Zadar

Narodni trg (People´s Square)

St. Donat's church

View of Zadar Town and Adratic Sea from Zadar Bell Tower

Bells of Zadar Bell Tower

Zadar is a city in northern Dalmatia, Croatia.

Understand

In 2016 Zadar won a contest for the European Best Destination. Its Venetian city walls are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Tourist information

• 🌍 Turistička zajednica Grada Zadara (Tourist Information Centre), Mihovila Klaića 1. (updated Aug 2016)

Get in

By plane

• 🌍 Zračna luka Zadar (Zadar Airport ZAD  ^IATA) (12 km east of the centre). The airport shares its airfield with military. It used to be a civic road crossing its taxi lanes, so the traffic was regulated by lifting gates, but it doesn't seem the case anymore. Nevertheless it's an international airport with flights by Croatia Airlines, Eurowings, Ryanair, and few others; various charters in season. (updated Aug 2016)

Ground transportation

• Airport shuttle. The bus runs to the city's bus station and then continues up to the bus hub at the old town. 25 kn. (updated Aug 2016)

Buses run to the Central bus station and Old town from Zadar airport terminal. These buses are clean, comfortable and efficient. Buses run in conjunction with arriving flights. Therefore they will run more frequently during weekdays than at weekends, as more flights are arriving at the airport. However, at weekends it is still possible to catch a bus. The airport bus costs 25 kn.

You can also rent a car at Zadar airport. There are multiple car rental companies.

For taxi or pre-booked transfers are also available.

By bus

• 🌍 Autobusni kolodvor Zadar (Bus station), ☎ [phone]. 05:30-22:00. Frequent buses run to and from Zagreb (3hr 30 min), Rijeka (change for Trieste in Italy), Pula, Sibenik, Split and on to Dubrovnik, some services to destination in Germany. In the season daily buses to Banja Luka in Bosnia and Herzegovina. (updated Aug 2016)

Left luggage. Storage is available at the station. 3 kn per hour. (updated Aug 2016)

About half the buses for Zagreb pass through the stunning Plitvice National Park.

Eurobusways runs buses from Budapest to Zadar from door to door.

By train

• 🌍 Kolodvor Zadar (Railway station), Ante Starčevića 3. M-F 07:10-14:40. A few slow trains a day run to Knin and connects with trains for Zagreb (5.5 hours or 8.5 with overnight trains) and Split (3.5 hr). (updated Aug 2016)

Virtually nobody uses this train to get to these cities. The train to Knin is just of one carriage with no A/C and can be quite uncomfortable, however the scenery is beautiful and will leave you in wonder at the numerous stations which appear to be in the middle of nowhere.

By boat

Jadrolinija Ferry

• 🌍 Long distance ferries, Istarska obala. Jadrolinja runs large ferries every few days up and down the coast between Dubrovnik and Rijeka, stopping off at ports including Zadar and islands on the way. They also run almost daily ferries in summer to and from Ancona, Italy. (updated Aug 2016)
• 🌍 Local ferries, Liburnska obala. Zadar is a hub for local boats and hydrofoils in Northern Dalmatia. Services run to and from Olib, Mali Losinj, Ugljan, Dugi Otok, Premuda and others. Timetables and prices are available online from Jadrolinija. (updated Aug 2016)

Get around

On foot

The centre is easy enough to get around on foot. To reach the bus and train stations or Youth Hostel you will probably need to catch one of the frequent local buses, which are the only form of public transportation.

By bus

• Liburnija. Provides local bus services in the city. Buses are relatively new and well maintained. Single ride ticket 10 kn (valid 50 min); double ride: 16 kn. (updated Sep 2016)

Virtually all the routes have a stop at the Autobusni kolodvor (Bus station). In the newer part of the city there is another popular bus stop: 🌍 Mala Pošta stop – at the a post office at the crossroads of Ul. Josipa Jurja Strossmayera and Ul. Stjepana Radića.

Single tickets can be bought either at the driver or at Liburnija kiosk at a bus stop. Double ride tickets, sold individually or bound into a carnet of 10 (so for 20 rides) are available at newsstand (Tisak) kiosks.

Buses are usually scheduled from early morning (05:30 - 06:30) and finishing just before the midnight, so plan your trips accordingly.

By bicycle

The cycling infrastructure is getting better during the recent years. But still, foreign traffic participants pay more attention to cyclists than locals.

Bicycle service

• 🌍 Bike Station Ullmann (Ullmann d.o.o.), Blaža Jurišića 1, 23000 Zadar (approx. 470 m from the Magistrale - within Smiljevac.), ☎ [phone]. They work primarily with quality products you hardly find elsewhere in Croatia. When it comes to Rohloff, SON/Schmidt and mobile power supplies, Bike Station Ullmann are the specialists in Croatia. First address for bicycle tourists and mountain bikers. 

