01What Are the Best Day Trips from Podgora?

Podgora sits on the Makarska Riviera, between Gradac and Makarska, with Biokovo mountain directly behind it. That position makes it a workable base for mountain, island and cross-border trips. The coastal road (D8) runs through town, and buses along it stop in Podgora. Distances below are approximate and measured from Podgora.

02Quick Comparison of Day Trips

See the table above for distances, costs and ratings. In short: pick Biokovo for views in half a day, Brač or Hvar for beaches, Mostar and Kravice for a cross-border day, and Split or Dubrovnik for city sightseeing.

03Biokovo Skywalk and Nature Park

The Skywalk is a glass-floored platform at 1,228 m, in Biokovo Nature Park near Ravna Vlaška. It extends about 12 m out from the cliff. From it, the view covers the Makarska Riviera and the islands of Brač, Hvar and Korčula on clear days.

Entry and costs. The park ticket is €10 in April, May and October, and €15 from June to September. Children under 7 enter free. If driving, a road toll applies per vehicle on top of the ticket. Organized shuttle tours with the ticket included cost about €40 (April–May) and €45 (June–September). A private tour for 1–3 people starts around €135 plus tickets.

Getting there. The drive from Podgora takes about 45 minutes on a narrow, winding mountain road. Many operators will collect guests from Podgora, Makarska or Tučepi.

Insider tips.

  • Go in the morning or near sunset. Midday in July and August brings queues and the strongest heat.
  • Bring a jacket. The summit can be 10–15°C cooler than the coast, and wind is common.
  • The park is open roughly April to November. Check conditions first, as bad weather can close the road.
  • Combined tours that continue to the Sinjal peak or Sveti Jure (1,762 m) add 1–2 hours and are worth it if the weather is clear.

The Skywalk is the best value on this list. Skip the quad and buggy tours priced at €80–110 unless off-road driving is the point, because the platform and view are identical.

04Makarska

Makarska is 9 km north, about 15 minutes by car or bus. It is the Riviera's main town, with a long seafront promenade, a pebble beach, and the Osejava forest park on the Sv. Petar peninsula. The town works as a half-day outing, or as the transport hub for other trips: the main bus station and the ferry and boat piers are here.

Local buses on the coast run several times a day in summer, and a single ticket costs a few euros. Check the return time before you leave, since evening services are less frequent outside July and August.

05Brač Island and Zlatni Rat

From Makarska, a car and passenger ferry crosses to Sumartin on Brač in about 1 hour. A car with two passengers costs roughly €45–60. Foot passengers pay a much lower fare. From Sumartin, Bol and its Zlatni Rat beach are about 45 minutes by road, so a day trip without a car is tight. Taking the ferry as a foot passenger leaves you dependent on local taxis or buses, and the schedule is limited.

The simpler option is a boat excursion from Makarska or nearby ports. Day cruises that combine Brač and Hvar, usually with lunch, last about 9 hours and start at around €65–70.

06Hvar and the Pakleni Islands

Hvar can be reached by the ferry from Drvenik (about 20 km south of Podgora) to Sućuraj on the island's eastern tip. The crossing takes about 35 minutes. Hvar Town is still about 1.5 hours from Sućuraj by road, so this is better as an overnight than a day trip. Choose a boat tour instead.

Typical cruises from Makarska Riviera visit Hvar Town and the Pakleni Islands, and cost from about €60–75. Speedboat tours with three islands and a cave are shorter and cost similar prices. Expect 2–3 swim stops.

07Mostar and Kravice Waterfalls (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Mostar is about 125 km from Podgora and takes 2–2.5 hours each way, including the border crossing. Bring a valid passport or ID card. Bosnia uses the convertible mark (KM), but euros are widely accepted in tourist areas.

The usual route covers Mostar's Old Bridge (Stari Most) and the old bazaar, and often adds the Kravice waterfalls on the Trebižat river, about 40 km from Mostar. Small-group tours of around 11 hours start at about €65–75. Driving yourself saves money but not time, and border queues in July and August can add 30–60 minutes.

Insider tip: Swimming at Kravice is possible in summer, but there is an entry fee, so check the current amount at the gate. Aim to reach Mostar before 10:00 to avoid peak tour-bus crowds at the bridge.

08Split

Split is about 85 km northwest, 1.25–1.5 hours by car or bus. Regional buses from Makarska bus station run frequently and cost about €8–10 one way. The main sight is Diocletian's Palace, a Roman complex that remains a living part of the old town, along with the Riva waterfront and Marjan hill.

Guided day tours from Makarska Riviera start at about €30–35. The coastal road gets congested in July and August, so leave before 08:00 for a smoother drive.

09Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is about 130 km southeast, 2–2.5 hours each way. This includes a short crossing of Bosnian territory at Neum, where passports are checked. Organized tours from Makarska start around €50 for roughly 9.5 hours. Bus tickets are €15–20 one way.

This is a long day, with about 5 hours of driving for 3–4 hours in the city. Two nights in Dubrovnik is a better plan, and the day trip from Podgora is worth it only if you have no other time.

10Krka National Park and Šibenik

Krka waterfalls are about 175 km north, roughly 2 hours 15 minutes one way. Tours from the Makarska Riviera combine Krka with Šibenik. This is the longest outing here and works best in spring or autumn, when the drive is easier. Swimming at Skradinski Buk is restricted, so do not plan a beach stop there.

11How to Choose the Right Day Trip

Under 4 hours
Biokovo Skywalk or Makarska.
Beach and swimming
Hvar and Pakleni Islands cruise.
History and culture
Split, Mostar.
Families with small children
Biokovo, Makarska or a short boat tour. Avoid Dubrovnik and Krka for children under 7.
Without a car
Choose tours with hotel pickup or use buses from Makarska.

12Practical Tips

  • Book Biokovo, boat tours and Mostar a day ahead in July and August.
  • Carry a passport for any trip into Bosnia and Herzegovina, including Mostar and Dubrovnik by road.
  • Fuel and parking in Split and Dubrovnik cost more than the equivalent bus ticket. Parking in Dubrovnik is expensive and limited, so tour buses or public buses are usually easier.
  • In May, June and September, crowds and temperatures are best for all trips listed.