Brela in Croatia is one of the most beautiful holiday destinations in central Dalmatia and captivates with its picturesque location on the Makarska Riviera, with phenomenal beaches and the mighty Biokovo Mountains in the background. The resort became famous primarily for its beautiful Punta Rata beach with the striking Brela Stone. But there are also many other wonderful attractions, dream beaches and great excursion destinations to discover. In addition, a wide range of apartments and hotels makes a vacation in Brela a highlight, which guarantees that you don’t forget it so quickly.
We have summarized all the information about Brela in this travel guide. We show you the most beautiful beaches, the best things to do and the coolest day tours for your trip. There are also tips for great accommodations in Brela!
Good to know!
In Brela you can find some of the best hotels and accommodations in Makarska. Really amazing is the Bluesun Hotel Berulia with a great infinity pool and the Casa Mare Brela, which offer modern apartments in the first beach row!
The best time for a visit to Brela is from June to the end of October. At this time of year you can count on summer temperatures, lots of sun and little rain!
Not only Brela is breathtaking, but also the surrounding area is worth visiting. Due to the perfect location, you can explore the most beautiful attractions in Makarska from here and experience a lot of exciting things.
A real highlight is the approximately 6-kilometer-long waterfront promenade that runs along the coast, past the most beautiful beaches in Brela to the neighboring village of Baska Voda.
General information about Brela
The popular holiday resort Brela is located around 18 kilometers from Makarska and impresses with a breathtaking panorama. Together with Tucepi, Baska Voda, Makarska Town and Podgora, this resort is one of the most famous bathing destinations in the region. Wonderful beaches, a turquoise blue sea and the majestic Biokovo Mountains in the background make Brela one of the top highlights in Croatia. Hardly anywhere else can you find such a high density of beautiful dream bays.
The promenade, which is around 6 kilometers long, is a romantic place for walks. Along the way you will always find cozy taverns and bars that offer refreshments and local delicacies. The old town of Brela, the town center, is located around the small harbor. Here you will find delicious restaurants, a few nice bars, supermarkets and many accommodations.
The most beautiful beaches in Brela
Brela’s beaches are a dream come true: the sea shimmers in the most beautiful emerald and turquoise tones, the water is crystal clear and the fine, light pebble beaches are stunning for swimming and some are also suitable for snorkeling. On a coastline of around 6 kilometers, there are numerous wonderful bays and many superb hotels and apartments to stay.
Za Punton Beach
The Plaza Za Punton Beach is located close to the old town and the port and it is not far from restaurants, cafés and supermarkets. Furthermore, there are many apartments and recommended accommodations in the area, such as the beautiful Apartmans Lale.
Punta Rata Beach
The Punta Rata Beach, often known as Dugi Rat, is one of the best beaches on the Makarska Riviera and its famous Brela Rock is the symbol of the holiday region. Even Forbes magazine voted Punta Rata one of the most beautiful beaches in the world back in 2004. What is special about this beach is its striking boulder, the “symbol of Brela“, which protrudes from the turquoise blue sea. A visit to Brela Stone is therefore almost a must during a holiday!
Tip: From the apartments Punta Rata Room you have a wonderful view over the sea and the Punta Rata beach!
The Punta Rata is around 1 km away from the center and can be reached comfortably, like all beaches in Brela, by walking along the waterfront. You always come across cozy cafés and quaint taverns. The beach itself is on a pine-covered headland, which is under nature protection.
Soline Beach
The Soline beach is sloping gently and therefore a stunning beach for families with children. The turquoise sea is crystal clear here and shines in the sun in the most beautiful sea colors. Fragrant green pine trees provide cool shade on hot summer days, and the mighty Biokovo Mountains in the background provide a fantastic panorama. The breathtaking Bluesun Hotel Soline, which is only a few steps away from the beach and the water front, is a popular place to stay.
Podrace Beach
Podrace Beach is an absolute dream beach and for many it is even the most beautiful beach of Brela. While bathing, you can enjoy a backdrop like from a postcard: You are surrounded by huge rocks and green pine trees and with spectacular watercolors the beach delights its guests. Even those who would like to snorkel in Brela will find some good spots around the rock formations to admire the intact and underwater world with numerous fish!
