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    Zadar

    Croatia

    Zadar

    City

    Zadar is the largest city in North Dalmatia, its Old Town situated on a peninsula on the Adriatic Sea.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Croatia
    7. North Dalmatia
    9. Zadar
    Zadar is the largest city in North Dalmatia, its Old Town situated on a peninsula on the Adriatic Sea. Roman Forum, Romanesque churches, and the Venetian fortifications—a UNESCO World Heritage site—meet modern installations like the Sea Organ here.The city is a good starting point for the National Parks Krka, Kornati and Plitvice Lakes.

    Sights in Zadar

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Salute to the Sun
    Attraction

    1Salute to the Sun

    The circular installation with a diameter of 22 meters next to the Sea Organ is also by Nikola Bašić.
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    Sea Organ
    Attraction

    2Sea Organ

    Nikola Bašić's Sea Organ was inaugurated in 2005. Built into steps on the waterfront, waves and wind create sounds through pipes below the surface.
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    St. Anastasia Cathedral
    Church

    3St. Anastasia Cathedral

    Dalmatia's largest church is Romanesque, its facade dates from 1324, and the bell tower was only completed around 1893.
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    Church St. Donatus
    Church

    4Church St. Donatus

    The round pre-Romanesque building from the 9th century is one of Zadar's most famous buildings.
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    Restaurants in Zadar

    1

    Foša

    Restaurant with fish and Mediterranean cuisine, new to the Guide Michelin 2026.
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    2

    Restaurant Labrax - Fish & Wine bar

    Fish and wine bar, new in the Guide Michelin in 2026 and rated with 15 points in Gault&Millau.
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    3

    Restaurant Kastel

    Hotel Bastion restaurant with terrace, listed in the Michelin Guide.
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    Food and Beverages

    Zadar is the home of Maraschino.

    Maraschino

    Liqueur from Maraska sour cherries, with roots in an herbal liqueur by Dominican pharmacists in Zadar in the 16th century.

    Salt of Nin

    The Nin salt pans have been in operation since Roman times. In autumn, the salt is harvested by hand.

    History and the Present

    Zadar dates back to the Liburnian settlement Iader and became a Roman colony in 48 BC. The Church of Saint Donatus dates from the 9th century, and the Cathedral of Saint Anastasia is the largest church in Dalmatia. Since 2017, the city's Venetian defensive fortifications have been a World Heritage site. Architect Nikola Bašić created the Sea Organ (2005) and the Greeting to the Sun on the waterfront promenade.

    Nightlife

    1

    The Garden Lounge

    Lounge on the city wall overlooking the harbour, with DJs in summer.
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    Getting There and Around

    Zadar Airport is located approximately 12 to 15 kilometers from the city center, and a shuttle bus operates into the city. The Old Town is compact and easily explored on foot. From Zadar, buses run to Split, Šibenik, Zagreb, and the Plitvice Lakes (two to three hours).

    Accommodations in Zadar

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    Campgrounds in Zadar

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    Plan your trip to Zadar

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      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
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      • 1Salute to the Sun3 days
      • 2Sea Organ4 days
      • 3St. Anastasia Cathedral5 days
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    Nearby

    Nin

    Nin

    Nin is a small town north of Zadar, its old town set on an island in a shallow lagoon. It is considered Croatia's first royal city and boasts the Church of the Holy Cross, one of the country's oldest sacred buildings.Surrounding the lagoon are shallow sandy beaches and a salt pan.
    North Dalmatia

    North Dalmatia

    Northern Dalmatia stretches from Zadar to Šibenik and includes the Krka and Kornati National Parks. Venetian fortresses, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the Krka waterfalls are the most famous destinations.
    Kornati National Park

    Kornati National Park

    The Kornati National Park comprises 89 islands, islets, and reefs off the coast of North Dalmatia. The barren, almost treeless islands are a destination for boat trips and sailing trips.

    Šibenik is a port city in North Dalmatia, located between Zadar and Split, with its Old Town rising steeply above the mouth of the Krka. No less than two structures are on the UNESCO World Heritage List: the Cathedral of St. James and St. Nicholas Fortress at the entrance to the channel.The city is a good starting point for Krka National Park and the Kornati Islands.
    Krka National Park

    Krka National Park

    Krka National Park protects the lower course of the Krka River in the Šibenik hinterland, featuring a chain of travertine waterfalls. The most famous is Skradinski buk, with 17 cascades, over which a wooden walkway leads.The park has been a national park since 1985; in 2025, approximately one million visitors arrived.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Pexels, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI