Podgora, Croatia: Travel Info & Best Beaches

Podgora is a very popular holiday destination in Croatia and is located in the heart of the Makarska Riviera. This 2,500-inhabitant town is one of the most famous in the region and fascinates visitors with its fine pebble beach, azure blue sea, a picturesque promenade and a pretty harbor. The monument in memory of Galebova Krila is situated on the hill above the city and the mighty Biokovo Mountains rise in the hinterland, which give the landscape a special charm. Furthermore, there are also some interesting attracting in the area around Podgora and fantastic opportunities for unforgettable excursions that will make your vacation unforgettable.

In this travel guide, we give you all the important information about an unforgettable vacation in Podgora. In addition, we show you the most beautiful beaches, the best attractions and what you can do around!

Good to know!

Podgora is home to some of the best places to stay in Makarska. Really popular is the beautiful Medora Auri Hotel and the Apartments Ivan right by the sea!

The best time to visit Podgora is from June to the end of October. In this time, you can count on pleasant weather, a lot of sun and little rain!

Podgora, thanks to its optimal location, is a great starting point to explore all the beautiful attractions in Makarska and the many excursion destinations.

Also camping fans love this vacation resort because here is the fantastic campsite Medora Orbis which also inspires with beautiful, modern mobile homes & glamping.

General Information about Podgora

The small town of Podgora, which has about 1,500 inhabitants, is located on the picturesque Makarska Riviera in the south of Croatia and, together with Brela, Makarska Town, Tucepi and Baska Voda, is one of the most popular beach destinations in this region. The nearest airports are in the city of Split, 70 kilometers away, and in the city of Dubrovnik, 140 kilometers away. The resort is most famous for its beautiful beaches and the unique flair that surrounds this small town. With the imposing Biokovo Mountains in the background, this coastal town enchants with a breathtaking backdrop like something out of a travel magazine.

Lovely in Podgora is also the romantic waterfront promenade, where numerous good restaurants, ice cream parlors and café-bars line up with a magnificent sea view. Directly under the promenade begin the picturesque beaches, which invite to sunbathe and relax. A great selection of hotels, apartments and also a fantastic campsite make Podgora perfect as a vacation destination.

 

The Beaches in Podgora

During a holiday in Podgora there are, in addition to the main beach in the center, numerous beautiful bays and beaches to discover. In general, the beaches of the Makarska Riviera are just breathtaking, and so the many bathing spots in Podgora are also a real highlight. Here are the most beautiful beaches, summarized at a glance:

Podgora Beach (Center)

The most famous and largest beach is right in the center of Podgora. A wide range of activities are offered here, such as riding the banana boat, Jet Ski and boat tours. There are countless bars, cafés and restaurants along the waterfront that lure you in. Of course, you will also find many apartments and hotels here on Podgora beach, perfect for an unforgettable vacation at the sea.

Tip: An insider tip for a beach vacation in Podgora is the small, chic beach front apartment, which is in a prime location directly on the main beach with a view of the sea.

Medora Beach

The Medora Beach is located next to the main beach of Podgora and was named after the beautiful Medora Auri Hotel. This hotel is one of the most popular accommodations in Podgora and particularly recommended to families with children. Of course, also non-hotel guests can bathe at this fine golden-yellow pebble beach and enjoy the dreamlike ambience. Beach chairs and umbrellas can be rented on site.

Dracevac Beach

Dracevac Beach is located between Tucepi and Podgora and is one of the most beautiful beaches on the coast of Makarska. The quite long bay offers a wonderful ambience with crystal clear water, great sea colors and the mighty Biokovo Mountains in the background. Here you can snorkel wonderfully and discover numerous fish. A part of the beach is for nudists – perfect for those who would like to swim naked in an undisturbed area.

Beach Plisivac

The wonderful Plisivac beach is located north of the port and is one of the most popular beaches in Podgora. Here you will find a beautiful long beach with fine pebbles, a couple of smaller bays and a number of shady places under the pine trees. The sea shimmers in the brightest blue colors, and comfortable restaurants offer local specialties and cool drinks.

Tip: The Apartments Waterfront Ivan are located in the first row between the harbor and Plisivac Beach and delight with a picturesque view of the sea and the marina.

