Zadar Travel Guide: Things to Do, Where to Stay & Day Trip Ideas

Zadar Travel Guide: Discover the best things to do, where to stay, and top day trip ideas to help you plan your perfect visit to this coastal gem in Croatia.

I began my month long Croatia adventure in Zadar, before heading along the coast and ending in Dubrovnik. After spending 5 nights in Zadar, I feel I got a good feel for this city and what is on offer in and around it. Having not heard too much about Zadar (most people talk of visiting Split or Dubrovnik), I wasn’t sure what to expect. Honestly, I loved my time here!!!

I moved around a lot on my Croatia travels, but if you wish to base yourself in one place, know that Zadar is lovely and makes it easy to explore further, with many day trip options. Zadar really is an excellent base for a Croatia adventure!!

So, if you’re thinking about visiting Zadar, you can use this travel guide to see it’s well worth the visit and how you can spend a trip here!

ACCOMMODATION: I recommend using Booking.com and/or Hostelworld for the best range of, and deals on, accommodation in Zadar.

ACTIVITIES: Check out GetYourGuide for organised activities and tours in and around Zadar.

So, first things first….

Why Visit Zadar?

In this travel guide, you’ll see that there are many reasons why Zadar is worth visiting. In short, Zadar is: easily accessible; affordable; easy to get around; provides a mix of historic and coastal charm; has an authentic, relaxed vibe; is a great spot from where to take day trips. Let’s look more closely…

– Easily Accessible

Firstly, Zadar is easily accessible thanks to its international airport, which lies just 8km from the city centre. Budget airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet make Zadar not only easily reachable, but also affordably so. Beyond budget airlines, the likes of British Airways, Lufthansa, and Austrian Airlines, to name a few, also fly to Zadar. I recommend checking for flights on Skyscanner to find the best deals for your dates.

On arrival into Zadar Airport, know that reaching the city is also easy to do:

• Airport Bus: The Airport Bus leaves from outside the terminal, costing just €5 one way. There are 3 stops – Ferry port Gaženica, main bus station and Zadar centre (right by the old town). It takes only around 20 minutes to reach the city.
• Bolt/Uber: Both Bolt and Uber operate in Zadar and provide an excellent, reasonably priced option for reaching the city. If you don’t wish to wait on the bus, there are a few of you travelling together, and/or want to be taken straight to your accommodation, either of these are excellent options. Know that Bolt tends to be more extensive in Zadar than Uber.

Zadar is also well served by bus companies such as Flixbus. You can therefore reach Zadar by bus from other destinations in Croatia, or neighboring countries such as Slovenia (there is a direct bus from Ljubljana, for example). You can check for buses to Zadar here.

– Affordable

Zadar is affordable not only to reach thanks to budget airlines, but for accommodation, city attractions and food, too (especially if compared to the likes of Dubrovnik). Zadar really is one of Croatia’s most budget-friendly coastal cities.

– Easy to Get Around

• Walkable city: Zadar is a pretty compact city, making it easy to explore on foot, which can save both time and money. The Old Town is a car-free zone, so you can and must walk around here, which is where you will find yourself gravitating towards when in Zadar – it is lovely! The main city sights are found here, all within easy walking distance.
• Public buses: If you don’t want to walk too far but need to head to the bus station, wish to go to a beach such as Borik Beach, or are staying out from the Old Town, for example, know that public buses are an efficient and cost effective way to travel. A single bus ticket in the city costs €1.59.

– Mix of Historic and Coastal Charm

As you travel Croatia, you’ll soon learn that the Old Towns are must visit spots – full of rich history and stunning coastal scenes! Zadar is no exception. The unique mix of historic and coastal charm makes it a place where natural beauty and culture come together. What makes Zadar’s Old Town especially unique is how it mixes the old with the new, such as the Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun, which are modern attractions by the Old Town that rely on Zadar’s coastal position.

– Authentic, Relaxed Vibe

Zadar, while a popular destination, does remain ‘somewhat’ a hidden gem of Croatia’s main cities. Dubrovnik and Split, for example, well overtake Zadar in tourist footfall. Thanks to fewer crowds, then, Zadar has more of a relaxed vibe. It is also easier to find it has more of a local feel, making it more authentic, especially if you explore beyond the Old Town.

