Though Zadar wasn’t included in my Croatia itinerary at first, I’m pleased that I eventually decided to extend my trip, which gave me the opportunity to visit this laidback coastal town as well.
Situated on the extensive shoreline next to the calming Adriatic lies Zadar, a small town that is characterized by its welcoming atmosphere, rich history, and lively contemporary daily life.
The time-worn streets of the old town have no shortage of fascinating things to see and do – think ancient Roman ruins, innovative art installations, as well as trendy restaurants and bars.
The best part though, Zadar Old Town is the perfect size to discover in just a few days, while it also makes a great base to uncover the nearby Plitvice National Park on an exhilarating day trip.
And though Zadar is often overshadowed by the grandeur of Split and Dubrovnik, I believe that Zadar is a town in its own right, clearly worthy of your visit.
So here’s my take on the best things to do in Zadar – plus travel essentials and tips on where to stay, how to get there, as well as an insight on a unique, local summer hotspot.
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WHERE TO STAY IN ZADAR
Zadar is perfectly situated next to the Adriatic, as well as appealing to those interested in culture, making it a favourite destination among tourists and backpackers alike.
I recommend staying in Zadar old town, where you can find a huge selection of accommodation, including family-run guesthouses, Airbnb’s, budget-friendly hostels, as well as luxurious hotels for those looking for a bit of extra comfort.
HOTEL
Apartments & Rooms Mareta | Encircled by all the best things to see and do in Zadar, Apartments & Rooms Mareta offers a comfy luxurious apartment, without breaking the bank. On top of that, it is spacious and well designed, as well as equipped with a kitchen, air conditioning and a seating area with a flat screen.
Scallop Regent Rooms | Situated in the heart of Zadar Old Town, just a short walk from the action, Scallop Regent provides spacious rooms, air conditioning and a pleasant private bathroom, all at an excellent quality-price-ratio. Perfect for those looking for some extra comfort.
HOSTEL
Boutique Hostel Forum | This is where I stayed during my time in Zadar, and it was an excellent experience, at only €17 a night. Boutique Hostel Forum has comfortable and spacious shared rooms, and a large common area, and is without a doubt one of the best hostels I ever spent the night. Additionally, it is located next to Zadar’s charming Roman Forum.
Alternatively, use booking.com to find accommodations in Zadar, Croatia.
8 WONDERFUL THINGS TO DO IN ZADAR, CROATIA
8 WONDERFUL THINGS TO DO IN ZADAR, CROATIA
1 | ADMIRE A STUNNING ZADAR SUNSET AT THE SEA ORGAN
Perched on the northwestern edge of the charming Zadar Riva is the Zadar Sea Organ, an architectural sound art object, that is easily one of the most interesting things to see in Zadar.
Designed in 2005 by Croatian architect Nikola Bašić, the Morske Orgulje – the sea organ’s Croatian name – follows the intuitive flow of nature, creating random, yet calming sounds.
And believe me, there’s just something magical and captivating about the calming vibrations that are created by the waves of the Adriatic and the 35 organ pipes that lay beneath the marble steps of the Zadar Riva.
Throw in the fact that famous British film director Alfred Hitchcock once said that ‘’Zadar has the most beautiful sunset in the world’’, and the Zadar Sea Organ turns into an absolute must-visit.
It is therefore little wonder that this extraordinary art object is considerably popular among travellers and locals alike.
So do as I did, and grab some gelato at Bob Rocks ice cream, and secure yourself a quiet spot to sit and watch the world go by.
Additionally, you can also see the adjacent Greetings of the Sun, an art installation that uses light to symbolize communication with nature.
2 | WALK THE IMPOSING ROMAN FORUM
Though you most likely already know, the delicate architecture is one of the key ingredients for the splendour that defines Zadar Old Town, with the imposing ruins of the Roman Forum at the heart of it all.
Situated in the epicentre of Zadar Old Town, the Roman Forum dominates the horizon, and walking around it feels as though you accidentally boarded a flight heading for Italy, yet this is far from the truth.
But is easy to see why, if you consider the fact that ancient Zadar was once part of the prosperous Roman empire that ruled in Zadar from 48BC till the end of the 5th century.
While this period in time is now long gone, the Roman forum reminds travellers and locals, that this was one of the most influential chapters in Zadar’s rich history.
Adjacent to the forum, you’ll notice the medieval St Donat church, a cylindrical-shaped church that was built on the remnants of a Roman construction at the beginning of the 9th century.
3 | GO ON A DAY TRIP TO THE PLITVICE NATIONAL PARK
Situated roughly 1,5 hours away from Zadar is the incredibly beautiful Plitvice National Park, a vast natural phenomenon that is deemed to be one of the main reasons why travellers flock to Croatia.
