Makarska, Croatia Shadows

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I prepared this post in response to the Life of B’s November Shadows square photo challenge. Her guidance states: “I am… mostly focusing on dark shapes, silhouettes and reflective shadows. The dictionaries highlight that shadows can also be an illusory image, a remnant of a thing, an imitation, an inseparable companion and of course partial light.”

The subject of my shadowy photos is the picturesque town of Makarska, Croatia, a particularly photogenic locale due to the convergence of the sea and mountains. Makarska is the namesake town of Croatia’s Makarska Riviera, a string of seventeen tiny towns situated along the Adriatic Sea in Croatia’s coastal Dalmatia region. Makarska lies in the “shadow” of the massive Mount Biokovo, which rises up dramatically from sea level to an altitude of 5,781 feet (1,762 meters). My husband was born and raised in Makarska and it has been one of my life’s distinct privileges to know such a uniquely beautiful and special place, for it to weave into the fabric of my life.

I’ve included the below image to help orient the reader (and bonus, it is squared and contains evening shadows!). The town of Makarska creeps up Mount Biokovo. Makarska’s waterfront is separated by the anvil-shaped St. Peter’s Peninsula, with the harbor on the peninsula’s left and the beach on the right.

The town of Makarska as viewed from the Panorama restaurant on Mount Biokovo.

Because Makarska creeps up the mountainside, most residents have stunning views of the sea, the mountain, or both. The home where my husband grew up is no exception. Luckily, his sister and her family live there today, so we continue to enjoy its breathtaking view of the Adriatic Sea. I asked my husband if he was able to appreciate the view when he was growing up. He replied “Not really,” that “it was always there, and it was always the same!” That of course has changed for him as an adult after living in land-locked cities in another country for the past 35 years!

Preparing to enjoy a snack on the balcony of our family home in the longer shadows of late afternoon. St. Peter’s Peninsula, the Adriatic Sea, and the islands of Braฤ (right) and Hvar (left) are in the distance.

And who says the view is always the same… the colors and shadows throughout the day are ever-changing!

Balcony view at sunset. I love how the colors of the sky are reflected on the sea’s surface.

Throughout the years, the beach has been a favored spot for photos at any time of the day. One of my all time favorites is my husband standup paddle boarding in the waters of Maruลกiฤ‡i Beach, just up the coast from Makarska.

My husband’s shadowy silhouette as he approaches the shore at the end of a long beach day. I’m impressed by his confidence. When I get that close to shore, I drop to my knees for greater control… too many large rocks hiding beneath the water’s surface! And a cultural side note… a water polo net is in the background on the right. Croatia is a water polo powerhouse. The Croatian men’s water polo team won a silver medal in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.

And another favorite is of us taking in the sunset at Makarska Beach from under the pine trees.

Watching the sunset at Makarska Beach. This image was captured by my mother-in-law.

Our daytime wanderings about town have yielded some memorable shadowy images as well. We typically begin the day with a coffee (or two!) in a cafรฉ.

Trees cast shadows on guests at Cafรฉ Biokovo, a favorite spot for locals and guests alike on Markarska Harbor.

A walk around shady St. Peter’s Peninsula is often a part of our daytime routine.

Pine trees cast shadows on the path around St. Peter’s Peninsula.
The Adriatic Sea from the tip of St. Peter’s Peninsula on a cloudier day.

We typically take a break during the afternoon siesta (that is, if we don’t go to the beach!) and then head back into town in early evening. As the golden hour shadows begin to fall, Makarska glows in a breathtaking new light.

Golden hour shadows fall upon Kaฤiฤ‡ Square, St. Mark’s Church, and Mount Biokovo. The karst limestone of the mountain and church provides a perfect canvas for the hour’s warm yellow shades.

And I’ll sign off by saying Cheers, or ลฝivjeli, as they say in Croatian! Makarska’s sense of place and experience is so distinctly one-of-a-kind that when I am there, I’m wholly present, as if nothing else in the world exists. Thoughts of where I come from – home, work, daily routines, current events, even my figure skating – disappear. Indeed, writing this post has been a welcome escape in itself.

Cheers! from the terrace of Panorama, an ideal spot to watch the shadows fall.

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Published by Dalmatian Insider

I enjoy blogging about my two favorite pursuits in life, figure skating (as a woman who returned to it in her 40s!) and travel. My travel entries are from various locales around the globe, including Croatia, a country where I have family.

28 thoughts on “Makarska, Croatia Shadows”

  2. What beautiful photos of a beautiful place! I’ve not heard of Makarska before, but it looks like a calm, laid-back kind of town: I can imagine one relaxing by the water and enjoying a glass of wine (or cup of coffee) while enjoying the views. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful destination!

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    1. Thanks, Rebecca! I think you’d have a great time in Makarska and the other towns on the Makarska Riviera. When visitors come to Dalmatia, many tend to go to Dubrovnik, Split, or Zadar. However, the smaller towns offer a more relaxing experience. Although in recent years, Makarska’s beaches have become more crowded in the summer months. But you can still find seats at cafes for coffee and wine ๐Ÿ™‚โ˜•๐Ÿท

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    1. Thank you so much, Jo ๐Ÿ™‚ Makarska gets a little chilly in the winter, but doesn’t typically reach freezing. And it’s usually sunny, so doesn’t have the feel of being cold. You have a good eye… the geography is very similar to Montenegro, with the massive mountains and the sea. In that regard, it is more similar to Montenegro than many places in Croatia. And Montenegro is very nearby as the crow flies, just on the other side of Dubrovnik, which is only 85 miles from Makarksa.

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by ๐Ÿ™‚I think you would enjoy Makarska very much! In Dalmatia visitors tend to be drawn to Dubrovnik, Split, and Zadar, but these smaller towns offer so much as well. The islands are great, too. When we want to get away, we head to the island of Vis.

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