Best Tips & Ideas for your visit to the beautiful city of Zadar, Croatia

After wonderful stays in Split & Šibenik, we decided to visit Zadar. Just a relaxing one hour bus ride further on, along the beautiful Dalmatian coast.

  • The port city of Zadar has well over 70 000 inhabitants.

In this post I will tell you all about our visit. As well as, give you tips and ideas for Things to do in & around Zadar.

Visit to the Saint Donatus Church in Zadar, Croatia.
The impressive Church of Saint Donatus in Zadar’s city center.

This blog post is written with the help of my daughter Lisa, who shared her own experiences with me touring Croatia.

  • IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Throughout this post you’ll find affiliated links & ads provided by the travel platform GetYourGuide. Links & ads that may help you plan & fill in your next trip to Croatia.
  • If you click on them & buy a ticket for a museum or a tour a small commission of your purchase will go to me. (Paid by the provider, without any extra cost to you!).
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Historical introduction to Zadar

Zadar’s early start

The history of Zadar goes way back. It’s actually the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia.

Although Prehistoric human remains have been found in & around the city, its formal history begins in the 9th century BC. The moment a local tribe, the Liburnians, decided to build a settlement on a small stone islet

A special location which was tied to the mainland by a narrow, overflown isthmus. A spot where the old city still stands today.

Bird-eye view of the old city center of Zadar, Croatia.
Bird-eye view of the old city center of Zadar.

This first settlement was already an important trading post when the Phoenicians – and later on the Greeks & the Romans – became rulers of the Mediterranean.

Roman period

The Romans actually incorporated Zadar in their Empire, from the second century BC onwards. Transforming the place little by little in a typical Roman city, leaving its marks until today.

  • Marks like the Roman Forum, which remains are still visible in the city center. Or the Aqueduct, which was built to bring water from Lake Vrana (Vransko) – located at 40km/25mi. distance – to Zadar’s inhabitants.
Remains of the Roman Forum in the old city center of Zadar.
Remains of the Roman Forum in the city center of Zadar.

From the 3rd century onward, Zadar & surrounding area little by little converted to Christianity. Something which happened throughout the whole Roman Empire

After the Fall of Rome

After Rome’s decline, Zadar fell to the mercy of Barbarian & local tribes. As a consequence many Roman structures were destroyed. Not only through war, but also because of a heavy earthquake that hit the city during the 6th century.

  • Between the 6th and 11th century Zadar was threatened & conquered by many different European power groups. To name a few: the Huns, the Ostrogoths, the Byzantines, and later on the Venetians & the Franks.
Venetian Rule

Despite all these challenges, Zadar survived & even thrived as a maritime power. Rivaling the upcoming city of Venice economically & culturally. That is, until the 15th century when Venice reached its peak & gained control of many surrounding areas, including Zadar. Again, leaving the city architectural marks, which are still visible today.

  • The Venetians decided to build a protective wall around Zadar – mainly against Ottoman threats. A wall which included several defensive towers, like the Bablja Kula. An impressive construction, which was restored recently & open to the public. Providing visitors with beautiful views of Zadar & surrounding area. 
In some parts of Zadar you can still admire the Venetian wall & the Babjlja Kula watch tower.
Modern history of Zadar

From the end of the 18th century large parts of modern-day Croatia belonged to the Austrian Empire, including Zadar.

After the collapse of the Hapsburg dynasty (1918) though, the port city became part of Italy. In that capacity it suffered heavy bombardments when the Allies – at the end of 1943 – started liberating Europe from the Axis powers.

After the war, Zadar was ceded to the new state of Yugoslavia. Until 1991, when Zadar became officially part of an Independent Croatia. It would take another 4 years though, before the war between the fighting parties in former Yugoslavia ended. Time in which Zadar & the surrounding still suffered many losses & devastation.

In short, Zadar has suffered a lot during its long history.

The Croatian Flag.
The Croatian Flag.

Visit Zadar: Main attractions in the city center

The Historical center of Zadar

Like in Split, Šibenik, Dubrovnik & other Croatian cities, Zadar’s main attraction is its old city center. A perfect area to stroll around at your own pace & take it all in.

Soon enough you’ll notice that Zadar’s small city center is provided with a lot of churches. In many cases these churches are built over Roman foundations – some visible, others still hidden.

