Villas with heated pools in Croatia: What is the real water temperature in May and October?

Planning a holiday in the pre-season and post-season in Croatia comes with many advantages – fewer crowds, more pleasant temperatures, a more authentic destination experience, and often more favorable villa prices. However, one question almost always comes first for guests considering booking a villa with a pool: “Will the pool actually be usable?”

If you book a villa with a heated pool through the HomeRent platform, it is important to have realistic expectations. The term “heated pool” sounds reassuring, but in practice, the water temperature depends on several technical and weather-related factors.

Below, we present realistic, on-site expectations based on our experience working with a large number of villas across Dalmatia and the rest of Croatia.

Why does “heated pool” not always mean “as warm as a bathtub”?

The vast majority of villas in Croatia use heat pumps to warm pool water. This is an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly system, but one with clear limitations.

A heat pump:

• uses energy from the outdoor air
• its efficiency depends directly on air temperature, wind, and nighttime conditions
• does not perform the same way in May, August, and October

In practice, this means the system does not generate heat “out of nothing” — it transfers it. That is why having realistic expectations is essential.

Realistic pool temperatures by month (based on on-site experience)

Month	Average air temperature	Unheated pool	Heated pool (HomeRent standard)
May	20–23°C	17–19°C	24–26°C
June	25–28°C	22–24°C	26–28°C
September	24–26°C	22–23°C	25–27°C
October	18–21°C	16–18°C	22–25°C

Note:
The stated values apply to villas with a properly functioning heating system, continuous operation of the heat pump, and the use of a thermal pool cover. Actual water temperature may vary depending on micro-location, wind, nighttime temperatures, and sun exposure.

Key factors that most affect water temperature

As a specialized platform for villa rentals in Croatia, HomeRent places particular emphasis on the following factors, which make the difference between comfortable swimming and a quick exit from the pool:

Thermal pool cover (pool cover)

The most important element. Without a cover, a pool can lose almost all the heat generated during the day overnight. Villas that use thermal or solar covers retain, on average, 3–4°C higher water temperatures.

Wind (bora, tramontana, jugo)

Wind accelerates water evaporation, which is the main cause of pool cooling. Even a sunny day can have a limited effect if the pool is exposed to strong winds.

Nighttime temperatures

If nighttime temperatures drop below 12°C (which is not uncommon in May and October), the heat pump must first compensate for the lost heat before it can further warm the water.

HomeRent advice for families with children

If you are traveling in May or October and staying with young children, we recommend booking a villa with a heated pool, a thermal pool cover, and additional amenities such as an indoor jacuzzi or a sauna as a “Plan B.” Such villas offer maximum flexibility regardless of weather conditions.

Is it worth booking a villa with a heated pool in the pre-season?

Absolutely. The difference between 18°C (unheated pool) and 24–25°C (heated pool) is not a small nuance — it is the difference between a pool that goes unused and one that becomes the central part of your holiday. A heated pool: extends the season for using outdoor spaces, significantly improves the overall quality of the stay and justifies the investment in luxury accommodation outside the main season

Transparency as a standard

Within the HomeRent offer, we carefully select villas with heated pools, verified systems, and realistic expectations. Our goal is not to “sell a headline,” but to ensure that guests know exactly what awaits them upon arrival.

Looking for the ideal villa for the pre-season or post-season?

On the HomeRent platform, villas with heated pools are clearly marked, and we help you choose properties that have proven to perform best in practice during May and October. Explore our selection of villas with heated pools in Croatia and secure a comfortable holiday — without unpleasant surprises, regardless of the date on the calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Villas with heated pools

Is pool heating always included in the villa rental price?
In most villas, pool heating is not included in the base rental price, especially during the pre-season and post-season. Heating is usually charged additionally per day or per week, depending on the property. On the HomeRent platform, heating conditions are always clearly stated before booking.

How many days does it take to heat the pool?
If the pool was previously unheated, the heat pump typically needs around 2 days in May and September and up to 3 days in October, depending on weather conditions. For this reason, we always recommend turning on the heating before the guests arrive.

Can the pool temperature be increased above the stated values?
In practice – not significantly. Heat pumps have technical limitations and can rarely maintain temperatures above 27–28°C in May or October, especially during cold nights. If a higher temperature is essential, we recommend villas with indoor wellness facilities.

Does pool heating run all day?
In most villas, the system operates continuously, but with reduced efficiency or pauses during the night, especially if temperatures drop below 15°C. Using a thermal pool cover significantly improves temperature stability.

Is a heated pool suitable for children?
Yes, but with realistic expectations. A water temperature of 24–25°C is comfortable for most children during the day, while for evening swimming, additional amenities such as a jacuzzi or an indoor pool are often preferred.

Written by: Home Rent