By air
Zadar (ZAD), ~10 km
Europe · Croatia
Zadar, Croatia
A sea organ and famous sunsets
Getting there
Best time to visit
May to September — warm
Don't miss
The Sea Organ
The Greeting to the Sun
The Church of St Donatus
The Forum
Things to do
The Sea Organ
The Greeting to the Sun
The Roman Forum
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: dronepicr · CC BY 2.0
What to pack
Swimwear
A quieter corner
The Kornati islands by boat
Questions travellers ask
What is Zadar known for?
A sea organ and famous sunsets. Listen to the Sea Organ, then see the Greeting to the Sun.
What months are good for Zadar?
May to September, when it is warm. Pack swimwear.
What else should I see in Zadar?
The Roman Forum and the Church of St Donatus. For a quieter trip, take a boat to the Kornati islands.
What should I eat and drink in Zadar?
Seafood, and a taste of maraschino.
About Zadar
- Coastal
Where it is
Zadar is a historic city on the Adriatic coast of northern Dalmatia, in Croatia, its old town set on a narrow peninsula facing the islands of Ugljan and Pašman.
History
Zadar was a settlement of the Illyrian Liburnians before becoming the Roman colony of Iader, whose forum still lies at the heart of the old town. In 1202 the Fourth Crusade sacked it on Venice's behalf, and Venice ruled the city from 1409 until 1797; it was later Austrian and, between the world wars, Italian.
People
Zadar's people speak Croatian, and many families have ties to the fishing villages and olive groves of the nearby islands. The city is known for maraschino, a liqueur made from Marasca cherries, and for the sheep's cheese of nearby Pag.
Known for
- The Sea Organ on the waterfront
- The Greeting to the Sun light installation
- The Church of St Donatus and the Roman Forum
- Sunsets over the islands
- Maraschino cherry liqueur
Did you know?
The Sea Organ, built into the stone steps of the waterfront, makes random but harmonic sounds as the waves push air through pipes hidden beneath the stone.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.