Zadar is one of Croatia’s most attractive cities, so we decided to spend the last day of our Balkan itinerary visiting it. Many people visit Zadar as a day trip from Split or from Dubrovnik, but we were concerned that we won’t be able to do too many things in such a short time. Luckily, most of the city’s attractions and historic sites are located in the Old Town area, so we were able to see quite a lot.
Zadar is actually very easy to explore. That’s in part due to its many pedestrian-friendly streets, but also to the fact that most of its attractions are concentrated in small area, so they are easy to discover.
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Best Things to Do in Zadar in One Day
Here are the best things you can do in Zadar in one day:
1. Pass Through the Venetian Land Gate
One of the first things you’ll probably do in Zadar is pass through the Venetian Land Gate. Once the largest city-fortress in the entire Republic of Venice, Zadar managed to retain its independence more than other neighboring cities due to its strong walls. Today only portions of the walls and eight gates remain.
The most impressive and elaborate one is the Land Gate, which is also the main entrance to the old town. The gate is decorated with a relief of the winged lion of St. Mark and the city’s coat of arms.
2. Visit the Roman Forum
The Forum is a huge plaza in the middle of Zadar, holding the remains of the city’s Roman forum. The complex of historic churches and pieces of Roman ruins is still the center of civic and religious life in Zadar.
3. Walk Along the Riva
The Riva is a seaside promenade (also called Petra Kresimira IV) that passes through a beautiful waterfront park. The path is actually more like a garden walk that thrives with activity. Here you’ll find vendors’ stalls, traditional a cappella groups singing as they stroll, and people getting their daily exercise. When the weather is hot, people aren’t shy of stripping down their cloths to dip in the water.
4. Listen to the Sea Organ
Midway along the Riva, you’ll come across The Sea Organ. This is not actually an organ, but an ingenious work of art that employs air and water movement to make sounds, rather than an organist. The magical ‘music’ is produced by the waves pushing air through 35 underwater pipes. And if you are curious how it sounds, watch this short clip:
The pipes are located underneath a set of large marble steps descending into the sea. The sounds produced are a little haunting, yet enchanting and quite relaxing. Listening to this architectural marvel created by Nikola Bašič is one of the most exciting things to do in Zadar, so you shouldn’t miss it!
5. Send ‘Greetings to the Sun‘
Perhaps the most popular attraction in Zadar is the Monument to the Sun, a solar powered work of art that explodes with an array of bright colored lights at night. The lights come from 300 multi-layered glass plates in the shape of a circle that is 22 meters in diameter.
This circle of glass stores the energy created by the sun rays during the day and emits it after dark as a magical light show. The flashing lights accompanied by the sound of the Sea Organ are quite dramatic and unique.
6. Visit the Five Wells Square
The Five Wells Square dated back to the 16th century on the site of a former moat . The square takes its name from the five wells that supplied Zadar with water until 1838.
Today a beautiful park sits on top of the nearby bastion. The park serves as the gathering board for skateboarders.
7. Stroll Through People’s Square
This pretty little square is constantly buzzing with people who gather here for a chat and a drink in one of the many cafés. On one side of the square you can see the City Sentinel, a clock tower that dominates the square since medieval times.
Also in this square is the Renaissance City Loggia, a splendid old building that functions today as an art gallery.
8. Visit Zadar Cathedral
Also known as the Cathedral of St. Anastasia, Zadar Cathedral was originally constructed in the 9th century by the Byzantines, but it was later rebuilt in Romanesque style.
The cathedral has a very beautiful façade with three entrances and numerous arches, as well two beautiful rose windows.
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Agness of eTramping
It seems like you’re really enjoying the Balkans, Anda! Your posts are so inspiring!
Elaine J. Masters
Thanks for pointing the beauties of Zadar. We just might have to veer that direction. I’d love to see that light display and hear those haunting tones of the ocean organ. Beautiful new theme too, Anda (the old one was as well but I see some new additions. How I need to focus on re-doing mine!) Your recent posts about Croatia are a big help with our trip. Dave and I will be here through June 4th!
Anda Galffy
How exciting to be traveling to Croatia at this time of year. It’s perfect: not too crowded, yet beautiful weather. Can hardly wait to read about your travels. Have a safe trip.
Bryna | Dotted Line Travels
The Venetian Gate looks amazing. I also love the idea of the solar powered art! What a cool idea!
Vlad
Your photos are gorgeous! I only knew about the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun, but now I want to go even more. Hope I can finally visit Croatia soon!
Anda Galffy
Croatia is not too far from you, Vlad. If you decide to go you should drive rather than fly there and go during the low season. It’s going to be less crowded and also cheaper.
