Holidays are undoubtedly one of the most anticipated times of the year, so it’s important to plan in advance and do some research, especially when it comes to different types of accommodation. In this article, we will look more closely at villas and apartments. This will give you a good understanding of the main features and differences between the two types of accommodation.
Villas
Size
Villas are usually comfortable and spacious, often with plenty of open space. Kitchens are usually well equipped with all the necessary appliances. Villas are often intended for larger groups of people and thus have several bedrooms and more than one bathroom. Since there is plenty of room, you can easily store any additional gear you might take with you on holiday, such as your bike, stroller or SUP.
Outside area
If there’s one time of year when you should be carefree and treat yourself to maximum luxury, it’s summer! Villas embody luxury, privacy and spaciousness, both inside and outside. Villas almost always have a comfortable outdoor area with a pool (some of which are heated). The space around the pool is often equipped with sun loungers, and if there is no natural shade, sunshades are provided. Some villas even have an outdoor hot tub or sauna. Many villas also have an outdoor dining area, and some even have a fireplace or outdoor kitchen.
Location
Villas are often situated in serene environments, close to nature and away from busy tourist centres (and neighbours). With their private yards and gardens, villas offer all the peace and privacy you need to recharge your batteries on holiday.
Pets
If you can’t imagine going on holiday without your four-legged friend, you’ll be pleased to hear that there are plenty of pet-friendly villas. Your pet will have plenty of space in the villa itself, as well as in the garden and the back yard. Nevertheless, it’s important to respect the owner’s property and ensure that your pet doesn’t cause any damage. You should also bring your pet’s bed or a blanket.
Costs
Although a luxurious, spacious villa may seem expensive, this is not always the case, especially when you consider what you get for the price. Some villas can accommodate large groups of people – some can even host 8 or more guests (we call these properties ‘XXL’). If you split the costs among a group of friends or two families on holiday together, you will see that villas often offer great value for money.
The duration of a stay
Most villas do not offer short-term stays. If you choose to stay in a villa, you will usually need to book it for at least five days, and often for a week or more. Once you have stayed in one of our villas, you won’t want to leave early anyway! 😊
Holiday apartments
Size
Holiday apartments tend to be smaller and more compact, but they provide all the basic equipment you need for your stay. They are typically intended for solo travellers, couples, or families of two to five people. Some holiday apartments have a balcony or terrace, but this is not always the case. Some have an outdoor area that you have to share with other guests, which is not so bad if you like meeting new people on holiday, but not so great if you just want peace and quiet. In most apartments, you won’t find a pool, hot tub or outdoor kitchen.
We have recently added 141 more apartment offers throughout Croatia to our website. Most of the holiday apartments are currently available in the Istrian and Kvarner regions, as well as in southern Dalmatia. New properties are added to the list every day, so if you can’t find a suitable place today, try checking again in a few days’ time. You can browse our extensive selection of apartments using two filters: the standard filter lets you sort apartments by price or review score, while the advanced filter lets you specify additional search criteria, such as the number of bathrooms or bedrooms, amenities, sea distance, unit/property size, and other features.
Location
Holiday apartments are often located in more populated areas, closer to urban centres, so you will always have access to public transport, restaurants, pubs and shops within walking distance. However, this may also mean a noisier environment. Holiday apartments are often situated in larger buildings consisting of several units, so you will have neighbours close by.
Suitable for shorter stays
Holiday apartments usually allow shorter stays (less than seven days), so if you’re travelling around and only planning to stay in a holiday apartment for a couple of days, this shouldn’t be a problem.
Costs
Holiday apartment prices are generally lower than villa prices, but prices can vary significantly depending on the size and location of the apartment. For example, if an apartment is located close to the beach or another popular tourist spot, the price may increase significantly.
Pets
Since holiday apartments tend to be smaller with limited (or no) outdoor space, pets are less likely to be welcome. If you want to take your pet on holiday with you, make sure you double-check with the owner to see if pets are allowed on the property.
Which type of accomodation to chose
When deciding which type of accommodation to choose, you first need to know how many days you are staying for. Apartments are more suitable for stays of a couple of days, while villas are better for stays of at least a week.
If you want to bring your pet, it’s probably easier to find a pet-friendly villa than a pet-friendly apartment.
Another important consideration is the purpose of your trip. If you want to explore the local area, historical sights, visit pubs and restaurants, it would be more practical to stay in an apartment, since these are often located within walking distance.
On the other hand, if you prefer to relax on a sun lounger in luxury accommodation and enjoy peace and quiet, or the company of family or friends, and aren’t interested in exploring the location, a cosy villa would be a better solution.
In terms of cost, the differences are not that significant, since the price of a villa can decrease considerably if it is divided among a group of friends or two families. Conversely, the price of an apartment can increase if it is located in a popular area.
Comparison in a nutshell
| Villas | Holiday apartments | |
| Size | Big, spacious | Smaller, more compact |
| Location | Often situated in a remote, serene environment | Often located close to the urban areas |
| Pets | Often welcome | Often not allowed |
| Duration of stay | Appropriate for longer stays (often a minimum of 7 nights) | Shorter stays possible (also 3 nights or less) |
| Costs | Normally higher price but can be reduced if divided by two families, that spend vacation together | Normally lower price, which can increase in a popular area (eg. Near the beach or other attractions) |
Conclusion
Whatever you choose, you can browse our wide range of villas and apartments here. With the right preparation, we are confident that you will find the perfect holiday retreat that will stay in your memory for a long time (and make you want to go back the following year).
