The 15 Best things to do in Zadar blog post was first published on Culture Tourist on 14 July 2023 and updated on 12 July 2024.
With so many things to do in Zadar, planning your visit to that beautiful Croatian town could be challenging. Its long history, numerous fantastic buildings, and so much art and culture make it a great place to visit in Croatia. From museums and cultural institutions to restaurants and lovely shops, here is your city guide with some fun things to do in Zadar.
Best things to do in Zadar
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Easily reachable by plane, car, and boat, Zadar is one of the best places to visit in Croatia. Some of my first childhood memories are from my family holidays there, and I visited that town numerous times later. Since I spent some time there again recently, I decided it’s time to finally write this guide to the best things to do in Zadar.
Zadar is a compact city; most of its monuments are in the Old Town area. You can easily visit all of these locations in Zadar within the same day. Or, if you see the museums and churches’ treasuries, you can spend two to three days exploring them. Zadar Old Town is on the peninsula, surrounded mainly by city walls. The main street in the Zadar Old Town is called Kalelarga. The buildings on it were destroyed during the Allies’ bombing in the Second World War, so most houses on it are pretty modern.
⤷ Read more: Things to know before visiting Croatia this summer
What to see in Zadar
1 – Zadar Roman Forum
Zadar Roman Forum is the largest one on the Eastern Adriatic Coast. It was built between the 1st century BC and the 3rd century AD. Because of the inscription found on the Forum, we know a part of it was created by the Roman Emperor Augustus. Roman Forum in Zadar is a must-see because once there, you’ll feel like you have stepped into history. The whole area is a massive archaeological site with stone artefacts scattered around the square. It’s surrounded by beautiful historic buildings, and you can spend hours exploring all the details there.
⤷ Read more: 20 Archaeological sites you have to visit in Europe
2 – The Sea Organ
Listening to the Sea Organ is one of the most unique things to do in Zadar. Located on the Zadar Riva, or the seafront, it’s a unique musical instrument that was installed there in 2005. By installing the pipes, the music is played by the sea waves. You can sit on the marble stairs and enjoy the sea view and music performed by the waves. This unique instrument is a fantastic place not to be missed in Zadar.
3 – Saint Donatus Church
Saint Donatus is one of the most famous churches in Croatia and a unique symbol of Zadar. Made in the 9th century, it’s a pre-Romanesque rotunda. The building material from the Roman Forum, on which it is located, was used in its construction. You can still spot some of that construction material in its walls today. Because of its acoustics, it’s not used as a church anymore but as a music venue.
⤷ Read more: Things to do in Zagreb 2024: Tips from a local
4 – Zadar Cathedral
Saint Anastasia Cathedral (or Sveta Stošija in Croatian) is the largest church in Dalmatia and one of the most important Romanesque buildings in Croatia. Built during the 12th and 13th centuries, it’s one of the most beautiful buildings in Zadar. You can see two rose windows on its facade, the larger one made in Romanesque and the smaller one in the Gothic style. The Cathedral also has a richly decorated portal. Be sure to visit its interior and enjoy its unique medieval ambience.
5 – Climb the Bell Tower and enjoy the view of Zadar from it
The Cathedral Bell Tower isn’t interconnected to the church but stands separately from it. The lower parts of the tower were built in the 15th century, while its top parts were created in the 19th century. On its top is the statue of an angel, which turns according to the wind direction.
⤷ TIP: You can climb the bell tower and enjoy a panoramic view of the Zadar Old Town, the Adriatic Sea, and the islands of Ugljan and Pašman from it. My tip is to explore the city’s history while wandering around its old town and climbing the bell tower during this Zadar City Tour.
6 – Zadar Archaeological Museum
Zadar is a town filled with history, and you can learn a lot about it at its Archaeological Museum. Founded in 1832, it’s the second oldest museum in Croatia. The museum has an extensive Prehistoric archaeological collection. Since it was an important Roman town, the exhibition with artefacts from that period is fascinating. It provides a great insight into the art, crafts, religion and life in Ancient Zadar.
However, the medieval collection exhibiting some of the most famous artefacts from the early Croatian kingdom is the most interesting. You can see models of some small medieval churches in the archaeological state today, like the nearby Stomorica Church.
⤷ Read more: 18 Best Exhibitions in European Museums in 2024
7 – Museum of Ancient Glass
Another museum absolutely worth visiting in Zadar is the Museum of Ancient Glass. Located in a 19th-century palace, it’s one of the youngest Zadar museums, having opened in 2009. It’s home to around 3,000 glass artefacts from Antiquity (1st century BC—5th century AD).lass artefacts from Antiquity (1st century BC – 5th century AD).
Besides its exhibits, the best part of the museum is its glassblowing workshops, during which you can learn how glass was produced 2,000 years ago. You can explore that museum on a virtual walk using this link.
8 – The Greeting to the Sun in Zadar
During his visit to this town in 1964, Alfred Hitchcock said Zadar was home to the most beautiful sunset. And I agree, there is something special in the combination of the blue sea, clear sky and the sun slowly setting down. If you want to enjoy the famous sunset in a whole new way, visit the Greeting to the Sun. It’s next to the Sea Organ on the seafront outside the Old Town. With around 300 glass plates, this light installation symbolically communicates with the sun after it sets down.
