Villa Franjo

The villa

This stunning 4-bedroom villa lies to the west of Split, on the edge of the beautiful Marjan Forest. With extensive grounds of its own and views out to the Adriatic Ocean, Villa Franjo is furnished to a very high standard and offers a spacious covered terrace and private pool.

The ideal choice for those wishing to explore both Split and the many other wonders of the Dalmatian Coast, Villa Franjo is well located for both the beach and city. The sands lie just 600m from the property, while the centre of Split is just 1.5km away. Popular destinations such as Omiš, Dugi Rat and Jesenice are within a 35-minute drive.

An attractive veranda is steps away from the poolside and features seating areas with a partial sea view. The large garden features an olive tree hill and you will find sun loungers and parasols waiting for you in the pool area.

On the ground floor, you have two large living rooms and a library, each one elegant and comfortable. The chandelier-lit dining area is the place to entertain or be entertained, and it’s easy to adjourn to the terrace for drinks after your meal. A fully equipped open kitchen with dishwasher, microwave, coffee machine and everything else you may need is also on this floor.

With a large balcony, en suite bathroom and walk-in closet, the master bedroom on the first floor enjoys some breathtaking views of the sea and city. There are two more double bedrooms on this floor, both en suite and with underfloor heating. A large suite covers the whole of the second floor, with a double bed and pull-out couch, and its own living area and bathroom.

As if all that wasn’t enough, you will find another bathroom and a fitness room down in the basement, while a garage provides parking for five cars. There’s no shortage of scenic places to drive to on the mainland, from the glorious Krka National Park to the coastal beauty Makarska, or you could take a boat trip to the incredible islands of Brač, Hvar or Korčula - each one is definitely worth setting sail for.

Croatia’s second city, Split rivals many capitals when it comes to historic and cultural must-sees. Likely to be on your list are Diocletian’s Palace and Saint Domnius’ Cathedral, but there is so much more, with no shortage of beautiful squares and buildings, plus the Riva waterfront and breathtaking Marjan Hills. The coast which stretches out east of the city has many more delights in store, including scenic Stobreč and Jesenice.

Perched on the Adriatic, Split boasts beautiful sunsets, exciting cuisine, great art and tons of history. Among its big draws is the Split Gallery of Fine Arts, Archaeological Museum and the Mestrovic Gallery, showcasing the work of the country’s greatest sculptor.

Right on the tip of the peninsula, the expansive green spaces of the Marjan Forest Park are another great reason to visit, while tours out to see the wonderful waterfalls of Krka are also justly popular. The Roman ruins of Diocletian’s Palace are perhaps the Split’s best-known attraction and guided walking tours of this and other local landmarks are a great way to get a feel for the city. Look out too for Republic Square, where many cultural events take place, and Split’s main beach, Bacvice. You will probably spot some people standing in the water playing the famous local ball game, Picigin.

Within a 30-minute drive of the city are Stobreč, Podstrana and Jesenice. All are worth stopping for - as the beauty of the Adriatic is always worth admiring.

Look out for the wooden ships at Jesenice, which can take you on a pleasurable journey, perhaps towards nearby Omiš or the island of Brač. If you make it to Omiš, just a little further, you’ll be in the adrenaline sports capital of the area, with spectacular zip-wire and water-sports adventures all part of this historic town’s modern-day appeal.