Zadar, Croatia: travel guide
Roman forum, the Sea Organ and Adriatic sunsets in northern Dalmatia
A Dalmatian peninsula old town layered with Roman ruins and modern art installations — the Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun — famed for its sunsets and Kornati archipelago access.
About Zadar
Zadar sits on a narrow peninsula on the Dalmatian coast, and its old town combines Roman ruins, medieval churches and a lively seafront. The waterfront doubles as a public stage, and the sunsets draw people out each evening.
At the tip of the peninsula the Sea Organ turns waves into music, and beside it the Greeting to the Sun lights up at dusk. Behind them, the round church of St Donatus and the cathedral of St Anastasia stand near the Roman forum remains, and Kalelarga is the main shopping street. Boat trips to the Kornati archipelago, and Krka and Paklenica, are within reach.
Zadar suits couples, sailors and anyone planning to island-hop. Late spring and early autumn avoid the peak summer heat and crowds.
- Country
- Croatia
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Zagreb
- Nearest airport
- ZAD
Last updated
Top places to visit in Zadar
Sea Organ
Art installation · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A hauntingly beautiful architectural instrument built into the marble waterfront steps, playing chords as the sea pushes air through hidden pipes.
Greeting to the Sun
Art installation · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A 22 m solar-powered glass disc set in the quay beside the Sea Organ that soaks up daylight and glows in shifting light patterns after dark.
Church of St. Donatus
Byzantine rotunda · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A monumental 9th-century Pre-Romanesque rotunda on the Roman Forum, prized for its acoustics and now a concert venue.
St. Anastasia's Cathedral
Cathedral · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Zadar's Romanesque cathedral, the largest in Dalmatia, with a slender climbable bell tower giving views over the old town rooftops.
Roman Forum
Roman ruins · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The largest Roman forum on the eastern Adriatic, laid out by Augustus, its scattered columns and paving anchoring the old town.
Five Wells Square
Historic square · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A Renaissance square where five ornate wellheads once supplied the besieged city with water, beside the Captain's Tower and city park.
Land Gate
City gate · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
The grand 1543 Renaissance gate by Michele Sanmicheli, bearing the Venetian lion of St. Mark — the historic entrance to the peninsula.
People's Square (Narodni trg)
Town square · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
The lively civic heart of old Zadar since the Renaissance, ringed by the City Loggia and Guard House and full of café terraces.
Museum of Ancient Glass
Archaeology museum · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A superb collection of Roman glass excavated across Dalmatia, with live glass-blowing demonstrations in a restored palace overlooking the harbour.
Kalelarga (Široka ulica)
Historic street · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Zadar's ancient main street, a straight stone artery of shops and cafés that locals say is "older than the city itself".
Kolovare Beach
City beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Zadar's main city beach, a pebble-and-concrete bay with pine shade, cafés and a long seaside promenade a short walk from the old town.
Things to do
- Kornati & Telašćica Islands Cruise Boat · 9 h · from EUR 70 per person
- Zadar Old Town Walking Tour Tour · 2 h · from EUR 18 per person
- Plitvice Lakes Day Trip from Zadar Day Trip · 10 h · from EUR 75 per person
- Sea Organ Sunset & Wine Tasting Food · 2 h · from EUR 35 per person
- Krka Waterfalls Day Trip from Zadar Day Trip · 8 h · from EUR 60 per person
Day trips and tours
- Kornati Islands National Park Cruise 9 h · from EUR 70
Where to stay in Zadar
- Old Town Peninsula (Poluotok) about EUR 120 per night
The historic peninsula — Roman Forum, Sea Organ and marble streets, everything walkable.
- Kolovare about EUR 95 per night
Seafront area just south of the old town with the city beach and a coastal promenade.
Hotels
- Hotel Bastion 4-star · EUR 160 to EUR 340 per night
- Almayer Art & Heritage Hotel 4-star · EUR 150 to EUR 300 per night
- Boutique Hostel Forum 3-star · EUR 26 to EUR 95 per night
- Falkensteiner Club Funimation Borik 4-star · EUR 130 to EUR 280 per night
Where to eat
- Restaurant Foša Seafood, Mediterranean, Fine dining · about EUR 55 per person
- Pet Bunara Dalmatian, Mediterranean, Croatian · about EUR 38 per person
- Konoba Skoblar Dalmatian, Seafood, Grill · about EUR 30 per person
- Kaštel Mediterranean, Dalmatian · about EUR 42 per person
- 2 Ribara (Dva Ribara) Mediterranean, Pizza, Croatian · about EUR 20 per person
- Bruschetta Mediterranean, Tapas, Seafood · about EUR 36 per person
Getting to Zadar
Airport: Zadar (ZAD)
How visitors arrive in Zadar
- Bus to Zadar bus station By road from Zagreb / Split / Rijeka · common
The central bus station has services to Zagreb, Rijeka, Pula, Sibenik, Split and Dubrovnik, with some routes to Germany. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Flight to Zadar Airport By air · common
Croatia Airlines, Eurowings, Ryanair and seasonal charters serve the airport east of the centre, with an airport bus into town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Ferry from Ancona and the coast By ferry from Ancona · possible
Jadrolinija's long-distance ferries stop at Zadar between Dubrovnik and Rijeka, with a seasonal service to Ancona in Italy. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Airport shuttle bus
A shuttle bus meets arriving flights and runs to the main bus station and on to the Old Town bus hub. Pay at the airport. Source: zadar-airport.hr
- Taxi or pre-booked transfer
Taxis and pre-booked transfers wait at the airport and go door to door to your accommodation. Source: zadar-airport.hr
From the port to the centre
- Jadrolinija ferries to the port unconfirmed
Long-distance Jadrolinija ferries dock at Istarska obala; local island boats leave from Liburnska obala. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Intercity coach to the bus station
Coaches from Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik and other cities arrive at Zadar bus station, which has left luggage. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Liburnija runs the local buses, which are the only public transport within Zadar and serve the city and its suburbs.
- Ferry
Boats and hydrofoils from the town-centre waterfront serve islands such as Ugljan and Dugi Otok, while car ferries use the Gaženica port.
- Taxi
Taxi ranks are found at the bus station and on the waterfront near the Old Town, including Liburnska obala.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
DCC card terminals
Zadar old-town shops & bars
Card machines may default to charging in your home currency at a worse rate.
How to avoid it: Choose to pay in euros (EUR) when the terminal asks.
Best time to visit Zadar
- Jan 11°C
- Feb 11°C
- Mar 14°C
- Apr 17°C
- May 21°C
- Jun 25°C
- Jul 28°C
- Aug 28°C
- Sep 24°C
- Oct 20°C
- Nov 15°C
- Dec 12°C
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Frequently asked questions about Zadar
- What are the main places to visit in Zadar?
- Places covered in our Zadar guide include Sea Organ, Greeting to the Sun, Church of St. Donatus, St. Anastasia's Cathedral, Roman Forum.
- Where should I stay in Zadar?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Zadar: Old Town Peninsula (Poluotok), Kolovare.
- How do I get around Zadar?
- Ways to get around Zadar covered in our guide: City bus, Ferry, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Zadar?
- Scams reported to us for Zadar include DCC card terminals. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Zadar?
- Average daytime highs in Zadar run from 11°C in Jan to 28°C in Jul.
- Which airport is nearest to Zadar?
- The nearest airport to Zadar has the code ZAD.