Top 5 Villas in Croatia for Large Groups with Private Pools

Planning a holiday in Croatia with family or friends? A villa gives you space to spend time together, from breakfast on the terrace to afternoons by the pool. The key is finding one with enough bedrooms for everyone and a location that suits your plans.

These five villas from Makarska Exklusiv sleep up to 10 or 12 guests on the Makarska Riviera. Each has a private pool, with options ranging from a beachfront villa in Drašnice to a hillside home above Tučepi.

Below, we compare their bedrooms, shared spaces and locations to help you choose the right villa for your group.

Look at the bedroom count as well as the number of guests a villa sleeps. For five couples who each want their own bedroom, start with the five- and six-bedroom options.

• Sleeps: Up to 12 guests in six double bedrooms.
• Best for: Three households or six couples travelling together.
• Standout feature: Three self-contained apartments rented as one whole villa.

Villa VID in Makarska has three apartments, each with a living room, kitchen and two bedrooms. You can all stay at the same property while each household has its own space for breakfast, children's bedtimes or a quiet evening.

This setup works well for three families who want to spend time together but also have their own space. Six couples can also have a double bedroom each, with separate kitchens and living rooms shared between pairs of couples.

The private pool and terraces give everyone a place to gather. There is also a sauna, hot tub, fitness equipment and a pool table for days when you feel like staying in.

With six double bedrooms, Villa VID is the only villa in this selection that sleeps 12 guests.

The separate levels and balconies of Villa VID in Makarska

• Sleeps: Up to 10 guests in five bedrooms.
• Best for: Families and friends who want the beach close to home.
• Standout feature: A beachfront position with a private outdoor pool.

Villa Svilla is in Drašnice, a coastal village on the Makarska Riviera. Its beachfront location makes it easy to head out for a swim without getting everyone into the car.

There are four double bedrooms and one twin room, which is useful for children or friends who prefer separate beds. Six bathrooms make it easier for everyone to get ready after a day at the beach.

Back at the villa, you have a private pool, sun terrace and barbecue. Some guests can relax by the pool while others head to the beach, then everyone can meet for dinner.

Svilla is a good choice if you expect to spend much of your holiday by the sea. The beach beside the villa is public, while the pool is private.

Villa Svilla beside the pebble shore in Drašnice

• Sleeps: Up to 10 guests in five double bedrooms.
• Best for: Families or couples who expect to spend time at the villa.
• Standout feature: A 2,000 square metre property and a 15 metre private pool.

Villa Ani i Tina is in Srida Sela, above Tučepi. Its spacious grounds suit groups who want to spend plenty of time at the villa, swimming, sharing meals and relaxing outside.

The 15-metre pool is a highlight for keen swimmers, and the garden gives you more outdoor space than a compact pool terrace.

Five double bedrooms give each of five couples their own room. There are three bathrooms, so a full group of ten will need to share.

The hillside setting suits pool days and trips down to the coast. A kitchen, barbecue, dishwasher and washing machine make it easy to cook and do laundry during your stay.

Terraces and garden space at Villa Ani i Tina near Tučepi

• Sleeps: Up to 10 guests across four bedrooms and a sofa bed.
• Best for: Groups comfortable with an 8+2 sleeping arrangement.
• Standout feature: A private pool, hot tub and sauna.

Villa Lantana sleeps eight guests in four double bedrooms, with a queen sofa bed for two more. For a group of ten, two guests will need to use the sofa bed.

Four couples can each have a bedroom. If you are travelling with children or friends who are happy to use the sofa bed, the extra sleeping space may be useful. Five couples who all want a bedroom should consider one of the larger properties.

The outdoor pool, garden and hot tub are ideal for relaxing at the villa. There is also a sauna, along with five bathrooms to make sharing the house easier.

Lantana is worth considering if you will enjoy the pool, hot tub and sauna. Just agree on who will sleep where before booking.

