A Spontaneous Getaway to Croatia

Sibenik Promenade

Last week we spontaneously decided to escape for a longer weekend in Croatia. Just a 6-hour drive from Austria, it’s close enough for a quick trip, but far enough to soak in the Mediterranean sun and feel like a proper holiday. We chose the Makarska Riviera—new for me, although I had been further down to Gradac before. Makarska felt like the right kind of adventure: close, simple, and promising beautiful beaches.

We booked our apartment just two days before leaving, packed snacks and much-needed coffee, and set off at 2am. After an easy drive, we arrived in Šibenik, a small old town by the sea. I always feel a sense of nostalgia when coming back to Croatia. When I was little, we had a boat here. My childhood summers were filled with anchoring in hidden bays, swimming in crystal-clear water, catching tiny fish with a net and releasing them again, and collecting shells. Those memories are golden, and I’ll always be grateful for them.

In Šibenik we strolled the old streets, stopped for a coffee and fresh juice on the promenade, and simply enjoyed the slow morning. After two hours, we continued towards Beach Bilo, only to find it overcrowded. So we went a few kilometers back, parked along the road, scrambled down some rocks, and found our own quiet little swimming spot. It wasn’t easy to access—rough cliffs, no real path—but that made it feel all the more rewarding.

Later we drove on to Primošten. Friends had recommended it, but it turned out to be too touristy for us. The town itself is charming—a tiny round peninsula of stone houses, winding streets, and even a small cemetery with sea views. But after an hour of walking around, we were ready to move on.

By 6pm we arrived in Makarska, where we stayed in a simple apartment uphill, surrounded by olive groves and overlooking the coast. Nothing fancy, but it worked, especially since we spent most of our time outside.

The next morning we packed fruit, swimsuits, and towels, and walked down to the promenade—too crowded for our taste. So we kept walking… and walking. After about an hour (cardio - check), we finally found a quieter spot, where we could spread out and enjoy the sea.

On Saturday we explored the other direction, towards Park Šuma Osejava. It was a bit of a mission—through the city, with a supermarket stop, and nearly 1.5 hours later we reached the first beach, Nugal, was packed. But after heading further south to Beach Solaric, we stumbled on a small bay. Ten minutes after we arrived, a group left, and suddenly we had the place to ourselves. We stayed until sunset, soaking in the golden light as the waves turned silver.

Sunday wasn't the best beach weather so we decided to do a day trip to Mostar, Bosnia. Just two hours away by car, the drive was beautiful, full of green hills and mountain valleys. In the city, we wandered the streets, had coffee at Fabrika, and chatted with the Owner of Mujaga, the kind owner of a small antique shop who even played the oud for us. We crossed the famous old bridge and ended the day with dinner at Terrace Lagero, a hidden gem with the most breathtaking view over the river and bridge.

Monday came too soon, but before heading home we squeezed in one last adventure. We drove 30 minutes north to Dubci, left the car roadside, and hiked down nearly 200 meters of rocky cliffs (with ropes that didn’t inspire much trust). At the bottom was the most stunning secluded beach of the trip. For two hours it was almost just us: swimming, sunbathing, reading. Eventually more people found their way down—around 20 in total—but it was still worth it. The hike back up was steep, but we didn’t mind. We were filled with sun and saltwater, ready to drive back to Austria.

It was just four days, but it felt longer—full of long beach days, spontaneous stops, and little discoveries. A short escape, but one that gave me exactly what I needed: rest, adventure, and a reminder of how beautiful life feels by the sea.