By taxi

The main taxi ranks in Zadar are located at the following locations:

• Autobusni kolodvor (Bus station)
• Ferry quay at the Liburnska obala in the old town (near the bus stop), tel. [phone]
• Obala kneza Branimira at the opposite end of the bridge across the Jazine bay

A rowing boat ferry at the entrance of the harbour

By boat

• 🌍 Zadarski barkajoli (Rowing boat ferry) (Liburnska obala 5 - Lukobran aka Điga (Breakwater)), ☎ [phone]. 06:30-23:00. A small rowing boat makes regular trips between the old town and the breakwater at the other side of the harbour. The boat is 10.5 meters long, 1.76 m wide, capacity: 10 passengers. These days it's mostly a tourist attraction. 5 kn. (updated Sep 2016)

See

Zadar University

St. Mary's Church

Kopnena Vrata (Land Gate)

Sea Organ

Pozdrav Suncu

Walk around the atmospheric streets of the old town, located on the peninsula. There are 34 old churches situated on the peninsula, and all of them with a very rich history. The oldest is St. Simeon (Sv. Šime).

• 🌍 Crkva svetog Donata (Church of Saint Donatus). The church is one of the best preserved pre-Romanesque buildings in the world. It is pretty difficult to miss, as it has become the most recognizable symbol of Zadar. The church is no longer in use for religious ceremonies, and today is a museum. It also holds a series of classical music concerts every summer. (updated Jan 2016)
• 🌍 Katedrala sv. Stošije (Zadar Cathedral or Cathedral of St. Anastasia). In the cathedral there is an impressive organ that was nearly destroyed in the last war. Climb up the bell tower for a nice view over the city. (updated Jan 2016)
• 🌍 St. Mary & St. Simeon, Trg Šime Budinica. St. Mary also houses a museum of antique religious relics and artifacts. (updated Jan 2016)
• 🌍 Sveučilište u Zadru (University of Zadar). The university in its current modern form was refounded in 2002, but it was founded 1396, which makes it the oldest university in Croatia, and one of the oldest universities in Europe. (updated Jul 2015)
• 🌍 Forum Romana (Roman Forum). Remains of the Roman forum - One of the best preserves Roman forums in existence. This is a common place for locals to stroll, sit down among the ruins and enjoy a nice summer day. free. (updated Jan 2016)
• 🌍 Kopnena Vrata (Land Gate). Historic entrance gate to the city, built to a design by the Venetian architect Michele Sanmicheli in 1543. Free. (updated Apr 2017)
• 🌍 Morske orgulje (Sea Organ). This man-made organ works with the motion of the waves and 35 pipes to create a musical soundscape. A favorite for locals and tourists alike, and accompanied by a light display that creates visualisations of the sounds being produced by the organ. free. (updated Jul 2015)
• 🌍 Pozdrav Suncu (Greeting to the Sun). This monument of a 22-meter diameter circle made of 300 multi-layered glass plate. It represents the sun. There are 8 similar proportionate (in size and distance) representing the 8 planets. The circles are illuminated during the night. free. (updated Jan 2016)
• 🌍 Arheološki Muzej (Archaeological Museum), Trg Opatice Čike, 23000, ☎ [phone]. Houses artifacts that testify to Zadar's long and rich history. (updated Apr 2017)
• 🌍 Muzej antičkog stakla (Museum of Ancient Glass), Poljana Zemaljskog Odbora 1, ☎ [phone]. Covers the history of glass, from early glass jewelry and decorative items, to Roman era amphorae and bottles, up to contemporary glass art. Live glass blowing demonstrations are also given before 16:00. 10-30 kn. (updated Aug 2016)
• 🌍 Muzej Iluzija (Museum of Illusions), Poljana Zemaljskog Odbora 2, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A collection of interactive installations and optical illusions. 40-60 kn. (updated Aug 2016)
• 🌍 Crkva Svetog Krševana (Church of Saint Chrysogonus). (updated Jun 2017)
• 🌍 Sveta Marija, Madijevaca ul. 10. (updated Jun 2017)
• 🌍 Samostan Sv. Frane, Trg Sv. Frane 1, ☎ [phone]. (updated Jun 2017)

Do

• Relax in one of the cafes and enjoy the city, the sun, and the people.
• Swim, Take a dip in the beautiful clear waters. It's quite common to see people sunbathing and swimming along virtually the entire coast of Zadar. The most popular beaches are:

• Kolovare, Situated close to the city centre, a favorite for locals.

• Borik, A massive hotel complex hosting numerous activities such as parasailing, water slides and other activities.

• Vitrenjak, Located close to Zadar's sailing club, Uskok. A beach frequented by mostly families. In the nearby sailing club you can find a lovely open terrace cafe offering refreshments and food.

• Walk, Take a stroll along the paved seafront on a summer evening for one of the best sunsets in Europe and listen to the relaxing sounds of the rather original 'sea organ' set into the harbour wall.
• Sail, If you wish to spend your holidays on a yacht charter, Zadar has a lot to offer.The best season for sailing is early summer with good S/SE winds in May and June, while the winds during July and August are generally calmer. Summer temperatures are 26-30°C in average and the sea temperature is about 25°C.
• Adventure Driven Vacations, Zadar Airport, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 08:00-20:00. Provides skydiving, sea kayaking and rock climbing tours in the Zadar area. (updated Jan 2017)
• Zadar Day Trips, ☎ [phone]. Provides several boat tours of nearby islands. (updated May 2017)

Buy

Zadar has 2 major shopping areas: the old town with its numerous shops, and the Voštarnica commercial district.

