Croatia,  Destinations

What to see in Zadar. Plus many practical tips about Zadar.

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Zadar is often overlooked in favour of the more popular Croatian cities of Split and Dubrovnik. Recently, though, it’s getting more and more popular, also due to the increased number of cheap airline connections. And this is great news, because Zadar has a lot to offer. What exactly is there to see in Zadar?

How to get to Zadar, how to get from the airport to the centre, and a few more practical tips. All this information you will find in this blog post.

Practical tips about Zadar

A bit of geography

To begin with, Zadar is located in northern Dalmatia and is the fifth-largest city in Croatia (about 75,000 inhabitants).

It is also a great starting point for exploring many popular islands, such as Dugi Otok, Ugljan, Pag or the Kornati National Park. Yacht cruises often start in Zadar (or rather, from the marina near Zadar).

How to get to Zadar

Many people from Central Europe commute simply by car. There are also seasonal coaches.

The number of flights to Zadar during the summer season has grown significantly in recent years. It’s a lot of Ryanair flights, but also Lufthansa or Eurowings. You can check all the destinations on this map.

You can also reach Zadar from Split; it will take you about 3 hours by bus.

Likewise, you can also get to Zadar by water, for example, from the Italian city Ancona.

How to get from the airport

There is a city bus that will take you to the old town, but also to the bus station.

To clarify, the bus station is one stop before Old Town – get off there only if you are changing to another bus going further away. While if you are going to the old town, go to the end; there is a stop at the city walls.

The bus costs around 5 Euro. You can check the schedule on the airport website. Taxis cost around 30-40 Euro, there are also shuttle services available.

Ferries

If you choose water transport, it is worth remembering that there are two departure points. Some ferries depart from the quay next to the city walls. Most (especially the larger ferries) depart from the port of Gaženica, which you can reach by bus (both from the airport and the old town).

Where to stay in Zadar

My last trip to Zadar was a solo trip. It seemed to me that I had found just the perfect place to stay. It was clean, affordable, modern, and right in the old town, so it was easy to visit and see Zadar. Moreover, with a great owner who was easy to agree with, e.g., to leave luggage, and that’s why I want to share this place. These are Harvey’s luxury rooms (available on Booking).

What to see in Zadar

Sea Organ, Greeting to the Sun and a beautiful sunset

Sea Organ

The sea organ was created to enliven and make a long stretch of concrete promenade more attractive. And it was just the perfect idea because it has become the city’s most famous attraction! No wonder, because it is a unique thing, both in Europe and in the world (sea organs are also in San Francisco and Blackpool in England, but their structures are different).

The organ is an instrument that plays under the influence of waves and tides. The installation was created by artist Nikola Bašić in 2005. These are stone steps entering the sea, extending over a length of 70 metres. Beneath them are 35 pipes of different lengths and slopes, where the water pushes the sound-producing air (which comes out through the holes in the steps).

So sounds are different and depend on the size of the waves. In my opinion, they sound most beautiful with a small wave. It’s best to visit the organ twice, during the day and at sunset.

Sunset

‘Zadar has the most beautiful sunset in the world, more beautiful than Key West, Florida’ said Alfred Hitchcock, visiting the city in 1964.

There is something about it. And the sunsets (the place of the setting sun is over the water, which looks beautiful) seen in the sound of the organ have their magic. Immediately after sunset, everyone moves to the next attraction: Greeting to the Sun.

Greeting to the Sun

It is a solar installation by the same artist as Organs. It consists of 300 multi-layered panes (glass plates) arranged in the shape of a circle with a diameter of 22 metres. It is a presentation of the Solar system (around it, there are smaller installations representing planets).

The plates collect solar energy during the day. Then in the evening they glow, in changing colours. This is a big attraction in Zadar for visitors, especially children, because you can walk on the wheel. And this is something what everyone does and

Interestingly, the system is used as an actual energy source and illuminates half of the Zadar waterfront.