– Day Trip Options

It’s worth visiting and staying in Zadar for longer than you need to see the main city sights, because Zadar is an excellent base for taking day trips. A stay in Zadar makes for easy exploring beyond the city itself. For more on this, read on below to the section on day trip ideas from Zadar!

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Where to Stay in Zadar

Zadar has accommodation to suit all budgets and travel styles – from stylish hotels to cozy apartments and sociable hostels. Whether you’re looking for a beachfront stay or something in the heart of the Old Town, this section of this Zadar travel guide has you covered. I recommend checking Booking.com for a wide range of options, and Hostelworld if you’re a solo or budget traveler.

I spent 5 nights in total in Zadar, 3 with my Dad there and 2 solo, so I changed accommodation and got to experience both amazingly central apartment life in the Old Town, as well as budget backpacker life a little out from the main areas.

There is no doubt the Old Town is the most desirable area to stay, especially for a first time visit and if you’re only staying in Zadar for a few days. Being able to walk out the door and be in the heart of the city’s action, with the water, restaurants, stores, main sights just steps away is perfect. The ferry port is right by the Old Town, so you can easily head on day trips, and the main bus station can be easily reached by bus, too. The airport bus also runs directly to/from the Old Town.

For solo budget travellers, there are 3 hostels in the Old Town:

• Downtown Boutique Hostel
• Boutique Hostel Forum
• Tequila Bar Hostel

Beyond hostels, for those on a higher budget, travelling with others and/or looking for their own space, there are many accommodation options in the Old Town.

• I stayed in Castello -Centar in the Old Town. This is a 2 bedroom apartment in an amazing location, close to the main sights of the Old Town, a few minutes walk from the water and around 5 minutes from the ferry port (honestly, any accommodation in the Old Town has you in the perfect spot). Anyway, I definitely recommend a stay in Castello -Centar!

For a luxury hotel stay, I recommend checking out Bastion Heritage Hotel.

If you’re intending to have more of a beach holiday, you may wish to look for accommodation nearer such. An amazing option that is super central to the Old Town as well as the beach, is the Hyatt Regency Zadar. This waterfront, 5 star hotel has all the facilities you could need, and really is in an amazing spot! You can’t miss seeing it when walking by the water near the Old Town area.

Beyond such, accommodation in the areas of Borik or Kolovare lands you by the beach.

• In Borik you may wish to check out the Falkensteiner Premium Mobile Homes and Camping Zadar for a high rated more budget friendly option, or Adria Concept boutique apartments for an excellent apartment stay.
• In Kolovare, an upscale, beachfront apartment accommodation well worth a stay is La Vista Suites.

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Zadar Travel Guide – Things to Do in Zadar

From ancient ruins to musical instruments in the sea, this Zadar travel guide covers the best things to do on your trip.

Whether you’re looking to simply wander around the city, delve into the history of Zadar, chase stunning sunsets, relax on the beach…. to name a few activities, Zadar has you covered. Let’s delve deeper…

– Explore the Old Town

Zadar’s pedestrian only Old Town is where you will find yourself mainly gravitating towards. It is the heart of Zadar, after all. Thanks to being very compact, walkable and flat (unlike Dubrovnik!!), it’s super easy and enjoyable to walk around. Simply wander the streets and the charm will seep through the stunning architecture and polished cobbles.

In the Old Town, your eyes will be drawn to prominent historic sights such as the Roman Forum, including the Bell Tower (which you can climb for a small fee and some excellent city views), and the Church of St. Donatus. You also won’t miss the main square, People’s Square (Narodni Trg).

Be sure to head to Queen Jelena Madijevka Park, too. This was Zadar’s first public park, and here you can find a relatively quiet green space where you can relax on the benches, and stroll around seeing the sculptures and fountains in place here. Moreover, the park is slightly elevated, giving some nice views over the Old Town and the notable Land Gate, which was once the main entrance to the city. Land Gate is a must see and provides a lovely sight especially from the park, which overlooks the marina below and the architectural gem that is this archway entrance-way.