Kat
Looks like it is doable to explore Zadar in one day. I have seen images of Greeting The Sun site – absolutely incredible! Great post, Anda, and as usual, I love your photos 🙂
Anda Galffy
One day in Zadar is definitely not enough to explore the city in depth, but you can at least take note of what’s out there.
Corey at fifi + hop
Croatia is a place I’d love to visit some day. I just recently read something on Zadar somewhere, and now your post, so perhaps that’s a sign I really need to try and get there soon!
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields
Zadar looks like a beautiful mix of the old world and the new. I love the idea of a town with something as historic as a Roman Forum and as modern as a solar powered work of art.
Lolo
We also spent just one day in Zadar and it was definitely enough. Your picture to the Greeting of the Sun is stunning! Did you get up early to go? Looks like morning. When we went we had a gloomy morning, and by night it was so super crowded we didn’t want to stay till it cleared.
Anda Galffy
That picture was actually taken at sunset. We visited Zadar in April, when it’s not very crowded. I wish we could have stayed another day.
Ruth | Tanama Tales
Excellent pick for a road trip stop. I am glad this place is not overcrowded even thought it is so beautiful and located next to the sea. Seems like you were able to get a good feel for the city even with limited time.
Jon Dunn
Great article and photos. I’m glad I had a few days there, to be nearer the airport after being based in Šibenik and Trogir beforehand. (Loved all three but Zadar was my fave).
There’s also a superb green market – as with all Croatian towns, some divine restaurants, regular ferries to Ugljan, Silba, Olib, and other islands, superb bus connections in all directions and it’s no distance to gorgeous Nin, and an easy day trip to Pag, the sheep’s cheese and lace island and to Paklenica national park, for keen climbers, hikers and wildlife enthusiasts.
I just loved the feel and vibe of the place, relaxed, friendly but ‘lived in’ – unlike say, Dubrovnik, which has turned into a Disney-esque type attraction. 🙁
Oh, and boat trips to Kornati national park are easily available from Zadar too.
Anda Galffy
Thank you for your comment and for all this information. The few hours I’ve spent in Zadar left me yearning to return to this city and spend more time there. I know know how much more there is to see and do in Zadar, but this time around that was all we could do.
Lorna
Can’t believe I hadn’t heard of Zadar before reading this post. Such rich history and beautiful architecture – definitely my kind of place! 🙂
Anda Galffy
Well, I’m glad then you discovered my post. Zadar is one of the most important cities in Croatia and is jam-packed with historic sites and great attractions. Hope you’ll get to see it someday.
Mary {The World Is A Book}
You guys had such an epic trip through these countries. Zadar looks absolutely beautiful! I love that Greeting of the Sun and Sea Organ. I don’t know much about Zadar but would love to visit now. It has such great architecture and history.
Anisa
That sunset shot is amazing. I love cities like this that you can explore by foot and just get lost. The sea organ is so neat too. Definitely adding this to my list for my Croatia trip (whenever that happens!)
Anda Galffy
Hope it happens soon, Anisa. Croatia is one of the most beautiful European countries I visited.
shere
we visited Zadar and really liked it!! I have almost the same picture as your first one 🙂
Anda Galffy
Hahaha, isn’t that funny? Did you use it in one of your posts about Zadar? I’d love to see it.
Suze
What a great mix of modern and new – I love the idea of the Sea Organ! I didn’t realize that Zadar had been part of the Republic of Venice, very interesting
Anda Galffy
Zadar is just around the corner from you, Sure. A good reason to go see it yourself.
Rosemary
I spent most of Zadar in bed recovering from the food poisoning that I got in Dubrovnik from eating seafood. I managed to get up late afternoon (we spent 2 nights there) and fell in love with the sea organ! It would have been a good place for cycling had I been feeling fitter. I don’t think you need more than a day there. Lovely photos.
Anda Galffy
Ah, what a nightmare! I had food poisoning once from seafood in New York. Interestingly enough, at one of the most famous restaurants in Manhattan, but I was the only one who had it out of 7 people who tried the same dish. Which tells me that I am allergic to it. Since then I never tried it again. Thanks for dropping by.
Photo(Geo)grapher
Zadar is beautiful. I visited this city two years ago and was delighted.
Alfred Hitchcock said: “Zadar has the most beautiful sunset in the world, more beautiful than the one in Key West, in Florida, applauded at every evening.” Even if they are not the most beautiful, they are certainly stunning…
julz
so many places to discover. sight! Have never been to that part of Europe. Like all places I haven’t been, i’d love to go.
Rhonda
I have not been to Zadar. It looks very interesting and small enough to do in a day. I think you made a good choice to break up your drive between Montenegro and Hungary by stopping in this city. I like the sound of the Sea Organ. There is something similar to that in Auckland but it is not nearly as loud.