Croatia featured in The Times: Why Britain is looking to the Adriatic

Croatia is gaining increasing attention among British buyers considering relocation, property ownership and a longer-term lifestyle on the Adriatic. In August 2026, The Times featured Croatia as a destination for British nationals exploring life beyond the UK, highlighting its quality of life, Mediterranean climate, accessibility and position within the European Union.

The article also features a villa from Remington Real Estate’s portfolio in Vrbnik on the island of Krk. As the exclusive Croatian affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, Remington provides its properties with access to a global platform and international exposure across key markets and to buyers worldwide.

The feature reflects a broader shift in how international buyers perceive Croatia. Once primarily associated with summer holidays, the country is increasingly being considered for permanent and seasonal living, remote work, second-home ownership and long-term property investment.

The lifestyle case for Croatia

The appeal The Times describes is one we recognise intimately. Croatia offers something that has become increasingly rare in Western Europe: a genuinely unhurried quality of daily life, extraordinary natural surroundings and a cost of living that remains meaningfully more accessible than in the UK, while still being firmly within the European Union, the Schengen Area and the eurozone.

Safety is consistently cited by those who have made the move. So are the sense of community, the food, the coastline, the Mediterranean climate and the ease of reaching the rest of Europe. Direct flights connect Croatia to the UK in under two hours. The framework for longer-term stays, including Croatia’s digital nomad residence permit introduced in 2021, has also made relocation more accessible to international professionals.

This framework has been particularly significant in attracting a new profile of resident. These are not only retirees seeking a slower pace of life. They include professionals, entrepreneurs and remote workers who want the infrastructure of modern European living alongside something increasingly difficult to find in congested Western cities: space, light and a genuine sense of place.

Kvarner Gulf

Where people are looking

The destinations drawing sustained attention from international property buyers span the full length of the Croatian coast. Dubrovnik and Split have strong international recognition. Rovinj and the wider Istrian peninsula have developed a reputation for a refined, year-round lifestyle that sits comfortably alongside established Mediterranean destinations such as Tuscany and Provence.

The Kvarner Gulf, and the island of Krk in particular, offers a compelling combination of accessibility, natural beauty and authentic Mediterranean character.

Krk is connected to the Croatian mainland by bridge, served by Rijeka Airport and positioned within comfortable reach of Zagreb, Slovenia and Italy. Its combination of historic coastal settlements, beaches, vineyards and modern infrastructure makes the island particularly relevant to international buyers looking for property in Croatia without sacrificing connectivity to Central Europe.

The island of Krk

The property: Vrbnik, Krk Island

A property from Remington Real Estate’s portfolio, presented through the international Christie’s International Real Estate network, is located in Vrbnik, one of the most renowned historic towns on the island of Krk.

Perched above the Adriatic Sea, Vrbnik is known for its medieval centre, narrow stone streets, traditional architecture, local Žlahtina white wine and expansive views across the Kvarner Gulf.

Vrbnik town

The villa represents the type of property increasingly sought by international buyers in Croatia: a home with individual character, a strong connection to its location and access to the lifestyle of the Adriatic coast.

Its appearance in The Times also demonstrates the international visibility Croatian properties can achieve through the Christie’s International Real Estate network.

Villa with a heated pool and sea view - Vrbnik

Croatia’s moment

“Croatia has long been recognised internationally primarily as a tourist destination. Today, we are seeing that perception gradually evolve. Some international buyers are no longer coming solely for holidays but are comparing Croatia with other Mediterranean markets as a place to own a second home and spend a significant part of the year. For the Croatian real estate market, this represents an important step in its maturation,” says Ivan Kovačić, CEO of Remington Real Estate.

Through the global network and platform of Christie’s International Real Estate, Remington provides selected properties in Croatia with international exposure and access to prospective buyers across key markets worldwide.

This is precisely why the significance of the feature in The Times extends beyond the presentation of a single property in Vrbnik. It is another indication that Croatia is no longer perceived internationally solely as a holiday destination, but increasingly as a place for second-home ownership, extended stays and a long-term connection with the Adriatic.