Many Chinese families choose a villa over a hotel: three generations under one roof, a bathroom for every bedroom, and a kitchen to cook in. This guide is based on the questions our guests ask most often about day-to-day life in Kaštel Stari.
What's in the villa kitchen
All three villas have an induction hob, an oven, a dishwasher, decent pans and sharp knives, and an electric kettle for tea, instant noodles or a cup of hot water. Outside there's a gas barbecue.
If you need something specific, such as a rice cooker, ask us before you arrive and we'll do our best.
Drinking water and hot water
Tap water here is safe to drink. Locals drink their water cold, and restaurants usually bring it cold too. If you'd like warm water, ask for "topla voda" or simply "hot water".
Where to shop
Supermarkets, cafés and restaurants are within about a kilometre of the villas. Konzum, Tommy and Lidl are all nearby. Rice, noodles and soy sauce are usually available in the bigger supermarkets, but Chinese sauces such as doubanjiang or Lao Gan Ma are hard to find, so bring some if you can't do without.
Note that bringing meat and dairy products into the EU from outside is not allowed; spices, tea and dried goods are generally fine.
Most shops in Croatia are closed on Sundays apart from selected Sundays in the year, so do your big shop on Saturday.
Seafood
The fish market next to Split old town, the Peškarija, is a morning market, so go early. You can grill your catch at the villa.
In restaurants, fish is often priced by the kilo. Ask to see the fish and have it weighed before you order, so you know the price. The local speciality peka, meat or octopus slow-cooked under an iron bell, usually has to be ordered a day ahead. More in Restaurants in Split, Trogir and Kaštela.
Chinese food
Split has a few Chinese and other Asian restaurants, some on delivery apps such as Wolt. Delivery to Kaštela changes with the season, so ask us and we'll tell you who currently delivers.
Locals eat dinner late, eight or nine in the evening is normal in summer. Restaurants in tourist areas usually serve all day.
Photo spots
- The Kaštilac in Kaštel Gomilica: quiet early in the morning, and Braavos in Game of Thrones
- Vidilica viewpoint on Marjan, Split: over the old town, the harbour and the islands
- Klis Fortress: the whole Bay of Kaštela in the late afternoon
- Trogir old town: best at dusk and after dark
- The Kaštela seafront: about a kilometre from the villas, lovely for an evening walk
If you want to fly a drone, Croatia applies EU drone rules and many old towns and the areas around airports are no-fly zones. Check the rules before take-off; our villas are close to Split Airport.
Plitvice Lakes: how to plan it
Plitvice is about 240 to 250 km from us, 2.5 to 3.5 hours each way. A day trip means six or seven hours in the car, which is hard work in summer with grandparents and children.
Our advice: either stay a night near the park, or go to Krka National Park instead, about an hour's drive, with waterfalls and boardwalks too. Swimming is not allowed in the national parks. Ticket prices change every year; for 2026 the high-season adult ticket (1 June to 30 September) is €40 for entry before 4 pm. Check the official website for current prices.
More day trips: Day trips from Split, Trogir and Kaštela.
A few summer tips
- July and August are very sunny at midday. Bring sun cream, hats and sunglasses, and plan outdoor activities for the morning and evening.
- There can be sea urchins on rocky shores, so water shoes for the whole family are a good idea.
- Every room in the villas has air conditioning.
Visa, flights, payments and driving licences are covered in Travelling to Croatia from China.
All three villas have a heated pool and a hot tub, five bedrooms each with its own bathroom, and sleep up to ten: Villa Just be Alive, Villa Just be Light and Villa Just be Happy.
