Brela (population 1,500) is situated 15 km north-west of Makarska, on the steep Biokovo foothills. The population there is engaged i winegrowing, olive growing, growing of marasca cherries and figs, and toursim. Brela is the springs of beauty because of its natural features: a thick pine wood descending all the way to the beutiful gravel beaches and the clear sea. It has been known as one of the most attractive tourist places in Croatia for several centuries already. It is the winner of the European ecological award “Blue Flag” for years 199 - 2001. There is small marina to harbour boats and yachts. Brela was raised at the site of Roman settlements (1st - 4th century). For the first time in history, it was mentioned by Constantine Porphyrogenitus (about 950) with the name Berulia. The today’s settlement was raised in more recent times with the arrival of the population from villages at the foot of Biokovo. In Brela, there is the church of Gospa od Karmela, a significant monument of architecture from 18th century, and the parish church of St. Stjepan from 19th century. There is a medieval necropolis in the gvareyard - today an archeological park - with eight tombstones decorated with reliefs. Baška Voda (population 2,200) is situated 9,5 km north-west of Makarska. The population is engaged in agriculture (olives, grapes, cherries, figs), fishing trade and tourism. It is one of the oldest and most visited summer resorts in the Makarska Riviera. Long gravel beaches, thick pine wood and nicely arranged streets are the decoration and the distinction of this place. Baška voda has a small port, with its southern part suitable for harbouring vessels. It was inhabited already in ancient times. There are traces of a settlement and a lite antiquity fortress on the Gradina elevation. Seven antique tombstone monuments - steles from the 2nd-5th century were found in the wider territory of Gradina. The name of Baška Voda was mentioned in the 18th century, when the inhabitants of Bast settled in this territory after Turks were driven away. The name of Baška Voda was also mentioned by A. Fortis, an Italian biologist and travel writer. There is a late baroque church of St. Lovre in Baška Voda, raised on an antique locality, as well as the parish church of St. Nikola, built by the end of the 19th century. Not far from Baška Voda, there is the valley Baško Polje, a more recent tourist settlement. Above Baška Voda, on the very sloopes of Biokovo, surrounded by its cliffs, Bast i situated, a typical village of the Biokovo foothills with the white stone houses, and the hamlet of Topići Promajna (population 230) is situated 6 km north-west of Makarska, immediately by the sea, in a beutiful Mediterranean landscape. It is connected with Baška Voda by a promenade along the coast. Bratuš (population 50) is situated 5 km north-west of Makarska. It is a typical fishing village next to the seashore which preserved the harmony of the traditional popular architecture. Krvavica (population 110) is located 4 km north-west of Makarska, in a beautiful cove in which is a tourist complex with the dominant central building with the circular ground plan was build. The continuity of cultures in the small territory of the place is evidenced by chance findings at the location of Zakuče, where an antique necropolis was found, and at the location of Manastirine, in which one of the most beautiful standing tombstones in the Makarska Littoral was found. Makarska (population 15,000) lies as the foot of Biokovo, in a natural harbour closed by the Osejava promontory from the south-east, and by St. Petar peninsula on the north-west. Makarska is an economic, cultural and tourist centre of the Makarska Littoral. There is a ferry landing pier for the destination Sumartion on Brač island in the port. It consists of the old core of the Mediterranean type and a newer part with hotels, restaurants, shops, etc. It has a beautiful 1,500 m long beach in a pine wood and numerous sandy coves. It developed from Makar, a settlement at the foot of Biokovo which was mentioned as Muccurum in the documents of the council in ancient Salona on 4th May, 533. We find the name Makarska only in the beginning of the 16th century in Turkish, Croatian and Latin sources. The monument of the poet Andrija Kačić Miošić (the work of Ivan Rendić, 1889.) rises on a big steep town square named after him, as well as St. Marko church from the 17th century, in which valuable sculptural and painting works of art are kept, as well as applied art works. The most beautiful altar in the church