  • Because Zadar’s city center has suffered a lot in the past – like wars, sieges, earthquakes & flooding – you’ll spot many “newer” buildings, spread among the much older monuments.
Top #3 churches

All Zadar’s churches have their own history & attracting features, but if I have to name the three most interesting ones, the Top #3 would be:

Zadar’s city center is known for its many churches.

From left to right:

  • The Church of Saint Donatus (completed in 9th century)
  • Santa Anastasia’s Cathedral (although one of the oldest churches of Zadar, this cathedral was largely rebuilt during the 13th century).
  • The Church of Saint Chrysogonus (which was consecrated in 1175).

All impressive structures, which will surely catch you eye strolling around the inner city. And if lucky, invite you in to have a look at their interiors.

  • Although the older – mostly Roman – foundations were hidden for centuries, several churches have opened up the past & made it visible for the public. Not only the base foundations, but also old columns, statues & fresco’s.
Roman remains at the back of the Saint Donatus church in Zadar, Croatia.
At the back of the Saint Donatus you can still spot some Roman remains.

TravelTip: Please be aware that there’s a dress code to visit the churches of Zadar. Don’t go in on your flip flops, wearing shorts, uncovered legs or shoulders. That goes for all Holy places in Croatia, and – let’s be honest – Worldwide.

  • In many churches throughout our journey through Croatia, we noticed employees providing female visitors a shawl to cover their shoulders before entering.

Roman remains

Besides the old remnants underneath, in & around Zadar’s churches you can spot Roman remains throughout the city. Like the earlier mentioned Forum (founded by the Roman Emperor Augustus), the Aqueduct & several Roman columns.

Impression of our visit to the inner city of Zadar, Croatia. A Roman column still standing between later constructions.
Here & there you can still spot an old column in the inner city, underlining Zadar’s Roman past.

The Archaeological Museum of Zadar

And then there is Zadar’s Archaeological Museum. One of the oldest museums in Croatia, closely related to the Church of Saint Donatus.

Part of the Roman Statue collection of the Archeological Museum of Zadar.
Part of the Roman collection of the Archeological Museum of Zadar.

Besides many Roman & religious artifacts, in this museum you’ll find a nice collection of Prehistoric artifacts – weapons, tools, pottery. As well as some fascinating finds done by the museum’s underwater archaeology projects.

TravelTips: In a few words, if you really want to know more about Zadar’s long history, I highly recommend you to visit this museum. It’s located very near the Saint Donatus church, closer even to the Roman Forum.

Other museums to visit in Zadar

Depending on your interests, there are several other fascinating museums in Zadar worth a visit:

Click on their names to learn more:

  • Museum of Ancient Glass: Explore the local history of glass making with a collection of ancient artifacts. Besides live glass blowing demonstrations.
  • National Museum Zadar: In this museum you can learn all about the region’s ethnology & natural history.
  • Museum of Illusions: For some fun, in this museum you can challenge your senses with optical illusions & interactive exhibits.
  • Museum of Salt: Discover the history of salt production in the region. (WARNING: This very interesting museum is located in Nin, 20 minutes from Zadar)
In the Museum of Salt in Nin you learn all about the long history of salt mining in the area.

Visit the Riva of Zadar

The Riva is Zadar’s spacious Waterfront Promenade. A place where people go to relax, have a drink and/or a bite, watch people go by & enjoy views of the Adriatic.

That said, Zadar is famous for its sunset. A grandiose natural event you can experience every sun-shining evening. It’s the main reason why every late afternoon – certainly during the summer months – hundreds of people start gathering on the Riva.

Preferably on or around two modern attractions, located on Zadar’s promenade.

The Sea Organ

Zadar’s Sea Organ is an art object, which produces unique, somewhat hallucinating tunes when seawaves enter the holes/tubes hidden in the marble steps you sit or stand on (see photo below).

People sitting on the marble steps of the quay. The holes in the steps are responsible for the tune produced by the sea.

Waiting for the sun to set, while the waves are playing a unique tune on Zadar’s Sea Organ.

TravelTip: Because we were visiting in August and knew beforehand it would get crowded, we arrived early at the steps. Bringing a bottle of wine & some snacks with us, we settled on a first class seat to enjoy the sunset. A real spectacle, which was presented to us soon enough.

The “Greeting to the Sun” monument

The “Greeting to the Sun” monument is another must visit on Zadar’s boulevard. Also preferably when the sun starts setting. That’s the moment when this 22-diameter photovoltaic solar disk comes to life. Providing every visitor with a beautiful light show! A show, this time, fed by the sun.

