Location
Croatia
Status
Informal / Traditional
Suitable for
Adults only
Terrain
Rock
Best season
June to September
About Sveti Petar Peninsula (Makarska)
Sveti Petar is the small wooded peninsula that shelters the harbour of Makarska, on the Dalmatian coast below the Biokovo massif. It takes its name from a 13th-century church of St Peter, carries a lighthouse built in 1884, and today serves as a pine-shaded town park. Its inner side joins the western end of the Town Beach, a 2 km strip of fine pebbles with loungers, bars and lifeguards. The nude area is on the opposite, seaward side of the peninsula: a rocky shore with flat slabs and old concrete platforms facing the open Adriatic and the island of Brač. This part is clothing optional but in practice used mostly by naturists, and Makarska's main hotel operator describes it as a secluded zone for nudists. There is no sand or pebble here, so you lie on rock or concrete and climb down into deep, clear water. Being minutes from the town centre makes it busy in July and August. For a proper nude beach, Nugal, about 2 km east along the coast towards Tučepi, is the better-known alternative.
Getting there
Walk from Makarska's harbour or the Town Beach promenade onto the peninsula, through the park, and follow the paths round to the seaward side; it takes about 10 minutes from the town centre. Parking in Makarska is paid and scarce in summer, and the bus station is a short walk from the harbour. The last stretch to the rocks is uneven, with some scrambling, so it is not accessible for wheelchairs. The nearest toilets, cafes and showers are back on the Town Beach.
What visitors say
Guides describe the seaward side of the peninsula as a convenient in-town spot for nude sunbathing, with very clear deep water and views to Brač, but stress that it is rock and concrete rather than a beach, so bring a mat and water shoes. Nude and clothed bathers mix on the outer shore. Those wanting more seclusion are usually pointed to Nugal beach instead.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
In Croatia nudity in public places is regulated locally through municipal public-order (komunalni red) ordinances, and nude bathing is accepted on beaches designated or customarily used for it. The outer shore of Sveti Petar is customarily nude but no official designation by the town or tourist board was found (2026); stay on the seaward side.
Naturism at Sveti Petar Peninsula (Makarska) sits under Croatia's rules for traditional tolerance — custom more than statute.
Full country law: Croatia public nudity guide.
Researched 25 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 43.2923, 17.0160
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in Croatia
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is the nude area?
On the outer, seaward side of the Sveti Petar peninsula facing Brač, not on the harbour side or the main Town Beach.
Is it sand or pebbles?
Neither: it is flat rock and concrete platforms with direct entry into deep water.
Is it an official nudist beach?
No official designation was found; it is a long-standing clothing-optional area mostly used by naturists.
Are there facilities?
Not on the rocks themselves, but the Town Beach with bars, showers and toilets is a few minutes' walk away.
Is there a better nude beach nearby?
Nugal, a pebble cove about 2 km east of the harbour towards Tučepi, reached on foot through the Osejava forest, is the best-known nude beach in the area.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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