Zadar is the lively capital of North Dalmatia: a 3,000-year-old old town on a peninsula with a Roman forum, early medieval churches and Venetian walls that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city became famous for two modern installations on its waterfront – the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun. Zadar is also the gateway to the islands and to the Kornati, Paklenica and Krka national parks, and it has its own airport.
At a glance
Region
North Dalmatia
Airport
Zadar (approx. 10 km)
To Split / Plitvice
approx. 160 km / approx. 130 km
UNESCO
Venetian defence works (since 2017)
Best time to visit
May to October; year-round as a city break
Ideal for
city breakers, families, island hoppers, day-trippers
Old town: forum, Donatus and gates
The heart of the peninsula is the Roman forum with remains of columns, next to the round 9th-century Church of St Donatus, the city's emblem. St Anastasia's Cathedral has a bell tower you can climb. The Land Gate (Kopnena vrata) of 1543 leads into the old town from the east; on Five Wells Square lie remains of the Venetian fortress. The main street, Kalelarga, is the evening promenade.
Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun
At the western tip of the peninsula, architect Nikola Bašić built marble steps into the sea with pipes beneath them: waves push air through and create sounds – the Sea Organ (Morske orgulje). Next to it is the Greeting to the Sun, a round glass surface with solar cells that lights up in colours after sunset. An evening here is the quintessential Zadar experience.
Swimming and islands
Kolovare town beach with pebbles, pines and bars, 15 minutes' walk from the old town
Borik and Puntamika hotel and bathing zone to the north, gentle entry
Barkajoli traditional rowing boats have ferried people across the harbour for centuries – a short, cheap crossing
Ugljan and Pašman ferry to Preko in about 25 minutes; quiet coves and olive groves
Dugi otok ferries and catamarans to Sali and Brbinj; Sakarun and Telašćica
Honest verdict
Zadar is more authentic and cheaper than Split or Dubrovnik and remains a real city with a university and everyday life. The town beaches are decent but not spectacular – the finest coves are on the islands. As a base for excursions Zadar is ideal: Krka, Kornati, Paklenica, Nin and Plitvice are all 30 minutes to two hours away.
