Is Zadar worth visiting? Zadar is a perfect laid-back central base for a couple of days between Plitvice Lakes National Park, Krka National Park, Kornati National Park, Split, Istria and Zagreb for a road trip. It’s also a gateway to islands in the Zadar archipelago. Its old town is small but full of hidden gems. Zadar is one of the very few cities in Croatia where a tourist can see locals enjoy a day inside the city walls, unlike other Disneyland like old towns where locals avoid in summer.
What are the best things to do in Zadar besides seeing the old town and architecture?
Indulge in a boutique hotel and restaurant for a fantastic price
Almayer Art & Heritage Hotel is a tastefully designed boutique hotel in restored heritage buildings, perfectly located in the heart of Zadar’s old town. Art is at every corner, not just in a frame. This quote perfectly captures the spirit of the hotel. “Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” — Franz Kafka. Almayer has a distinctive way to invite guests to be curious, charmed and revived. The price point is fantastic for a boutique hotel this exquisite. Parking fee is reasonable for inside the old town.
Almayer’s Corte Restaurant is our favorite hidden gem in Zadar. They offer a rich culinary experience celebrating Dalmatia’s rich diversity and abundance, with locally sourced fresh seasonal ingredients. Their breakfast menu is impressive too, serving eggs in more ways you can imagine. Try croque madame with fresh truffle r. The setting is secluded and enchanting, and is different for day and night time. Guests may easily spend hours relaxing in the restaurant and garden. It’s open all day to non-hotel guests too.
Take day trips from Zadar to National Parks
Zadar is a perfect central base for going to some of the most beautiful national parks in Croatia: Plitvice Lakes National Park, Krka National Park, and Kornati National Park. Kornati is just a boat ride away. Krka is under an hour drive from Zadar. For Plitvice Lakes National Park, we recommend visiting first thing in the morning (see Plitvice Lakes National Park Pro Tips Before You Go). So if you stay overnight in Plitvička Jezera, Zadar may be a stop before or after.
Listen to the Sea Organ while enjoying the sunset
The Sea Organ in Zadar is a super cool underwater musical instrument played by the natural sea waves, designed by Croatian architect Nikola Bašić. The bigger the waves, the louder it is and the more notes will sound. On the surface, people sit on the white steps to listen to the music from the Sea Organ. If you look at the water carefully, you’ll see ripples of sound waves that come out of the Sea Organ. It also perfectly faces the sunset, making it a sunset sensation.
Dance to the light show and live music by the sea
The Greeting to the Sun or Monument to the Sun (Pozdrav suncu) is a visual and musical playground for all ages right by the sea. It is a large glass installation on the ground that is charged with solar power during the day and put on a colorful light show at night. Live performers would come to compliment the light show, making it a night time sensation. This functional art installation puts a smile on everyone that gathers. It is next to the Sea Organ and also designed by Croatian architect Nikola Bašić.
Food shop at the perfect farmers market and fish market
If you stay in an Airbnb with a kitchen and you know how to cook, Zadar’s open market is a treat.
Zadar’s open market of produce and seafood is the best one-stop-shop with the most and fairest to offer among the farmers markets in all major cities in Croatia. Zagreb’s Dolac Market is pricier and has more imported produce. Split’s Green Market is bigger and more lively, but its fish market is across the old town. Dubrovnik’s Gruž Market is limited for browsing because the best and freshest goes to restaurants first, and there are A LOT of restaurants and tourists in Dubrovnik. Zadar’s open market is not the biggest, but the seafood market is abundant, and the farmers market offers a really good variety. You can easily find fresh langoustine (skampi), clams, sea bass and more for cheap.
Sail around Zadar archipelago and visit Dugi Otok
Sailing from Zadar is a lot more affordable and convenient than other port cities in Croatia if a sailing experience of interest. The Zadar archipelago features around 300 islands, including Kornati National Park. However, we do not recommend booking sailing via Airbnb. The skippers on Airbnb are allowed to cancel on you literally last minute for any reason with zero penalty, but you would lose a day of your trip. A real business with a website is much more reliable such as Zadar Sailing.
Are the nearby islands of Zadar worth a visit? We recommend them only if you have time to kill or if you are not going to other islands in Croatia.
On the other hand, Dugi Otok, islands further in the archipelago, Telašćica Nature Park, or Kornati National Park are sensational and worth a visit. Villa Nai 3.3 is a luxurious organic villa on Dugi Otok surrounded by an ancient olive grove. Their olive oil Nav 3.3 is an amazing Dalmatian olive oil with ultra high polyphenol content. The taste is fruitier than Istrian olive oil and not really bitter for the amount of polyphenol.
