Spend A Perfect Day in Zadar in 2018

Have you ever been to Zadar? If yes, then you must be ready to revisit! After all, not only is it the centre of northern Dalmatia, it’s a place whose charm is hard to resist and which you’ll always want to experience. Since Zaton is just a few kilometres away from Zadar, planning a trip is rather easy and does not need special preparations.

Simply take the car to Zadar's historical peninsula or go by bus, so that you don't need to worry about parking. You can catch the bus at the stop in Nin or, even better, go by the shopping bus that leaves from the resort. Here are a few suggestions about how to spend a wonderful day in Zadar:

Where to start?

Just relax, sit and have your morning coffee at ancient Roman Forum and simply feel the pulse of the city. Admire the sight of the 9th century Church of St Donatus’, the city’s famous landmark, and see its interior (ticket: €3 for adults). Then climb the 62m high Belltower of St Anastasia’s Cathedral right next to it for a view from above and to appreciate Zadar’s skyline (ticket: €2). Just around the corner, you will also find the largest church in Dalmatia - the Romanesque St Anastasia’s Cathedral.

City Walls and Museums

Are you a history fan? Then visit the Archaeological Museum (ticket: €4 for adults) or the exhibition of religious art The Gold and Silver of Zadar (ticket: €4 for adults), just opposite the St Donatus’ Church. Or you can simply continue your stroll towards the Sea Gate, along Šimuna Kožičića Benje Street. Once you’ve passed through the Gate, look around and you’ll notice the city walls, listed as UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. Continue southwards along the walls towards the city bridge for pedestrians. Before you reach it, go through the passageway to the market. Get some fresh fruit and vegetables and experience the buzz.

Go back onto the bridge, then turn around to fully appreciate the size of the walls and the historical peninsula. If that’s it for your day in Zadar, go through the second passageway and continue until you reach Narodni trg (People’s Square). Take a break and grab a bite to eat before you leave Zadar.

If you decide to stay the entire day, before you relax at People’s Square, you might be interested to show your family a different kind of a museum. As you go through the passageway, go up the stairs to the top of the walls and you will immediate spot the Museum of Ancient Glass (ticket: €4 for adults) and further down you will find the Museum of Illusions (ticket: €8 for adults; €20 a family ticket).

Relaxing afternoon

When on People’s Square, look around and you will notice the clock tower City Guard and the City Loggia, both from the 16th century, as well as the City Hall from the early 20th century. Then continue southwards along Elizabeta Kotromanić Street until you reach Petar Zoranić Square with Roman ruins and Five Wells Square next to it. Have a snack in the first public park in Croatia - Queen Jelena Madije Park, almost two hundred years old. Walk around it and appreciate the view of the Foša port. If you feel hungry, you can have an excellent meal at 5 Bunara restaurant nearby. Or you can take a narrow side street from Petar Zoranić Square to reach directly the Land Gate and Foša, where you can also find an amazing fish restaurant of the same name.

A magical finish

Fancy a dessert? Take a stroll along the promenade from Foša, past the Zadar University, built beginning of the 20th century. Continue until you hear an amazing sound of the Sea Organ and see the wonderful display of light at Greetings to the Sun, Zadar’s most famous modern attractions. With the breathtaking sunset as the perfect background, can you think of a better way to complete your visit to Zadar?