  • Both the Sea Organ & the Greeting of the Sun monument are created by the Croatian architect Nikola Bašić.
A visit to the Greeting of the Sun monument, located on the waterfront promenade of Zadar.
The light disk, waiting for the sunset located on Zadar’s Riva.

Walking Tours of Zadar

If you stay the night in Zadar you’ll automatically have time to stroll the beautiful inner city & get a feel of its past. If however, you want to learn more of its history & other interesting facts, I highly recommend you to join a guided walking tour.

We chose the Historical Walking Tour of Zadar, which was led by a professional local guide. A tour in which the city’s tumultuous past really came alive.

  • The guide told us many interesting, as well as fun facts, but also knew exactly where the Roman past was hidden in every church, square or corner. It was really fascinating to see how the visible Zadar is actually built on Roman foundations.
Impression of a walking tour through Zadar's city center.
Impression of our walk through Zadar’s past.

To learn more, go to: Zadar’s History Walking Tour

TravelTips: Personal Safety

We felt absolutely safe during our visit to Zadar. It didn’t matter in what part of town we were, nor if it was during the day or at night.

TravelTip: However, as with any tourist destination, it’s important to exercise common sense & take certain precautions. Just always be aware of your surroundings & don’t display personal valuables openly.

TravelTips: Getting around in Zadar & surrounding area

As in Split & Šibenik we walked a lot. Also because in Zadar you can only explore the inner city on foot.

TravelTip: As a consequence, you’ll need a good pair of walking shoes. Professional footwear you’ll need to explore the city & its natural surroundings.

To get to the attractions in the surrounding area of Zadar, you can – if you don’t have your own (rental) car – either use public transport, or go on a tour.

To gain time & sometimes also money, and to fully enjoy a day-trip around Zadar, I highly recommend you to take a well organised tour, including transport, tickets & a professional guide.

Beaches to visit near Zadar

There are several beach areas within walking distance from Zadar’s city center. The nearest being the Golden Wave Beach. And the most popular, Kolovare Beach.

Both blessed with crystal clear water. Ideal for a refreshing dive in the Adriatic, sunbathing & water sports (certainly during the warmer months, May until October).

A multitud of people at Kolovare Beach, Zadar.
A day at Kolovare Beach, Zadar.

TravelTip: As parts of the Dalmatian coast are pretty rough still, I highly recommend you to buy some water shoes. Mainly protecting your feet against stones, sharp rock & sea urchins.

Popular Day Trips from Zadar

There are actually many day trips organized from Zadar. Generally the guided tours to the nearby National Parks are favorite. Being it tours inland or boat trips to the islands nearby.

Day Trip to the Plitvice Lake Area

A beautiful inland tour (9 hours) brings you to the beautiful Plitvice Lake Area (16 interconnected lakes). A unique area, a real natural gem.

A visit to the Plitvice Lake Area near Zadar.
The Plitvice Lake Area near Zadar.
  • The drive from Zadar to the Plitvice lakes is about 2 hours, but leads through a beautiful mountainous area.

To learn more, go to: Visit to the Plitvice Lakes from Zadar

The tour above includes entrance tickets & transport to and from the lakes.

If you plan to get there on your own – be it with your own (rental) car or with public transport – you need to Buy your Plitvice entrance tickets in advance. Mainly because there is a daily visitor quota to protect the area against overcrowding.

To learn if tickets for the Krka National Park are still available for a certain date, you can use the widget below:

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Visit the Krka Waterfalls

Closer to Zadar you can visit The Krka Lakes & Waterfalls on a day-trip (8 hours). Again a unique natural park – somewhat rougher & more adventurous than Plitvice – you wouldn’t want to miss when in its neighborhood.

Bird-eye view of the Krka Lake area near ZadR.
Bird-eye view of the Krka Lake area.
  • The bus ride to Krka from Zadar will take a little over 1 hour.

To learn more, click on: Trip to the Krka National Park from Zadar

Telašćica & Kornati Island Boat Trip from Zadar

Another popular Full Day Nature trip (10 hours) leads to Telašćica National Park & Kornati Island. A relaxing boat cruise through the Mediterranean waters, with several stops, breakfast & lunch included.

The boat leaves Zadar for a 10 hour trip through the Adriatic.
A tour boat leaves Zadar for a 10 hour trip through the Adriatic.

