Away from the hustle and bustle, in a corner of the Dalmatia region, lies the town of Zadar. This town, which sits on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, is a little hidden gem in this country. Its walled city has been recognized as a World Heritage Site and its mixture of Gothic and Romanesque influences in the monuments that compose it, make the visit an unforgettable experience. Read on to find out all there is to see and do in Zadar, Croatia.
Must-see places in Zadar, Croatia
1. The walled city and gates of Zadar
The beautiful (and tiny) city of Zadar holds many charms within its streets and one of the most striking is the remains of the ancient city, which has survived the passage of time and the historical events that have threatened its existence, leaving a memorable old town and medieval walls that have become the main attractions of the city.
In fact, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed city wall has managed to survive events such as the Serbian bombardment during the Balkan War, an event that seriously affected the city, which had to be rebuilt several decades ago.
Amidst the beautiful streets hidden by the city wall, you’ll find many monuments and corners with a lot of magic. And to access them, you can do so through the emblematic gates of the wall, the most famous of which is the Terraferma Gate.
2. Narodni trg Square
If there is one obligatory stop in the beautiful old town of Zadar, it is the Narodni trg square, one of the most memorable squares to see in the whole city.
Known as ‘People’s Square’ in the Croatian language, this square is an excellent starting point from which to explore all the areas that await you on your tour of the Croatian city of Zadar. You can also take the opportunity to relax after your day’s sightseeing and enjoy a drink on one of the many terraces that liven up the square.
The square is watched over by the imposing clock of the City Sentinel building, erected in 1562 and home to the Ethnological Museum. In the square you’ll also find the Tourist Office. Its staff will be glad to help you if you need anything during your trip. There you can get all the information you need to make your journey through Zadar easier.
3. The Cathedral of St. Anastasia
While it is true that Zadar’s most recognizable landmark is its old town and the surrounding city wall, that is not the only heritage that forms part of the beautiful ensemble that makes up the city.
The Cathedral of St. Anastasia is a spectacular monument of Gothic and late Romanesque influence that was built more than eight centuries ago, replacing an early Christian basilica that used to stand on the same site. This building is the largest cathedral in the entire Dalmatia region.
Its façade is one of the most emblematic and remarkable features of the cathedral’s architectural ensemble. Its rose windows, which guard the main door, are the most remarkable elements of the whole façade. On the other hand, the interior of the nave is of considerable size for a cathedral of this style. The Gothic style is the most outstanding feature of the interior.
You can visit the cathedral all year round and its impressive bell tower is sure to catch your eye, as it’s visible from almost everywhere in the old town. We recommend adding it to your list of things to see in Zadar.
4. St. Donatus Church
If you thought St Anastasia’s Cathedral was the only religious monument worth adding to your list of things to see in Zadar, you were wrong. The Church of St. Donatus is located very close to the Roman Forum and is a sight to see that leaves no one indifferent.
Also located very close to the already named Cathedral of St. Anastasia, this church will not go unnoticed by your eyes, as the striking Catholic temple has a peculiar character and a pre-Romanesque style typical of the early 9th century, being considered one of the most important of that time that is preserved in all of Dalmatia.
It was built at a time when the city had become an important economic and military power, on a par with Venice. Most striking is its rounded plan, which is crowned by a twenty-seven-metre dome that is visible from a distance.
In addition, its interior houses important treasures: an impressive silver ark and the reliquary of Simeon. These elements make the church a peculiar combination of ostentation and austerity, which makes it a must-see in Zadar, Croatia.
5. Zadar’s Roman Forum
A few metres from the monumental and unique Church of St. Donatus, you will find one of the oldest remains to see in Zadar: the Roman Forum, the largest and oldest in all of Croatia.
Built more than twenty centuries ago, during the time of Caesar Augustus, this impressive and unique ensemble is a must-see in Zadar, Croatia. In broad daylight, the remains of what was once a huge complex, the forum was severely damaged during an earthquake that took place in the 6th century.
In addition to the entire complex of the ancient Roman forum, this is also the site of the Pillar of Shame, a unique construction that was used for a long time to chain up prisoners who committed crimes in the city of Zadar.
6. The Organ of the Sea and the Sun Salutation
On Zadar’s promenade, despite not having the most impressive beaches in and around the city, you will find two peculiar constructions that do not go unnoticed at all.
One of them is the Sea Organ. It is a seemingly simple set of holes in a series of steps that gradually sink into the sea. This construction is actually the work of Nikola Basic, an architect who designed this peculiar ‘instrument’ that sounds with the action of waves breaking on the shore, pushing air through the holes.
