Villa Nikita

The Adriatic spreads out in layers of blue as you stand on the terrace at Villa Nikita, with Split’s bell towering on the horizon, Kaňela Bay below, and the islands of Brač, Hvar, Šolta, and Čiovo stepping into the distance like a painted backdrop.

Located on a serene hillside overlooking Kaňel Stari, this recently constructed, avant-garde retreat is ideal for days that start with the light of the sea and conclude with the cozy silence of a Dalmatian evening. The living room transforms into a breezy pavilion when the patio doors are opened; three steps later, the water from a 70 m² heated infinity pool appears to pour into the bay. A long, laughing lunch from the outdoor kitchen, a cool lap as the day warms, espresso on the sun shelf at first light—Villa Nikita is a lesson in how effortlessly a vacation can go when the house is set up exactly the way you live.

With the ease of a smart home, 330 m² of modern space spans two floors. The ground floor serves as the social hub, featuring a light-filled salon with expansive views of the sea and a 4K IPTV setup for match nights, a modern island kitchen that can host a private chef dinner or a straightforward family breakfast, and a dedicated gym that ensures positive habits follow you everywhere.

This level’s tranquil double bedroom with an attached bathroom is ideal for visitors who would rather stay off stairs. Four more en suite bedrooms with private terraces, air conditioning, and wake-up views line up up the floating stair, making every morning feel like an arrival. The storage is ample, the linens are clean, and cross-breezes provide most of the cooling before the covert climate control ever needs to be used.

Outside, the villa has a better view and reads like a private beach club. Cushioned loungers and a jacuzzi border the salt-treated, heated infinity pool; an outdoor shower keeps you cool in between swims; and the summer kitchen combines a grill, sink, and drink cooler so no one has to stop talking to refill a glass. Evenings fade into that Adriatic golden hour when the islands turn mauve, the stone glows honey-warm, and dinner arrives under the pergola with the aroma of olive wood and rosemary. On a clear night, you can see ferries sailing in the direction of Split as the pool reflects the stars.

The ideal location of Villa Nikita for exploration contributes to the enjoyment of this place. There are twelve more beaches scattered along the coast in both directions, and the closest kid-friendly pebble beach on the Kaňela Riviera is about a 5-8 minute drive (3 km). The UNESCO-listed old town of Trogir is 15 to 20 minutes away by car; Split’s Diocletian’s Palace and Riva promenade are 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic; and groceries and pharmacies are normally 5 to 10 minutes away.

For day trips, the Blue Lagoon off Drvenik Veli is only a short boat ride from Trogir; the waterfalls of Krka National Park are located about 70 to 90 minutes inland; and the trails and viewpoints of Marjan Park make for a simple 35 to 45-minute excursion into Split. Place the villa above Ka‘el Stari at roughly 43.55° N, 16.35° E for map cues. There are peaceful hillside lanes and bay views all around.

Logistics and arrival are straightforward and door-to-door. Split ferry port and main station are located 30–45 minutes east (19 km), Split Airport (SPU) is about 10–15 minutes away (6 km) in normal traffic, and the A1 motorway access at Prgomet is about 25–30 minutes for trips north toward Šibenik/Zadar or south toward Makarska/Dubrovnik. The last 1-2 km to the villa are on well-kept local roads; an SUV or regular sedan is comfortable, but we suggest an SUV for carrying luggage and exploring the coast. Your concierge can set up everything from a skip-the-line palace tour in Split to vineyard tastings in Kaňela, including private transfers, boat charters, and chef services.

Here, the house scales differently. The gym, infinity pool, jacuzzi, and full summer kitchen make every hour easy; Starlink-fast internet, IPTV, and smart-home controls ensure comfort never falters; and five en suite bedrooms accommodate up to ten guests. Additionally, sister properties Villa Nikita and Villa Kira sit side by side for milestone events, providing access to a combined 20-guest hillside compound that is unique among contemporary coastal homes and uncommon in this region of Dalmatia.

Three things to do in the area
• Take a boat from Trogir in the middle of the morning to the Blue Lagoon, where you can snorkel over turquoise sandbars. Afterward, have a late lunch on Čiovo before returning home to enjoy the sunset in the jacuzzi.
• Take a split day that includes walking Diocletian’s Palace, climbing Marjan Park for views of the bay, and finishing with gelato on the Riva while ferries glide out to the islands. Before making the short drive home via the motorway, stop in Skradin for a riverfront dinner and drive inland to Krka National Park for waterfall boardwalks.

A newly constructed smart-home hillside estate with a heated 70 m² infinity pool, gym, and full summer kitchen, as well as panoramic views of the island from every floor, is a unique value proposition. It can be paired with Villa Kira, which is next door, to create a private enclave for 20 guests.

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