is the work of the Venetian sculptor Pietro Onighi. In front of the church is a drinking-fountain from the 18th century. On the peninsula of St. Petar there is a church with the same name dating back to the 9th century, demolished by the earthquake of 1962, and renewed in 1992. In the Franciscan monastery of St. Marija from the 16th century there are very rich library, a malacological museum with one of the richest collections of seashells in the world and the collection of the Baroque church painting. On the coast, the late Baroque church of St. Filip Neri and the Town Museum are situated. The monument in the form of a slender pyramid, raised in 1808 in honour of the French marshal Marmont is situated ate the entrance to the town. Close to Makarska, there is Veprci, the sanctuary of Gospa Lurdska. Due to its natural beauty and conecrated athmosphere, it is a widely known place of pilgrimage. At the foothill of Biokovo, as protectors of Makarska, the villages Veliko Brdo, Puharići, Makar and Kotišina are situated, with a Biokovo botanical garden in the latter. Those places have kept the beauty of original popular architecture, so that thay are attractive excursion targets today. Tučepi (population 1,700) is located 4 km south-east of Makarska. Until the earthquake of 1962, the majority of its inhabitants were living in hamlets at he foot of Biokovo. Today, its inhabitants are engaged in agriculture and toursim. Tučepi has become one of the most attractive summer resorts in Croatia. It is distinguished by the most beautiful and longest gravel beach of the Makarska riviera, a pine wood, olive-groves, luxury hotels, beautiful houses and sports grounds. There is marina in the place, protected from the wind by its breakwater. The settlement dates back to antiquity. Fragments of furniture of the early Christian church from the 5th-6th century and several Medieval tombstones were found in the graveyard. The settlement was first mentioned with the current name in 1424. The church of St. Juraj was built in the transitional Romanesque-Gothic style by the end of 13th century. Next to the church, there are a Roman tombstone stele, a medieval tombstone slab and two large standing tombstones. According to a folk legend, the Venetian duke Pietro Candian was buried there. In the 18th century, rich Makarska families built villas in Tučepi. The summer house of abbot Grubišić is today “Kaštelet” hotel. Podgora (population 330) is situated 12 km south-east of Makarska. A small fishing and tourist settlement. Its residents are engaged in agriculture as well (olives, grapes, figs). Its part next to the sea is covered with a pine wood and olive-groves, and nice gravel beaches follow each other along the seashore. Steep streets and old Dalmatian houses and natural beauties make this place a cosy spot for vacation. The new church of St Jure and Bezgriješno Začeće Blažene Djevice Marije, with the built in Baroque elements of the older chruch, rises by the sea. Tombstones from the 15th-18th century are set around new structure. There is a Gothic church St. Stjepan’s above the village, in which a Roman inscription from 1446 which mentions duke Stjepan. Igrane (population 400) is located 17 km south-east of makarska. Its inhabitants are engaged in agriculture (oil works with cold-pressing technology), fishing and toursim. The settlement descends towards the sea in form of terraces thus creating a beautiful architectural whole. It is situated on a small peninsula the right side of which is covered by a wide sandy beach. There is a breakwater in the port, fit for mooring of smaller yachts. From the top, on which the belfry of the Baroque parish church of Gospa od Ružarija rises (with an addition to it built in 1925) and the Zalina Tower (17th century), all the way to the sea, houses with gardens and strung in clusters. Igrane abounds in historical monuments. The settlement existed already in the Roman times. “The Chronicle of the Priest Dukljanin”, a very important document for Croatian history and culture, has been preserved here. The most important medieval monument of the Makarska riviera, the church of St. Mihovil (11th-12th century), is situated in olive groves above the village. There are the remains of the old tower, called Kulina, there too. On the coast, there is an interesting castle, the Baroque summer house of Šimić-Ivanišević family, built in 1760. Živogošće (population 460) is situated 20 km south-east of Makarska. Its economic basis rests on agriculture, fishing and toursim. It comprises several hamlets, but most