The other peculiar architectural design of the promenade is The Sun Salutation, a huge circle twenty-two metres in diameter. The curious and striking thing about this construction is that the glass plates that make it up light up at dusk after collecting sunlight during the day. From here you can witness one of the most beautiful sunsets you can see in Zadar, Croatia.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Zadar
1. Split
A mere two hours’ drive from the city of Zadar, lies beautiful Split, a jewel of Croatia’s World Heritage Site. Split has everything from stunning monuments to beautiful beaches with crystal-clear water that will make you want to stay and live on its coastline.
Among its most notable monuments is Diocletian’s Palace. This Roman emperor saw the place where Split now stands as the perfect place to spend the last years of his life. Today it is the centre of Split and is also one of the most important Roman remains in Croatia.
To get to Split from Zadar, we recommend taking a bus or train. You also can hire a private car. And if you want to know more about Split, we’ll tell you all about this beautiful city.
Zadar’s beaches
Besides the wonders of the old town and the breathtaking sunsets that can be witnessed, Zadar is located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea and therefore has many beaches nearby where you can enjoy the enviable climate of this part of Croatia:
- Dražica Beach
- Nin Lagoon and Kraljicina beach
- Zaton beach
What to see in Zadar in 1 day?
And to make sure you don’t miss out on anything, this itinerary we’ve put together will make it easier for you to pick and choose what to see and do in Zadar in 1 day:
- The walled city and gates of Zadar
- Narodni trg Square
- St. Anastasia’s Cathedral
- The Church of San Donato
- Zadar’s Roman Forum
- The beaches of Zadar
Sites where to eat in Zadar
If you’re someone who enjoys sampling what the local cuisine has to offer, here’s a list of must-visit places for you to do just that:
- Trattoria Mediterraneo: The influence of Italian and Mediterranean gastronomy is very noticeable in this Trattoria. This restaurant is one of the best options in Zadar and is priced between €10 and €20.
- Al Pacchero: Another perfect inclusion of Italian-style food in Croatian gastronomy, but with a style more focused on all that the sea has to offer. Prices are between €15 and €25.
- Bezburger: For those who enjoy a good burger and everything that goes with it, Bezburger is a perfect choice, as well as being very affordable, with prices around €10 per person.
Sites to stay in Zadar, Croatia
We have prepared a short list of places to stay, so you won’t have any problems choosing accommodation on your trip to Zadar in Croatia:
- Hotel Donat: Just a minute from the beach, Hotel Donat boasts stunning views and all kinds of facilities. Prices for a weekend stay for two people are €157.
- Villa Lipa: A beautiful villa, decorated with impeccable style and facilities that meet all expectations. Its price for a weekend is 123€.
- Apartments & Rooms Mareta Exclusive: If you prefer to stay in a flat, the Mareta is a fantastic option. Tastefully decorated and right on the doorstep of the beach, they’re affordable for just €189 for the weekend.
How to get to Zadar in Croatia?
To get to Zadar, one of the easiest options is to take a flight from the main cities in Spain to Zadar. Although this usually involves at least one stopover and is usually a long one.
Flights with short stopovers from Spain are in the price range of around €360-400, although the difference in price saves you about 4 hours of travel time.
Another option is to travel from Split to Zadar, as this is a very common destination to fly to when travelling to Croatia. The drive from Split to Zadar is about two hours or so.
Tips about a trip to Zadar, Croatia
- The official currency of Croatia is the Kuna
- If you are travelling by car, the lights must always be switched on.
- We recommend that you exchange money before you set off on your trip, as this will be cheaper for you.
- As European citizens, we don’t need a visa to enter the country either, just your ID card or passport is enough.
- The best time to travel to Zadar is in spring and autumn, as there are fewer tourists and the temperatures are more pleasant than in winter or summer.
- Buy museum tickets in advance to avoid queues.
- The city is safe, but as with any tourist destination, it’s best to be careful with your belongings.
- Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
How to organize what to see in Zadar, Croatia?
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need to make, and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Zadar, Croatia.
If you have any doubts, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about travelling to Zadar
The best way is to take a flight from the main cities in Spain, to Zadar airport.
You will need to make at least one stopover and the total journey usually takes between 6 and 10 hours (for the longest stopovers). Another option is to fly to Split and from there take a car or other transport to get to Zadar, which takes about two hours.
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