Sveti Petar Lighthouse

Sveti Petar Lighthouse stands on the Sveti Petar peninsula right at the entrance to the harbour of Makarska, on Croatia's Dalmatian coast. Its small stone tower is one of the town's most recognisable landmarks, visible from much of the seafront.

Where does the lighthouse come from?

The tower was built in 1884, during the Austro-Hungarian period, when similar navigational structures were going up all along the Adriatic coast. Its job was simple but essential: guide ships safely into the port of Makarska, especially on nights when the sea was pitch dark. Today the lighthouse is listed as a protected piece of immovable cultural heritage, classified under secular architecture.

What does the lighthouse look like today?

The complex is made up of a small square stone tower attached to a single-storey building, together covering roughly 90 square metres. The lighthouse no longer has a resident keeper — its navigational light now runs automatically — while the adjoining living quarters have been converted into unusual holiday accommodation, with a terrace just 10 metres from the water.

The peninsula itself has become the town's main green space: a shaded park planted with pine trees, criss-crossed by walking paths, and edging one of the best-known beaches near Makarska, popular with locals and visitors alike who come to swim and relax under the trees.

How do you get there?

The lighthouse sits close to the centre of Makarska — about a 20-minute walk from the town's main square along the seafront promenade, which makes the approach itself a pleasant part of the visit. Travellers arriving by plane will land at Split Airport, roughly 85 kilometres away, from where buses and cars run along the coastal road to Makarska.

What else is there to see nearby?

The Sveti Petar peninsula offers a natural viewpoint over the Makarska bay and the Biokovo mountain range that rises directly behind the town. Paths through the park lead down to the water at several points, and while the lighthouse interior itself is reserved for the guests staying in its apartment, the tower remains a striking sight from the promenade, the beach, and the sea.

When is the best time to visit?

Because the peninsula doubles as the town park and beach, it gets busiest in summer, when warm sea temperatures draw swimmers and the pine shade offers relief from the midday heat. Outside the summer season it's a quiet spot for a walk and a good look at the lighthouse without the crowds, especially at sunset, when the tower and the Biokovo peaks turn a warm golden colour.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Sveti Petar Lighthouse? The building next to the tower operates as holiday accommodation, so access to the interior is mainly reserved for guests staying there. The peninsula and the grounds around the lighthouse are open to everyone as a public park.

How long does it take to walk there from central Makarska? About 20 minutes along the seafront promenade from the town's main square.

When was the lighthouse built? It was built in 1884, during the Austro-Hungarian era, as part of the Adriatic coast's navigational network.

Is there a beach next to the lighthouse? Yes — the Sveti Petar peninsula today functions mainly as a town park with a beach, popular with both residents and visitors to Makarska.