A holiday home in Croatia during the autumn half-term or autumn school holidays is a chance for families to stretch the summer out a little longer – without the August heat and without crowded beaches. Here in Kaštel Stari, between Split and Trogir, it works well as long as you know exactly when your holidays fall. Because there's a noticeable difference between a week in early October and a week in early November.
The key point: when your autumn holidays fall
Autumn school holidays vary widely depending on your country, region or school – some in early October, others from late October into November. For your holiday with us, that makes a real difference:
| Period | Large pool | Hot tub | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| September and October | heated, no extra charge | heated | in summer usually Saturday to Saturday |
| from November | resting (heating on request for the cost of electricity) | heated | monthly, minimum stay 1 month |
In short: autumn holidays in October are a perfect fit. Holidays that fall mainly in November come under our winter rentals – so a one-week stay generally can't be booked then. If in doubt, just ask us on WhatsApp.
Autumn weather – without sugar-coating
For many, September is the best month for swimming: the Adriatic is still warm after the summer, and the air is no longer oppressive. In October the days are mild and the evenings fresher, and the sea is usually too cool for a long swim – that's when the heated pool really comes into its own. There can be the odd rainy or windy day, and towards the end of October the first seasonal restaurants and boat operators close.
In return, you'll have the beaches and old towns almost to yourselves, and the landscape is more pleasant again after the dry summer. We've described it month by month in our guide Heated Pool in the Shoulder Season.
What you can do during the autumn holidays
In autumn, excursions are more enjoyable than in high summer, because the midday heat no longer dictates everything:
- Trogir (around 10 minutes by car): UNESCO-listed old town, small enough for a morning.
- Split (around 25 minutes): Diocletian's Palace, at its best in the late afternoon.
- Klis Fortress and Salona: hands-on history, and easy to combine.
- Krka National Park and Šibenik: as a long day trip.
- Omiš and the Cetina gorge: plenty of variety for families with older children.
- Kaštel Stari promenade: around 1 km away, 10–15 minutes on foot – for an evening stroll.
Driving times, parking tips and our honest take on every destination are in Day Trips from Split & Trogir. A car is useful for trips like these.
Autumn in the villa – why it works so well
Rainy days show whether a place to stay is any good. Each of our villas has a large living and dining area with a smart TV, a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning and heating in every room, and a washing machine. Just be Alive also has a gym, a trampoline and table tennis, and Just be Light has table football and table tennis. And the hot tub is warm even on a cool evening.
Useful with children: we provide a cot, high chair and baby monitor free of charge. Dogs are welcome – autumn is more pleasant for them than summer anyway.
Which villa suits you?
- Villa Just be Alive – fenced garden, trampoline, gym, sea views
- Villa Just be Light – separately heated, extra-hot hot tub, five king-size bedrooms
- Villa Just be Happy – large terrace with sea views, approx. 10 minutes to the airport
Frequently asked questions
Until when is the pool heated in autumn?
Until October, at no extra charge. From November only the hot tub is heated; we can heat the large pool on request for the cost of the electricity.
Can we still swim in the sea in October?
On warm days, if you're brave – but for most people it's too cool. In September the sea is usually still pleasant.
Our autumn holidays are in November – is that possible?
From November to April we rent by the month. So a week in November generally can't be booked – but do ask us, as sometimes a solution comes up.
Do we need a car?
Not for the beach, the promenade or shopping, but yes for trips to Krka, Šibenik or Omiš.
Check your autumn holiday dates in the villa's calendar or message us on WhatsApp – we'll tell you honestly whether the dates work.