Back to the apartment

Zadar guide

Zadar and around

Zadar is small enough to explore on foot and close to several national parks. Here is what our guests enjoy most, with approximate driving times from the apartment.

The Old Town in a day

About 10 minutes by car from the apartment.

• Sea Organ & Greeting to the SunOn the tip of the peninsula, the waves play music through pipes beneath the stone steps. After dark, the large glass circle of the Greeting to the Sun lights up. The best place to watch Zadar’s famous sunset.
• Roman Forum & St. DonatusThe round 9th-century Church of St. Donatus, the symbol of Zadar, stands beside the remains of the Roman forum.
• Cathedral of St. AnastasiaClimb the bell tower for a view over the red roofs, the sea and the islands (open in season).
• Five Wells Square & the Land GateA Venetian square with five wells above an old cistern, and the city’s Renaissance main gate from 1543.
• BarkajoliCross the harbour the traditional way: small rowing boats have ferried people between the Old Town and the mainland for centuries.
• Market & MaraschinoVisit the morning market for fruit, cheese and figs, and take home a bottle of Maraschino, the cherry liqueur made in Zadar.

Beaches

• Diklo2.7 kmThe closest beaches to the apartment: small pebble coves along a seaside promenade, quiet and popular with locals.
• KolovareThe city beach next to the Old Town, with pine shade and cafés.
• BorikPine trees and calm water in the Borik area, a good choice for families.
• Queen’s Beach, Nin20 minA long sandy beach with shallow water, ideal for small children.
• Sakarun, Dugi otokby boatFine white pebbles and shallow turquoise water on the island of Dugi otok, a favourite full-day trip.

Day trips

• Nin20 minCroatia’s oldest royal town: the tiny 9th-century Church of the Holy Cross, salt pans and a lagoon with healing mud.
• Vrana Lake40 minCroatia’s largest natural lake, a nature park for birdwatching, cycling and easy walks.
• Paklenica National Park45 minHiking and climbing in the canyons of the Velebit mountain, right above the sea.
• Krka National Park1 hWaterfalls and wooden walkways. Swimming at the falls is no longer allowed; buy tickets online in summer.
• Šibenik1 hA lively old town with St. James’s Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Zrmanja canyon1 hKayaking and rafting on a clear river between white cliffs (in season).
• Plitvice Lakes1 h 45 minSixteen terraced lakes joined by waterfalls. Book a timed ticket online and arrive early.
• Kornati & Telašćicafull dayBoat excursions leave from Zadar and the nearby marinas for the Kornati islands and Telašćica bay.

A taste of Zadar

• Pag cheese & prosciuttoThe classic Dalmatian starter, with local olive oil and bread.
• Fish & seafoodAsk for the catch of the day, or buy fresh fish at the fish market in the morning and grill it on the stone barbecue in our garden.
• PekaMeat or octopus slowly baked under an iron bell. Most taverns need you to order it a few hours in advance.
• Ivana’s tipsAsk Ivana for her favourite local taverns and beaches. She will gladly share them.

Good to know

• Getting to the Old TownParking around the peninsula is limited and paid, so arrive early in summer. City buses (Liburnija) and taxis are an easy alternative.
• IslandsFerries and catamarans to Ugljan, Pašman and Dugi otok leave from Zadar. Check the timetable at jadrolinija.hr.
• SunsetBe at the Sea Organ about half an hour before sunset; it gets busy in summer.
• Summer heatThe Old Town is most pleasant in the morning and in the evening; spend the afternoon at the beach or in the shade of our olive trees.