Villa Ballena · Heated Pool, Sauna & Tennis · Designer Istria Retreat

Wake to the scent of rosemary, step onto a sun-warmed terrace, and slip into a heated pool framed by olive groves. Villa Ballena is a 350 m² designer residence in the green heart of Istria — built in 2021 for travellers who want both serious style and serious calm.

Inside, dark, sophisticated interiors meet natural materials and soft Mediterranean light, with glass that blurs the line between living space and garden. This isn't a rental that feels like a rental — it's an architect-designed home that's yours for the week.

🏊 Heated pool, sauna & wellness
A heated 8 × 4 m biological pool with hydromassage stays swim-warm from spring through autumn — chemical-free and entirely your own. After a day out, unwind in the private Finnish sauna, then cool down under the stars.

🛏️ Sleeps 8 (+1) in four en-suite bedrooms
Every bedroom has its own bathroom — no queuing, no compromise.
- 2 double rooms (180 × 210 cm)
- 2 twin rooms (single beds)
4 full bathrooms + 3 guest WCs, so a full house never feels crowded.

🍽️ Kitchen & outdoor living
A fully equipped modern kitchen — induction hob, ice maker, capsule coffee machine — opens onto a sheltered terrace built for long Istrian dinners: outdoor dining, barbecue, and a majestic hundred-year-old olive tree at its centre. There's also a clay tennis court on the grounds.

📍 The location
Villa Ballena sits on a quiet country lane in Svetvinčenat, a medieval village at the green centre of Istria — the region's celebrated truffle country.
- 300 m stroll to the village square, a traditional konoba and the 13th-century Morosini-Grimani castle
- 19 km to the nearest Adriatic beach (Bale)
- 23 km to Rovinj
- 33 km to Pula Airport
The Limski kanal, the Brijuni islands and the truffle forests around Buzet are all within easy reach.

🐾 Good to know
- Two pets welcome — at no extra charge
- 24/7 host support in English, German, Italian & Croatian
- On request: Pula airport transfer, private chef, daily cleaning, baby cot & high chair
- Bed linen, towels, pool towels and final cleaning all included

🎯 Perfect for
Couples after a wellness reset, families who want a pool and space to themselves, or friends celebrating something. Travelling as a bigger group? Villa Ballena connects with its sister Villa Beluga to sleep up to 18 — two pools, two kitchens, one private estate — ideal for weddings, milestone birthdays and retreats.

Summer 2026 dates are limited. Send us your dates and we'll hold them for you.