Croatia is rapidly becoming something of a holiday hotspot on the Mediterranean – and when you take into account how much it has to offer visitors, this should come as little surprise. However, all this can make selecting self catering accommodation a challenge.

When there is so much to see and do, how do you choose the most suitable location for your villa in Croatia – and how do you ensure it is the best accommodation for your break? If you need a helping hand, make your decision based on three simple criteria. Read on to find out what these are.

Budget

By and large, your budget will be the most important factor in selecting the ideal place to stay on your Croatian getaway. If you're keen to be careful with your finances, you'll want somewhere that is affordable but also clean, comfortable and in a great location. On the other end of the scale, if you're prepared to splash out on the luxury holiday of a lifetime, every penny has to count and you'll be sure to want accommodation that delivers.

Whether you're on a tight budget or not, self catering can be a fantastic option. You can book an apartment in the heart of the city or a villa overlooking the sea, which you can treat just like home for your stay.

Room numbers

Another great perk of hiring self catering accommodation is that it's suitable for a large party. Of course, you may simply be planning a holiday with just your partner or close family, but going away with a group of friends and relatives can really be an experience you never forget.

By choosing to hire a villa rather than stay in a hotel, you have more freedom to establish a budget per head. If lots of people are going you could bag a real bargain and pay far less per room than you would at a hotel. In addition, you have the freedom to either split the bill evenly between you or offer some of the smaller rooms at a lower cost to your friends on a budget – making sure no-one gets left behind.

Location

Now, all that's left to guide your decision is where to stay – and Croatia has so many places to choose from. With this in mind, think about what you most like to do on holiday.

If history is a passion of yours, Dubrovnik will certainly appeal. Known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, the city boasts an Old Town that is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Within the ancient stone walls lies a host of beautiful things to see, like Roland's Column and Sponza Palace. You can walk along the walls themselves and admire the views out to sea.

Activity-lovers will also be well catered for in Croatia. Choose accommodation on the peninsula of Istria – one of the country's most popular tourism destinations – where you can spend long days visiting the beautiful beaches and trying your hand at wind-surfing, caving and diving. On dry land, you'll also find plenty to do, including horse riding, golf and fishing.

Finally, if you want to do nothing more than relax, enjoy the sunshine, stroll around traditional towns and villages and sample the local cuisine, base yourself on one of Croatia's islands on the Dalmatian Coast.