of the residents live next to the seat. It is situated on the slopes of Biokovo and is fringed by beautiful sandy beaches. There are Illyrian mounds in the territory of the village, Živogošće was first mentioned by the middle of th 13th century, while it was mentioned in the Croatian language in 1434. On the cliff called Pokrivenica, there is an inscription from antique times in the form of a song of thanks-giving for an invigorating spring of cold water. It was carved by Licinian, the leader of the Roman Empire representation which was passing through these part on their way to conclude peace with Goths. On the eastern side of Živogošće, there is a Franciscan monastery from the 18th century, which makes and architectural whole with the church and the belfry. During the French occupation, the monastery was demolished. It was restored in the beginning of the 20th century. There is a rich library in the monastery, and the archives. Drvenik (population 480) is situated in two coves (Gornja vala and Donja vala) 24 km south-east of Makarska. Its inhabitants are engaged in fishing, winegroving, olive growing and toursim. Nice wooded coves with sources of drinking water add a particular charm to it. There is a pier in it from which you can go to Sućuraj on Hvar island and the island of Koručula. Drvenik was mentioned already in the 13th century. There are medieval tombstones built in the naves of the Gothic church of St. Juraj, later turned into Baroque style. One of the major monuments-fortresses of the Makarska riviera is the Drvenik fortress rising on the knoll above village, built in the 17th century. Zaostrog (population 350) is situated 33 km south-east of Makarska. Its economic basis is agriculture, olive growing, fishing and toursim. The whiteness of sandy beaches and the greenness of pine woods and olive groves give an exceptional beauty to Zaostrog. It consists of the older part, immediately at the foot the steep Biokovo, and a more recent settlement next to the sea. According to its epigraphic monuments and reliefs, Zaostrog was inhabited in the Roman times. The former fortress of Ostrog was mentioned already by Constantine Porphyrogenet in the 10th century. The name of Zaostrog was first mentioned in 1494. In the 15th century, on the very coast, the monastery of St. Marija was raised, which closes a yard with cloister. There are many  artwork items in it. There are baroque wooden choir stalls in the church, an organ and the tombstone busts of poets Andrija Kačić Miošić and Ivan Despot in the church, and an inscription in the Bosnian Cyrillic script above its portal. The monastery also has a rich library and archives, an ethnographic collection and the collection of artwork of Mladen Veža. At the village cementry, there is a Gothic church of St. Barbara which was restored in the Baroque style. Podaca (population 600) is situated 35 km south-east of Makarska. Its inhabitants are engaged in agriculture, fishing and tourism. From the old settlement at the foot of Biokovo, there is a beautiful view of Hvar and Korčula islands and the Pelješac peninsula. The new settlement by the sea is fringed by a beautiful beach. In the centre of the graveyard there is the church of St. Ivan from the 12th/13th century, the most representative preserved monument of the early Medieval architecture of the Makarska riviera, which evidences about the long history of this place. In the 18th century, a Baroque church was built beside it. Brist (population 450) is located 37 km south-east of Makarska, on the bank of the Neretva Channel. Its inhabitants are engaged in agriculture, olive growing, fishing and tourism. Brist is a place of rich historical and cultural heritage. It is a native place of father Andrija Kačić Miošić (1704-1760). The monument dedicated to this renowed philosopher, theologiand and popular educator, the work of Ivan Meštrović, is raised next to the new parish church. In the old parish church of St. Margarita, built in 1741, graves of the Kačić family are situated, and there is a big decorated standing tombstone close to the church. Gradac (population 1,560) is located 40 km south-east of Makarska. The residents of Gradac are active in agriculture, fishing and toursim. It is situated on gentle slopes of Biokovo covered by olives and pines. It is distinguished by its well-known long sandy beach. Gradac is a place of rich arheological findings and cultural heritage. From sacral buildings, well-known are the parish church of St. Mihovil from 19th century and the church of St. Ante, situated on a graveyard.