You are spoilt for choice when looking for a holiday villa, Croatia but let us help with this quick guide
by Croatia Gems, 15th February 2023
A long Adriatic coastline is great for beach and sea view lovers, as it gives us plenty of choice for a Croatia villa holiday destination
The stats tell us* that although Croatia is not particularly long as the crow flies, its Adriatic coastline is 1,777 km long (1,104.4 miles). Added to this are a further 4,058 kilometres of shoreline (2,522 miles) around the 1,246 islands. This is great for beach and sea view lovers as the indented coast gives us plenty of choice to find a holiday villa, Croatia.
Dubrovnik villa locations
Mlini Bay and Cavtat Bay are two favourites of ours in the Dubrovnik Riviera. Given they are only 10 & 25 minutes drive respectively from the Old Town of Dubrovnik and a short airport transfer, you can be on the beach within 3½ hours of taking off! Everything is at hand from a Croatia villa in either of these locations. They are within easy reach of everything in the area and real premier spots for a Croatian holiday. You have restaurants, shops and swimming spots within walking distance in both villages. We would summarise Mlini Bay as having some of the nicest Dubrovnik beaches in the area and Cavtat has real old Med charm with plenty going on in both.
Zaton Bay, also on the Dubrovnik Riviera, is also classic Croatian in character. Very pretty and with stunning scenery, Zaton is just 15 minutes up the coast from Dubrovnik Old Town. It’s consequently a bit further from the airport, but worth it. With a gorgeous harbour, a selection of very nice restaurants and a shop, you won’t need to move! If you don’t want to drive into Dubrovnik, choose a water taxi or bus to take you to the old town. Away from any roads, this is a lovely village location in which to totally relax in your Croatia villa pool side.
Peljesac villa locations
Moving up the coast you might find it hard to resist Peljesac Peninsula Croatia villas with pools. Hidden coves, amazing sea food, spectacular wines and the wineries to taste them at! You’ll need to head for around Orebic at the top of Peljesac if you’re into water sports. Here the afternoon winds pick up, giving amazing conditions for kite surfing etc.
Korcula island villa locations
Korcula Island is a bit of a hidden Dalmatian island treasure… Drive up from Dubrovnik with a ferry from Orebic, or get the ferry straight there. Korcula villas with stunning vistas and wonderful bays and beaches, not to mention its exceptional wine growing areas like Lumbarda. There’s a lot to like here with stunning Korcula old town and pretty bays like Zavalatica are where we’d head for.
Brac island villa locations
Brac Island is quickly gaining a reputation for its quality Croatia villas for rent. An easy 50 minute ferry hop from Split, it offers great Croatia holiday locations with its beautiful surroundings and coastline of hidden bays and inlets. Head here if you are seeking beaches to die for and quaint sea side towns and villages. They ooze atmosphere and not to mention plenty of activities to keep you all entertained. We can recommend Sumartin Bay, Milna Bay and Bol (Bol is home to the famous Zlatni Rat beach found on so many Croatia images). Or head for Supetar for a bit more hustle and bustle, or to the more exclusive Sutivan.
Hvar island villa locations
Tending to be a bit more exclusive because of the ‘honey pot’ destination of Hvar town and fewer beach-side villages, Hvar island villas are sought-after. Hvar town is lively in the high season, but less so in other months. Other locations like Stari Grad famous for clear night skies, and where the Split ferry arrives, and Jelsa, offer lovely quintessentially Croatian villas. An island with lots of splendid restaurants, hidden bays to explore and water sports on offer.
Split villa locations
The Split riviera also has many hidden gems with UNESCO world heritage sites national parks and islands, all a day trip away from your Split villa. Split old town is a fabulous place to explore but don’t spend too long there! The national parks Plitvice Lakes and Krka Waterfalls are on your doorstep. This area is great for multigeneration family holidays with something for everyone.
Split is the gateway to the islands so hopping on a boat to explore is a great experience. Indeed Croatia is all about exploring in this way. Stunning scenery and somewhere for everyone, head for the main little beach-side Okrug Gornj or get the best of both worlds at Slatine Bay around the coast. The Slatine stretch is just a 5 minute drive from the old town of Trogir but near beautiful unspoilt beaches that run to the end of Ciovo Island. Water taxis run to Trogir and Split old town from the harbour. Further up the mainland coast is the pretty town of Marina with its bobbing boats and holiday atmosphere. Just a few minutes’ drive from Marina, you’ll find yourself in the stunning scenery of Sevid.
Istria villa locations
The region of Istria is to the north of the country, roughly opposite the Venice coastline and still with the Mediterranean climate we yearn for. Istria villas are in demand from nearby countries an easy drive away, so it books up fast. It is very much influenced by former Roman invaders in terms of architecture and cuisine. Famous for its wine and truffles, it is a sought-after destination for a holiday villa – Croatia style. Pula, with its amazing amphitheatre, Banjole for it’s laid back holiday living, stunning Rovinj, authentic Rijeka and interesting Porec; all have a wealth of interesting things to see and do, and lovely beaches and great restaurants.
Finally…
As there’s so much choice in holiday villa Croatia locations, why not ask us at Croatia Gems for advice? Tell us what you like and need from your Croatia villas with pool and we can give you some ideas to get you going. Alternatively, search by villa size and or date, or by villa location, not forgetting our ‘By Request only’ portfolio. If you’d like, can do the work for you, so just contact us.
*’The Geography of Croatia’ – Wikipedia
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