Europe's gorgeous and cheap 'fairytale' seaside town which helped build the White House

as a whole boasts some of the most beautiful towns and villages in all of Europe. This coastal town in , the largest island in Dalmatia, is no exception.

It is often listed as one of the prettiest settlements in and is home to around 1,350 people. It is particularly known for its beautiful bay and white limestone buildings, built with local stone. In fact, a local story claims that the played an important role in the construction of the White House in the late 18th century.

Puiša lies on the northern coast of Brac opposite the Croatian mainland, separated by the Brac Channel. It sits at the end of a deep natural bay, which in the summer gives its harbour protection from the winds that whip through the open sea.

Many of the town's buildings and monuments, some centuries old, were built with local stone. This has long been a major part of the Puiša economy and self-image.

Jadrankamen, the largest stone quarry company in Europe, is located here, as is Croatia's only stonemason school. Further east, a number of historic quarries, some of them dating back to times, can also be found.

The largest and most impressive houses are found right at the waterfront. It was the privilege of aristocrats and the stonemasons, known as "artišti", to live closest to the bay. The further you climb the hill in Puiša, the smaller and less grand the historic houses become.

Its layout gives the town an amphitheatre-like appearance, with the island rising quickly from the waterfront.

A story that is often heard locally is that some of the pure white limestone for the - built between 1792 and 1800 - came from the quarries near Puiša.

Besides stone, the main sources of income have included winemaking, fishing, husbandry (mainly sheep and goats) and, in recent years, tourism.

Every summer, several exciting events and festivals are held, including the Summer of Culture, the International Summer School of Music and Brac Summer Music Festival, which make for an unforgettable visit.

You can visit the nearby , picturesque landscapes of nearby coves and numerous restaurants serving traditional Dalmatian food, especially lamb specialities. The iconic beach is just a short 30-minute-drive from Puiša, while the picturesque bay of Lovreina, is even closer, just 15 minutes away by car.

Sports enthusiasts can go cycling, scuba diving or water skiing. Ruskamen beach is particularly renowned for its windsurfing destination, with crystal-clear waters and good afternoon summer breezes.

Budget-friendly summer houses, rooms and apartments in Puiša are modern and well-equipped, including Cezar's house, just 50 yards from the beach, complete with a terrace, bathroom and kitchen. It is available in April for just £340 for a week's stay for two guests.

To visit Puiša, fly to Split Airport (SVP) - from UK airports including Gatwick, and Manchester - and then take a 30-minute from Split to Supetar on the island of Bra. Once in Supetar, you can take a bus or taxi to Puiša.