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City in Croatia
Photo: Adam Jones Adam63, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Zadar is the biggest city, cultural, economic and transit center of northern Dalmatia and the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia. Zadar is today one of the most popular Croatian tourist destinations, named "entertainment center of the Adriatic" by The Times and "Croatia's new capital of cool" by The Guardian in 2017.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
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.
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. The bell tower's entrance is separate from the rest of the cathedral.
St. Mary also houses a museum of antique religious relics and artifacts.
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.
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.
Land Gate
Historic entrance gate to the city, built to a design by the Venetian architect Michele Sanmicheli in 1543.
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.
Greeting to the Sun
This monument of a 22-meter diameter circle made of 300 multi-layered glass plates. It represents the sun. There are 8 similar proportionate (in size and distance) circles representing the 8 planets. The circles are illuminated at night.
Archeological Museum
Houses artifacts that testify to Zadar's long and rich history. The third floor covers prehistory up until Roman times. The second floor covers Roman times and the first floor covers post-Roman periods.
Museum of Ancient Glass
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.
Museum of Illusions
A collection of interactive installations and optical illusions.
Church of Saint Chrysogonus
The pizza is fresh and tasty, the people who serve are very nice. If you seek a quick, easy treat then get to this place. A giant pizza can feed a family of 4.
Small tavern. Real local food. You can eat very well here. Chef and staff ensure good food and a good atmosphere.
Tables outside - nice atmosphere. Frequented especially in the evening by young people and adults. Good food.
Very good pizza, quality ingredients, the dough is very soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Great and fast service, employees speak English. Great atmosphere and kindness.
Dva Ribara
Small restaurant in the historic center of Zadar, 5-min walk from the Roman Forum. Decent food for a fair price.
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).
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.
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).
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.
Well presented Croatian cuisine, with some North American influences (like BBQ chicken wings). Atmosphere is very comfortable, kids welcomed and even get a toy with an order of a kids meal. Good portion sizes, kind staff. There is also a playground in front for children.
Great food and presentation. A dream atmosphere, waiters very nice and friendly. Fresh sea food from Adriatic sea. Great location. Beautiful view.
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.
A fancy open bar with a lovely view over the harbour, opened by UB40 drummer Jimmy Brown. The Garden also hosts an annual electronic music festival.
A 17th-century Venetian naval warehouse, now a cool restaurant, bar and club.
Located at the edge of town near the harbor, this small hostel offers private rooms and dorms on 2 floors. Communal kitchen, Wifi. Small courtyard, balconies.
The only hotel close to the city center.
Not the most romantic place, but one of the cheapest.
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.
A five-star hotel north of Zadar in Punta Skala peninsula.
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.
Hotel Bastion is a boutique hotel, built on the remains of a medieval fortress. Hotel Bastion has 28 rooms, including 5 suites.
General purpose book store, a good place to find tourist guides.
Book store of the university, offering a decent selection of Croatian, English and international literature. Tourist guides for Croatia available for €13.50.
The only supermarket in the old town.
By bus
About half the buses for Zagreb pass through the stunning Plitvice National Park.
By train
By boat
By bus
Virtually all the routes have a stop at the Autobusni kolodvor (Bus station).
By bicycle
The cycling infrastructure improved during the 2010s. But still, foreign traffic participants pay more attention to cyclists than locals.
By taxi
The main taxi ranks in Zadar are at the following locations:
By boat
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Zadar · International · ZAD
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