To learn more, go to: Telašćica National Park & Kornati Island Boat Tour

From Zadar: Half-a-Day Island Hopping Tour

A shorter boat tour (4 hours) on the Adriatic Sea near Zadar is the Island Hopping Tour. A fun tour which includes visits to small towns & islands along the coast. As well as some stops for sunbathing, swimming & snorkeling.

Tourists taking a dive during a boat trip along the islands near Zadar, Croatia.
Time to enjoy a refreshing dive in the Adriatic Sea.

To learn more, click on: Zadar Island Hopping Tour

Culinary Tips for your visit to Zadar

Restaurant tips for Zadar

By far the best restaurant we visited in Zadar was The Botanist. A Vegan/Vegetarian restaurant – without us being either – we highly enjoyed. Besides uniquely prepared excellent food, the restaurant had a nice ambience & friendly service.

Impressions of the plates we chose at the Botanist, a vegan/vegetarian restaurant in Zadar, Croatia.

Another culinary stop we liked was at the Fish House Zadar. This restaurant serves plates which sound like fast food, but with a twist. A Fresh Fish twist. We especially enjoyed the Tuna Burger & Tuna Tacos.

If you want to learn more about the culinary map of Zadar: the best restaurants, the local products & food shops I’d like to recommend you to go on a Culinary Walking Tour.

A plate full of typical local food from Zadar & surrounding area, like fish, octopus, mussels, olives, grapes & others.
Tasting typical local food from Zadar & surrounding area.

To learn more, click on: Culinary walking tour of Zadar

Bar tips for Zadar

Besides good restaurants, Zadar offers a rich nightlife. Not only for foreign tourists, but also – as we noticed – for the locals themselves.

So, after dinner, we had a good time at the Ledana Lounge & Bar – located in the middle of an urban park. If not the Svarog Bar & Dancing, which had some professional DJ’s working for them at night.

In conclusion: A visit to Zadar

After Split & Šibenik, Zadar was another positive experience. A beautiful city with a long, restless, but fascinating history. A fact you soon enough notice & feel when you walk its streets, looking out for the impressive monuments often built on Roman foundations.

Besides the inspiring inner city, there’s a relaxing promenade connecting you in sound & vision with the Adriatic Sea in front.

Last, but not least: Zadar is a perfect base to visit natural attractions in the surrounding area. Bus tours to the Plitvice Lake area or Krka National park. Boat tours to the islands in front of Zadar, to explore, swim, snorkel & relax.

Some last Photo Impressions of our visit to Zadar

Impression of Zadar's monumental city center.
Impression of Zadar’s monumental city center.
View of the Church of Saint Donatus & its Bell Tower, Zadar.
The Church of Saint Donatus & its Bell Tower, Zadar.
Every day many tourists visit the Cathedral of Santa Anastasia, Zadar.
The Cathedral of Santa Anastasia, Zadar.
Visit to the St. Mary's Church, Zadar.
Church of Santa Mary’s, Zadar.
A visit to the lively quay of Zadar. The holes are the exits of the pipes of the Sea Organ.
The lively Riva of Zadar. The holes in the pavement are the exits of the pipes of the Sea Organ.
Visit to the St. Simon Church, Zadar.
The Church of Saint Simon, Zadar.
  • The story goes – told by our touring guide – that a Venetian priest, returning from the Holy Land, was carrying Saint Simon’s remains back to his home city. When caught in a storm, he sought refuge in Zadar & somehow didn’t make it through the night.
  • Thereupon, the townspeople decided to hide the saint’s remains in a secret location. And he would have stayed hidden, if – many years later, when Zadar was plagued by a mysterious illness – his remains weren’t miraculously rediscovered & were given its proper burial in a church that nowadays carries his name.
Between the impressive monuments a terrace to enjoy the sights.
Spread between the impressive monuments of Zadar you’ll regularly find a terrace for a drink & a bite.
The typical Gothic Rose in the front facade of the Cathedral of St. Anastasia.
The typical Gothic Rose in the front facade of the Cathedral of St. Anastasia.
In one of the smaller churches of Zadar - currently functioning as an art gallery - we could admire old Roman paintings on the ceiling.
In one of the smaller churches – nowadays functioning as an art gallery – we could admire old Roman paintings on the ceiling.
The Roman remains behind the Saint Donatus Church.
The Roman remains behind the Saint Donatus Church.

For more information of our earlier stops in beautiful Croatia, go to:

For an overview of all travel posts of my blog, go to: My Home Page

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