Croatia
A Croatian Villa holiday offer visitors exceptional accommodation, much of which is located right on the beach at reasonable prices compared to similar beachfront villas in other countries. It is not uncommon to find beachfront villas without pools. The Adriatic Sea offers relatively non-tidal, astonishingly clear water as a result of there being very few sandy beaches so it is like having your own large pool at the end of the garden. Where villas have pools, they tend to be around 8m x 4m in size, and 1.2-1.5m deep across the whole pool. Larger pools are usually found in the luxury villas. Gated pools are rare as are heated pools, the latter found mostly at the luxury end of the market. Villas in Croatia tend to be larger, around 4-5 bedrooms – 2 bedroom villas with pools are always in high demand, so be sure to book early!
The beautiful Croatian coastline and stunning countryside, particularly in the Istria region, have magnificent unspoilt scenic views thanks to the country remaining relatively free of mass development such as apartment or villa-with-pool complexes. With so few villas and apartments available in comparison to other destinations, demand for villas is high and early booking is strongly recommended.
Popular Locations
Discover glorious countryside featuring stunning hill top towns such as Motovun and Groznjan, pretty coastal locations in and around Rovinj, Porec and Opatija or the lovely beaches dotted around Krk island. Beachfront villas are not common in this region – expect to pay more for such a sought after position. Istria and Kvarner region does offer an array of stunning countryside villas with pools and perfectly poised seaside apartments.
Stretching from Split in the south to Zadar in the north, this part of the Dalmatian coast offers guests a wonderful base to explore the region. Some of the best sights can be found at the natural waterfall park at Krka, or in the numerous Venetian towns such as Trogir and Sibenik as well as the fabulous Roman city of Split. Beachfront villas and apartments are dotted along the coast where the proximity to the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic makes for a fabulous setting.
Easy to get to from the mainland thanks to a frequent ferry service, Brac island is a long island characterised by lovely shingle beaches and harbour towns such as Postira, Milna, Sutivan and Sumartin. Konobas (traditional Croatian restaurants similar to Tavernas) are a feature of Brac island, serving locally produced organic lamb and fresh vegetables as well as island wines. For those looking for a bit of nightlife, the popular town of Bol, with its’ famous Golden Horn (Zlatni Rat) beach, offers a variety of cafes, bars, restaurants and clubs. Brac is well served with villas with pools and seaside houses, ideal for families and friends.
The long island of Hvar (takes approximately 1 ½ – 2 hours to drive the length of it) is dominated by the town of the same name. The island itself is mountainous and there are few other towns on the island. The main towns are Stari Grad which is more laid back and bohemian than Hvar Town, the bustling harbour of Jelsa with its café scene and Vrboska, a quiet coastal town. Other villages are small – staying in one of these villages, guests may need to take a short drive or taxi journey to the nearest restaurants. This beautiful lavender covered island is relatively undeveloped with just a few villas. Guests should expect to pay higher than average prices especially for a villa in Hvar Town which features some of the most luxurious villas on offer in Croatia.
The magical island of Vis never fails to delight and surprise visitors. Offering stunning beaches such as the beautiful Stoncica Bay beach, Vis island features inland vineyards, organic lamb, even a cricket pitch. The 2 towns of Komiza and Vis are renowned for their stunning buildings offering an abundance of creatively decorated cafes, bars and restaurants, many serving some of the tastiest dishes in Dalmatia. The island exudes a special atmosphere and as a result of very little development there are just a few villas and apartments available – perfect for those looking to get away from the crowds.
This beautiful varied region stretches from south of Split all the way down past the Makarska Riviera to the town of Ston and then across the Peljesac peninsula over to Croatia’s greenest island, Korcula. Popular with families, this extensive region is renowned for its’ beautiful shingle beaches and fabulous swimming spots. Sea food and shellfish dishes are served in abundance throughout, complemented by some of the best wines grown in Croatia. Villas and apartments are dotted all around near coastal locations where you are never too far away from the beautiful Adriatic Sea and a fabulous authentic Dalmatian holiday.
From Ston in the north to the Croatia/Montenegro border in the south, this narrow coastal strip features the 2 large towns of Dubrovnik and Cavtat and a few smaller coastal towns of Molunat, Mlini, Zaton and Orasac. As well as the coast, this region features an exceptionally beautiful countryside area known as the Konavle Valley. Demand for villas with pools exceeds available villas in this region and the closer the villa to the sea, the more sought after it is. Villas in Konavle Valley tend to be great value and more abundant than coastal properties.
This renowned Dubrovnik city is made up the famous walled city at its’ heart and a number of other areas which form part of the city and which are popular with tourists such as Lapad Bay, Babin Kuk, Gruz-Lapad, Ploce-Sveti Jakob. Accommodation within the walled city consists mostly of studios and small apartments where sea views, balconies/terraces are a rarity. In the other areas it is a little easier to find apartments with a sea view/outside area. Expect to pay considerably above average prices for a villa with a pool in the city – only a handful exist, and most fall within the luxurious end of the market.