Garma Beach

Garma beach is also one of the most beautiful beaches in Podgora. This hidden and extremely idyllic bay lies in the northern part of the coast and enchants with the turquoise blue sea, the small reddish rocks and a wonderfully fragrant pine forest. Due to its hidden location, the natural beach is a great place to swim and relax, only a little away from the hustle and bustle of the main beaches.

Sutikla Beach

A truly beautiful beach in Podgora is Sutikla Beach. It is located south of the town center, near the Medora Obis campsite. This beach is gently sloping, which makes it particularly popular with families with small children. Pine trees provide pleasant shady spots, and along the promenade there are some restaurants and bars that serve cool drinks and food.

Tip: A real insider tip for a stay in Podgora is the Medora Orbis Mobile Homes & Glamping. This place offers mobile homes with a private pool in a prime location!

 

Things to do around Podgora

In Podgora, but also in the immediate vicinity, there is a lot to see and amazing places to visit. The landmark of Podgora is the monument of Don Mihovil Pavlinovic, a huge statue with two giant seagull wings, which towers over the city. But there are other interesting attractions to discover in the holiday region around Podgora. We have put together a list of the best things you shouldn’t miss if you spend your holiday on the Makarska Riviera:

Makarska Old Town

The old town of Makarska is a must-see on any trip to Podgora. The pretty harbor town is only 9 kilometers away from Podgora and enchants with its pretty historical center and a beautiful waterfront. The highlights of the old town are the many picturesque alleys, such as the pretty Kalelarga street, but also the famous Kačić market square with its beautiful St. Mark church.

Seagull Wing Monument

The Seagull Wing Monument is a war memorial. The outstretched wing symbolizes the victory, while the broken wing commemorates the fallen marines. The monument is located on a hill above the town of Podgora and it is the landmark of the town. From the top of the hill you will have a breathtaking view of the resort and the deep blue sea.

Biokovo Mountains

One of the most important places to visit near Podgora is the Biokovo Mountains. These mighty mountains are part of a nature reserve, and due to the many hiking routes it is the ideal spot for hiking tours. But also a visit by car is possible and highly recommended: Via a panorama road that is around 23 kilometers long, it goes up into the mountains to the high summit of Sveti Jure at 1,762 meters. A mountain experience that you won’t forget so quickly.

Brela Stone

The Brela Stone is a landmark of the Makarska Riviera and adorns many postcards of the region with its beauty. It belongs to the famous Punta Rata beach and is a popular place for swimming and photographing. Brela is around 20 kilometers from Podgora and a trip there is highly recommended. Here you can enjoy a wonderful swim and experience one of the most beautiful beaches on the Makarska Riviera.

Day Trips & Excursions from Podgora

Due to the optimal location in the middle of Dalmatia, you can do some really amazing excursions during a holiday in Podgora.

Boat trips from Podgora to the offshore islands, such as Brac Island with its famous Zlatni Rat Beach and tours to the Hvar Island are extremely popular.

A true highlight is an excursion from Podgora to the coastal town of Omis, which delights with the spectacular Cetina Gorge and a charming old town.

A favored tourist destination is the city of Mostar, a historic city in Bosnia, which is world-famous for its old town and the bridge “Stari Most”.

Also UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Split or Trogir can be reached from Podgora on a day trip. And, there are so many things to do in Dubrovnik, perfect for a day trip.

 

Where to Stay in Podgora

There is a wide range of accommodations in Podgora. Most are situated in the center of the village. Here, we have put together our recommendations for the best apartments and hotels in Podgora:

  • Fantastic 4-star Hotel: The Medora Auri Family Beach Resort captivates with a great location close to the sea, great breakfast buffet, pool and a great view!
  • Mobile homes & glamping: The wonderful Medora Orbis Mobile Homes & Glamping is a true insider tip for a very special vacation in Podgora.
  • Charming Villa: The Villa Cascada is a very nice, modern and family-run small hotel with a pool and a delicious breakfast.
  • Nice Apartment: The Boutique Waterfront Apartments impress with their direct location at the small harbor, really nice apartments and a great view of the sea.

Find the best Accommodation in Podgora:

 Booking.com


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