Gradac, Croatia Beach & What to Do Here to Enjoy Your Time

It is not a coincidence that I have chosen Gradac Croatia, an old fisherman’s village on the beautiful Makarska riviera. I’ve visited this picturesque town twice on the way to Dubrovnik.

The first time from Split, driving on D8, the mythical road that follows the waterfront, passing through all villages of magic Makarska Riviera. the second time I have chosen another route from Hvar island, taking a ferry boat from Sucuraj village, on the far eastern point of the island to Drvenik on the mainland.

This route is very useful for all planning the journey from Dubrovnik to Hvar or vice-versa.The ferry crossing takes only a half an hour to Drvenik. From there it’s only 10 km to the village.

Gradac Croatia – Gornja Vala Beach

Most of the beaches along the 60 km long Makarska Riviera are of the fine gravel (almost sand), while the most are white pebble beaches. Some of those beaches like Brela beaches are mostly a series of small private coves with exceptions of Punta Rata and Berulia beaches.

There are few beaches that are longer than a few hundred meters, except Gornja Vala beach. This one is the longest beach on Makarska Riviera, divided in two separate bays.

According to same dates, it’s almost 7 km long but it’s more probably that it extends for 5 km. The village beach area is divided in two sections.

The pebble beach Gornja Vala (Upper Cove) is situated south from the Marine port while north-west from Marina is bay Bosac.

On the map below you can see Marina port very well protected from all kinds of winds and the perfect anchorage for smaller yachts inside the Marina breakwater. The anchorage for the bigger yachts is more suitable in the bay Bosac.

Beach promenade video

Gradac Croatia Hotels

The first hotel was built in 1919 but tourist business has begun to flourish from 1960. The economy is based mainly upon agriculture, wine-growing, olive growing and fishing , but today the tourism has become the main town activity.

Apart from the private accommodation, houses, villas and apartments rental there are a few hotels in the town. All hotels are beachfront located.

Along the Bosac bay there are two hotels, Labineca 3 stars hotel and Laguna 2 stars hotel, both few steps from the pebble beach.

On the side of Gornja Vala beach, stands out two hotels. The first one (I stayed there) is Marco Polo 3 stars boutique hotel, 2009 winner as the best Croatia’s boutique hotel and the 4 stars Saudade hotel.

Things to do in Gradac

Besides traditional sport activities as diving (there is a club in hotel Labineca), rent-a-bike, jet-ski, this area offers trips to the mountain Biokovo, Park of Nature.

There are many marked hiking tracks on this area and you can also go to the organized trips with professional guides on Biokovo, rock-climbing or just enjoy attractive sights from its numerous lookouts.

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