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In this blog, we bring you what to do, see, and taste if you spend a day in Zadar. From top attractions and beaches to restaurants, we will cover it all!
How to Get to Zadar
First, Zadar airport is connected with all major European cities throughout the year, especially during summer. Almost every low-budget airliner has regular weekly flights to Zadar, during the shoulder months and summer.
Secondly, if you are arriving in Zadar via car, you will find it is situated directly on Croatian Highway A1 (European Highway E65). Excellent traffic connections make it easy to get to Zadar.
Attractions in Zadar
Zadar peninsula is quite easily reachable because on its north side, there is a large public parking and it is connected with the modern part of town via a pedestrian bridge. Let us take you on a short walk-through and show you what you should not miss while in Zadar.
Kalelarga,from commons.wikimedia.org,author Silverije
With its 2000-year-old history, Zadar is full of monuments that tell the story of the city and its inhabitants. You will find Zadar people very easygoing and relaxed. Mediterranean way of life can be experienced here to the fullest. The best way to experience this is by taking a stroll down Zadar`s most iconic street, Kalelarga.
Splitting the Zadar peninsula into two modern-day Kalelarga follows the old Roman Decumanus Maximus street. Literally meaning wide street, this vibrant street has been the center of social life since the town's foundation some 2000 years ago. The first café was opened in Kalelarga 300 hundred years ago on People`s Square and nowadays you can still find some of the coolest cafés or bars on or near Kalelarga.
The best part of the day to start exploring Zadar is early morning. It is still not too crowded and hot if you arrive during summer, so you have Zadar all to yourself.
Roman Forum, Zadar, from Pixabay.com
The starting point for a stroll down Kalelarga should be the Roman Forum.
Measuring 90 x 45 meters it is an impressive landmark of Zadar. Construction began in the 1stcentury BC and during Roman times this area served as a central market and public area. Much of the material used in building surrounding buildings was taken from the Roman Forum. We suggest visiting after nightfall when the entire Roman Forum is lit up.
St. Mary`s Church and Monastery, Zadar, from Pixabay.com
Around the Forum some of the Zadar top sites can be found. The first of them is St. Mary Church. Romanesque church situated on the eastern side of the old Roman Forum. In 1066. beside the church, the Benedictine monastery was founded. Part of the monastery is being used as a museum that houses Zadar’s finest ecclesiastical artifacts known as Gold and Silver of Zadar.
Next to the St. Mary`s Church and monastery, you will find the Zadar Archeological Museum. This museum is divided in seven separate rooms and each room represents a different period of Zadar's long and rich history.
Church of St. Donatus, Zadar
Looking west from St. Mary`s Church you will find the Church of St. Donatus.Originally named Church of St Trinity this is the largest pre-Romanesque church in Croatia. Zadar bishop and diplomat Donatus of Zadar started building the church in the 9thcentury. The church was named after him in the 15thcentury.
Apart from serving as a church, during its long history it also served as a warehouse, and museum for a short period. Today Musical Evenings in St. Donatus, the festival of medieval renaissance music, is being held there because of the building's excellent acoustics.
Cathedral of St. Anastasia, Zadar, from Pixabay.com
Next to the Church of St. Donatus lies the Cathedral of St. Anastasia.Construction of the cathedral began in the 9th century and today UNESCO's Tentative List of World Heritage Sites represents many historic architectural periods. It is also the seat of the Archdiocese of Zadar and the largest church in the region of Dalmatia. Adjacent to the cathedral with its iconic Bell Tower of St Anastasia’s Cathedral. We strongly recommend climbing its 183 steps and enjoying the spectacular view of Zadar and its archipelago.
Bell tower of St Anastasia’s Cathedral, Zadar, from commons.wikimedia.org, author Pudelek (Marcin Szala)
After the climb be sure to proceed east north towards the center of Zadar social life, People`s Square where some 300 hundred years ago first café was opened. Since then, this square has been an unavoidable place for having your first-morning coffee and for hearing what is happening in town. Today, People`s Square is one of the top tourist attractions in Zadar with its beauty leaves no one indifferent. Surrounded by 16thcentury City Guard clock tower and City Loggia, the seat of political power in Zadar, People`s Square, is still the town's beating heart.