Maestral Beach
The Maestral beach is a very nice, spacious pebble beach in a great location. Here too, you can enjoy a wonderful beach setting with a crystal-clear sea and fine pebbles. Sun beds and umbrellas can be rented on site, but there are also pleasant shady spots under the pine trees.
Stomarica Beach
Another great beach in Brela is Plaza Stomarica. This picturesque bay is the perfect place for those looking for peace and a quiet stay, away from the busy main beaches. Here too, the sea is wonderfully clear and is ideal for sunbathing. There are small, cozy beach bars on both sides of the bay.
Tip: We recommend the Apartments Stomarica – the apartments are very clean and delight with an incredible view.
Vruja Beach
Vruja beach is a nudist beach near Brela. This natural beach is one of the absolute insider tips among nudists, but also non-nudist visitors can use this wonderful beach. During bathing you will enjoy a real dream beach and many small bays in unspoiled nature.
Things to do near Brela
Not only Brela is amazing, also the area along the Makarska Riviera is really magical and inspires with many things to do and places to visit. We have summarized the most beautiful attractions at and not far from Brela here.
Baska Voda
A lovely place to visit very close to Brela is the holiday resort Baska Voda. Only about 2 kilometers away, you can easily reach the village by taking a nice walk along the promenade. You will enjoy a stunning ambience with breathtaking views over the sea! In Baska Voda you can visit a mussel museum, an archaeological exhibition and other beautiful beaches, or just enjoy a delicious coffee at the beautiful harbor!
Makarska Old Town
The city of Makarska is located 18 kilometers from Brela and a visit to the beautiful old town and its attractions is almost part of every visitor’s program. You can easily explore the pretty old town by foot and discover picturesque alleys, such as the pretty Kalelarga street or the famous Kacicev Trg square. The waterfront is also absolutely worth seeing, and numerous cozy restaurants offer views of the harbor.
Biokovo Nature Park
One of the most spectacular sights near Brela is the Nature Park of the mighty Biokovo Mountains. These mountains are the ideal spot for hiking or just to enjoy the landscape. A 23 km long panoramic road takes you up into the mountains and you experience brilliant viewpoints while driving and if you like, you can go on countless hiking routes. The road finally leads to the high summit of Sveti Jure at 1,762 meters. A mountain experience that you won’t forget so quickly.
Omis
The pirate city of Omis is only 25 kilometers from Brela and enchants with a picturesque old town, a medieval castle in the center and a spectacular fortress on the mountain above the city. The Cetina Gorge is also a popular spot for rafting and kayaking, and the brave can treat themselves with a zip line ride.
Activities & Excursions from Brela
Due to the central location of Brela in central Dalmatia, the holiday resort is an ideal starting point for numerous excursions. This means you can explore some of the most important attractions in Croatia on day trips, such as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Split and Trogir.
But boat trips to the offshore island world, such as to Brac Island, with the famous Zlatni Rat Beach, are also recommended!
A popular destination is the city of Mostar, a historic city in Bosnia, which is world-famous for its old town and the “Stari Most” bridge.
Also great is a tour to the Red and Blue Lakes in Imotski, where you can marvel at two spectacular crater lakes.
Where to stay in Brela
A holiday in Brela offers a wide range of accommodation options. Starting with private accommodations but also holiday apartments and TOP hotels, everything can be found here. Many of the apartments and hotels are in the center of the harbor, but there are also some really recommended holiday accommodations along the waterfront. Here are the top recommendations for a stay in Brela:
- Apartment: The Casa Mare Brela offers modern apartments very close to many beaches and directly on the beautiful promenade!
- Board: The IVANAC B&B pampers its guests with a delicious individual breakfast and rooms with a great view of the sea.
- 4-star Hotel: The Hotel Sunceva Postelja is a very lovely family hotel with a fantastic location right at the beach and great quality that is worth your money. Breakfast is also unique here!
- 5-star Hotel: The Bluesun Hotel Berulia is located at the lower end of Brela, in the direction of Baska Voda, and delights its guests with a beautiful infinity pool overlooking the sea and a quiet location.
