Apartments and holiday homes in Podaca
Podaca is a quiet village on the southern riviera, spread over three small bays, where most people come for the beach, the view of Biokovo and very little else.
Search stays in PodacaPodaca lies about 36 kilometres south-east of Makarska, between Zaostrog and Brist, in the municipality of Gradac. It is made up of three hamlets, Kapeć, Viskovića Vala and Ravanje, each gathered around its own bay. The first written mention dates from 1477. Above the coast, the old upper village keeps the church of St John the Baptist from the 11th or 12th century, and a 17th-century defence tower stands at the eastern entrance. The newer parish church of Our Lady of the Annunciation was built after the 1962 earthquake.
This is a place for a simple beach holiday: families and couples who want calm water, their own apartment and quiet evenings. There are a few cafés and restaurants but no real nightlife, and for bigger shops you drive to Gradac or Makarska. About half of our Podaca stays are right by the sea, and most of the rest are a short walk uphill with a sea view, so it is worth checking the distance in each listing.
Beaches
Viskovića Vala, Kapeć and Ravanje
Each hamlet has its own pebble beach on its bay, so the shore is divided into several calmer stretches rather than one long strip. They rarely get as busy as the northern resorts. Pick your stay by bay if you want to walk straight to the water each morning.
Gradac beaches
If you want a longer beach with more facilities, Gradac's fine-pebble Gornja Vala, one of the longest beaches on the riviera, is a short drive south.
Getting there and around
Podaca is on the D8 coastal road. From Split Airport allow around two hours; Dubrovnik Airport is an alternative, crossing the short Neum corridor of Bosnia and Herzegovina or using the Pelješac bridge. The Drvenik ferry to Sućuraj on Hvar is a short drive north. Coastal buses stop along the main road. A car is useful here, and parking is generally easier than in the busier resorts.
Stays in Podaca right now
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Tips before you book
- Check which of the three bays a listing is in, since each hamlet has its own beach and feel.
- Many restaurants and shops close or shorten their hours outside the main season.
- The Baćina lakes and the Neretva delta are within an easy drive for a day away from the beach.
- Stays above the main road may involve crossing it to reach the sea.
Frequently asked questions
Is Podaca good for a family beach holiday?
Yes, if you want calm and do not need organised entertainment. The bays are small and quiet, and the village is relaxed. For playgrounds, water sports and more restaurants, Gradac is a short drive south and Makarska is under an hour north.
How far is Podaca from Makarska?
About 36 kilometres along the coastal road, typically around 40 to 45 minutes by car, more in peak-season traffic. Gradac is much closer, just a few kilometres south.