People`s Square, Zadar, from commons.wikimedia.org, author Böhringer Friedrich
Still moving east worth you will stumble upon Petar Zoranic and adjacent to it,Five Wells Square. These two town squares joined together form a phenomenal location for all sorts of entertaining events, such as concerts, all year round.
Five Wells Square, Zadar, from commons.wikimedia.org, author Böhringer Friedrich
Petar Zoranic Square is named after Croatian Renaissance writer born in Zadar and you will recognize it by glass-covered Roman ruins and a large Roman pillar.
Five Wells Square, as the name suggests, is named after five wells still existing today on the square. People of Zadar
Wells were dug during the 16thcentury to store enough water if the Turks besieged the town. After the Turkish threat ended beautiful park was built on top of the nearby bastion.
Zadar Beaches
After a morning of sightseeing, the best thing you could do is to head out to the beach and seek refreshment in the sea.
Zadar has several lovely beaches and all of them are full of different amenities and are excellently maintained.
Kolovare beach is the most popular beach in Zadar. The beach is comprised of sand and gravel and it is excellent for spending a relaxing day on the beach. There are lots of bars near the beach and you can even rent deck chairs. Get a cool drink, park yourself in a sun chair and enjoy the sun and the view. Or just dive into the refreshing sea and let the waves melt your worries away.
Also, big advantage is that beach has an excellent parking so there is no problem finding parking lot even in high season.
Zadar Borik Beach
Borik Beach is occupied mostly by nearby hotel guests. However, it is open to the public. The beach is a mix of sand and gravel. On the beach, you will find an aquapark and the possibility to enjoy in water sports and rent pedal boats, surfboards, etc.
A lovely pebble Puntamika Beach is ideal for families with smaller kids. On the beach, you will find a children's playground and parasols for rent. Also, for complete relaxation, there is a beach bar where you can order cool drinks and enjoy the great view of Zadar.
Restaurants in Zadar
After a day at the beach, it is time for a nice dinner. You will find out that Zadar has an abundance of excellent restaurants for you to choose from.
We can warmly recommend these restaurants for you to check out.
Photo of the restaurant Kastel fromwww.facebook.com/pg/HotelBastionZd
Restaurant Kastel takes pride in bringing the cultural traditions of the Zadar region to life with their selected dishes.
Pet Bunara Dine & Wine restaurant serves traditional dishes common to the Zadar region but with a modern twist and paired with excellent domestic wines.
For a homier atmosphere, we recommend Al Pachero restaurant. It is an easy-going restaurant that serves excellent seafood.
These are just recommendations for restaurants in Zadar. You will surely find many others that are excellent as well.
Greeting to the Sun and Sea Organ
To end the perfect day in Zadar we recommend visiting installations Greeting to the Sunand Sea Organ.
These installations are best visited while the sun slowly sets into the sea. The sound from Sea Organ and the light provided by the Greeting to the Sun installation produces a unique blend of visual and acoustic experience.
Sea Organ, Zadar
Sea Organ is made of 35 polyethylene pipes of different sizes that are placed under perforated stone steps stretching 70 meters along the stone-paved waterfront. Pipes are placed so that when waves come crashing to the coast pushes air into pipes that then produce sound. Due to the different sizes of the pipes Sea Organs can produce seven chords.
Greeting to the Sun, Zadar, from commons.wikimedia.org, author Hajotthu
Greeting to the Sunconsists of 300 glass plates placed in the shape of a circle. Besides the main installation, there are similar smaller installations representing other planets of the solar system. The size of the Sun and planets are proportional. Beneath the glass are solar modules with lighting elements that turn on at night, and produce a wonderful light show that attracts tourists and local alike.
Greeting to the Sun at night, Zadar
It is not by chance that the Greeting to the Sun installation is in Zadar. In Zadar, you can observe one of the best sunsets in the world. Even the famous film director Alfred Hitchcock visited Zadar in May 1964 and said: “Zadar has the most beautiful sunset in the world, more beautiful than the one in Key West, in Florida, applauded at every evening.”
Sunset, Zadar, from Pixabay.com
We hope this blog convinced you to take a city break to Zadar and see why tourists flock there every. In case you need accommodation, feel free to check out our villas in Zadar for rent. If you have more time to explore it please check our other blog Luxury vacation in Zadar. In any case, we wish you a great vacation in Zadar!
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