Croatia’s best-known highlight is distinguished by a wide array of picturesque interconnected lakes, the most mesmerizing waterfalls, as well as plenty of calming streams and rapids, and walking among this sheer natural beauty is truly an otherworldly experience.
The UNESCO listed National Park is divided into two sections – the Upper lakes (Gornja Jezera) and the Lower Lakes (Donja Jezera) – both extremely impressive, and best visited in the early morning.
One word of warning though – book your tickets online and well ahead. By doing so you have guaranteed access to the park at the time of arrival, saving you a lot of unnecessary waiting time.
If you plan to visit Plitvice National Park as a day trip from Zadar, I highly recommend renting a car, so you’ll have all the freedom to visit on your own conditions. For car rental in Croatia, make sure to pick an option from the wide selection that is available at Rentalcars.com.
Ooh and just to make it clear, I think a visit to Croatia is incomplete without a visit to the famous lakes of Plitvice National Park.
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Where | Plitvice National Park
Opening hours | Daily 07:00 – 20:00 during the high season, more information here
Cost | Entrance fee 300 HRK (€39,70) per person
4 | WALK AROUND ZADAR OLD TOWN
Like most old towns in Croatia, Zadar has no shortage of fascinating architecture, dotted throughout the streets of Zadar’s attractive historic centre.
A walk around Zadar Old Town is the perfect activity for those that are keen to uncover Zadar’s time-worn architecture but of course also for travellers looking to enjoy a relaxing late-afternoon walk.
Zadar Old Town has the perfect size to uncover in a few hours, and walking around it is, partly thanks to that, one of the most rewarding things to do in Zadar.
Here are a few highlights where I highly recommend stopping by:
St Anastasia cathedral | Built at the end of the 12th century, the St Anastasia cathedral – also known as the Zadar Cathedral – is considered one of Zadar’s most fascinating buildings. Charmed by its intriguing facade in typical Romanesque architecture style, the cathedral is a must-see in the old town.
The Land Gate | Zadar’s charming old town is encircled by fortified walls, and as a result, the city is only entered via a handful of ancient gates. The best-known of these gates is the ornate Land Gate, which was once the main gate to the city. At present, the Land Gate is easily the most picturesque gate to gain entrance to Zadar Old Town.
Five wells square | During the 16th century, Zadar survived many Turkish attacks, partly due to its innovative system that supplied citizens with water. And though the five wells are no longer in use, the historic Trg Pet Bunara square has become a popular place for locals and travellers alike.
5 | SAMPLE ON LOCAL CRAFT BEER AT DEJA BREW
During the car journey from the Netherlands to Croatia, my friends Sander and Maaike told me that Croatian people are pretty serious when it comes to craft beer, and after visiting Deja Brew it is easy to understand why.
Situated in the time-worn streets of Zadar old town is Deja Brew, a classy ‘hipster-ish’ pub that serves a wide variety of local, national and international craft beers, as well as hand-crafted cocktails and excellent whiskeys.
After my day trip to Plitvice National Park, I decided to drop by, and once seated I sampled a bottle of Zagreb’s very own Grif craft beer, a light refreshing single hop Pale Ale, that was rewarded with a World Beer Award in 2020.
And I must say, it was a welcoming refreshment after an adventurous day under the sizzling Mediterranean sun.
The unique and local-oriented setting, the cosy atmosphere and the excellent selection of top-notch craft beers make Deja Brew a great place to sit down after an active day of exploring.
So, if you’re keen to have a friendly chat with travellers and locals alike, while enjoying a few late-night drinks, make sure to visit Deja Brew at least once during your time in Zadar.
For those wanting to start the day off right, Deja Brew doubles as a cafe and serves excellent coffee during the day.
6 | TAKE A RIDE WITH THE BOATMEN OF ZADAR
For over 800 years, the boatmen of Zadar have been transferring passengers from the surrounding cities to Zadar Old Town, and at present, this tradition is fortunately still very much alive.
Passed on from father to son, the Barkajol Zadarski is by far one of the most authentic travel experiences in Zadar, and by taking part in it, you’ll be supporting a proud tradition.
Once you set foot in the small bright-coloured wooden skiff, a traditional boatsman will row you to the other side of the harbour, using only 2 oars and a large dose of friendliness.
Though the passage to the old town takes only 5 minutes, it is an excellent way to get a feel for the ‘real’ Zadar and its people.
On top of that, I think the boatmen of Zadar make quite a picturesque frame for on the wall.
7 | SPEND A DAY RELAXING AT BAZEN KOLOVARE
Nestled on the shoreline only just outside of Zadar Old Town is Bazen Kolovare, an urban outdoor swimming deck that is without a question one of my favourite places for an afternoon of swimming and relaxing in Zadar.
