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Zadar

Roman ruins, a sea organ and one of the Adriatic’s best sunsets.

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Overview

Why go to Zadar

Zadar is a smaller, friendlier Dalmatian city with Roman remains, a walkable old town, a musical Sea Organ and gorgeous sunsets. It is a good base for national parks and the Kornati islands.

BeachCity breakCulture & historyCouplesFood & drink

Where
Dalmatia, Croatia
Recommended stay
2–4 nights
Best time to go
May–June and September; summers are warm and lively.
Approx. daily budget
£60–120 a dayPer person, excluding flights. Indicative.

What does Zadar cost?

Full cost guide
  • Budget traveller£55–80a day
  • Mid-range traveller£110–155a day
  • Luxury traveller£215+a day

Approximate per person per day, including a share of a twin room, and excluding flights. Not live prices.

Things To Do

Top picks in Zadar

See all 9
Must See~£3

Roman Forum and St Donatus Church

Old Town

A ruined Roman forum beside a round Byzantine church with superb acoustics.

  • Suggested time: 1h 15m
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Culture lovers

Church daily, roughly 9:00–21:00 in summer

Hidden GemsFree

Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun

Riva

A steps-and-pipes instrument played by the waves, next to a solar light installation.

  • Suggested time: 1 hr
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples · Photographers

Open-air; always accessible

Local FavouritesFree

Kalelarga and Old Town Walk

Old Town

The car-free main street and lanes of the peninsula old town, with shops and cafés.

  • Suggested time: 1h 30m
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples

Open-air; shops open daily

Shopping & MarketsFree

Zadar Market

Old Town

A traditional market of Dalmatian produce, cheese, honey and fish.

  • Suggested time: 1 hr
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Food lovers

Daily mornings
Hidden Gems

Beyond the checklist

See all 5
Hidden GemsFree

Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun

Riva

A steps-and-pipes instrument played by the waves, next to a solar light installation.

  • Suggested time: 1 hr
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples · Photographers

Open-air; always accessible

Day Trips~£55

Kornati Islands Day Trip

Kornati (60 km)

A boat trip through a national park of scores of bare limestone islands and clear water.

  • Suggested time: Full day
  • Booking recommended
  • Suits: Families · Beach lovers

Daily in season

View Tickets
Day Trips~£4

Nin Old Town and Salt Pans

Nin (17 km)

A tiny walled town on an island in a lagoon, with a long sandy beach and salt pans.

  • Suggested time: 4 hrs
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples · Beach lovers

Open daily; buses run from Zadar

Day Trips~£5

Paklenica National Park

Starigrad (45 km)

A gorge and mountain park for hiking, with climbing routes and easy family walks.

  • Suggested time: Full day
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Photographers

Daily; ticket at the entrance
Hotels

Best-value hotels in Zadar

Well reviewed and fairly priced for what you get: not simply the cheapest.

All 3 hotels
Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun, near Riva in Zadar (illustrative photo: example hotel)
Best ValueBest Mid-Range Hotel
Example listing

Sea Organ Hotel

Riva, Zadar

8.8Guest rating 8.8/10 · Excellent

Very good valueValue score 79 out of 100

Rated 8.8/10, priced in line with similar 4★ hotels in Zadar, in a central location.

From £95 per night · check current availability
View Hotels View Hotel: Sea Organ Hotel
Roman Forum and St Donatus Church, near Old Town in Zadar (illustrative photo: example hotel)
Best Budget Choice
Example listing

Old Town Zadar House

Old Town, Zadar

8.6Guest rating 8.6/10 · Excellent

Very good valueValue score 68 out of 100

Rated 8.6/10, priced in line with similar 3★ hotels in Zadar, in a central location.

From £65 per night · check current availability
View Hotels View Hotel: Old Town Zadar House
Food & Restaurants

Where to eat

Food guide

  • Maraschino liqueur

    A cherry liqueur invented in Zadar

  • Pag cheese

    A tangy sheep’s cheese from a nearby island

  • Prosciutto and olives

    Often served with local wine

A suggested Zadar itinerary

3 nights Couple

Zadar · Highlights

Zadar in 3 nights

A balanced first-visit plan built from our Zadar picks: the headline sights, a local favourite or two and time to breathe.

  1. Day 1 · Zadar Market, Roman Forum and St Donatus Church, Kalelarga and Old Town Walk, Museum of Ancient Glass
  2. Day 2 · Nin Old Town and Salt Pans, Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun
  3. Day 3 · Kolovare Beach
Use this itinerary : Zadar in 3 nights

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