Municipality of Baška Voda: Pebble Coast, Hiking Trails and Culture

The Municipality of Baška Voda combines a coastline shaped by long pebble beaches with trails leading from the sea into the mountains. Biokovo Nature Park rises above the municipality. Buildings, public art and local traditions add distinctive touches. When planning your stay, you can consider whether you are most interested in the coast, a hike or the history of the villages.

Hiking trails with different focuses

A challenging, six-hour route leads from Baška Voda via Bast, Korito and Osićine to Sv. Ilija. It offers a clear point of reference for anyone planning a longer mountain hike: the route and stated duration are clearly defined. The municipality also has kilometres of hiking trails by the sea and up into the mountains, most of which are also suitable for bicycles. This means that a named, challenging route and an extensive network of trails, some of which can also be used by bike, are available as distinct options.

Another way to experience the landscape is the Poučni ekološki put. This themed trail starts at the birthplace of Dr. fra Jure Radić in Baška Voda and includes 14 stations. It runs along the Makarska coast and the Biokovo mountain range. Its clear thematic structure sets it apart from the six-hour route to Sv. Ilija. Organised diving is also available in the municipality.

Pebble coast and natural landscape

The municipality's coastal areas are characterised by long pebble beaches. Since 2006, Plaža Nikolina in Baška Voda has held the Blue Flag, an international environmental and quality award. Together with the trails between the sea and the mountains, this shows the range of landscapes on offer, without requiring the coast and mountains to be combined into a single excursion.

Distinctive natural landmarks are also part of the local landscape. Above Krvavica rises Ključ kuk, a high rock described as a kind of natural monument and a local landmark. On Trg dr. fra Jure Radića stands the white poplar Gorica (Populus alba), considered a local natural monument. Both places offer a reason to notice the municipality's varied landscape features as you explore, as well as its coast.

Dalmatian architecture and historical traces

In Bratuš, Kačićevi dvori form a rural complex of traditional Dalmatian folk architecture. The original parts of the residential and agricultural complex date from the 18th century. It includes a large stone olive millstone from the time when the courtyard was built, recalling the tradition of olive oil production in Bratuš. The architecture and millstone thus tell the story of ways of living and working, as well as a local production tradition.

On Gradina, the remains of a fortification can be seen; it formed the most important part of a settlement. According to the Tabula Peutingeriana, this settlement was located in the area of ancient Aronia. In the present-day village, the Fontana “Izvorište Baška Voda” also points to local history: it was built in 2007 beside one of the freshwater springs after which Baška Voda was named. A lake stood here until 1925.

Village character, sacred buildings and tradition

Public art and sacred buildings also provide clear points of reference in the village. The stone-carved figures Glave žena adorn the façade of the Jurišić family house in Baška Voda, built in 1921. The statue of Saint Nicholas the Traveller was installed there in 1998; it was created by Mladen Mikulin. Dated sacred buildings include Crkva sv. Nikole, built in 1889, and Crkvica sv. Lovre, dating from 1750.

On 6 December, Baška Voda celebrates the feast of Saint Nicholas with a Mass and a procession along the waterfront promenade and through the village. The fixed date and route of the procession give the tradition a distinct place in the annual calendar. When exploring the municipality, you can focus on a range of themes: coastal landscapes, hiking trails, architectural history and religious customs.

Discover more destinations

Bast, Krvavica, Promajna, Baška Voda, Municipality of Brela, Municipality of Komiža, Municipality of Dugi Rat, Municipality of Imotski.

For the higher-level travel overview: Split-Dalmatia.