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Zadar while exploring the Old Town, you may wish to do an organised walking tour. This 1.5 hour Zadar walking tour is a top rated activity option, and you can opt for a morning, afternoon or evening tour.

– Listen to the Sea Organ and see the Greeting to the Sun

Zadar’s Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun are unique city highlights not to be missed. These can both be found at the far end of the peninsula on which the Old Town is located, just on the edge of such. You can therefore easily incorporate these sights with your Old Town visit.

The Sea Organ is what the name suggests, essentially a musical instrument in the sea, played by the sea! As for the Greeting to the Sun, this is a large, circular (like the sun), art installation which uses solar energy to put on a colourful nightly light show.

There is no doubt that the best time of day to visit these attractions is at sunset time. Why? Zadar sunsets are notoriously stunning, and from this western edge on the peninsula you get the best scenes. The stunning visuals, combined with the sounds of the Sea Organ really makes for a special sunset experience. Moreover, once darkness descends, the light show from the Greeting to the Sun begins. That being said, coming here during the day, sitting by the water, listening to the sounds, having a little rest from walking and exploring, is also worth doing!

– Go to the Beach

Zadar is a coastal city, you can, therefore, spend some time on the beach during a visit to Zadar.

Kolovare Beach and Borik Beach are very popular beach choices in the city. The closest to the Old Town is Kolovare, lying just east of such, while Borik is over the bridge and to the west of the Old Town. Another great beach choice which I really liked is Plaža Uskok. I loved that it looks across to the Old Town in the distance, as you can see in the photos below! I went to this beach and then continued on to Borik, as it’s on the way there (from the Old Town direction), so got to experience both!

There is a sandy beach in Borik is a sandy beach, and if you keep walking just a little further there are more pebble beaches…. There is plenty of beach space to choose from along here!

– Museums

There are several museums in the heart of Zadar, including: Archaeological Museum Zadar, Museum of Ancient Glass, Museum of Illusions. I honestly didn’t visit any, but museums interest you, or perhaps you need a rainy day activity should you be so unfortunate, you can easily head into a museum (and for not too high an entrance fee).

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Travel Guide: Day Trip Ideas from Zadar

A Zadar travel guide would not be complete without letting you in on some day trip ideas. Zadar really is an excellent base from where to take worthwhile day trips. From Zadar, day trips can be easily done whether by taking the bus, boat, going on an organised tour, or hiring a car.

I’ll categorize the day trip ideas into: national parks, islands, cities/towns. So, let’s take a look at some excellent day trips from Zadar:

National Parks

– Plitvice Lakes National Park

Taking a trip to Croatia’s fairytale land, Plitvice Lakes National Park, really is a must do. There are SO MANY waterfalls alongside the turquoise water and forest areas…. there is a lot to see! The walking trails are excellent, I was even more impressed by Plitvice Lakes then I imagined I would be, it is a magical land.

For a deeper insight into visiting Plitvice Lakes, check out my post: A Solo Day Trip to Plitvice Lakes from Zadar: Travel Guide

Entrance fee: €40 in peak season (June-September), €23 (April, May, October), €10 (November – March)

• The €40 is pretty high… especially for a budget traveller as I am. However, visiting in September, it was either pay the €40 or don’t go. I wanted to go. I went. I have no regrets, I had such a good day!!! Hopefully you will feel the same!

How to get to Plitvice Lakes from Zadar: First things first, Zadar is the closest main city to Plitvice Lakes NP, so I do recommend that you visit from here. It is around a 1.5-2 hour drive from Zadar (note that you can do a day trip from Split, for example, but the travel time can be up to 2 hours longer each way).