Old Town

The old town in Zadar is situated on a peninsula. Therefore, it makes it even more special, as the walk on each side ends with a view of the water. It is surrounded by the preserved city walls. What you can see in Zadar Old Town?

Gates

If there are walls, there are, obviously, also gates. The most characteristic one is the Land Gate. Built in the 16th century (1543), with Renaissance decorations: a bas-relief of the patron saint of the city (St. Chrysogonus), arches, and the Venetian lion of St. Mark.

Another one is called the Sea Gate- St. Rocco, also from the 16th century.

At the Land Gate, there is a small atmospheric port of Foša, occupied mainly by local boats (in the place of a partially buried moat), and next to it, a widely recommended restaurant of the same name (I haven’t eaten there).

Park

The gate and the marina are the most beautiful looking, from Queen Jelena Madijevka Park. It is the oldest public park in Croatia, dating from 1829. Cicadas, Mediterranean greenery, benches, plus of course, a view. It is worth stopping there for a while.

Five Wells Square

The entrance to the park is at the Five Wells Square. The square with 5 wells and a cistern, built in the 16th century, was to provide drinking water in the event of a Turkish siege. It was in use until the 19th century. Next to it is the Captain’s Tower, the only remnant of a 13th-century fort, as well as a Roman column.

University

The University buildings are located near the Land Gate and the port. In its present form, the university was established in 2002, but its history dates back to 1396, when it was founded by the Dominicans and operated until 1807.

Beautiful views to study.

Monument

Next to the university buildings, already on the promenade, there is a monument to Spiridon Brušina, who was born in Zadar. He was primarily concerned with malacology (the science of molluscs) and ornithology.

National Square (Narodni Trg)

Let’s return to the old town, to the most famous square. It houses: the 16th century town guard building with a clock tower added in the 19th century, a Renaissance loggia, and the newest building (from 1934), serving as the town hall. Apart from that, tenement houses and, of course, cafes.

Roman Forum

Built between the 1st century BC, and in the third century, the largest forum in Croatia (90x45m). The pavement, stairs, and columns have been fully preserved to this day.

St. Donatus

Next to the forum is the Church of St. Donatus, one of the most frequently appearing places in the pictures. It dates from the 9th century and is built in the early Romanesque style. Today, it does not have a sacred function. Due to the good acoustics, there are many concerts there.

St. Anastasia

The cathedral is right next to the church of St. Donatus. It comes from the 12th-13th centuries, with the older part from the 9th-11th centuries preserved. You can find the sarcophagus of St. Anastasia. It is the main church of the Zadar Archdiocese.

You can also enter the church tower.

St. Chrysogonus

It dates from the 12th century and is built in the Romanesque style. St. Chrysogonus is the patron saint of Zadar.

Fish and fruit and vegetable market in Zadar

The market is located in the old town. It is divided into two parts: the internal fish market and the external fruit and vegetable market. Fish, seafood, local vegetables and fruit, herbs, olive oil, cheese (e.g. the very famous paški sir, which is cheese from the nearby island of Pag). It is said to be the best market in Croatia and its history dates back to the Middle Ages. One of best places to see in Zadar, worth a visit!

Beaches

The most famous city beaches are Borik and Kolovare.

Borik is the beach by the hotel, about 4 km from the centre.

I recommend Kolovare beach because you can get there on a nice walk (from the Landing Gate).

When the beach begins, in a small bay, you can relax in the shade among the cicadas in a small park. Further on the beach, you can find complete infrastructure, including toilets, changing cabins, many cafes and a hotel.

Museums

There are several museums in Zadar: Archaeological, Illusion, the City of Zadar, the Museum of Ancient Glass, and the exhibition ‘Gold and Silver of Zadar’.

I hope that I have managed to convince you that there is a lot to see in Zadar, to visit this city, and help a bit to organise the trip.

Do you want to read more about Croatia?

Here you can find information on what to do and see during your visit to the Croatian coast.

Wondering about visiting the biggest (or 2nd biggest) Croatian island? Read about what to see on the island Krk.

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