Welcome to Zadar, Croatia, a picturesque coastal town on the Adriatic Sea that should be on every traveler's list.
Zadar is full of history and culture: it's the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia and has been ruled by the Romans, Venetians, and Byzantines - just to name a few.
When I visited, I instantly fell in love with its laid-back vibe and rich history. There really is something for everyone. It's a must-see on any first trip to Croatia, but due to the small size of the Old City (that's where all the attractions are), you can definitely see it all in a day.
As you prepare for your visit to this charming town, take note of the 10 best things to do in Zadar that you won't want to miss.
1. Kolovare Beach
Kolovare Beach is a real gem. An easy walk from the old town of Zadar, it makes for the perfect place to go for a swim or soak up the sun. The beach faces West, so you'll have a gorgeous view of Ugljan Island, one of Croatia's many islands in the Zadar Archipelago.
It's a small beach, so remember to be respectful since it's shared between tourists and locals alike. Also, keep in mind that the beach is rocky and I saw a few shards of plastic buried in the pebbles, so I'd recommend bringing flip-flops or water shoes to protect your feet.
2. The Land Gate
Today, visitors can still marvel at the remnants of the wall that encompass the old city of Zadar. The wall has several gates, each serving as a point of entry. While all of the gates are noteworthy, such as the Bridge Gate (known as "New Gate" on Google Maps) and the Sea Gate, the Land Gate is the most famous and impressive.
The Land Gate was once the primary entrance into the city and boasts breathtaking views of the water, situated right beside the Foša harbor. Constructed in 1543 by Michele Sanmicheli, a Venetian architect, the gate's arch is adorned with imagery of Zadar's patron saint, Chrysogonus.
At the center of the arc, you'll find the winged lion of St. Mark, symbolizing the Republic of Venice's prolonged rule over Zadar from the 15th to 18th centuries.
It's fun to walk through and see close-up, but the best view is from neighboring Queen Jelena Madijevka Park.
3. Roman Forum
This magnificent square holds a lot of history. Located in the heart of Zadar's Old Town, the ancient forum is home to spectacular Roman ruins. Still a public hub and the largest forum in Croatia, it was commissioned by the first Roman emperor, Augustus, and constructed between the 1st century B.C.E. and 3rd century C.E.
Take a stroll through the forum and use your imagination to reconstruct what the columns may have looked like during the height of Zadar's Roman rule. To give your imagination something to work with, there is one intact column that was repurposed as a pillory for prisoners during medieval times.
You'll also find the remains of frescoes depicting mythological scenes, which were once part of a temple dedicated to Minerva, Jupiter, and Juno.
4. the Church of St. Donatus
After a lap around the Roman forum, grab a cheap ticket at the entrance to explore the interior of the Catholic Church of St. Donatus.
The church is incredibly well-preserved, considering that construction began in the 8th century. Originally named the Church of the Holy Trinity, the sacred Christian site was re-dedicated to St. Donatus in the 15th century.
The circular church measures some 88 feet (27 meters) high and once featured a dome on top. Its interior is rather simple and minimalistic in design. There are two floors, each with outer pathways that look in on the circular gallery in the center.
Unlike some old Roman churches I've been in, the steps up to the second floor inside St. Donatus are large and relatively even. Just hold onto the rail since the marble is slippery! The upper floor is well worth the stairs if only for the small windows that look out onto the Roman forum below and the nearby ice-blue waves of the Adriatic Sea.
5. The Five Wells Square
The Five Wells Square is located just inside the famous Land Gate and parallels the medieval old city walls. It's aptly named for the five ornamented 16th-century stone wells that run along the center of the square.
They were originally created when Zadar was under Venetian rule and the city was under threat by Turkish sieges. To help the city withstand the attacks, a large drinking water cistern was developed and marked by these five wellheads.
6. Fresh Market
This outdoor market was an unexpected favorite stop of mine. You'll find fruits, vegetables, nuts, and even local cheeses and olive oil - all of which are inexpensive and as fresh as they get. You'll want to bring cash in small bills for purchases here. Remember that Croatia uses the Euro now!
I'd suggest popping by the market to pick up snacks for your evening picnic as you watch the sunset (see number 9).
The market is called "Market Zadar" on Google Maps.
7. Archaeological Museum Zadar
For such a small town, there are several interesting museums for visitors to explore, including the Museum of Ancient Glass, and the National Museum of Zadar. But the stand-out is easily the Archeological Museum Zadar.
Founded in 1832, it's one of the oldest museums in the region. The museum has a collection of over 100,000 artifacts ranging from the Old and New Stone Ages, the Metal Ages, the Roman and Byzantine Periods, as well as archaeological treasures from the 7th to the 15th centuries.
Check the museum's website for the most up-to-date information on hours and ticket prices.
8. Sea Organ
Perhaps the best thing to do in Zadar is simply to listen to the hauntingly beautiful song of the famous sea organ. This experimental architectural instrument is "played" by the waves. There's a series of tubes under the coast's marble steps that make an organ-like sound when they come in contact with the sea waves. The result is a harmonic, albeit a bit eery, and unique song that never seems to get old. Listen to the sea organ in the video below!
The sea organ is a beloved attraction in Zadar, admired by both locals and tourists alike. When I visited, I saw some local kids had braved the chilly sea temperatures in May to take a dip while listening to the music. I got as far as dipping my toes into the water and enjoying the sounds from there.
9. Watch the Sunset
The view of the sunset from the sea organ steps in Zadar is one of the best I've ever seen. The whole town gathers and waits along the edge of the water to watch the magnificent colors transform the sky as the sun inches closer to the horizon.
Grab some snacks from the fresh market and have a little picnic while you enjoy the view.
10. The Greeting to the Sun
Don't leave too quickly after the sunset, or you'll miss out on one of Zadar's most popular attractions! It might not look like much during the day, but the Greeting to the Sun installation puts on quite the show at night.
The massive 72-foot (22 meters) circle is made up entirely of glass solar panels. It absorbs the sun's energy during the day and just after sunset it puts on a colorful light show. I can't believe I didn't know this when I visited, but the photos I've seen of the light show make it look like a lot of fun!
For such a small old city, there's a lot to do in Zadar. Whether you decide to spend your time laying on the beach or exploring the many historical and cultural sights, it's well worth a visit. This list is what I consider to be the best things to do in Zadar, but I'm sure there are more! Let me know in the comments if there's something you think is missing from my list and what you enjoyed most about your trip!
Interested in exploring more of Croatia? Check out my Ultimate Croatia Travel Guide.
PIN THIS GUIDE!