Reaching Plitvice Lakes can be done either by booking a bus and visiting independently, going on a guided day tour, or by hiring a car:

• Flixbus leaves from Zadar Central Bus Station (note that this is around a 20-30 minute walk from the Old Town, or a short bus ride away). I travelled by Flixbus, arriving into Plitive Lakes around 10:30am, and left on the 5pm bus (the last bus back).
• Another transfer option is to book this Round-Trip Transfer to Plitvice Lakes. The price is not much more than wish Flixbus, and it gived you the option of being picked up in the Old Town, which you may find more convenient. You would also arrive earlier at Plitvice (and leave earlier) – the bus pick-up is at 7:30am and it leaves to return at 3pm.

• If you prefer to have everything organised for you, and wish for a guided tour of Plitvice Lakes, there are various options available but I recommend you check out this Plitvice Lakes Guided Day Tour with Tickets. This is a top rated day tour. The entrance ticket is included in the price, and you will spend 4.5 hours in Plitvice Lakes.

– Krka National Park

Krka National Park is another of Croatia’s waterfall wonderlands. Similar to Plitvice Lakes, although on a lesser scale, you can expect natural beauty in the form of waterfalls and greenery, with well-marked walking trails to lead the way.

How to get to Krka National Park from Zadar:

Krka National Park is situated around a 50 minutes – 1 hour drive from Zadar (it’s also around the same distance from Split, so know that you could easily visit from there, too). For a hassle-free option for visiting Krka from Zadar, I recommend checking out this Krka Waterfalls Tour.

(Note that Plitvice is considered the more impressive of the two. So, if you only have the time or budget for one of these must visit national parks, I’d go for Plitvice. This is what I did – visiting during a peak entry fee month I didn’t want to pay two €40 entry fees, so honestly I skipped Krka and chose Plitvice Lakes).

– Paklenica National Park

Paklenica National Park is Croatia’s national park gem you maybe haven’t heard of! If you like hiking, this one is for you. I hiked over 20km on my day here, and LOVED IT!!

Entrance fee: €10 (June – September), €8 (March – May, October), €5 (January, February, November, December)

How to get to Paklenica National Park from Zadar:

Paklenica National Park is around a 50 minute drive from Zadar, or a 1-1h15 bus ride. Should you be willing to drive on Croatia’s windy (but super scenic) roads, I recommend you hire a car if you do only have one day to dedicate to this area. That way you could stay until later in the day, and have some time to enjoy the lovely town of Starigrad Paklenica as well as Paklenica National Park. Explore rental car options here.

Not up for hiring a car? You can take the bus, but it won’t allow you too much time in the National Park. There is a bus that leaves Zadar Central Bus Station at 8am, arriving into Starigrad Paklenica at 10:30am. For the return, the last bus is at 4:09pm. Do keep in mind the entrance to the NP is a few kms from the bus stop. Check for bus times and tickets here.

As I was travelling by bus, to have more time to fully enjoy this area, I left Zadar for 2 nights to visit here! I stayed in the town just by the national park, where the bus arrives into, Starigrad Paklenica. I DO recommend staying here if time permits. It’s also good to know that accommodation is cheap and nice, so even if you’re a budget solo traveller as I am, you can go and stay here (and enjoy your own space instead of a hostel!).

If you wish to visit for a night or two, I can recommend the accommodation I stayed in – Apartment Nika. Check for accommodation near Paklenica National Park here.

Islands

– Ugljan

Ugljan is the closest island to Zadar, and is well worth a trip. The main town, Preko, can be reached by ferry from Zadar is just 20-25 minutes. It’s therefore the perfect, easy, affordable, day or even half-day trip.

How to get to Ugljan from Zadar:

The Jadrolinija fast ferry (passenger only) leaves from Gazenica ferry port, which is just by the Old Town. The ferry schedule changes depending on the time of year – more ferries in peak season – but even in the off-season months Ugljan is easily reached.

Ferry price: The price of the ferry changes with the seasons, too. In September (still peak season), we paid €10 for a return trip. Outwith peak season, you can expect to pay €8 return.

You can check for the schedule and book ferry tickets here.

(If you want a proper island escape for a night or two, or more, there is accommodation available on Ugljan, too. This would give you time to really explore the island – I do wish I had had more time to do such!!).

Alternatively, you can visit Ugljan as part of an organised boat trip, such as with this highly popular boat tour to the Ugljan, Preko, and Ošljak Islands.