Teeming with both local youngsters and the elderly, Bazen Kolovar is considered a bit of a local-only secret, and by visiting you’ll have a great impression of a traditional Mediterranean summer day.
The complex houses a large natural swimming pool, a towering diving board for those after a quick adrenaline spike, as well as a cafe that serves refreshments and snacks.
So, if you’re keen to spend a day relaxing, yet still want to experience authentic local life, look no further, Bazen Kolovare is the place where you want to be during the long summer days.
Ooh, and Bazen Kolovare truly makes for a postcard-perfect setting.
8 | SAMPLE A BURGER AT LA FAMIGLIA ZADAR
The one thing that I struggle to resist since I started to eat more plant-based food, is definitely a good, juicy beef burger.
So every once in a while, when I stumble upon an inviting place that is specialized in creating innovatively composed burgers, I give in.
This was clearly also the case when I discovered La Famiglia in Zadar.
Once I checked their extensive menu, it became very clear that I was in the right place to consent to my occasional burger craving.
After some contemplation, I opted for the Big Boy, a double burger served with pickled red onions, fresh tomatoes, cheddar cheese, their signature sauce, and an iconic black bun.
It was impressively tasty.
Those keen for a lighter meal, be at ease – their menu is vegan-friendly – think pasta, risotto, salads, as well as a falafel burger, making it an excellent option for everyone.
BEST TIME TO VISIT ZADAR
Zadar has no shortage of long summer days flooded with sun, and is, in my opinion, best visited during the shoulder months that run from April to June and from September to October.
The weather during these months is excellent to explore Zadar and surrounds, as well as spend time relaxing poolside or at the beach.
Additionally, you’ll experience significant smaller crowds and slightly lower prices than during the summer months of July and August, making it a more enjoyable (and cheaper) trip.
MY FAVOURITE DAY TOURS & ACTIVITIES IN AND AROUND ZADAR
If you’re keen to explore Zadar on an organized tour, here are some of my personal favourites.
HOW TO GET TO ZADAR, CROATIA
FLIGHTS | HOW TO GET TO ZADAR
Zadar is considered an excellent summer getaway, and is easy to get to by plane, especially during the peak period that runs from June till September.
Flights to Zadar arrive and depart at Zadar Airport, roughly 20 minutes from the historic centre of Zadar Old Town.
For flights to Zadar, I would recommend Skyscanner. Their website is user-friendly, holds a large variety of airlines, and grants the possibility to find good rates.
From Zadar Airport, take a shuttle bus in the direction of the old town. More information here.
CAR | HOW TO GET TO ZADAR
Croatia’s attractive coastline makes an excellent destination for a road trip, and if you’re keen to uncover the best places in the country, renting a car is clearly the best thing you could do.
If you’re planning to rent a car in Croatia, you’ll have all the freedom to visit Zadar – plus it’s remarkably easier to make day trips.
For car rental in Croatia, I would recommend checking out Rentalcars.com. They offer excellent service, additional insurance, and a broad selection of cars, all at an affordable price.
One word of warning, there are little parking spaces available in Zadar Old Town. For that reason, you’ll do wise to seek an apartment with private parking.
BUS | HOW TO GET TO ZADAR
Croatia has excellent roads and infrastructure and as a result, you’ll notice a wide array of bus travel options.
For the journey from Dubrovnik to Zadar, I’d decided to make use of Flixbus, and after this recent experience, it is safe to say that it is an excellent organization that is both comfortable and punctual.
If you’re keen to visit Zadar by bus, Flixbus will operate between all the major cities in Croatia, as well as a wide range of cities in the neighbouring countries.
In terms of tickets, I’d recommend booking online and in advance. For information on availability, travel departures and additional information, visit the Flixbus website.
SAFETY IN CROATIA | TRAVEL INSURANCE
While Croatia is completely safe for travellers, I always aim to enter a foreign country with my travel insurance sorted out, and I highly advise anyone else to do the same.
Where we prefer to assume that everything runs smoothly during our travels, the reality is often that something can go wrong at any given moment – when that happens, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Heymondo | Whether you’re going on a 3-week backpacking trip, or planning a long stay somewhere abroad, Heymondo has excellent insurance options either way – plus full covid-19 coverage and a handy app with 24-hour medical assistance. Readers of WTSW receive 5% off any insurance policy, more information here.
World Nomads | If you’re an adventure seeker, backpacker, or planning your once-in-a-lifetime world trip, make sure you check out World Nomads, they designed the perfect travel insurance to help you travel safer and smarter. Do note that they’re not covering covid-19 related claims.
