Zadar Mini Guide
Where is Zadar?
Zadar is a historic city on the Adriatic Sea in Croatia. The city faces the islands of Pasman and Ugljan.
How Would I get There?
You can fly into Zadar Airport from
Zagreb and in summer there are flights with low cost carriers from some cities in Europe. From the airport you can take a bus or taxi and the bus and train station are a short walk from the city centre. Within Croatia, you can use the Contus bus service to travel long distance and you can travel from Germany using Touring Eurolines.
What is There to see in Zadar?
Zadar is easily explored by foot, so take a walk around the atmospheric old town. St Donat’s Church was built in the 9th century and is now a museum. Summer concerts are also held there. You can visit the 13th century St Anastasia Cathedral, the largest cathedral in Dalmatia and see the ancient churches of St Simeon and St Mary with their museums and religious artefacts. Take a walk around the Roman Forum and find out more at the Archaeological Museum.
What Else can I do?
Head for the beach! Kolovare is the closest beach to the city centre or Vitrenjak has a sailing club and terrace café. If water sports are more your scene, you can enjoy them at the Borik hotel complex. It’s a little unusual, but don’t miss the Sea Organ at Zadar’s Riva – it is a manmade organ with 35 pipes and works with the waves. In the evening it is accompanied by a light display and is a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike.
Eating out…
Try Tamaris Restaurant, it is a little out of the city but the Pag Island lamb is spit roasted to perfection and well worth the trek. Fosa Restaurant has a terrace overlooking the harbour, there you can try the local seafood and they have a good selection of Croatian wine. Look out for ‘blitva’ (a mix of potatoes and chard) it is served with almost everything and calamari is always on the menu!
Where can I Stay?
Hotel Kolovare is in a quieter part of the city. They have swimming pools and a spa for guests to use. The hotel has its own restaurant serving local and international dishes and an extensive wine cellar. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas of the hotel.
Further Afield
Take a drive out to Plitvice National Park and see the lakes and waterfalls or visit the beautiful Krka National Park. If you are feeling adventurous, rent a boat and explore the Kornati Islands, close to the city.
The best place to start is the old town, down near the end of the peninsula. There you’ll see the best preserved and largest Roman forum in Eastern Europe and it’s a popular place with locals who sit and chat amongst the Roman ruins.
Not far from there by hire car, you can find the remains of the old Roman wall together with the aqueduct that used to bring the water into the city. In the old town there are 34 noteworthy churches; you may not see them all but select a few and you’ll be surprised at their beauty.