A small coastal town along the Makarska Riviera with a 3-kilometer pebble beach and clear Adriatic waters. Palm trees line the beachfront promenade near 16th-century stone houses.
Tučepi is a coastal village in Croatia's Split-Dalmatia County with a 4-kilometer pebble beach. You can swim in the Adriatic Sea, walk to hidden coves like Kraljev Gaj, or visit the Biokovo Skywalk - a glass platform suspended 1,228 meters above ground. In summer, local singers perform klapa music at the 18th-century Hotel Kastelet, while small restaurants along the waterfront serve grilled fish caught the same morning.
Getting to Tučepi
Buses run from Split to Tučepi several times daily, taking about 1 hour 30 minutes. From nearby Makarska, the bus ride takes 10 minutes. You can also walk between Makarska and Tučepi on a pine-shaded coastal path, which takes about one hour each way.
Beaches in Tučepi
The main beach has small, smooth pebbles and gradually deepening water that's good for families with children. Pine trees grow right up to the beach, creating natural shade spots. At Slatina Beach in the northern part of town, you'll find fewer people and similar swimming conditions. Kraljev Gaj Beach is a small cove reached by a 20-minute walk - bring water and snacks as there are no shops or facilities nearby.
Mount Biokovo Activities
At the Biokovo Skywalk, you can step onto a U-shaped glass platform extending over the mountain edge. The platform is part of a visitor center where you can learn about local geology and wildlife. In Biokovo Nature Park, marked hiking trails range from 1-hour loops to full-day treks. Local guides lead group hikes daily from April to October, teaching you about the mountain's rare plants and limestone formations.
Cultural Events and Festivals
During the Kastelet Festival in June, groups of 5-8 singers perform klapa music - UNESCO-recognized a cappella singing - in the courtyard of Hotel Kastelet. The summer festival runs nightly performances from July through September, including local theater groups and musicians at the harbor amphitheater. The three-day Toochepin rock festival in August brings Croatian and international bands to an open-air stage by the beach.
Historical Buildings
The Church of St. George dates from 1311, with painted crosses still visible on its stone walls and a semicircular apse typical of Romanesque churches. At the Church of St John (built 1703), you can see baroque stone carvings around the entrance and a bell tower that locals used as a lookout point against pirates.
Local Food Scene
Restaurants along the waterfront promenade cook fresh fish on outdoor grills. Small family-run konobas serve Dalmatian dishes like pašticada (braised beef in wine sauce) and black risotto colored with cuttlefish ink. Many places make their own wine from local grape varieties. For breakfast or lunch, try the bakeries selling burek (cheese-filled pastry) and fresh bread.