• 🌍 Petar Zoranic, Knezova Šubića Bribirskih 10. General purpose book store, a good place to find tourist guides. (updated Aug 2016)
• 🌍 University Book Store, Ul. Ruđera Boškovića 5, ☎ [phone]. Book store of the university, offering a decent selection of Croatian, English and international literature. Tourist guides for Croatia available for 100 kn. (updated Aug 2016)

Eat

• 🌍 2Ribara (Dva Ribara), Ul. Blaža Jurjeva 1, ☎ [phone]. 11:00-23:00. Small restaurant in the historic center of Zadar, 5-min walk from the Roman Forum. Decent food for a fair price. (updated Aug 2016)
• 🌍 Hungry Eyes (Gladne Oči), Sutomiska 3, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 10:00-01:00. Specialized in grilled meat and fish. Large portions, fast service, competitive prices. Suitable for large groups and lunch or dinner with kids. Outside the old town, reachable by public transport (bus 8 Diklo - Kolodvor). (updated Aug 2016)
• 🌍 Mijo, Ul. Tina Ujevića 28, ☎ [phone]. Italian restaurant specialized in sea food, pizzas and pasta. Outside the old town, but close to a Borik. A romantic restaurant offering dining inside and outside, great for couples but not for families with kids. Large portions for fair prices. (updated Aug 2016)
• 🌍 Papica, Veslačka ul. 2, ☎ [phone]. Specializes in quality burgers served with fries, but with a Mediterranean flavor. Quick service, no-nonsense. Suitable for families with kids. Easily reachable by public transport (bus 8 direction Diklo). (updated Aug 2016)
• 🌍 Kornat, Liburnska Obala 6, ☎ [phone]. Upscale Croatian Mediterranean cuisine, high prices. Making a reservation is necessary. Next to a busy road, so not recommendable if you're looking to dine outside. 

Drink

• 🌍 Cocktail Bar Mango, Krešimirova Obala 12, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Lounge bar with a view over the bay. Large selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Comes to life in the early evening, only during the busy summer months. (updated Aug 2016)
• 🌍 The Garden, Liburnska obala 6, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 10:00-01:30. A fancy open bar with a lovely view over the harbour, opened by UB40 drummer James Brown. The Garden also hosts an annual electronic music festival. (updated Jul 2017)
• 🌍 The Arsenal, Trg tri bunara 1, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A 17th-century Venetian naval warehouse, now a cool Restaurant-Bar-Club. (updated Jul 2017)

Sleep

Budget

• 🌍 Hotel Kolovare, Bože Peričića 14, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. The only hotel close to the city center. (updated Jul 2017)
• 🌍 Youth Hostel, The Obala kneza Trpimira 78 (5 km from the city centre by the marina in Borik. Take buses 5 or 8), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 11:00. Not the most romantic place, but one of the cheapest. (updated Jul 2017)
• 🌍 Hostel Ljepotica, Obala kneza Branimira 10A (right across the foot bridge, close to the city center), ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Cheap hostel close to the city center. 
• 🌍 Villa Nico, Krešimirova Obala 138, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A small family-run hotel and restaurant at the sea side, halfway between Borik and Diklo. Bus stop of line 8 is 50 m away from the hotel. Fair prices, friendly service. (updated Aug 2016)

Splurge

• 🌍 Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa, Falkensteiner Hotels & Residences Punta Skala, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa is a five-star hotel, located north of Zadar in Punta Salka peninsula. (updated Jul 2015)
• 🌍 Hotel Niko, Obala kneza Domagoja 98, HR-23000 Zadar, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Hotel Niko is 3.5 km from Zadar city centre. It offers a panoramic view of the old town of Zadar. It has 15 stylish and comfortable rooms. (updated Jul 2015)
• 🌍 Hotel Bastion, Bedemi zadarskih pobuna 13, HR-23000 Zadar, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Hotel Bastion is a boutique hotel, built on the remains of a medieval fortress. Hotel Bastion has 28 rooms, including 5 suites. (updated Jul 2015)

Connect

• Free Wifi. Deployed at the centre of the city. SSID: Grad_Zadar_Free (updated Sep 2016)

Go next

• Dugi Otok – for its beautiful landscape, salt lake and donkeys at the Telašćica Nature Park
• Šibenik for the World Heritage listed Cathedral of St. Jacob
• Krka National Park where you can explore the breathtaking scenery and swim close to the waterfalls
• Kornati National Park – a national park of more than 80 islands where you can find peace and quiet
• Hike and climb in the Paklenica National Park
• Visit the stunning waterfalls and lakes of the Plitvice National Park