Attractions

Zadar Attractions

Zadar is a city with an exceptional 3,000 year-old history and an exceptionally valuable cultural heritage, a city that always manages to offer something new and original. Sightseeing in Zadar is like plunging into ancient history: remains of the old Roman Iader, great medieval architecture and Romanesque churches, Renaissance masterpieces and many contemporary architectural achievements such as the first Sea Organ in the world and the Greeting to the Sun ... A remarkable density of artistic and cultural treasures to choose from at each visit!

St. Donatus

This unusual 9th-century church and the buildings around it were erected on the ruins of the city's Roman Forum.

Forum

Zadar's Roman Forum was constructed sometime between the 1st century B.C.

The Gold and Silver of Zadar

The Benedictine Convent next to the Church of St. Mary doesn't look like much from the street, but inside you'll find one of the most breathtaking museums in Croatia.

City Walls and Gates

At one time, Zadar was the largest fortified city in Venice's portfolio.

The Riva

In most Croatian cities that face the sea, the Riva is usually a public "runway" where people go to see and be seen dressed in their trendiest outfits, always accessorized with an ice-cream cone.

Activities

Zadar Activities & Tours

Zadar is an attractive tourist destination with its position at the meeting point of geographically different regions, and surrounded by historical towns and natural beauties. Treat yourselves to an excursion: for those who love islands and hidden beaches, lake and river waters, mountain air and heights, we recommend excursions around Zadar's surrounding areas which consist of 3 nature parks and as many as 5 national parks. The choice is quite big, so if you love walks in the woods, hiking, rafting or sailing be sure to go to one of the national parks - you won't regret it!

Restaurants

Zadar Food & Drink

Start your day in a small cafe somewhere in the buzzing city, close to the food market where you will find mouthwatering displays of fruits, vegetables and more ... all locally grown and bursting with flavour. From seafood so fresh it’s sometimes still alive, to succulent lamb from the nearby island of Pag – and fruit and vegetables from surrounding farmland – Zadar is able to offer high-calibre dining. It has a Mediterranean climate, after all. As an aperitif, try a glass of the famous Maraschino, a dessert liqueur made from the autochthonous Maraska cherries.

Riblji Restaurant Fosa

Named after the harbor that flows next to the city's east wall, which is just outside its front door, Fosa has the best location of any restaurant in Zadar.

Niko

With a track record that dates to 1963, Niko qualifies as an institution in the Zadar area and it is also one of the best restaurants around, hands-down.

Slasticarna Donat

Even people from out of town have heard of Donat, reputed to have the best ice cream in Zadar due to its creative flavors and funny, congenial scoopers.

Kornat

This chic restaurant doesn't look like much when you see it from the ferry port across the street, but it is a hidden oasis of imaginative Croatian cuisine served in a refined atmosphere.

Trattoria Canzona

Just down the street from Konoba StXmorica, this traditional pizzeria is all Italian all the time.

Nightlife

Zadar Nightlife

On warm evenings, everybody is outside. Promenading the streets is a habit that still linger. Zadar’s nightlife is neither sceney nor divided into old and young, so in most places you’ll find an unpretentious mix of people. While the Old Town is an atmospheric place to spend your evenings, you can also spend time outside the city centre, to catch the sea breeze and watch the sun go down. Young Croatians are a pretty cosmopolitan lot, and you would be surprised how urban the culture is. There are a handful of clubs which offer some decent nights, and a wide choice of bars to suit your tastes.

The Garden

There is nothing closer to nightclub Nirvana than The Garden, a cool, understated club on an expansive terrace high up in the city's walls.

Barbara Bar

Funimation's decor is tropical/Afro and Barbara carries out that theme, too.

City Club Forum

Togas are optional and you won't hear strains from Nero's fiddle at this trio of bars designed to conjure the fall of Rome.

Mango

As waterfront bars go, Mango is a cut above.

Shopping

Zadar Shopping

The best shopping experience you can have in Zadar is undoubtedly one based around food: at the indoor fish market, and at the food and flower market nearby. As for clothes, especially for international brands hit the shopping malls City Galleria and Supernova. However, Zadar’s best shops are in the Old Town. In this area you’ll find a beautiful little wine stores, hundreds of jewelry stores and little shops where you can buy top quality shoes or luxury bags. Meanwhile, the Museum of Ancient Glass with its gift shop holds the key to some special purchases you can make while in Zadar.