A workation in Croatia sounds like a laptop by the pool – but in practice, something else decides whether working from a holiday home actually works: an internet connection that doesn't buckle on the third video call, a table at the right height, and a room with a door. We've equipped our three villas in Kaštel Stari, between Split and Trogir, so that we can work in them ourselves. Here's an honest account of what you get and where the limits are.
Internet: the first thing you should ask about
Most holiday homes list "Wi-Fi" among their amenities – without saying how fast or how reliable it is. Here's how it looks with us:
- Starlink on the fastest plan, with up to approx. 400 Mbps at Just be Alive and Just be Light
- Usually a second connection as a backup, in case one goes down
- Ubiquiti Wi-Fi throughout the house, so in the bedroom or on the terrace too
- In our experience, several video calls at once are no problem
Villa Just be Happy also has fast internet with Wi-Fi throughout the house. If you're planning very large uploads or livestreams, it's best to ask us beforehand which house suits you best – we'll tell you openly.
And one practical point many people underestimate: Croatia is on Central European Time, the same as Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and just one hour ahead of the UK. Stand-ups, client meetings and phone calls run much as they do at home.
A workspace, not the dining table
A dining table with a bench is fine for two days. By the second week at the latest, your back will have something to say about it. That's why:
- Villa Just be Light has a dedicated workspace with a monitor – plug in your laptop and you're set.
- All three villas have a workspace designed for working from home.
- Every bedroom has its own bathroom and a door – if two of you are working, you won't be talking over each other on calls.
- There's air conditioning and heating in every room, including wherever you're working.
If you want a week of focused work, the main question to ask yourself is: how many people need a quiet spot at the same time? With five rooms with en-suite bathrooms, that's manageable even for a small team.
A realistic working day here
First emails on the terrace in the morning, calls before lunch. At midday in summer it's too hot to work outdoors – that's when the air conditioning helps. After work: a few lengths in your own pool (heated from the end of March to October), then the hot tub, which is heated all year round. The beach and promenade are around 1 km away, so 10–15 minutes on foot. Trogir is around 10 and Split around 25 minutes away by car.
Useful for everyday life: a washing machine with detergent in the house, a fully equipped kitchen and, on request, additional cleans on longer stays. Villa Just be Alive also has its own gym – handy after a long day at the desk.
Staying longer pays off
A workation rarely works in a week. The first week is about settling in; from the second, a routine develops. Our prices are designed with that in mind:
- Many long-stay discounts are already automatically included in the price – details under Long Stays & Discounts.
- From around 14 nights, we're much more flexible about arrival and departure days than the usual Saturday-to-Saturday rhythm.
- From November to April we rent by the month (minimum stay one month) – ideal for a working winter by the sea.
What a winter between Split and Trogir feels like, and what's open then and what isn't, is covered in our guide Long Stays in Dalmatia. If you're already thinking in years, you'll find the details under Villa for Yearly Rental.
What doesn't fit
To be honest: if you're looking for a coworking scene with lots of other remote workers on your doorstep, Kaštel Stari isn't the place – it's a long-established coastal village, not a digital nomad hub. A car is also useful for excursions. But if you're after peace and quiet, a whole house and reliable internet, that's exactly what you'll find here.
Which villa suits you?
- Villa Just be Light – workspace with monitor, Starlink, five bedrooms with king-size box-spring beds and en-suite bathrooms
- Villa Just be Alive – Starlink, gym, sea views, EV wallbox
- Villa Just be Happy – sea views over the bay, quiet cul-de-sac, approx. 10 minutes to the airport
Frequently asked questions
Is the internet good enough for video calls?
Yes. There are usually two connections – Starlink on the fastest plan plus a backup – with up to approx. 400 Mbps and Wi-Fi throughout the house. Several video calls at once are no problem.
Is there a proper desk?
Villa Just be Light has a workspace with a monitor. All the villas have a workspace for working from home; we're happy to clarify exactly what you need in advance.
Can I arrive midweek?
In summer, usually Saturday to Saturday; from around 14 nights we're much more flexible. In winter we rent by the month.
Is the villa cleaned during a long stay?
On request we arrange additional cleans. There's a vacuum cleaner, mop and cleaning products in the house anyway.
Send us your preferred dates and work requirements via WhatsApp or through our contact page – we'll tell you honestly which villa suits you best.