Makarska, Croatia<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
14000 people live in the bay town of Makarska, Croatia. Maybe this is because the town looks picturesque, surrounded by the Biokovo mountains adds that element of seclusion and serenity, or maybe because the inhabitants like the tourism. They should, since people from all over Europe go there every year for their holidays.
Vacationers looking to go to Makarska can expect a clement climate that is not too challenging in terms of either heat or cold.
Makarska is found facing west into the Adriatic Sea that is sandwiched between Italy and the Balkan Peninsula.
Summer
Summer temperatures in the old-fashioned town range between 22°C (72°F) and 25°C (77°F) during the day. With little humidity accompanying it, you should expect the weather forecast to be exactly what it says on the tin.
During the evenings the temperature will drop to a jacket-prompting average of 13°C (55°F). That colder temperature will be sure to entice you into one of Makarskaâs many restaurants and bars that are dotted all around the town where you can watch the sun descend behind the palm trees on the promenade.
The 10 hours of direct sunlight Makarska receives during the 15 hour summer days will ensure enough time to explore the Makarska Riviera, one of the townâs most popular attractions.
Rainfall tends to come in at 88mm to get the season off to a good start. That gets the worst out of the way early as the rainfall troughs as the summer peaks with an average 55mm.
The Adriatic Sea temperature is usually around 25°C (77°F) in the summer, so quite nice and warm for a surf or swim if youâre bored of sailing and fancy a spontaneous dive.
The surrounding hills and Mount Biokovo are great attractions for hikers, cyclists, free climbers and cavers as the Biokovo range has caves that are so deep, theyâre often icy all year long. Climbers will be tempted to a holiday in Makarska by the thought of scaling St. Jure, Croatiaâs second highest peak.
Winter
Winter comes early boys and girls, with frost coming into Makarska from as early as October and sticking around for as long as April. Expect this frost to be around for most of the day as the days only last for around 9 hours with only 3 to 4 hours of direct sunlight.
A typical temperature forecast might range from 6°C (43°F) to 4°C (39°F) during the day. If youâre fancying a night-time stroll on the promenade holiday-makers might want to wrap up warm, because itâs definite coat and woolly hat weather over in Makarska with heights of -1°C (30°F) and lows dropping all the way down to -2°C (28°F).
Makarskaâs winter likes to bring the rain and at 148mm in December, youâll be glad to know this eases off pretty quickly, tallying around 99mm towards the end of the season.
As for the Adriatic, if youâre going in, itâs advised to wear a wetsuit as the temperature is only 14°C (57°F).
All in all, Makarska in winter makes for a cold holiday for those who like it. Climbers coming for the season might want to bring some Gore-Tex to keep out the cold. Cavers will definitely want to watch out for the rainfall and hikers wanting to trek the frosty mountains should watch their step as itâs not hard to see why frost on mountains can be dangerous.
Those of you who prefer a quaint holiday in the winter season will adore Makarska for its seclusion; itâs old-fashioned, stone-paved streets and many restaurants and bars to relax in.