Croatia

5 fantastic family villas to rent in Croatia

Last updated 11th March 2024

The Adriatic is so blue off the coast of Croatia, NASA can identify it from space. Fortunately, a short flight from the UK gives families an almost identical perspective, and the island-scattered sea is even lovelier up close.

But between its various Riviera, several peninsula, widespread archipelago, and dozens of historic seaside towns and cities, Croatia isn’t always the easy place to pin down for a perfect family holiday.

As a rule of thumb, the closer you get to Dubrovnik, the more you pay for everything. Islands like Hvar are gorgeous, and know it, so expect the pleasure of visiting to cost plenty. But the Istria Peninsula is normally good value, especially round about the capital Pula; which isn’t a compromise, because the beaches are fantastic.

Here are five of the best affordable family villas with sea views, private pools, and fun stuff for kids nearby, all along the coast, and on Adriatic islands too. 

1/5  Villa Frleti, Umag, Istria

Sleeps up to four. Entire villa from £1086 per week. 

A single-storey modern villa with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an open-plan living area, Frleti is a good choice for younger kids. The garden is fully enclosed, and has a swimming pool and sun terrace, small lawn, dining gazebo, and barbecue. The pretty countryside setting is very peaceful, but only minutes away from Umag Riviera beaches.

  • 2 bedrooms
  • 2 bathrooms
  • Sleeps up to four
  • Private pool, enclosed garden, sun terrace, country setting
  • Minutes from Umag and beaches on Umag Riviera
  • Far west on Istrian Peninsula
  • An hour’s drive from Pula Airport

About the area

A favourite holiday resort for ancient Romans, Umag is even lovelier today. The town history is fascinating, but you’ll find plenty of shops here too, along with excellent restaurants on the charming seafront. The Umag Riviera is famous for beautiful beaches, and water quality on the entire Istrian Peninsula is checked every 15 days during summer.

 

Find out more about Villa Frleti with James Villas.

2/5  Villa Ladonja, Pula

Sleeps up to six. Entire villa from £919 per week.

This spacious three bedroom villa is set in a quiet, residential area, a short drive from the centre of Pula. It has a charming garden with a lawn, shady trees, and private pool wooden decking, and sun loungers. There’s also a pretty dining gazebo outdoors, and a built-in barbecue.

  • 3 bedrooms
  • 2 bathrooms
  • Sleeps up to six
  • Private pool, garden, dining gazebo, sun decking, built-in BBQ
  • 20 minutes drive from Pula city centre.
  • 20 minutes drive from beaches on Verudela Peninsula.
  • Half-an-hour from Pula Airport

About the area

Ancient Pula is the largest city in Istria, and famous for its medieval old town, and remarkable Roman amphitheatre. The Verudela Peninsula is just 20 minutes drive south of the centre for great beaches, boardwalks, fish restaurants, and water sports. Pula is also a good base for exploring inland and along the Istrian Peninsula’s coastline. Brjuni Islands National Park is only a short sail from city’s waterfront.

 

Find out more about Villa Ladonja with Villa Plus.

3/5  Villa Salvia, Mali Ston

Sleeps up to six. Entire villa from £550 per week.

A meticulously restored three bedroom stone cottage, with quaint traditional features, set in a pretty rural village less than an hour from Dubrovnik. The villa has a lovely mature garden, private pool, sun terraces and outdoor dining room with barbecue. It’s also surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and countryside, so the views are stunning.

  • 3 bedrooms
  • 2 bathrooms
  • Sleeps up to six
  • Private pool, garden, sun terraces, outdoor dining room, BBQ.
  • Five minutes drive from Mali Ston
  • Less than hour from Dubrovnik
  • 50 minutes’ drive from Dubrovnik Airport

About the area

The delightful little seaside town of Mali Ston is five minutes drive from the villa, for restaurants and shops. Several peaceful beaches are also within easy driving distance, and Dubrovnik is under an hour east by road. The most beautiful medieval city on the Croatian coast, Dubrovnik is known for its spectacular old town overlooking the Adriatic.

 

Find out more about Villa Salvia with Croatian Villa Holidays.

4/5  Mokosica Villa, Dubrovnik

Sleeps up to eight. Entire villa from £847 per week.

A large, traditional, stone villa overlooking the pretty harbour in Mokosica, 10 minutes drive from Dubrovnik. The villa has four bedrooms and four bathrooms, and it’s set in a private garden with summer kitchen, patio, and pool. There are also wonderful open views towards the mountains from the sun terrace.

  • 4 bedrooms
  • 4 bathrooms
  • Sleeps up to eight
  • Private pool, sun terrace, summer kitchen, enclosed garden
  • Five minutes walk from Mokosica
  • 10 minutes drive from Dubrovnik
  • 20 minutes’ drive from Dubrovnik Airport

About the area

The lively harbour town of Mokosica is a short walk from the villa for shops and restaurants. Historic Dubrovnik is just to the east, and there are several quiet beaches and coves within easy distance too

The Makarska Riviera, which stretches along the Adriatic to Split, is also nearby.

 

Find out more about Mokosica Villa with Croatian Villas.

5/5  Brac Island Villa, Makarska Riviera

Sleeps up to six. Entire villa from £763 per week 

A charming family villa on the beautiful Adriatic island of Brac, an hour and 45 minutes from Split. The villa has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a private pool surrounded by a large, sunny garden with sheltered dining terrace, and built in barbecue. It’s set in open countryside, and the bedroom balconies have sea views.

  • 2 bedrooms
  • 1 bathrooms
  • Sleeps up to six
  • Sunny garden, private pool, dining terrace, sea views
  • Five minutes from beaches and Pucisa town.
  • A short drive from Bol Golden Cape Beach
  • One hour and 45 minutes from Split Airport, including ferry.

About the area

One of Croatia’s most accessible Adriatic islands, Brac is reached by car ferry from Split, but also has day-cruises to the Makarska Riviera and Dubrovnik. The small, island town of Pucisa is a short drive from the villa for shops and good seafood restaurants. There are several larger towns nearby too, and Bol Golden Cape Beach is less than an hour away by car. Brac is also home to Vidova Gora, one of the highest peaks on Croatia’s Adriatic coast.

Find out more about Brac Island Villa with Croatian Villas.

Want to book your villa holiday now? View a handpicked selection of our favourite family friendly villas in Europe.