hotels and Resorts

Medora Auri Family Beach Resort

the main beachfront hotel, rated around 4.2 out of 5 by more than 690 reviewers. Rooms typically cost €100–150 per night, with half board packages available.

Hotel Liberan

a smaller hotel with a pool, usually €70–95 per night in season.

Medora Orbis Camping & Glamping

rated about 4.5 out of 5, with glamping units costing noticeably more than a standard pitch.

Beach hotels in nearby Tučepi, such as TUI Blue Adriatic Beach, tend to cost more, from roughly €180–200 per night in shoulder season for all-inclusive stays.

Tripadvisor's average listed hotel price for Podgora sits around €130–140 per night, which is skewed upward by resorts. Apartments are the better value.

When Prices Drop

June and September offer sea temperatures of 22–25°C with room rates well below August levels. May and October are cheaper still, but beach clubs and some restaurants reduce hours or close. This is the best value period for the town.

03Food and Drink Prices

Restaurants

Podgora has a waterfront strip of konobas and seafood restaurants. Well-known names include Roko Restaurant (rated about 4.5 from 640+ reviews), Vruja, More, Ahipara and Konoba Borak. Typical prices:

• Grilled fish (priced per kg): €60–90 per kg, usually one fish per two people costs €35–55
• Meat or pasta main: €12–22
• Seafood risotto or black risotto: €14–20
• Pizza: €9–13 (Portobello Bar Pizzeria is the highly rated budget pick)
• Starter or salad: €6–12
• Dinner for two with wine at mid-range seafood restaurant: €60–100

A mid-range meal runs roughly €15–25 per person, with dinners at the waterfront on the higher side.

Drinks and Coffee

• Espresso or macchiato: €1.80–2.50
• Local draft beer (0.3–0.5 l): €3–4.50
• Glass of house wine: €3.50–5
• Cocktail at a beach bar: €9–13
• Water (0.5 l) in a café: €2.50–3.50

Supermarkets and Bakeries

Supermarkets such as Konzum and Studenac serve the town. A burek or a sandwich from a bakery costs €2–4, which makes a quick lunch cheap. A week of self-catering breakfast and lunch for two costs roughly €80–120.

04Getting There and Getting Around

From Split Airport and Split

Podgora is about 71–94 km from Split depending on the route and stop, and the trip takes around 1h 15m by road.

Bus from Split

about €11–14 one way with Promet Makarska and other operators. Journey is 1h 20m to 1h 55m.

Private transfer

from about €103–120 per vehicle, up to 3–4 passengers. This works out cheaper per person than a bus for groups of four.

Rental car

€35–80 per day in summer, plus fuel and about €12–16 in tolls and fuel combined for a one-way run from Split to the Riviera.

Taxi from Makarska

about €30–40 for the 10 km ride.

Local Buses

The bus to Makarska takes 10–15 minutes and costs roughly €1–4. It runs on a limited schedule, so check timetables at the stop. Most visitors walk the coastal path within Podgora, and no car is needed for the town itself.

Parking

Most apartments include free parking. Public parking in the centre is paid in summer, typically €1–2 per hour.

05Activities and Extras

• Beach: free. Pebble beaches along the promenade are public. Sunbed and umbrella set costs €10–20 per day at hotel and beach-club areas.
• Boat taxi or excursion to Brač, Hvar or Makarska coves: €30–60 per person for half-day trips.
• Biokovo Nature Park visit (Skywalk and entrance): entrance fees are around €10–15 per person, plus a car or tour to get there.
• Rafting on the Cetina and Omiš day trips: roughly €40–70 per person including transport.
• Day trip to Hvar by ferry from Split: €14–22 one way depending on route.

06Local Money-Saving Tips

• Book apartments outside July and August. The saving is often 30–40% for the same unit.
• Eat the main meal at lunch. Many restaurants offer a daily menu or smaller portions at lower prices than at dinner.
• Check whether apartments include beach towels, parking and air conditioning. Air conditioning is sometimes charged extra per day.
• Avoid ordering fish without asking the per-kilogram price. Fish is sold by weight, and the bill can surprise visitors.
• Do not pay for a Split private transfer if you are travelling alone. The €11–14 bus is far better value, and the extra €90+ buys little more than convenience.
• Use Makarska for larger grocery shops, since supermarket prices are slightly lower and the selection wider.
• Pay in cash for small purchases. Cards are accepted in most restaurants, but a few small beach kiosks and rooms are cash only.

07Is Podgora Cheaper Than Makarska?

Yes, modestly. Accommodation and dining run roughly 10–20% below Makarska's seafront. The trade-off is fewer nightlife options and a quieter promenade. Podgora suits families and couples. Visitors who want clubs and a large pedestrian centre pay more in Makarska.

08Sample 7-Day Budget for Two (July)

That works out to about €90–105 per person per day, with room to cut by travelling in June or September.