I actually on visited Ugljan for half a day, and while I wish I had longer, I am SO glad I did spend even this time in Preko and exploring a little along from this main town. My trip here was pretty relaxing! I visited Preko with my Dad and didn’t do the usual too much walking I usually do!! We had a waterfront stroll, some ice-cream (of course) by Beach Jaz which is a popular beach area, and just chilled!! I then continued on a little from here, walking as far as Poljana, which is around 4km from the ferry port.

If I go back, I will be sure to hike up to Fort St. Michael, which is the highest point on Ugljan and provides rewarding views!! So do add this in to your visit if you like hikes and views!!

– Kornati Islands

The Kornati Islands make for a very popular day trip option from Zadar (know that you can also visit from Šibenik, they are about the same distance from there). There are around 140 islands in the Kornati archipelago, with 89 belonging to Kornati National Park.

The Kornati Islands are best visited on an organised tour. There are various options of tours, some which include a visit to Telašćica Nature Park on the island of Dugi Otok.

Cities/Towns

– Šibenik

At just around an hour from Zadar, the coastal city of Šibenik can be easily visited on a day trip.

There are multiple bus companies that run to Sibenik, so buses are frequent. I do recommend to book your ticket in advance, however. You can check for, and book, buses here on BusBud (Busbud shows various companies), or check out Flixbus for more options, too.

On my day in Sibenik, I wandered the charming streets of the Old Town, and took in the waterfront promenade. Walking west from the Old Town I reached the panoramic viewpoint of Sibenik (no climbing required!), which gives a stunning view towards the city, before continuing on to Banj Beach – a popular spot! I also headed up to a viewpoint, Smričnjak viewpoint, for some beautiful views over the coastline. Following a walk back towards the Old Town, I ended my day by going up to St. John’s Fortress (although I didn’t go in as I got there a bit late), but I got some more stunning views and caught the sunset glow from there!

If you choose to spend the night in Sibenik, I recommend staying in Hostel Splendido (for budget travellers).

– Trogir

The historic town of Trogir is well worth a visit, you can also easily visit the island Otok Čiovo, which is connected by a short bridge.

Trogir is around 2.5-3 hours away by bus from Zadar, which is quite far but it is doable for a day trip – head out on an early bus and take a late afternoon/evening bus back! You can check for buses here on BusBus and Flixbus too for more options.

My Trogir tip is to get up the Bell Tower! For just €5 you can climb the narrow staircase of the bell tower belonging to St. Lawrence’s Cathedral. From here, the panoramic views over Trogir and onto Otok Čiovo are seriously impressive, especially for such a short climb right in the heart of the Old Town. Additionally, if you are spending a full day in Trogir and wish for some beach time, I recommend walking or taking the bus to Okrug Gornji Beach on Otok Čiovo.

– Split

Split is Croatia’s second largest city and one you will likely, most definitely, have heard of! If you are based in Zadar but would like to check out Split, know that you can do so on a day trip since it’s not too far away.

• Split can be reached in around 2h15-3h from Zadar. Check bus times and book your ticket here, and for more options also check out Flixbus (since they don’t all show through BusBud for some reason!).

You can have a good explore of the main city sights even just on a day trip. That gives plenty of time to experience the Old Town, and even head up to Marjan Forest Park, explore this green area in the city with lovely walking paths and discover the best views over Split. If you want to fit some beach time into your day, there is a beach not far from the bus station – Bacvice Beach. But if you want to go a little further, I recommend heading to the newly opened Znjan City Beach, which has just recently been under a redevelopment project. I loved it along here!! It’s also a very nice walk there (or just a short bus ride)!

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That sums up this travel guide on a visit to Zadar, Croatia. I genuinely did have such a good time here and really feel like its an underrated destination! Zadar is great whatever kind of trip you’re looking to take – adventurous, relaxing, a solo trip, a family holiday.. there is something to suit everyone!

Hopefully this Zadar travel guide has helped you realise that trip to Zadar really is worth taking and you can use it to help plan your trip! 🙂