Panoramic view of Makarska
Photo: Pudelek (Marcin Szala) (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons)
European Town of Sport 2024
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Makarska

Split-Dalmacia, Croatia

6
events
12,809
Population

About the city

Makarska is a coastal town in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia, nestled between Biokovo Nature Park — the country's second highest mountain range — and the crystal waters of the Adriatic. With 13,834 inhabitants according to the 2021 census, Makarska is one of the Dalmatian Coast's main tourist destinations, recognised for its pebble beaches, historic fishing port, and an extraordinary natural setting that encourages sport year-round.

In 2024, ACES Europe distinguished Makarska with the European Town of Sport title in the category for localities of up to 25,000 inhabitants, acknowledging that the town records Croatia's highest per capita investment in sports infrastructure and boasts a very high level of citizen involvement in sport. Makarska's sporting offer encompasses climbing, paragliding, mountain biking, windsurfing, tennis — with a 10-court centre —, diving, and athletics, positioning the town as a European benchmark for active Mediterranean sport.

Key facts

Coastal town of the Makarska Riviera on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, flanked by the Biokovo mountain (Nature Park) and the Adriatic Sea.
Named European Town of Sport 2024 by ACES Europe in the category of towns of up to 25,000 inhabitants, standing out for the highest per capita investment in sport in all of Croatia.
A leading sports destination in the Mediterranean: climbing, paragliding, mountain biking, windsurfing, tennis (10 courts) and diving, with activity all year round.

ACES Participation

Participation statistics coming soon.