The pool and outdoor hot tub at Villa Lantana in Makarska

• Sleeps: Up to 10 guests, with four bedrooms.
• Best for: Travellers who prefer a stone-house setting.
• Standout feature: Traditional Dalmatian styling with a pool and terrace.

Villa Tomo has a traditional Dalmatian stone exterior, outdoor seating and a private pool. It is a welcoming place for shared meals and quiet evenings in Makarska.

Inside are four double bedrooms, four bathrooms, a kitchen and a bright living area. The villa also has air conditioning, Wi-Fi and a barbecue.

Four couples can each have a bedroom. The villa is listed for up to ten guests, but it has only four bedrooms. If your group needs five separate bedrooms, another property in this selection will suit you better.

Tomo is a good option for groups who like traditional stone houses and want a private pool for days spent at the villa.

Villa Tomo and its illuminated private pool in Makarska

The Makarska Riviera gives your group plenty of choice. You can spend a day at the beach, explore a town, head into the mountains or stay by the pool.

These villas are in Makarska, Drašnice and the hills above Tučepi. The location will shape your stay: a beachfront villa makes quick swims easy, while a hillside home suits groups happy to drive to the coast.

Talk about what everyone wants from the holiday before choosing. If daily walks to the beach are a priority, focus on access to the sea. If you are happy to drive, you may prefer more outdoor space or a different bedroom layout.

Decide who sleeps where

Make a bedroom plan for everyone, including children. Note who will share a room, who needs separate beds and whether anyone will use a sofa bed.

Think about bathrooms too. Ten guests sharing three bathrooms may need to stagger showers, especially if everyone wants to head out at the same time.

Make shared meals easy

A kitchen and barbecue are useful, but a week of self-catering works best with a simple plan. Rotate breakfast shopping, agree which evenings you want to cook and leave room for meals out. For a larger party, splitting tasks usually makes dinner more enjoyable than leaving one person to organise it all.

If someone will sleep on a sofa bed, think about how that affects the living room in the mornings and evenings. In a villa with separate apartments, each household has its own living space, with everyone meeting outside.

Plan how you will get around

Think about how many people will want to go out at the same time. Some may choose the beach while others go shopping or take a day trip. A beachfront villa can make this easier; at a hillside property, having enough transport gives everyone more choice.

If anyone has limited mobility, consider the routes between the parking area, bedrooms, pool and dining space when choosing a villa. The bedroom layout and any steps are worth discussing before booking.

Compare the total stay cost

Use the total accommodation price for your dates when discussing the budget, including any applicable charges. Then agree how to share costs if bedrooms or sleeping arrangements differ. A flat split is simple, but groups using a sofa bed or rooms with different levels of privacy may prefer another arrangement.

Keep a separate shared budget for groceries, transport and meals together. That gives everyone a clearer picture of the holiday cost than a nightly villa price alone.

Which villa sleeps 12 guests?

Villa VID accommodates up to 12 guests in six double bedrooms. The property is rented as one villa and arranged as three apartments, each with two bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room.

Which villa is closest to the beach?

Villa Svilla is the beachfront choice in this selection. Its Drašnice location suits groups who want the sea close to their accommodation as well as a private pool at home.

Does an 8+2 villa have five bedrooms?

Not necessarily. At Villa Lantana, 8+2 means four double bedrooms for eight guests and a sofa bed for two more. If every couple wants a separate bedroom, choose a property with at least five.

Can these villas host a wedding or party?

No. These villas do not allow parties or events. They are suitable for group holidays with shared meals, pool time and outings.

What if our group has more than 12 people?

The largest villa in this selection sleeps 12. For a bigger group, you will need a larger property or more than one villa. If you book separate homes, consider how far apart they are and how you will travel between them.

For 12 guests or three families who want separate living spaces, start with Villa VID. Choose Villa Svilla for easy beach access, or Villa Ani i Tina for its large pool and garden. Lantana and Tomo are worth considering if four bedrooms work for your group.

Explore the Makarska Exklusiv villa collection with your dates, guest count and preferred location in mind. A good group villa gives everyone somewhere comfortable to sleep and makes spending time together easy.