9 – The Five Wells Square
Close to the Land Gate, you’ll find one of the most beautiful squares in Zadar, the Five Wells Square. The square got its name from the historic wells located on it. It is surrounded by city walls, fortifications and historical buildings. This urban area is next to Croatia’s oldest city garden, the Queen Jelena’s Garden (Perivoj kraljice Jelene in Croatian).
⤷ Read more: Fun things to do in Zagreb this summer
10 – Narodni Trg in Zadar
Narodni Trg is Zadar’s main square and one of the most important town meeting points. It’s home to many fascinating buildings, with Town Loggia from the 13th century being the most interesting. It has numerous small cafes that are perfect for a break during your stroll around Zadar.
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11 – Explore Zadar Market
If you’ve been following Culture Tourist for some time, you know one of my favourite places to visit while travelling is local markets. They tell you so much about the local culture and lifestyle. And they are usually places where you’ll eat the best local food and buy some of the nicest souvenirs.
It’s no different with Zadar Market. Located within the Old Town, be sure to try some local fruit and vegetables and some of the traditional sweets from the area, like candied almonds, lemon (lemoncini), and orange crust (arancini).
⤷ TIP: If you’d like to learn more about the local food and learn how to prepare some of the traditional Croatian meals yourself, check out this Zadar Market Tour and Cooking Class.
12 – Stroll on Zadar City Walls
The Zadar Old Town was surrounded by city walls that defended the town from sieges and attacks. Its remains are still largely visible, especially on its northern side. Built over the centuries, they originate from the Roman times, Middle Ages and 16th century.
A promenade is settled on its top, offering some of the best views of Zadar and its port. You’ll often find some open-air exhibitions on it, too. Strolling on the top of its city walls is one of the things you shouldn’t miss in Zadar.
13 – Saint Mary Church
Saint Mary Church is another beautiful building in Zadar. Designed in the Romanesque style, its trefoil facade is fascinating. The church is opposite to Saint Donatus Church and belongs to the Benedictine monastery established in 1066. Founded by a female member of the noble family, it has always had royal support and protection. The church was destroyed during the Allied bombing in the Second World War but rebuilt shortly after the war.
Saint Mary Church is home to an excellent exhibition, ‘The Gold and Silver of Zadar’, which is absolutely one of the best things to do in Zadar.
14 – Visit Stomorica Church
If you’re interested in archaeology, you should visit the remains of Stomorica Church. It was built in the 6th century during the early Middle Ages. The church has a six-leaf plan. However, one of the apses was removed, and the church bell was built in its place.
Stomorica Church was destroyed in the 16th century so that the city fortifications could be built in its place. It was later excavated and researched.
⤷ Read more: 20 Most iconic churches in Europe
15 – Ride with barkajol
Barkajol is one of the most charming symbols of Zadar. Since the Old Town is located on a peninsula, you can get to it from the part where it’s connected to the land by crossing the bridge or by riding with barkajol. They will take you from the newer part of the town to the Old Town on their small boats. This tradition is at least 800 years old, and very often, it’s a business running within the family.
⤷ Read more: Best day trips from Zadar
Where to stay in Zadar
If you’d like to explore Zadar Old Town, staying within that area is the most convenient. There are many private accommodations to choose from, where you’ll feel like a Zadar local. However, the noise could be a downside of staying there, especially in the summer months. It’s also where many bars are, so the neighbourhood could be very noisy in July and August.
My favourite area to stay in Zadar is Borik. It’s a bit outside the city centre, but it’s a quieter area closer to the beach. You can spend mornings swimming there and afternoons exploring some fun things to do in Zadar.
Where to eat in Zadar
Croatian food is delicious, and you’ll find many lovely places to try some of it during your stay in Zadar. Fresh grilled fish, buzara, and pašticada are some dishes to have while in the region of Dalmatia. During my latest trip to Zadar, I visited a fantastic vegan restaurant, The Botanist, which I loved. It’s located on the seafront and serves incredible food. So, if you’d like to have vegan food during your holidays in Zadar, be sure to visit it.
What to buy as a souvenir in Zadar
⤷ Maraschino – With so much sun and fresh air from the sea and mountains, Zadar produces some of the best cherries in Croatia. The company Maraska is well known for its cherry products. And their best-seller is a cherry liqueur called Maraschino. Try some of their cherry syrups and juices to go alcohol-free. You’ll find them in special shops and supermarkets around Zadar.
⤷ Nin Saltworks Shop – The nearby town of Nin is home to the saltworks in which salt is still produced in a natural and traditional way. They have a small souvenir shop in Zadar where you’ll find their products, from different kinds of salts to candies and cosmetics made with it.
With so many things to do in Zadar, this town offers something for everyone, especially when it comes to art and culture. Have you been to Zadar? Do you have any tips to add? Let me know in the comments!
Cover photo by Lucas Messere on Unsplash